Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-16

by Rev. DR.. George H. Ray, chaplain
of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Vir-
giuia. at the exercises at Nit. Vernon
on Thursday:
0, Lord God, let Thy grace, mercy
aud peace be upon this great assembly,
gathered here to recall the virtues of
the heroic Virginian who has slept in
this grave tor a century. We give
Ihee thanks that be was born on Vir-
ginia soil, and though the lapse of the
cycles of time yet coming will be to our
bo,s as be has been to US, an example
of modssty, purity and patriotism. We
.hauk Thee for the Influence OF his IL
tus,,ious life on our people and on the
,rangers who come to this land OF free :
dom.
We pray that Thy blessing may rest
ou the President OF the Uoited States,
lis Clbinet and the Congressmen who
gather with US today around his gravt;
hat the mantle OF his virtues may fall
IN President and people alike, and that
those liberties and privileges purchased
for US by the blood sld treasures of our
ancestors more than hundred years
ago may not only bs dear to Presiden!
aud officials, but to all the people OF this
broad land. We pray that constitution
al liberty, which has been ever dear t.
she Anglc-Saxou race, may be perpel-
uated through us to the unborn genera
lions, that Thy great name may be
sloriied by Us and through US in the
mis- ory and destiny of our native land.
We pray for the continued unity of our
American people, and for the oneness
of spirit of all English speaking nations;
that these States, having been cemented
oy the blood OF their noblest and
oravest citizens of the north and south,
may be strengthened in the perpetulty
OF freedom and rejoice in the brightness
Of our pation's rising and the glory OF
its coming. We thank Thee, 0 Father,
for the strong conservatism of ancient
craft Masonry, that stands as break
water against all radical tendencies,
and distinguished protection to both
ciyil and religious liberty. We thank
rhee that the great Virginian at whose
grave we stand today was a patron OF
this ancient and venerable order, more
honorable than the star and garter.
.Thst on the tessalsted floor he trod,
Bonding his knee and placed his tr1st In
God.
That like true, VAIN hero, in his conduct
pnrity bore, >,
Always enuobling the apron that he wore
So he illustrated our time-honored
virtues, temperance, fortitude prudence
and Justice, aud magni6ed the tel
cts of our profession by the practice G.,
brotherly love, relief and truth, and
20 among men and Masons he stood anc
must always stand, first among the pa
irons of Masonic virtues in America,
ss he stood first in the hearts OF his
countrymen. May Thy blessing rest
on these representatives of the various
Grand lodges OF the Uoi'ed States Of
America, who gather with us today to
do honor to his memory on the lnViia-
ton of the Grand Lodge of Virginia
Nav this reunion of the grand lurisdic-
lions OF the United States, Nova Scotia,
Canada, Belgium, and other toreisn
oowers ne an inspiration to purify OF
character aud exalted brotherhood
among men, as it is declaration OF the
fatherbood Of God and truest and pur-
est patriotism,
Here from the opening heavens today
let Thy blessing fall like this divine au'
fumn sunlight on ell these men, and far
wav in every hamlet, village, aud cisy
Of our broad land, till every family shall
r. ioice in the peace of God. :.
Bless the Fredericksburg Lodge. 10
which the young Washington was lni-
tiated, passed, and raised to the sui
lime mysteries, and the Alesandris-
Washington Lodge, over which ne pre-
sided in mature manhood. May the
members of both lodges, and the Grand
Todoe of Virginia, and all Masons
.vervwhere, emulate his illustrlous
sxample of conservation to duty, an9
inherit the charm OF his pure life; ana
in the evening of the world naii nip
aosin in the RI a!ization of the hope oi
the resurrection. 90 .od,u >,
Teach US all, o eternal God' TO-DAY a'
,his crave that here we have no COZ
Inning city. no abiding home,and leao,
q y lead us. that we may seek the city
that "hath the foundations whose
hnilder tn and maker is God" We ASK II
all through the merits of the Lion o,
a 'hs tribe of Judah" and fer Thy name !s
aud mercy's sake. Amen. 30 "o'e II
be. Amen.