And hark! again the chorus swells, The song is wafted on the breeze, Domine, Domine. My heart doth feel that still He's near, Domine, Domine. The Grand Prelate was conducted to the base of the triangle, where he read appropriate Scriptural Lessons, and afterwards the Knights joined with him in Solemn Prayer. ANTHEM," ADESTE FIDELES," ETC. CHOIR. The Rev. Grand Prelate pronounced the Apostolic Benediction. The Grand Encampment formed in procession and proceeded to the Grand Asylum, where it was closed in Ample Form. SEMI-ANNUAL ASSEMBLY. MAY 5, 1865. THE Semi-Annual Assembly of the GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS AND THE APPENDANT ORDERS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND was held in the City of Boston, May 5, 1865. Formed in due array, and opened the Grand Encampment in Ample Form at two o'clock, P. M. On motion of R. E. Sir Benjamin Dean, it was Voted, That, as the printed copies of the proceedings of the last Assembly were in the hands of the members, the reading of the Records be dispensed with. Sir William Sutton and other Knights of Salem, working under a dispensation since March 3, 1865, returned their dispensation and petitioned for a Charter, under the name of Winslow Lewis Encampment; and, on motion of Sir Wyzeman Marshall, the petition was referred to a Committee consisting of Sir Wyzeman Marshall, Sir Levi L. Webster, and Sir William W. Whitmarsh. A petition was received from Sir E. Dana Bancroft and other Sir Knights of Jerusalem Encampment of Fitchburg, Mass., under dispensation since March 8, 1865, for a Charter. On motion of Sir George W. Bentley, the petition and accompanying documents were referred to a Committee consisting of Sir Knight Bentley, Sir Horace Daniels, and Sir William H. Phipps. On motion of Sir Charles W. Moore, Voted, That this Grand Encampment be represented by its proper officers in the Grand Encampment of the United States, at the Triennial Meeting of that Body, to be held at Columbus in September next, and that the expenses be paid by this Body. On motion of Sir John W. Dadmun, it was Voted, That the delegates to the Grand Encampment of the United States be instructed to insist upon the right of this Grand Encampment to retain its ancient and original nomenclature. The following Report was received: IN GRAND ENCAMPMENT, BOSTON, May 5, 1865. The Committee, to whom was referred the petition for a new Encampment to be located at Salem under the name and title of Winslow Lewis Encampment, have attended to that duty, and submit the following report: · They have carefully examined the records, and find the same to have been neatly and accurately kept. The by-laws are in conformity with the ancient laws and usages of the Order. From the well-known character and knightly bearing of all whose names are attached to the petition, your Committee would heartily and cheerfully recommend that the prayer of the petitioners be granted. All of which is respectfully submitted. WYZEMAN MARSHALL. On motion of R. E. Sir Charles H. Titus, the Report was accepted, and the Charter granted. Sir George W. Bentley offered the following Report : — GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND, The undersigned, to whom was referred the petition of Sir Edmund Dana Bancroft and thirteen other Sir Knights, praying for a Charter for Jerusalem Encampment, to be located at Fitchburg, Mass., respectfully report, That, having examined the facts. presented, also the by-laws submitted, they respectfully recommend that the prayer of the petitioners be granted. Respectfully submitted. G. W. BENTLEY. On motion of Past Grand Master Sir Simon W. Robinson, the Report was accepted and recommendation adopted. On motion of R. E. Sir Charles H. Titus, it was Voted, That the dispensations of Winslow Lewis and Jerusalem Encampments be continued in force until regularly constituted. On motion of Sir Wyzeman Marshall, it was Voted, That the dispensation of Hugh de Payens Encampment at Melrose, granted by the Grand Master, March 27, 1865, be continued in force until the Annual Assembly in October next. The M. E. Grand Master stated that he had invited St. Bernard Encampment to exemplify the work upon the Orders at this Assembly; that this was the day of the regular Assembly of that Encampment, and that the invitation was accepted. St. Bernard Encampment, Sir Henry W. Warren, Generalissimo, commanding, then entered the Grand Asylum, and was formally opened in the presence of the Grand Encampment, when the work upon the Order of the Red Cross was fully exemplified. On motion of R. E. Sir Charles H. Titus, the Grand Encampment was adjourned to 7 o'clock, P.M. EVENING SESSION. The hour to which the Grand Encampment was adjourned having arrived, it was called to order by the M. E. Grand Master. The work on the Order of the Temple was exemplified by St. Bernard Encampment. The Grand Master then delivered the following address : Sir Knights of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, It is meet and becoming for us, as members of a Society which is founded upon the Christian religion, and which inculcates the practice of the Christian virtues, to return our thanks to the Giver of all good, that we are permitted to assemble upon this occasion under such pleasing circumstances. After six months of labor in our various Encampments, we have come up here from all parts of the jurisdiction to renew our vows as Christian Knights and Masons, to burnish our armor anew, and prepare ourselves for the duties which we have solemnly undertaken to perform. We are here to congratulate ourselves upon the successful labors for the season, to strengthen the weak if any there be, to encourage the faint-hearted, and, by a common and united effort, to infuse new zeal and energy into the Order to which we are devoted. This day completes the SIXTIETH YEAR of our existence as a Grand Encampment, and marks an epoch in our history. We cannot be insensible to the influence which this peculiar occasion exerts. It is impossible for us not to feel the strength and reviving power which the mature age of this Grand Body produces upon each Knight within the jurisdiction, and we cannot fail to be awakened to those interesting trains of thought and pleasing sources of reflection which this anniversary day in our history gives rise to. The seed which was sown in weakness is raised in strength. More than one present can remember when the attendance at these Grand Assemblies was very meagre and inconsiderable in numbers. "It is not unmoving to the mind to contemplate this fountain" of Templar Masonry rising from its remote |