Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-02-23
NOTABLE MASONIC GATHERING.

Tho history OF Masonry III Alexandria
does not show Il more notable reunion
,bon that of last night in Alexandria.
Washington Lodge room, where over
three hundred brethren"met together in
%unity' to extend fraternal greetings and
4, eliminate the affair in a grand ban
met. The occasion was the last scene
ofthe Twenty-second of February fes.
,~iyities. and was one of the most sue
c..,ul in every manner that was ever
conceived in Alexandria. 1t was the
anniversary Of the birthday of that no.
ble patron Of Masonry, George Wash
iucton. and the festivities were held in
the lodge over which he once presided.
The enthusiasm was unbounded, and
the Alexandria Masons and their breth-
rem from across the river entered heart
and soul into the celebration. One
hundred and ffty-four members of Pen
taIpha Lodge, of Washington, arrived
in The city about seven o'clock accom-
Panied by John Leitch, Worshiptul
Master. and other officers Of the lodge,
together with a sprinkling Of brethren
from other lodges in the capital city.
They proceeded to the temple where
they were cordially received and made
the guests OF the evening. About half
past seven o'clock the lodge was called
10 order, though no business was trans
acted. it being generally understood
that the first great care in Masonry
would be to cut formalities short and
repair to the upper chamber of the tenn
ple as soon as convenient. There were,
however, some interesting proceedings
previous to that move. DR.. Smith,
Master of Washington Lodge, at the
proper time delivered n neat and APP
propriate address of welcome to the Wis.
i1ng brethren, in which his illusions to
Washington, his birthplace, home, lodge
and career as a Mason, warrior
and statesman were apt, and which
elected much applause. Worshiptul
Brother Leitch, Of %Pentalpha Lodge,
responded TO the cordial welcome in a
manner suitable to the occasion, and ut
the conclusion of his remarks a feature
of the programme was enacted which
was one Of the most interesting Of the
e~vening-this was the presentation of
a Past Masters jewel to Worshipful
Brother Harry Washington Smith, of
the visiting lodge. 1t had been ar
ranged that on the occasion Of the visit
of Pentalpha Lodge t their Alexandria
brethren this presentation should take
place in historic Washington Lodge
room and on the anniversary of the
birthday Of the father Of his country.
Past Master Jose NJ. Yznaga had been
assigned to make the presentation
speech, which he did in an easy and
wcll-timed address. Past Master Smith
in his speech ofacccptance spoke briefly
but ilucnUly, and his remarks as well as
those of Past Master Yznaga were
heartily applauded. An unlocked for
feature of the occasion, and one not on
the programme, was then sprung upon
The gathering by Worshipful Master
Leitch, who called upon Past Master
A.. c.. Heylman for u few remarks.
This brother made his way TO the EN-
tire Of the room with n suspicious
looking package under his arm, and
after speaking in Il very feeling man
ncr Of the cordial greeting Pcntalpha
Lodge had received from their AleXan-
dria brethren and the fraternal visit the
after had recently made to the former,
said he and his brethren desired to
leave a lasting memento of the visit in
Washington Lodge. The wrapping
was torn from the package when it was
shown that he held in his hand n of
the prettiest nickel charter cases ever
seen, and it flashed and glistened be-
fore the eyes of the assemblago. The
case, a beautiful specimen of mechan-
ism, with all the necessary inscriptions
connected with its presentation, was
finally handed to the Worshipful Mas
ter OF Washington Lodge, who made n
suitable address of acceptance on behalf
Of his lodge. This feature over, which
was much appreciated, the regular or
der was about to be proceeded
with, but, as events proved,
another surprise was in store.
Worshipful Brother Douglass, Of
s.. John Lodge, Washington, un-
wrapped q similar package and pro-
duced q charter case made of the same
metal and of the anne design as that
Washington Lodge had received, and
in a few pointed remarks said he de-
sired to present it to Andrew Jackson
Lodge as a token of esteem in which
they were held by their Washington
brethren. Worshipful Brother II. X.
Field. of Andrew Jackson Lodge, adj
vanced and received the case in well
chosen and feeling language. The call
from labor to refreshment was finally
made and the assemblage repaired to
the sanctum sanctorum (the upper
chambcr) where the prettiest, and most
tasteful and %gorgeously prepared
tables that had ever graced a feast in
Alexandria had been spread by that
adept caterer, Mr.. VIM. Steuernagel.
All having been seated Worshipful
Master Smith called upon Rev. G. +.
Sontag, of Washington, to invoke a
blessing, after which the feast was dis
cusSed, and that it was enjoyed goes
without saying. The large crowd were
accommodated and served with a pre-
cision that showed how we'll the whole
affair had been arranged and carried
out, After the banquet had proceeded
for about an hour and punch and cigars
We're being enjoyed the toasts were au-
nounced and responded to as follows
The Day we Celebrate" by Brother E. B.
Hay. of Washington.
THE Grand Lodge of Virginia by F. A.
Reed, P. NJ. and G.. J. w, Grand Lodge of
Virginia.
The Grand Lodge of the District of Col
nmbia. by Matthew Trimblc, p. NJ, No. 23,
Dog. J. w. Grand Lodge of District OF
Columbia.
"Our Visiting Brcthren.n by J. l. Lcitch
w. NJ. P~entalpha Lodge. No %, District q
Columbia.