Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-27
"REMINISCENCES AND RAMBLES
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA.

Rev. Charles B. Dana, native of Massachu-
setts, succeeded Mr. Mann 10 1888, continuing
in charge OF the church down to the period of
the national troubles, period OF more than
quarter OF a century. His long service is an
evidence of his fitness for the work. He came
there 10 the freshness of youth, and devoted
himself to his calling, was houored some years
ago with the degree of d. D., and when the
calamities of the country came, the church and
congregation were in the most excellent con-
ditiou. DR.. Dana is now rector Of church in
Memphis. LSince dead
Duriog the war the church was in an unset
tied state Rev. Mr. Fugitt oficiated for
time iu the earlier part of the war, and after
him, Rev. John A. Bowman, hospital chaplain
in Alexandria, occupied the pulpit for period.
He was succeeded by Rev. Robert McMurdy,
also hospital chaplain, who left in 1866, to
become the editor of the Freemason Journal in
New York city. For the last year Rev. A. NJ.
Randolph has served as the rector with great
acceptance, but leaves in October to assume the
rec,orship of Emanuel Church, Baltimore, to
which be has been called. The church is now
10 Furnishing state aud we trust the vestry
will be fortunate in the choice ota successor to
Mr.. Randolph. who has succeeded 80 well 10
his labors with them within the last year.
The ladies have reorganized their parish
>chool, and, in the poverty Of the times,
they have volunteered to be themselves
the teachers. Individuals have been Sc
lected from their number tor this purpose,
aud, iD this manner an excellent school has
been sustained, and will continue to be main
tanned, we doubt not, 10 the coming year.
Some seventy-tive or more children have been
gathered from the waste places, where, IN the
almost entire absence Of free schools 10 the city,
the mass of the children are wandering. The
free schools which existed before the war have
all been broken up, except one, and these Ia
dies deserve the thanks of all who feel the
worth Of a human soul for their extraordinary
effort to give light and understanding to the
poor aud peglected-''to hang thought 90
every thorn"
We attended services at Christ Church
week or TWO since, and found, what they now
invariably have, we understand, a tul congre-
CATION. The rector was absent, but the minis
ter who filled his place read the service with
uncommon excellence, and preached discourse
tull of the Gospel, reminding US, in its senti-
ment aud its spirit of the Injunction OF the
dying Tyug-"Stand up for Jesus. "
ALEXANDRIA MUSEUM.
This ancient, dilapidated institution, holding
in its custody many historical relics OF great
value, was founded in 1872 and owes Its origin
to Timothy Munford, who, oo st. John's Day
in that year, proposed TO his brethren OF the
Alexandria Lodge the feasibility and import
auce of such an Institution. His suggestions
were adopted, and the museum was lm med-
ately organized Mr. Mumtord was elected
manager by the lodge, and continued to fill
that position with the utmost indefatigablllty
and success for long series OF years, to the
day of his DEATH Since his decease 1t has fall
en- iuto neglect and desolation. The collection
by the provisions of the constitution, caa neith
er be sold nor given away, and, 10 case OF dis
solution, the articles rcver, to those who pre-
scnted them, or to their heirs.
The museum grew in less than two years 10
to a very large and very valuable collection, as
the dates attached to the articles clearly show.
1t occupies two large rooms ln the upper story
of the market house, over the Mayor office,
aud We are under great obligations to Mr.. Ed.
ward NJ. Davis, Of the police, who kindly pro-
cured US access to the establishment, aud show
ed US the articles Of most Historical interest;
Mr.. Numtord used to say, when he visited
this hall in his life time, long years ago, that
he had never applied 10 vain for any article that
he had fastened his heart upon tor his collec-
ton. He was wonderfully fitted for. his work
of love, and we could only lament, in viewing
the dust and desoation, that his mantle did
not fall upon kindred spirit.
ALEXANDRIA wAsHINGToN+ LODGE NO. %
It is we'll known to the Masonic fraternity
everywhere that Washington was chief found
er of this Lodge. Iu 1888 it passed under the
Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia,
aad tbs illustrious character by whose name 1t
il houored was created the first w. NJ and at
ter his death Alexandria Lodge No. o., in
which he first had presided, was permitted to
assume his Dame, being enrolled in the ar
chiyes of the Grand Lodge of Virainia
in 1905 by the name at the head OF this
paragraph. This Lodge, founded in col
ouial times, and consequently under the
jurisdiction originally Of English masonry, has
ever been in fourishing condition, except IN
the rebellion, during which it barely retained
its life. Since the close of the war, however,
it has put on new lite, and IS now 10 nne con-
dtiou, and we trust they will speedily examine
this museum, aud save what is really OF great
value from ruin. We mention q few articles
which we're marked 10 our note book ~ cur
sorry glance through the looms.
4 Turkish saddle, gold mounted, presented
to Jefferson. and by him presented to the
museum; an old and 6ne oil portrait Of Lord
Fairfax, and one, By West. Of Wm..Penn.
AN ORIGINAL LETTER OF WASHINGTON,
dated MT. Vernon, 18th November, 1899
In which the great patriot accepts 40 Invitation
to attend the assemblies at Alexsndria the en-.
suing winter, but 10 which he adds t'Alas
our dancing days are over" The letter is ad-
dressed to jonathan Swift, George ID. Neill,
VIM. Newton, Robert Yard, Charles Aexan-
der, James H. Hooe, managers" "g
FLAGS Of THE REVOLUTION.
A flag borne by the llth Virginia, Morgan's
KlHe Regiment; flag of General Lafayette; flag
oeIne by Washington's body guard, bearing
Conquer or die as its motto. The flag is of
superb white silk, and upon its folds is the
representation of its presentation by lady, to.
gether with the symbolic figures of the shield,
.ae eagle, and the flag. Also, flag carried at
.ae !M battle Of Trenton, and magnificent white
SiIS NIX, oaDuer borne by the Alexandria Blues in
~ at Yorktown, with Emulation, Firm
y R;s 1elsnce for its motto flag Of the Richmond