IN presenting to our readers the SEVENTH VOLUME of this Magazine, and in asking for it the same favorable reception that has been extended to its predecessors, we should be recreant to our own sense of duty did we not avail ourselves of the opportunity thus afforded to acknowledge in suitable terms the generous support which the work from its commencement has received at the hands of the Fraternity. Under their encouragement it has grown up from the tender shoot to the sturdy oak, whose branches are familiar to Brethren of every tongue and nation where civilization has erected its standard and Masonry its altar. This is not a mere figure of speech. No periodical ever published in this country, has been favored with a wider circulation. It is literally true that the numbers are regularly read as they issue from the press, by subscribers in the four quarters of the globe! And however this fact may tell for the work, it speaks well for Masonry. It shows that there is a community of sentiment—a sympathy of fellowship-a spirit of inquiry awake among the Brethren wherever dispersed over the universe. Six volumes of the work have been completed; and we are not aware that they contain one sentence which for its offensiveness we could wish expunged, or a single article that has not a direct and positive relation to the history, polity or principles of the Masonic Institution. And whatever may be their merit in other respects, we may be permitted to say, that they embody a greater variety of subjects-more of the past and current history, the laws and usages and principles of Freemasonry, than any equal number of volumes in print. In its character the Magazine stands alone. Its plan is its own. It is the first and only work in this country that has ever attempted to maintain a regular foreign Masonic correspondence, or in any other way to keep its readers informed, even to a limited extent, of the condition and proceedings of the Fraternity in foreign countries. This has been one of the primary objects of the work; and we respectfully submit that it has enabled the intelligent American Brother not only the better to understand the state of the Fraternity in Europe, but more distinctly to realize the fact that he is a member of a great universal Brotherhood. By making them more familiar with each other's peculiarities and proceedings, it has brought the Fraternity on both sides of the Atlantic nearer together, and led them to feel that they are Brethren. As heretofore, it will continue to be our endeavor to give to the Magazine a practical character, and thus to render it useful as well for future reference as for present purposes. Before they shall be brought to a close, we hope to be able to gather up in these volumes, for the benefit of those who may come after us, as well as for those contemporary with us, a store of practical knowledge in the history and government, the policy and objects of our Institution, such as is most needed for daily reference, but such as is at present within the reach of but few of our Brethren. Lodges, in different sections of the country, have supplied themselves with sets of this Magazine, as a source of reference and authority, and also as the foundation of a Lodge library; and we have frequent calls for sets, for a like purpose. We mention this, not merely as being a flattering testimonial to the character of the work, but to express the gratification it gives us, as it must give every true Mason, to see among the Brethren a desire to acquaint themselves with the correct principles and usages of the Order, for their practical guidance; and, by collecting works for a library, evincing that they justly appreciate the importance of studying the treasured lore of Masonry, both to acquire a just comprehension of its worth and to lead them to a correct use and exemplification of its teachings. No Brother can, for the first time, read the works of OLIVER, HUTCHINSON and PRESTON, without receiving increased mental enlightenment-nor without becoming a more accomplished Mason, if not a more estimable man. A library, confined to works connected with Masonryits history, laws, usages and aim-not excluding those treating of the sublime sciences to which some of its cardinal lessons refer, and with which every Mason should be familiar,-is a most desirable, and not less creditable, appendage to a Masonic Lodge; and we hope the day may arrive in our time, when a Lodge destitute of a library, and a Brother disinclined to avail himself of its instruction, shall exist only as isolated and rare exceptions to a general fact. The Magazine should be enlarged; and its interest could be enhanced by more frequent illustrations and embellishments. But to do both or either of these, would involve an expenditure not authorised by the present amount of subscriptions. As this shall be increased so shall our exertions be to render the work more acceptable. Our present agents and other Brethren can materially contribute to this end, by bringing the subject before their respective Lodges; and, by so doing, they will confer a favor which we shall be happy to acknowledge. Boston, Nov. 1, 1847. TRIENNIAL MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER AND GENERAL GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. In accordance with the requirements of their respective Constitutions, and with their adjournment in 1844, the General Grand Chapter and the General Grand Encampment of the United States, assembled in the Senate Chamber, in the city of Columbus, in the State of Ohio, on Tuesday, the 14th day of September last. A sufficient number of members being present, THE GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER Was organized at 10 o'clock, A. M., as follows: M. E. Rev. Paul Dean, of Massachusetts, G. G. H. P. Edward A. Raymond, of Boston, G. G. Treas. Comp. Rev. Anson C. Clark, of Ohio, as G. G. Chaplain. 66 Nathan B. Haswell, of Vermont, G. G. Marshal. 66 Rev. James P. Donahoo, of Ohio, as G. G. Sentinel. The General Grand Chapter was opened in ample form, with prayer by the Rev. Grand Chaplain. The reading of the record of the last triennial communication was dispensed with, there being printed copies of the proceedings in the hands of the members; and, on motion of Comp. C. W. Moore, Comps. Hammatt, of Mass., Ball, of Md., and Bell, of Ohio, were appointed a committee on credentials. The General Grand Chapter was then adjourned to 2 o'clock, P. M. THE GENERAL GRAND ENCAMPMENT Was called to order at 11 o'clock, A. M., and, there being the requisite number of members present, organized as follows: M. E. Sir Archibald Bull, of New York, G. G. M. E. Sir Joseph K. Stapleton, of Maryland, D. G. G. M. 66 Sir Wm. H. Ellis, of Connecticut, G. G. G. 66 Sir Wm. B. Hubbard, of Ohio, G. G. C. G. 66 66 46 66 66 66 66 Sir and Rev. Albert Case, of Massachusetts, G. G. Prelate. Sir Wm. T. Gould, of Georgia, as G. G. S. W. Sir Ezra S. Barnum, of New York, G. G. J. W. Sir Charles Gilman, of Maryland, G. G. Rec. Sir Edward A. Raymond, of Massachusetts, G. G. Treas. Sir Charles W. Moore, of Massachusetts, G. G. Sw. B. Sir Joel G. Candee, of New York, G. G. St. B. Sir Simon W. Robinson, of Massachusetts, G. G. W. Sir James P. Donahoo, as G. G. Sentinel. The General Grand Encampment was opened without ceremony. Prayer by Rev. Sir Albert Case, G. G. Prelate. The reading of the record of the last triennial communication was omitted, there being printed copies of the proceedings in the hands of the members; and, on motion of Sir C. W. Moore, Sirs E. S. Barnum, of New York, S. W. Robinson, of Mass., and B. Latham, of Ohio, were appointed a committee on credentials. Sir Wm. H. Ellis, of Connecticut, announced the decease of the late G. G. S. W., Sir Robert Smith, of New Hampshire; whereupon, on motion, the Jewels were ordered to be placed in mourning, and Sirs Joseph K. Stapleton, of Maryland, Charles W. Moore, of Mass., and Joel G. Candee, of New York, were appointed a committee to draft suitable resolutions expressive of the estimation in which the deceased was held by his Brethren. The General Grand Encampment was then adjourned to 4 o'clock, P. M. Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 14. THE GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER Assembled and was called to order at 2 o'clock, as per adjournment in the morning. The committee on credentials made a partial report. We give the members present during the session, as follows: Maine-Truman Bradford. New Hampshire-A. B. Young, (proxy.) Vermont-N. B. Haswell. Massachusetts-Chas. W. Moore, Ruel Baker, John B. Hammatt. Rhode Island-William Field. Connecticut-Wm. H. Ellis, W. E. Sanford. New York-J. G. Candee, R. R. Boyd. Maryland-W. Ball, E. S. Courtney. District of Columbia-by Comp. Keyworth. Ohio-W. B. Hubbard, G. D. Hine, John Sayre, Thos. Bell. Kentucky-Willis Stewart, Philip Swigert, Dempsy Carrol, A. G. Hodges. Indiana-Isaac Bartlett, Abel C. Pepper, C. Moore, (proxy.) Missouri-J. W. S. Mitchell. Tennessee-Dyer Pearl, P. G. S. Perkins. Mississippi-William P. Mellen. The report was corrected and adopted; after which the General Grand Secretary submitted a detailed report of his official acts, and of matters that had come under his cognizance, since the last triennial communication. On motion of Comp. Moore, the report and accompanying documents were referred to Comps. Moore, of Massachusetts, Hubbard, of Ohio, and Pepper, of Indiana, to report what disposition should be made of the several subjects embraced therein. On motion of Comp. Ellis, of Connecticut, all R. A. Masons in the city, of good standing, were invited to take seats in the G. G. Chapter. The Gen. Grand High Priest read a brief communication, the substance of which was, that although he had been called upon to perform but few official acts since the last triennial meeting, he had not been unmindful of the interests of the General Grand Chapter, nor of R. A. Masonry in the country, and he felt great pleasure in reporting that both were in a highly prosperous condition. The E. Comp. Stapleton, D. G. G. H. P., presented his report, from which it appeared that since the last triennial meeting, he has issued Dispensations for the establishment of eleven subordinate Chapters in different sections of the country, and authorised the organization of one or more Grand Chapters. We shall give the report in full hereafter. The E. G. G. King and Scribe, (Comps. Crawford, of Conn., and Barnum, of New York,) also presented their triennial reports, which, with the report of the D. G. G. H. P., were, on motion of Comp. Raymond, of Massachusetts, referred to the committee on the doings of the Grand Offi cers. Comp. Haswell, of Vermont, presented a communication asking authority to revive the Grand Chapter of that State, which was read and laid on the table. [This communication was subsequently called up and considered, but the application not being in a constitutional form, the authority was not granted.] The M. E. G. G. High Priest then announced the following standing committees : On Finance-Comps. Hubbard, of Ohio, Gould, of Georgia, and Young, of Massachusetts. On New Chapters-Comps. Candee, of New York, Moore, of Massachusetts, aud Mellen, of Mississippi. On next Place of Meeting-Comps. Stapleton, of Maryland, Hubbard, of Ohio, and Baker, of Massachusetts. An invitation was received from the Grand Chapter and Encampment |