Hope whispered peace in brighter skies And earth's best joys began. Abroad was seen the boon of Heaven, And touched each kindred heart; The sons of Light with transport then, Let grateful pæans loudly rise, A Brother's joy and wo shall be, This was followed by two addresses-the first, delivered by Comp. RICHARD CURRIQUE, Esq. of Hudson, in behalf of the Grand Encampment of N. York; and the other by Comp. JOHN A. MORRILL, Esq. in behalf of the Grand Chapter-extending to the General Grand Bodies present, a Fraternal welcome to the city and the festivities of the day. They were able and eloquent productions, and we shall take an early opportunity to lay them before our readers. A similar welcome was expected from Ex-Governor LEWIS, the venerable Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York; but he was prevented by indisposition from being present. His place was supplied by Br JAMES HERRING, the Grand Secretary, who, speaking without previous preparation, acquitted himself in a very acceptable manner. The replies were made, on the part of the Gen. Grand Encampment, by Comp. JAMES M. ALLEN, Esq., G. G. M., and in behalf of the General Grand Chapter, by Comp. Rev. Paul Dean, G. G. H. P. They were worthy of the high reputation of those distinguished Brothers. The following Hymn, written for the occasion by Br GEO. P. MORRIS, Esq. of New York, was then sung with fine effect: Our Order like the ark of yore, Upon the raging sea was tost: It moved, and nothing has been lost. When elements discordant seek To wreck what God in mercy saves, The Power who bade the waters cease, He gave the gentle dove of peace The branch she bore them from the land. In Him alone we put cur trust, With heart and hand, and one accord, Ascribing with the true and just All "holiness unto the Lord." The Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Comp. Paul Dean. After which the procession was re-formed, and moved up Broadway to the Apollo, where the Brethren were dismissed. THE DINNER. At 6 o'clock the Brethren were again assembled, in full Masonic dress, at Concert Hall, where they sat down to a very excellent entertainment, provided, under the direction of the Committee of arrangements, by Br GEO. ALKER, formerly of this city, the worthy host of that popular establishment. The R. W. Wm. Willis, Esq., D. G. M., assisted by the M. E. Richard Ellis, G. H. P. of the State, presided at the table. We subjoin the REGULAR TOASTS. 1. Our Country and our Order. 2. The G. G. Encampment of the United States. Music.-Hail Columbia. Music.-The Knights of Palestine. 3. The General Grand Chapter of the United States. Music.-Companions assembled on this joyous day. 4. Our Guests-as happy to see them, and proud to entertain them, as we shall be sorry to part from them. 5. Free Masons wherever assembled throughout the world. "When elements discordant seek To wreck what God in mercy saves, The struggle is as vain and weak As that of the retiring waves." 6. The Grand Lodge of the State of New York. 7. The memory of WASHINGTON, LAFAYETTE, and CLINTON. Music. Music. Music. Music.-Pleyel's Hymn. 8. Sweet Hearts and Wives-The Boast and the Toast of Free and Accepted Masons. Music.-Here's a health to all good lasses. Nothing occurred to mar the interest of the occasion, and at an early hour the Brethren were dismissed in harmony and good fellowship. “On Saturday, the 18th," (says the Masonic Register, to which we are indebted for what follows,) "the Grand Bodies, accompanied by Aldermen Greenfield and Steward, Joseph P. Pirsson, Esq. and Uzziah Wenham, Esq. the latter chief engineer of the Croton works, visited the various public works and institutions connected with the city, in the splendid omnibus, Edwin Forrest, chartered for the occasion. The Grand Bodies were introduced to His Honor the Mayor, from whom they received much courtesy. The stupendous Croton works, in, and about New York, were visited, and much useful and interesting information obtained from Mr Wenham, the polite and intelligent engineer of the works. After leaving the Croton works, Blackwell's Island was visited, as likewise the Long Island Farms, with its 800 children, whose infantile hymns were called into requisition, leaving their mellowed influence on the heart, not to be easily effaced. At the Lunatic Asylum, the Bodies received much kindness and hospitality from Dr John M'Clellan, one of the Medical attendants of this institution, as well as from Dr Tasheira, of the Bellevue Almshouse. In truth, we cannot recollect half the places visited, or to whose politeness the Grand Bodies were indebted. The excursion was a delightful one, and will long be remembered by the distinguished visitors, as one of those joyous occasions, which in the light and shade of human life, are so well calculated to cement the triple tie of Brother, Companion-FRIEND. If any thing can impart a sadness to a friendship formed under the most endearing auspices, it is to be found in that monitor, which whispers to us all that man is mortal, and that perhaps before another triennial meeting, some of our aged fathers who have labored in and about the Temple so many years, with heads whitened by the frosts of many winters, may have grasped the hand of friendship for the last time; and that when the Master Overseer shall call over the rolls of the workmen, they shall be here no more.” The annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, was held at Masons' Hall, in Concord, on the 8th day of June last. Fifteen Lodges were represented. FORENOON.-Jerusalem Lodge, at Westmoreland, was restored to its former rank and standing. Several committees were appointed, and the business of the Grand Lodge referred. -- AFTERNOON. The Grand Lodge made choice of its officers. Br ROBERT SMITH, Esq. of Portsmouth, was re-elected G. M., and Br ALBE Cady, Esq. of Concord, G. Secy. The Committee on Foreign Communications reported in favor of appointing a delegate to attend a General Masonic Convention at Washington, on the first Monday in March next, as proposed by the Grand Lodge of Alabama. The committee also report, that they are "gratified in finding an encouraging degree of activity in the Institution throughout the country. In most of the Southern, Western, and Middle States, it has not been more prosperous for many years. In the North, and in those sections of the country where the antimasonic leprosy fell with the most deadly effect, the prospects are more encouraging than heretofore." The Committee on " District Deputy Grand Masters' Returns," reported that, "they had examined said returns, and were gratified to find them affording evidence that Masonry has revived in some of our Lodges." The returns are published with the annual proceedings, and though highly interesting, are necessarily of a local character. The Grand Master was authorized, by himself or Deputies, to visit the several Lodges in the State, and to "grant such indulgence, and impart such instruction as he may deem necessary, compatible with clemency, and for the common good of Masonry." Some work has been done the past year, and, on the whole, we think our Brethren in New Hampshire have reason to be satisfied with the prospect before them. The Institution, with them, is in safe hands. MASSACHUSETTS. When they shall condition of the The annual communication of the M. W. Grand Lodge of this State, will be held in this city, on the second Wednesday of next month. The District Deputy Grand Masters are now engaged in making their annual visits. have made their returns, we shall be better able to state the Lodges. At present we content ourselves with the remark, that Masonry throughout the Commonwealth, is fast recovering from the temporary depression to which it has been subjected by the violent and reckless opposition of its enemies. The annual meeting of the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, was held at the Masonic Temple, in this city, on the evening of the 20th ult. A large number of Sir Knights were present, and the meeting was one of considerable interest. The late M. E. Grand Commander, Sir DANIEL HARWOOD, M. D., (who has recently removed to a neighboring State,) having declined a re-election, Sir WINSLOW LEWIS, Jr. offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted, viz: Resolved, That the tribute of the warmest thanks and feelings of the members of this Body, are due to, and are cordially and unanimously now tendered to him, for the interest, and zeal and talent he has always displayed in the various relations sustained by him in the Boston Encampment. That they shall ever revert to their happy associations with him in the by-gone times with unalloyed satisfaction, and ever greet and welcome him in days to come, as in those past, and that in discharging this last and just duty to him as Commander, they would add their united prayers that he and his may be ever prosperous and happy." Further interesting proceedings had at the above meeting, will be given in our The annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, was held at Masons' Hall, in Bristol, on the 24th June, the anniversary of St. John the Baptist. At an early hour, the Hall was crowded with Brethren from all parts of the State, and from Massachusetts. Seventeen Lodges were represented. At half-past 12 o'clock, a procession was formed, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, consisting of about two hundred and fifty Brethren, and one hundred Ladies. It moved through the principal streets of the town to the church of the Congregational Society, where the Throne of Grace was addressed by Rev. Br Taft, in a very able, dignified, and appropriate manner, and a most excellent address delivered by Rev. Br Wakefield. After the services at the church, the Brethren partook of an excellent dinner. The procession was then reorganized and proceeded to the Masonic Hall, where the Grand Lodge was opened for business in ample form. The business was chiefly of a local character. The M. W. Barney Merry, Esq. was re-elected Grand Master. Br SAMUEL WARNER, Esq. was chosen Grand Secretary. We may as well state here, once for all, that we cannot, in the present number, find room for entire lists of the officers of the several Grand Bodies, whose proceedings we may notice, but shall endeavor to publish them hereafter. The Committee on Foreign Correspondence, say, that "the general intelligence, (furnished by the documents submitted to them,) indicates a state of universal Masonic activity, and conduces to the gratifying belief that our Order is rapidly approximating to its ancient elevation.” At a quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge, held at Providence, on the 27th September last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : "Resolved, That a Delegate be appointed by this Grand Lodge, to meet Delegates from other Grand Lodges of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in the United States, in Convention in the City of Washington, on the first Monday in March, A. L. 5842, for the purpose of determining upon an uniform mode of work throughout all the Lodges of the United States, and to make other lawful regulations for the interest and security of the Craft, as recommended by the Grand Lodge of Alabama. "Resolved, That said Delegate be further entrusted and empowered by this Grand Lodge, in conjuction with the other Delegates assembled in said Convention, to form a Constitution, and open a General Grand Lodge for the government of the Craft throughout the United States; to elect the proper Officers for the same, and to ordain and establish such Constitution and By-Laws for their government, as they may deem expedient, not inconsistent with the principles and general constitutions of Masonry. "Resolved, That Worshipful Brother WILLIAM FIELD be that Delegate, with the powers and duties aforesaid. "And at the same time the Grand Secretary was directed to communicate the same to all the Grand Lodges throughout the United States, and to request their co-operation in the purposes therein set forth." CONNECTICUT. We have either not received or have mislaid our returns from Connecticut for the present year. The Committee on Foreign Correspondence for 1840, say, that from the tenor of the communications subinitted to them, they are "happy to learn that the progress of Freemasonry is onward; that in those sections recently excited by prejudice against our Order, the public sentiment has in a great measure become tranquil; that the demagogue spirit which for a time threatened to overthrow one of the most valuable and pacific institutions of human origin, is receiving, as it ought, the reprobation of the good and virtuous of all parties and denominations; and before many years shall have rolled around, they feel confident that the standard of Freemasonry will be raised as high as in her brightest days." The Committee submitted the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That this Grand Lodge coincide in the opinion expressed by the resolution introduced into the Grand Lodge of Alabama, and deem it of the utmost importance to the craft that a uniform mode of work and a uniform system of regulations should pervade all the Lodges throughout the Union; and that we will unite with the Fraternity generally in any suitable measures to accomplish the object." 66 MARYLAND.. The Grand Lodge of Maryland held its annual communication at the Masonic Hall, in the city of Baltimore, on the 17th May. We do not notice anything in their proceedings of general interest, except the passage of the following resolutions, viz: "Resolved, That the Grand Lodge, when they elect Grand Officers, will, at the |