Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-12
A MASONIC CENTENNIAL.
Federal Lodge Celebrates It's One
Hundredth Anniversary.

The large assembly hall of the Masonic
Temple was the scene Of quite a brilliant
gathering last night, the occasion being an
entertainment given to its lady friends by
Federal Lodge, No. l, +. A. A. NJ, in COM
memoration Of it's one hundredth anniver-
sary. The hall was handsomely decorated
with cut flowers and ported plants and pre-
sented a scene seldom witnessed in a
temple of Masonry.
The majority of the ladies present were
In full evening attire.
Mr.. DOnaldson's Address of Welcome.
The entertainment was opened with an
overture by the Marine Band, after which
an address of welcome was delivered by
p. g. NJ. r. b. Donaldson. who said: Ladies
and brothers: 1 take pleasure in according
you cordial greeting and warm welcome
to this centennial anniversary of our lodge.
Through the kindness of some of our friends
who have consented to assist us, we are
enabled to present to you rather an attract
I've program. The rounding up of full
century of existence by our old lodge is
fraught with many tender memories for its
members. There WILL however, be no more
pleasant memory. / am sure. than that,
despite the stormy weather. we have so
many of our lady friends present. May we
hope that they will show some of the pride
In Masonry that We feel? / dare say each
OF you have some relative-either a father.
probably member of Federal Lodge; and
you very often wonder what William, Hen
ry or John, as the case may be. finds to
take him to the lodge so often, and on num-
erous occasions, l venture to say, you are
inclined to doubt his story that he has been
to the lodge. In regard to Masonry, l should
ike to say just few words here. If you
should ask what Masonry is. l would say
that II Is beautiful allegory. 1t has been
handed to us from remote ages and asserts
a powerful influence over the minds of its
members 1t is neither a religious nor polit-
ical institution, nor is 1t a school of reform
Tor ADULTS as many seem to think. 1t Is not
relief association, although it contributes
to the wants of its members in distress
Masonry deals with man free moral
agent Though not church, 1t has creed
simple and beautiful, Il believe in God 4"
Notwithstanding this. Masonry has its enc
mics, who under the guise Of religious
fervor attack it whenever the opportunity
offers: The works of all the lodges are con-
Quoted In an orderly and dignified manner
There is nothing frivolous undignified
about the ceremonies. Nobody is required
to ride a goat or to climb greasy pole.
All of the proceedings are based on the
Bible and not lodge ever holds a session
but what the Bible lies open on the altar
After again extending to you on behalf Of
the members of this lodge a hearty well
come We will proceed with the entertain
ment.
The Musical Program.
Quite an attractive musical program was
rendered. my Love of the Old Sweet
Days." the first solo on the program, was
sung by Miss Bertha W. Gibson. Mr.. Chas
3. Hanford then recited THE Star Spangled
Banner" and after a Gavotte played by the
Marine Band, Professor n. Du Shane Glow
ard sang tenor solo. For Thee. Marie" in
his usual accomplished manner 1.-The
Jewel Song" from Faust" was delightfully."-
rendered by Mrs. H. Clay Browning. Mr.
w. ID. Netherlands rendition of lone Heart
Divine" and Mrs. Marguerite n. Martins
solo, My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice." were
received with much applause by the audi
ence Mr.. NJ. a. Groskurth of the Marine
Band rendered a cornet solo. after which
selections from robin Hood were played
by the entire band. The rendition of stella"
by Miss Blanche Mattingy and The Skip
per of st. Ives" by Mr.. Chas. f. Rice were
both excellent. 1.-THE Guard Mount" was
then rendered by the Marine Band, after
which refreshments were served In the
banquet hall The lodge rooms were thrown
open for inspection. and all present availed
themselves of the opportunity to visit them
and examine the paraphernalia used in the
different Masonic ceremonies. The strains
OF dance music soon called the assembly
back to the assembly hall and. the chairs
having all been removed, dancing was en-
gagged in. Promptly at IL o'clock the gath
erinS dispersed and all pronounced them
selves as more than pleased with Masonic
hospitality.
banquet will be held at the Ebbitt House
tonight. The ladies are not, however, in
cluded in the list of guests on this occasion
Federal Lodge was instituted September
u, 1888 and the first Masonic ceremony
participated in by ii was the laying of the
corner stone of the national Capitol build
ing, on the 18th of that month. At the time
OF its institution the lodge was only fifteen
strong and was differed as follows: w M.
James Hoban; s. w, Stephenson
and j. W., Andrew Eastave. The member
snip Is now 221, and increasing monthly
The present officers of the lodge are W. NJ,
W. T. Reed; s. w, w. S. Knox. and ]. w.
s. Edwin Tomlinson.