Evening star., 1923-11-01


was followed throughout the cere-
mony of laying the corner stone or
the National Masonic Memorial in
Alexandria today. 1t was the same
ritual George Washington followed
when he helped lay the corner stone
of the first United States Capitol,
which the British burned in 1912.
The service today was in charge Of
the Grand Lodge of Virginia, but the
grand masters of the several states
assisted, and in the procession of Ma
sonic dignitaries who marched into
the memorial grounds were many
past masters. The impromptu lodge
room consisted of a wooden platform,
with a space around the corner stone
cleared for the ceremonials.
The grand tiler first entered carry
ing drawn sword followed by two
grand stewards with white rods. Next
entered the master Masons who We're
to participate and the past masters.
Following, in order, were past
grand master, with vessel contain
ing corn; three past grand masters.
bearing, in order, a square. level and
plumb; two past grand masters, with
vessels containing wine and oil; the
grand secretary and grand treasurer;
five past grand masters. carrying the
five orders of architecture.
Lights Of Masonry.
Next followed the lights of Masonry.
q past grand master carrying the first.
Behind him walked the grand senior
and junior wardens. The Holy Bible.
borne by a past grand master, sup
ported by two grand stewards with
white rods, followed by two large
lights borne by past masters, followed.
The grand chaplain and a past grand
master carrying the book of constitu-
tions marched next. All past grand
masters not otherwise assigned and the
grand master and deputy grand mas
ter, supported by the grand senior and
grand junior wardens, brought up the
rear.
After the Grand Lodge had been
duly seated and the band had played
an appropriate piece. the grand mar
shal arose and said: by authority OF
the most worshipful grand master,
and in obedience to his order. / do
now command and require all here
assembled to preserve silence and to
observe due order and decorum dur
ing the ceremonies. This proclama
tion l make to the south, to the west
and to the east
Snlutes Senior Warden.
The grand master then saluted the
grand senior warden as follows:
has been the custom among the fra
ternity of Free and Accepted Ma
sons from time immemorial to
semble for the purpose of laying the
foundation stones of churches, public
buildings and monuments when re-
quested to do SO by those in author
ity. The George Washington Ma
tional Memorial Association having
invited the fraternity to lay the
foundation stone Of the building to
be erected by them. our Grand Lodge
has been here convened by our order,
and it is our will and pleasure that
the officers and brethren here assem-
bled do now assist US in this work
You will communicate this to the
grand junior warden in the south. and
notice thereof. this foundation stone
may be laid in due form
In similar language the order was
communicated by the grand senior
warden ia the grand junior warden.
who in turn informed the craft that
they, taking due notice thereof, let
It be accordingly done" The grand
master. rapping three times. then
said: "Brethren.ebefore entering upon
AZ" great or important undertaking
nf Deity" The grand chaplain led
in prayer. at the end Of which the
Grand Lodge was again seated at one
rap from the grand master.
Memorial Box Prepared.
As an ode to Free Masonry was
chanted by the choir the stone was
raised by means of A nullev. and the
grand master said: Brother grand
treasurer. it has ever been the custom
of our craft on occasions like the
present to deposit within the cavity
within the foundation stone certain
memorials of the period at which it
was erected Has such a deposit been
prepared'
Most worshipful grand master. it
has been prepared and placed within
a sealed box" answered that officer.
AS the grand secretary, by direc
tion of the grand master, deposited
the box within the corner stone, the
choir Chanted a masonic hymn to the
tune of "Creation." at the conclusion
of which the grand master and grand
senior and junior wardens descended
to the stone. There the master was
presented with the working tools-the
square. level. plumb and trowel. The
grand marshal said:
Most worshipful grand master, the
necessary arrangements having been
made for laying the corner stone of
this building, 1 present you the
square. level plumb and trowel. those
useful implements of the craft. by
which you will be able to ascertain
that the materials have been prop
erly prepared and the corner stone
SOu are duoul W lay well lOTIneQ,
true and trusty."
The grand master then proceeded
to the altar, where he was met by the
grand junior and senior wardens, who
received their working tools, the
plumb and the level, respectively. Be
fore the stone the grand master stood
in the great east, the grand senior
warden in the west and the grand
jpunior warden in the south. The
visiting grand masters then, at a
signal from the presiding grand mas
ter, descended and spread mortar over
the face where the stone is to rest.
The stone was then lowered by three
distinct motions, the grand honors
being bestowed between each move
ment.
BY direction of the grand master,
the grand junior and Senior wardens
applied their working tools to the
stone and reported it we'll prepared.
The grand master then turned to the
grand senior warden and said:
Brother grand senior warden, what
is the jewel of my Officer"
"The square," came the response
What are its moral and Masonic
uses?"
TO square our actions by the
square of virtue and to prove our
work"