Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-05-05
ORDER OF EASTERN star
Meeting of Grand Chapter of Virginia
Held at Fredericksburg = Many
Prominent Members Present.


present from all over the state al
| the opening of the annual session al
Fredericksburg on Thursday morn
/ ing at ten o'clock. Representatives
were also in attendance from Wash
ington, Maryland and Wisconsin. In
the course of her address of welcome,
Mrs. Mary Quinn-Hicks of Fred
ericksburg saidsin part.
! 1t is with heartfelt appreciation OF
the honor conferred upon me that |
represent Fredericksburg Chapter, No
80, in extending to this grand body Q
cordial welcome to our city, so rich
lin historic interest and Masonic lore,
No. 80, has for years been looking
forward with eagerness to the time
when the Grand Chapter would accept
our invitation to meet in Fredericks-
burg, thus giving US an opportunity to
demonstrate the very essence OF VIZ
ginia hospitality. The fulhllment OF
our desires has been reached this day.
and most cordially do we welcome you
to our hearts and homes.
No doubt you will feel tnat you
stand on sacred soil as you visit the
ground explored by Capt. John Smlta;
the boyhood home of General George
Washington; Sentry Box" the home
of Gen. George Weldon and Gen.
Hugh Mercer, Revolutionary heroes;
"Kenmore,' the home of Col. Field
ing Lewis, who married Betty Wash
;npton, the home of Matthew ton-
taine Maury and John Paul jones'
the law office of President James
Monroe, the Rising Sun Tavern,
where so many notable statesmen
nhilanthropists and other dignitat-
ies were entertained in "ye olden
davs" and other places of historic IN
terest.
AS YOU stand beside the tomb OF
that noted character, Gen. Lewis Llt-
tlepage, in our Masonic Cemetery the
feeling deepens, and as you gaze on
the marble shafts in our City Cehle-
tery erected to the memories OF Df.
Francis Preston Wexford and William
Willis, who so freely sacrificed tnelr
lives in yellow scourge. your hearts
will beat in tender, loving reverence
for where these heroes lie buried IS
indeed holy ground.
Closely related to our beautllul Or
der is Free Masonry; and IN Masonic
history Fredericksburg stands VIII
out a peer. Fredericksburg Lodge
No A. A. z. and A. NJ, has the honor
Of making Master Mason o.
George Washington. 1.-The Father OF
His Country, and the Bible used on
that occasion is still in possession ol
the lodge and cherished as one OF lts
nr;ce]ess treasures. In this lodge
Wa sh;npton held his membership for
life, and it is interesting to Emo"
that Gen. Lafayette was enrolled as
an honorary member.
We record with commendable
pride that our city has furnished
eight Grand Masters to the Grand
Lodge of Virginia and one Worthy
Grand Matron to the Grand Chapter
of Virginia, Order of Eastern STAR
all of these ranking among the frst
in zeal and efficiency.
Fredericksburg, which opened her
j doors in welcome to Gen. Nathan!el
! Green on his way home after the
revolution; to General Lafayette, on
his last visit in 1874; to Gen. An
;, drew Jackson, in 1898; to the Society
of the Army of the Potomac, in l9Oo;
to many other equally distinguished
visitors from time to time; and t0
vorious organizations in conclave al
different dates, finds abundant room
in her heart to greet with fraterna
love and courtesy the Grand Chap
ter of Virginia, Order OF EasterS
Star in it's 1917 convocation.
In the name of this community
Fredericksburg Chapter, No. %, bid:
YOU welcome! Thrice welcome.
: The address of welcome was mos
graciously responded to by Mrs
Fannie Bucher, Of Phoebus.
Reception Wednesday Night.
Concerning the reception. given OF
Wednesday evening at the Princes
Anne Hotel, the Free Lance says
r Tie reception given at the Princes
|. Anne Hotel Wednesday night b.
the fredericksburg Chapter. Orde
9 of Eastern Star, and the delegate
attending the convention here, wa
most enjoyable occasion. Their
were many handsomely gowne
ladies present and most pleasan
social time was spent in getting &C