GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE G. Encampment of the United States, opened its triennial session at Chicago, on the thirteenth day of September last, and closed on the nineteeth. Sir Kt. Wm. B. Hubbard, Grand Master, presided. It was ordered that one thousand copies of the proceedings of the Grand Encampment, up to this time, be printed.

Sir Kt. Henry C. Deming presented a cross which he had had made of the Charter Oak" at Hartford.

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Charters were granted for new Commanderies, as follows:

Robert Macoy Commandery, Madison, Wis.

St. Paul's Commandery, Dover, N. H.
Selma Commandery, Selma, Ala.
DeMolay Commandery, Columbia, Tenn.
Cyrene Commandery, Memphis, Tenn.
Baltimore Commandery, Baltimore, Md.
Freeport Commandery, Freeport, Ill.
Hugh DePayer's Commandery, Jersey City, N. J.
Siloam Commandery, Dubuque, Iowa.
St. Bernard Commandery, Hightstown, N. J.
North Star Commandery, Lancaster, N. H.
Yorkville Commandery, Yorkville, Tenn.

Cœur de Lion Commandery, Atlanta, Ga.

A charter was also issued for a Commandery at Burlington, N. J. The old charter of Mount Horeb Commandery, received in 1826, was restored, the Commandery to be located at Concord, N. H. It was resolved that a charter be granted to St. Aldemar Commandery, Columbus, Ga., as soon as it furnishes the G. M. with a copy of its proceedings.

The time of meeting was changed to the first Tuesday in September. The next meeting will be held at Memphis, Tennessee.

Peninsular Commandery, at Kalamazoo, Michigan, has not given its allegiance to the Grand Commandery of that State, but has acted under a charter received from the Grand Encampment of the U. S. The Grand Commandery of Michigan, at its last meeting, demanded the charter of Peninsular Commandery. The latter body refused to give it up. This brought a vexed question before the Grand Encampment. The committee to whom it was referred, reported adversely to the claims of the subordinate body. Sir Kt. J. Adams Allen, Commander of Peninsular Commandery, made a very able and powerful speech in opposition to the report, but it was adopted. It was resolved that the Grand Commandery of Michigan, from its organization, has of right exercised jurisdiction over all subordinates in that State; and that the dues of Peninsular Commandery at Kalamazoo, paid to the G. Recorder of the Grand Encampment, since such organization, be paid to the G. Recorder of Michigan.

The following is a description of the costume decided upon by the Grand Encampment:

TEMPLAR'S UNIFORM.-A white surcoat or tunic, made without sleeves, worn over a black coat and reaching down to the knees; made full and fastened around the waist with a red leather belt, two inches wide, buckeled at the right side. The red passion cross four inches high on the left breast.

SCARF.-Five inches wide in the whole, of white, bordered with black one inch on either side, a strip of navy lace one-fourth of an inch wide at the inner edge of the black. On the front centre of the scarf, a metal star of nine points, in allusion to the nine founders of the Temple Order, enclosing the passion cross surrounded by the Latin motto, In Hoc Signo Vinces;" the star to be 33 inches in diameter. The scarf to be worn from the right shoulder to the left hip, with the ends extending six inches below the point of intersection.

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CLOAK. Of white merino, worn on the left shoulder, so as to leave the sword arm free, and reaching down to the lower edge of the tunic behind; bordered with black velvet one inch in width, and having on the left breast a templar cross of scarlet velvet, six inches in width.

GAUNTLETS. Of buff leather, the flap to extend four inches upwards from the wrist, and to have the appropriate cross of red velvet, two inches in length.

SWORD.-Thirty-four to forty inches, inclusive of scabbard, helmet head, cross handle, and metal scabbard.

CHAPEAU. The military chapeau, trimmed with black binding, and with black or white plumes.

DISTINCTIONS.-The Sir Knights will wear white metal wherever metal appears. Commanders and Past Commanders, Grand and Past Grand Officers, gold.

CROSSES.-Sir Knights, Commanders and Past Commanders will wear the Passion Cross; Grand and Past Grand Officers of States, the Templar Cross; Grand and Past Grand Officers of the United States, the Patriarchal Cross; the M. E. G. Master and Past Grand Masters of the United States, the Cross of Salem, which is the Patriarchal Cross, with an additional bar in the centre.

The various crosses, as designated, to be worn on the side of the Chapeau, and on the sheath of the sword. Those on the Chapeau to be three inches in height; on the sword one inch.

FATIGUE.-Black frock coat, the white scarf and sword, red belt, and a black cloth navy cap, having the appropriate cross in front.

SPURS-Will be of the appropriate colors, as above provided.

HANGINGS FOR JEWELS.-The hangings of State Grand Bodies and Subordinates, may remain as at present.

GRAND STANDARD-Is of white woolen stuff, six feet in height and five feet in width, made tripartite at the bottom, fastened at the top to the cross-bar by nine rings; in the centre of the field a blood red Passion cross, over which is the motto, "In Hoc Signo Vinces," and under, "Non nobis, Domine! non nobis, sed Nomini tuo da Gloriam!" The Cross to be four feet high, and the upright and bar to be seven inches wide. On the top of the Staff, a gilded globe or ball, four inches in diameter, surmounted by the Patriarchal Cross, twelve inches in height. The Cross to be crimson, edged with gold.

BEAUSEANT. Of woolen or silk stuff, same form and dimensions as the Grand Standard, and suspended in the same manner. The upper half of this Standard is black, the lower half white.

PRELATE'S ROBES.-A full white linen or muslin robe, open behind, reaching down to within six inches of the feet, fastened around the neck below the cravat, which should be white, and having flowing sleeves reaching to the middle of the hand. A white woolen cloak lined with white, fastened around the neck and extending down to the bottom of the robe; on the left front a red velvet Templar cross, six inches in width. A blue silk stole reaching down in front to within six inches of the bottom of the robe, and having on it three Templar Crosses, of red silk. Mitre of white merino, bordered with gold,

lined with green, having the red Templar Cross extending to the edges, and surmounted by a Passion Cross three inches high. The special badge of his office is a Crozier.

The following resolution was adopted respecting the costume:

Resolved, That the costume this day adopted by the Grand Encampment, be and the same is hereby ordered to be worn by all Commanderies chartered at this communication, or that shall be hereafter established in this jurisdiction; and by all Commanderies heretofore existing, whenever they shall procure a new costume; and that no Officer, Member or Knight be, after this session, allowed to sit in this Grand Encampment, unless clothed in the Uniform hereby prescribed; and that the State Grand Commanderies be directed to enforce it in all subordinates that may be hereafter chartered in their respective jurisdictions.

MASONIC CONGRESS OF THE U. S.

DURING the sessions of the G. G. Bodies at Chicago, a Convention was held for the purpose of forming a Masonic Congress. Bro. Finlay M. King, of N. Y., was elected President of the Convention, and Bro. Rob. Morris, of Ky., Secretary.

The following States were represented by delegates: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, South Carolina and Vermont, also the District of Columbia. The following plan, reported by a committee whose names are appended, was adopted:

In order to form a closer union and increase of harmony among the Grand Lodges of America-to secure and cultivate fraternal relations with the Grand Lodges of the world-to extend our knowledge of the History, Work, Symbolism, Philosophy, and Jurisprudence of Craft Masonry; in order that questions of law and jurisdiction may be equitably and permanently adjusted, that all agitated questions of general Masonic interest may be considered and determined for the general benefit of Masonry-we propose the following Articles of Association: ARTICLE 1. The Grand Lodges of North America do hereby form "A North American Masonic Congress."

ART. 2. This Congress shall consist of three representatives from each Grand Lodge in North America assenting hereto; representatives to be selected as each of the Grand Lodges may severally determine. ART. 3. The officers shall be a President, and a Senior and Junior Vice Presidents, and Secretary, who shall be elected at each session, and except the Secretary the official duties of each shall cease with the close of the session.

ART. 4.

There shall also be elected at each session, three Perma

nent Committees, each consisting of five members.

1st. Committee of International Correspondence.

"Work, Symbolism and Philosophy.

"Jurisprudence, embracing Masonic History and

The Chairman of the several Committees shall constitute an Executive Committee to supervise and direct the correspondence, and in connection with the Secretary, prepare reports and present business for the next meeting.

The meetings of the Congress shall be called to order for organization by the Secretary, or in his absence by the Chairman of Committees in the order named.

ART. 5. Meetings shall be held triennially on the Friday preceding the 2nd Tuesday of September, and in such place as the Congress may from time to time determine.

ART. 6. The representatives of a majority of the Grand Lodges associated, shall be necessary to form a quorum.

ART. 7. The Congress may take cognizance of all cases of difference which may occur between two or more Grand Lodges. Provided the parties shall mutually submit the said difference to its decision.

ART. 8. The Congress may consult and advise on questions of Masonic Law and Jurisprudence to the end that a uniformity of law and usage may be accomplished, but it shall not assume the exercise of any power in the enforcement of its decrees except such as may result from the mere force of opinion.

ART. 9. It shall be in order at any session of the Congress to provide for the reading of papers or essays, or the delivery of discourses upon Masonic subjects.

ART. 10. The incidental expenses of each Congress, necessary to the transaction of its business, shall be borne by the Grand Lodges parties thereto, being equally divided among them.

ART. 11. The ratification of these Articles by five Grand Lodges shall be sufficient for the organization of the Congress.

ART. 12. No change in these Articles shall be made without the consent of three-fourths of the Grand Lodges parties thereto.

ART. 13. Any Grand Lodge may become a member of this Congress by adopting the Articles of Association.

ART. 14. Should any Grand Lodge desire to withdraw from this Congress, it can do so; but it is expected, as a matter of Masonic courtesy, that it will adopt a resolution to that effect in open Grand Lodge, and give notice thereof to the Secretary of the Congress.

SUPPLEMENTARY ARTICLE. When five Grand Lodges shall have ratified these Articles, pursuant to the provisions of Article 11th, and shall have notified a Secretary, to be hereafter elected, of such decision, he shall thereupon issue a circular to the several Grand Lodges specified in Article 2nd, inviting them to affiliate with this body, and to assemble in Congress at the city of Memphis, Tennessee, on the Friday preceding the 2nd Tuesday of September, 1862.