Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-14
Iyashiugtcn's. Mafblo:Cofin.
THE GRAND LODGE.

For the first time in its history, the
Grand Lodge OF Masons of the State OF
Virginia met last night in annual ses-
sion in this city. The departure from
the usual custom of holding the annual
| meeting in Richmond, which has been
followed, with one exception, ever
since 1884, was due to the conspicuous
part which the Masons of Virginia took
today in commemorating the Tooth an
nivereary of the death of George Wash
ington, who was member of Alex
andria Lodge, No. %. The meeting
was held in Hills Opera House, and
was one of the me st impressive services
which the lodge has ever held. There
we're present not only members from
| nearly every lodge 10 the Old Do
minion, but members from the differ
ent States, from Canada, from Europe,
and a large delegation OF prominent
members from the Grand Lodge of the
| District of Columbia, headed by Grand
Master ]. Henry Small and other off,
GERS of that body.
The Grand Lodge. though called to
meet at 6 o'clock, did not commence its
session till nearly 7:30 o'clock, when
Grand Master Duke took his seat in
the East" The other grand officers,
whose names were published yester-
| day, were in their places. After the for
NAL ceremonies of opening had been
observed, including prayer by Grand
Chaplain Rhea, some time was DEVOTED
to the reception of the various grand
masters and representatives of diff
fsrent grand lodges who were
present, each being accorded the hon.
ors to which his rank entitled him.
The first of these to be received was
Hon, Josiah Fl. Drummond, of Maine.
the eminent Masonic writer and jurist,
who has, in the fifty years since he be-
came Mason, been accorded all the
honors and distinctions possible to q
member of the order. He responded
eloquently 10 brief speech, rendering
mis- thanks and appreciation for the
ovation he received, and expressing his
deli hit at being able to gather with the
Masonic brethren of the Old Dominion
in the historic city Of Alexandria,
where Washington satin Masonic coun-
cils.
Another distinguished representative
who was accorded most cordial well
come was Representative Kruger,
of the Grand Orient of the
kingdom of Belgium. he said in re-
Spouse that he brought not only the
greeting of the. Grand Orient of Bel
2 um, but also those of the entire people
OF his native country, irrespective OF
Masonic ties, because they reyered the
memory of the immortal George WASH
ington. When the State of Massachu-
|setts was called, Graud Master Duke
presented to the Grand Lodge of Vir-
ginia gavel, the head of which was
made from the elm under which Gen.
eral Washington stood when he took
command of the Continental army, and
the handle carved from piece of
timber taken from the Old South
Church, at Boston. About the head
vas silver band containing the in.
scription: "Head from Washington
Elm, at Cambridge. Mass; handle
from the Old South Church, at Boston,
presented to the Grand Lodge of the
State of Virginia by the Grand Lodge
of Massachusetts, December IL. 1897"
Iu presenting the gavsl, Grand Master
Duke expressed the hope that the two
great Commonwealth, Massachusetts,
the Old Bay State, and Virginia. the
Old Dominion, would ever stand to-