believe, that, under such a law, Masonry must cease to exist, because the obligations which they supposed bound the members together could not continue to be given, but in contravention of the law of the Commonwealth, and the incurring of the penalty imposed by it; and, singular as it may now appear, a majority of the members of the Institution took the same view; and it therefore followed as a matter of course that, until the views of these brethren were changed, or the difficulty overcome in some other way, the Lodges and all other Masonic bodies were at a stand. It was at this time and under this condition of things that Sir John R. Bradford made application to the Boston Encampment for the Orders of Knighthood. The Body was in a dilemma. The candidate was a desirable one. What was to be done? I was the Prelate of the Encampment. A discussion arose in which the application of the law to Masonic proceedings was denied. I was willing to take all the required responsibility, and go on with the work. It was finally decided, however, that I should take the candidate beyond the jurisdiction of Massachusetts and qualify him for the Orders. I accordingly left Boston with Sir Knight Bradford one Saturday forenoon, taking all the paraphernalia which the occasion and its duties required, and arrived in the evening at a small country tavern within the limits of the town of Nashua, N. H., and in one of the upper chambers of which, in the course of the night, qualified Companion Bradford for the reception of the ceremonies, from Knight of the Red Cross to Knight of Malta inclusive, and returned with him to Boston the next day-Sunday. On the Wednesday following, Companion Bradford was admitted as a Knight of the Red Cross in the Boston Encampment at the hands of Sir John Hewes, and, in due time, to the other Orders of Knighthood.

Such were the peculiar and interesting circumstances under which Companion Bradford was made a Knight Templar.

They are certainly without a precedent in this country, and are probably unparalleled in the history of Knighthood.

IN GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND,
BOSTON, May 5, 1865.

Resolved, That in the death of Sir John Rufus Bradford, Past Grand Master of this Grand Encampment, another link in the chain that connects the present with the distant past is broken; another of those courteous and faithful Sir Knights, whose presence tempers these our days of prosperity with the recollections of their days of adversity, has gone out from among us. He had performed the allotted years of his pilgrimage well; had passed the guards in safety; paid his devotions at the Holy Shrine; and has, we devoutly trust, at last found his reward in the Asylum of Eternal Rest and Happiness.

Resolved, That this Grand Encampment cordially mingle their sympathies with those of their Companions and Brethren of other kindred Masonic Associations, and heartily unite with them in weaving for the memory of our departed Brother, the Memorial Wreath of fraternal love and honor.

Resolved, That we tender to the beloved family of our deceased Brother the expression of our sincere condolence in their great affliction, and commend them to the protection and guidance of Almighty God.

Respectfully submitted.

CHAS. W. MOORE.
WINSLOW LEWIS.

On motion of R. E. Sir Charles H. Titus, the resolutions were adopted, and a copy thereof ordered to be transmitted to the family of the deceased.

The Committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions on the decease of Sir George Arnold French submitted the following, which were adopted, and a copy ordered to be sent to the family of the deceased:

Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove by death our beloved companion, Sir George Arnold French, Grand Commander of the Encampment of the Holy Sepulchre, Pawtucket, R. I., therefore

Resolved, That the highly important services rendered by him in the Orders of Knighthood, and to Ancient Craft Masonry in general, entitle his memory to our consideration and respect.

Resolved, That the various trusts reposed in him by his Masonic Brethren afford the best evidence of the high honor in which he was held by those who knew him best.

Resolved, That we kindly cherish his memory as a man and Mason, and herewith extend to his family, and to the various Bodies with which he was identified, our sympathy and condolence at their loss.

Respectfully,

ALVIN C. ROBBINS.
E. J. NIGHTINGALE.
WM. S. STUDLEY.

A Council of the Order of Malta was then opened in form, and the Order conferred by St. Bernard Encampment; after which the Knights of this Encampment withdrew from the Grand Asylum in due array.

On motion of R. E. Sir William F. Salmon, Voted, That the thanks of the Grand Encampment be tendered to St. Bernard Encampment for the very satisfactory and able manner in which that Body has this day exemplified the work of the Orders of Knighthood before this Grand Body.

On motion of R. E. Sir Benjamin Dean, it was Voted, That the thanks of the Grand Encampment be tendered to the Grand Master M. E. Sir W. S. Gardner for the very able, eloquent, and interesting address delivered by him before this Grand Body this evening.

The Grand Encampment of Knights Templars and the Appendant Orders of Massachusetts and Rhode Island was then closed in Ample Form.

6

SPECIAL ASSEMBLY.

JUNE 27, 1865.

A Special Assembly of the GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS AND APPENDANT ORDERS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND was held in the city of Salem, Mass., on Thursday, June 27, 1865.

Formed in due array, and opened the Grand Encampment in Ample Form at 7 o'clock, P.M.

The Grand Master stated that the business to be transacted at this Special Assembly was the constituting of Winslow Lewis Encampment, and the installation of its officers.

The Senior Grand Warden announced that the Knights of the new Encampment were formed in due array in their Asylum.

The Grand Encampment proceeded in procession to the new Asylum, where Winslow Lewis Encampment was solemnly constituted, according to the ritual in use in this Grand Body (see page 4, et seq., ante, the singing of the Christmas hymns being omitted).

The Grand Master installed Sir WILLIAM SUTTON M. E. Grand Commander of Winslow Lewis Encampment.

The Deputy Grand Master installed the remaining officers.

The Grand Master addressed the new Encampment as follows:

In commemoration of the Knightly and Masonic labors of one whom we all delight to honor, you have named your newlyorganized body Winslow Lewis Encampment. You have selected the name of one who is dear to every Mason in Massachusetts; who, through a lifetime of Masonic labor, charity, kindness, compassion, and benevolence, in its broadest and most comprehensive sense, has carried into daily practice all the Knightly and Masonic virtues. Such generous labors in the cause of humanity should not go unrewarded. The record of regard, affection, and admiration which I might be able here to inscribe that softened, fresh, and yet incomplete record, over which no leaf that has been strewed has yet withered- would be cold and incomplete to you. Your own faithful, heart-felt feelings need no such recital from me. His genial countenance is only wanting here to make up the complete fulness of this interesting occasion. His kind, pleasant voice is alone needed to fill you all with perfect happiness. His absence is the only void. God grant that he may return to us soon, confirmed in health, and that he may be spared many years to instruct, encourage, and enliven us.

The Order of the Temple which we establish here this evening is a military and religious institution. In its government and movements it is military. It is true we do not imitate in any respect the habits or the manners of life of the Knights Templars of the Middle Ages. To the ancient Templar his Society was every thing. He gave up his family, his life to the Order which he entered. His own will and desire became subservient to that of his superior. His vow once taken could never be recalled. He knew not what his destiny might be, or where he might be sent. He waged war against all enemies of the Christian religion, and solemnly vowed to devote his life to the protection of destitute widows, helpless orphans, and innocent virgins. His Society was his only spouse. The comforts of home and domestic happiness were denied him, and he voluntarily imposed upon himself the most menial services. His profession was that of a Christian warrior. He fought valiantly for his religious faith