Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-03-05
Massachusetts, and Alexandria Masons

Massachusetts, and Alexandria Masons.
| Some time since Mr.. Chatits Woodberry,
o. Liberty Lodge OF Masons, of Beverly,
Mass, wrote to Mr.. x. Kempar. Master of
W. sshngton Lodge, OF this city, asking if
the latter could procure for Liberty
Lodge piece of weed from the Mt. Vernon
mausioa with which to MAKE gaVel. Mr..
Kemper Was unable to get piece OF the
wood from The house but through the cour.
tesy of Superintendent Dodge, of Mt. Yer
non, he procured piece Of the Magnolia
tree which stands near the mansion and
which was the last tree Washington planted.
| This was made into gave and handle for
| it was made from piece of WOOD taken
from old Christ Church in this city. These
were sent on to Beverly and at the ceebra
ton of Liberty Lodge on the night OF the
22i OF February were formally presented to
me Lodge. OF the ceremony The Beverly
Citizen says:
"Hrutner Charles Woodbury., whose cor
respontence with Alexaudfia-W Washington
Lodge had brought about this memorable
gathering. then in behalf of Worshipful
Brother Kemper, W. Nj, and The brother
hood Of that lodge, brought lis fFateroai
greeting, ami presented to Liberty Lodge an
e!egaht gavel accompanied with the fitting
sentiment. "AlexanGria-W Washington Lodge
No. %, sends to Liberty Lodge this gavel,
made of the wood from the last tree planted
by Washington at Mount Vernon, the
handle OF wood from Christ Church at AL
exendria. By this token of ancient pa
triotic tradition, the sons OF the Old
| Dominion greet their brethren OF the Puri-
! tan Commonwealth in Masonic amity".
! Ee then told quite sn interesting story of
the correspondence between the two lodges
and The fralernsl spirit reciprocated by each
and trusted that the old union OF patriotic
hearts between Virginia aud Massachusetts,
might be thus revived and petpetuated Tor
all time. He closed With this sentiment,
TO Alexandria Washington Lodge No. %.
| Ilustrious for tho honorable names upon its
roll, and not less for its long continued and
abundant bounty to the poor and humble;
distinguished also among the Masonic
brotherhood of America, as the lodge which
! laid the corner stone of our National Capital
and ior otntr public services. Its first and
| supreme honor ia TO have IL its keeping the
| traditions of Washington, in whose charac.
ter our land found its first common bond,
apd in whose memory it possesses % ever llV-
Jog union. May long live TO produce great
citiZ ans; 10 bless the unfortunate aud to
cherish patriotism! Gratefully acknowIedg.
! ing the memorable gift, ever TO be prizsd
which it sends to this lodge, We rel Dice ia i;a
undiminsned prosperity and pledge it with
fraternal hearts,"
A communication from Worshipfnl Broth.
er Kemper was then read, proposing ths fol-
lowing sentiment: "Wasbingt ton-soldier,
statesman, patriot, mason. May his name.
| left 80 it is, 8 landmark on the cliffs Of fame
continue,
Still as the tide of ages roll away,
To charm the world unconscious of decay
Rey E. @. Butler elcquently responded
| TO this Sentiment with most hearty fraternal
g.ee,ings and with a warmly appreciative
portrayal of the grandeur of Washington's
character in all its great characteristics,
placing him in the front rank Of all the
great men of history, both living and dead
The new bust of Washington just received
was happily referred to in illustrating the
great character of its subjeos, while the
| f.aerauce of the magnolia tree and the
sacred character of the e6ifce from which
the gavel aud the handle were made gave
eloquent suggestion of tbs fragrant memo
ries that cluster around the name of Wash.
iogton, as we'll az the God fearing qualities
of The mar.
A fitting benediction COR the occasion
was the following telegram and The response
thereto:
BANQUET HALL, LIBERTY LODGE, Feb %.
| To K. Kemper, w. NJ, Of Aleranaria Washington
Lodge, Alexandria, Ia ::
On this anniversary day Liberty Lodge sends
fratornal greeting to the Lodge of WASHINGTON;
GEORGE a GALLoUPE, W. M
ALEXANDRIA. Va, Feb. o.
George H. GaNoupe, ". NJ, Liberty Lodge: