Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-01
PLANS OF THE MAsONs.
Arrangements for Centennial OF me
Death Of Washington.
(TashIngton Times)

! (Washington Times)
Arrangements IN Masonic circles nave
Teen nearly completed for the observance
OF the centennial OF the death Of General
| George Washington. There IL complete
accord between the committees Of the
Grand lodges Of the District II Columbia
| and Virginia. and every promise that the
| occasion will draw q very large attend
ancc OF distinguished Masons from many
parts OF the country.
on the evening OF December 18th the
Grand Lodge Of Virginia will assemble in
it's annual communication at the opera
house. in Alexandria. and the visiting
Masons and invited guests will be enter
tanned there. at Alexandria Washington
Lodge. No. %. and elsewhere.
On the morning OF December 18th the
Grand Lodge Of Virginia. Fredericksburg
Lodge. No. 4; Alexandria-W Washington
Ledge. No. %: Federal Lodge, No. l, OF
the District Of Columbia, and represen-
tatives from other grand jurisdictions,
and invited guests. together with the civic
and military association 10 conform as
nearly as possible to the funeral cere-
monies OF December ls 11'o. Will pro-
coed from Alexandria 10 Mount Vernon by
electric cars and steomboats. leaving Al
eXandria at 20 a. NJ. sharp.
Will form, together with the invited
guests. on the east side Of the mansion,
ard proceed to the Old vault by the same
path and in the same order in which
the procession was formed and moved on
the day OF General Washington's funeral
SERVICES At THE TOMB.
At the old vault the services will be
conducted as follows:
Solemn 1frpo nv the hand.
Prayer by Brother the Right Rev. a. NJ.
Randolph. Bishop Of the Southern Episco-
pal Diocese Of Virginia.
Music by octette from the Grand Lodge
of the District Of Columbia.
ADDRESS by the Grand Master OF Masons
Of Colorado.
The procession will then move to the
new vault in which the remains OF Gene
raj Washington and his wife lie. The
Grand Lodge Of Virginia will form I'm
circle around the vault, assisted by the
Grand Lodge of the District Of Column
hia, and representatives of other 1urisdlc-
lions in front: Lodge No. 1, Of Virginia,
on the right; Lodge No %. of Virginia,
OF the left, and Federal Lodge, No. !,
Of the District OF Columbia, I'm the CEN
ire.
Services at the tomb will then be con-
assisted by the Grand Lodge of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and the representatives
OF the other grand jurisdictions, and Will
conclude as follows:
Prayer by the Grand Chaplain Of the
Grand Lodge OF Virginia.
Vocal music.
Benediction by the Grand Chaplain of
tho Grand Lodge OF the District of Column
bia.
The procession wiz then break up and
return as individuals to the east front Of
the mansion. where the Grand Master OF
Nasons Of Virginia will introduce Brother
William Mckinley. President Of the
United States. who will make an address.
The exercises will close with the hymn
America" sung by all present.
BIG GUNS WILL FIRE SALUTES.
During the ceremonies minute guns will
be fired from Fort Washington and from
a United states war-veSsel in the Poto-
mac. opposite Mount Vernon. Military
salutes will be fired at the same time on
the grounds Of Mount Vernon. The fune-
raj services will be identical with those
which were held 100 years ago at the
same place.
After the address by the Grand Master
Of Colorado. the grand masters Of the
q line In front Of the tomb facing out.
The grand masters of other States and
foreign Jurisdictions will stand In half
circle. facing them. The Grand Lodge
Of Virginia and other Masons are TO
stand I'm a circle around the tomb, join
ing hands.
After the prayer by the Grand Chap
lain. the Grand Master Of Virginia will
state the purpose OF the assemblage, and
ask for greetings and responses from
the thirteen original States. After these
have been given he will turn 20 the States
from each sectiOn-North East. South
and West-and ask for tributes TO the
memory OF him whose name they cele-
brate.
At the close Of the ritual the grand
masters will deposit their evergreen
wreaths. and the craft will slowly march
by the tomb and do the same. After the
benediction the brethren will proceed TO
the mansion.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VISITORS.
The Virginia Grand Lodge Committee
makes the following recommendations in
its formal circular Of announcement:
"As this will be the first gathering to-
gethcr Of Masons of the United States
and foreign lands I'm the worlds history,
IL viii DO proper 10 entertain them at the
close OF the exercises at Mount Vernon
with a banquet Obviously the proper
place TO hold this banquet. because Of the
national character of Washington, and
of the gathering Of MasOns from this
country and other lands on that Occa-
sion, will be IN the city that bears wash
ingtOns name, and which he himself laid
out. In this connection. and at the re-
quest of your committee, the Grand Lodge
OF tho District OF Columbia has appoint
ed committee Of cooperation. Observ-
ance of the day will conclude with an
immense reception given by the Grand
Lodge Of Virginia and the representatives.
OF the other grand jurisdictions present,
probably in the large Convention Hall of
that city, 10 which not only our brethren
ana all Masonic brethren Will be wei
coined. but as no Masonic occasion of
this kind would be complete without the
presence OF the wives. sisters, mothers.
friends. and sWeethearts OF the Masonic
fraternity. an opportunity will be given
at that time and I'm that way for this
most interesting and proper feature in
the conclusion OF the whole affair"
IL Is believed the me ting will be one OF
the most impressive ever held by the Ma
sonic order in America.
A Great Economist.
CNew York Times)