Hark! clashing arms assail our ears

The battle of the last great day
Is o'er; let Pilgrims dry their tears,
March boldly on their bright'ning way.

Hark! Pilgrim, pause-the balmy air

Breathes music sweet as seraphs sing!
Now, distant, far-and now, more near,
Throughout the Camp loud anthems ring!
Hark! the full chorus pealing out

From conq'ring legions, pure and brave,
Like many waters, thundering, shout-
"Where is thy victory, boasting grave?"

Bright Seraphim, who guard the Tent,
We kneel before the Holy Place!
Then let the purple vail be rent,

Behold your Chief with open face!
"Rise, Patriarchs, rise! Behold in me
The Centre of your mystic ring-

Your Password through eternity-
Melchisedek, your Priest and King!"

CHAPTER XX.

OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS.

§ 1. How Commenced and Constituted.

UNTIL a Grand Encampment is instituted in any State or Territory, the Grand Lodge of the United States alone has power to charter an Encampment in its bounds; and such Subordinates receive their laws and instructions from, and make their returns and pay

percentage on their receipts to, the Grand Lodge of the United States alone. But when a Grand Encampment is established in any State or Territory, all the Subordinates of the same receive their instructions from, and make returns and pay percentage to, their State Grand Encampment only. They are no longer subject to the Grand Lodge of the United States directly, but only indirectly through their Grand Encampment.

When three or more Subordinate Encampments contain seven or more Past Chief Patriarchs in good standing, they can call a Convention to petition the Grand Lodge of the United States for a Charter for a Grand Encampment within their State, Territory, or District. Each Encampment in the proposed jurisdiction will appoint one or more of its Chief Patriarchs to represent it in the proposed Convention, which should be duly notified to be held at a place and time convenient for all parties. These Representatives should be furnished with certificates of appointment, and a statement of the number of P. C. Patriarchs in good standing in their respective Encampments, under seal. The propriety of applying for a charter, and the location of the Grand Encampment, are to be determined by a majority of the Convention, comprising at least three Encampments in favor, the votes being taken by Encampments. After which, the Petition is drawn up, (see Appendix,) signed by the Representatives, and forwarded to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, accompanied by, 1st, the Charter fee of thirty dollars; and 2d, the certificates and certified statements given the Representatives, as above named. The Encampments petitioning, must have paid up their dues, or the Charter will not be granted; but if not granted, the Charter fee will be returned. If granted, the Grand

Encampment will be duly instituted and instructed by the Grand Sire, or some qualified brother duly authorized. The expenses of such opening are paid by the new Grand Encampment.

During the interim between the sessions of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the Grand Sire, Deputy Grand Sire, and Grand Secretary are authorized to consider and grant Charters, subject, however, to the revision of the Grand Lodge of the United States, at its next session. Such Charter continues in force so long as its requisitions are obeyed, and while seven P. C. Patriarchs, the representatives of three Encampments, continue to claim it. If forfeited or annulled for just cause, it must be delivered to the Grand Recording Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, or the G. P. of the Grand Encampment, (as the case may be,) with all the documents, books, funds, and other property, to be returned on the renewal of the same.

And this rule and procedure are applied in all cases of Lodges and Encampments, Grand and Subordinate, by the power having jurisdiction. No Charter can be thrown up while the requisite number claim it.

Grand Encampments are composed of all Past Chief Patriarchs in good standing in their jurisdiction. In many States, Past High Priests are also admitted as members. They yield precedence to State Grand Lodges, but have supreme jurisdiction over their Subordinate Encampments. They are themselves subject to the Grand Lodge of the United States, to which they submit their Constitution and By-Laws for revision, make their returns, and pay fifty dollars per annum for each Representative which they are entitled to send to that Grand Body: that is to say, until they have one

thousand members of Subordinates in jurisdiction, one Grand Representative, and after that, two. They may nominate, by their Representation, a candidate for each office of Grand Sire and Deputy Grand Sire, and are entitled to copies of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the United States, equal to double the number of Subordinates in their jurisdiction.

The support of a Grand Encampment is derived from fees for charters and dispensations, and a specified percentage levied on the receipts of its Subordinates.. To. this is sometimes added a small profit on the Odes and Lecture-books, which it purchases from the Grand Lodge of the United States, when those gratuitously furnished to its Subordinates, at institution, have been destroyed or worn out.

§ 2. The Grand Encampment Degree.

The Grand Encampment opens, works, and closes in the Grand Encampment Degree only, which must be conferred on its members free of charge. The receiver of this degree appeals to heaven and earth to witness the fidelity with which he will represent the interests of his Subordinate, and at the same time faithfully preserve the secrets, advance the interests, and promote the welfare of his Grand Encampment. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob aid him, and keep him true and pure as a fellow-patriarch with those who have preceded him into the true rest!

§3. Members, Representatives, and Committees.

Each P. C. P. (and in some States, P. H. P.) in good standing within jurisdiction, is a member of the Grand

Encampment, and is entitled, as such, to attend its sessions, to receive its degree, to hold office if elected and qualified, to take precedence according to grade, and to vote for Grand officers; and of these privileges he cannot be deprived so long as he retains his good standing in the Order. In nearly all the States, membership, and the powers of legislator as the Representative of his Subordinate, are connected. But the P. C. Patriarchs may (as in Northern New York) delegate the legislative power to a select portion of their number, to be annually elected for that purpose, as may be fixed by Constitution and By-Law.

Each P. C. P. (and P. H. P.) on completing his service in the Chairs of the Subordinate Encampment, should receive therefrom a Certificate under seal, stating the fact, and recommending him as a member of the Grand Encampment. (And when elected to serve as a Representative, where the legislative power is confined to a select number, a Certificate to that effect should also be given.) On the presentation of such Certificate in the Grand Encampment, a proper officer is appointed to wait on the candidate, and, after due examination, prepare and conduct him into the Grand Encampment to receive its degree and take his seat.

The business of the Grand Encampments is frequently performed by Committees, provided in the Constitution and By-Laws, or appointed specially as occasions demand. These vary in number, and in duties and powers, in various jurisdictions, but partake, gencrally, so nearly of the same character with those of the Subordinates, that a reference to Chap. XI. is sufficient. Of Appeal Committees we shall speak in Chap. XXII.