America.

Masonic fraternity , under whose parental are this Institute was established , a gold medal was set apart as a reward to bo given to the writer of the best essay . The contest came off on Saturday , the 23 rd June . There were ten contestants for the glittering prize . These young ladies , yet in their teens , exhibited a degree of wisdom and perseverance that would have done honour to more experienced heads and riper years . IOWA . —Saturday , the 23 rd June , was the substitute for the 24-th ,

at Des Moines , on which occasion the nativity of our patron saint , St . John , was celebrated in a manner not before equalled in this State . At eleven o'clock a procession was formed at the Hall of Pioneer Lodge , ( No . 32 , ) consisting- ofthe members ofthe Pioneer Lodge , invited guests , and Cowenshian Chapter , ( No . 14 , ) R . A . M ., preceded by the Hawkeye Brass Band . They received Capitol Lodge ( No . 110 , ) at the east end of Avenue Bridge , and , after marching through the principal streetsrepaired to Sherman ' s Hall

, , where the Masonic business was performed . At the close of business , the procession then re-formed , and marched to Lavey ' s Hall , where the wives and daughters of the members of Pioneer Lodge had prepared the most bountiful repast—ever spread in Central Iowa—of which about two bundled and fifty , including the ladies , partook . After the collation , the scone was enlivened with varied and appropriate sentiments , and most happily responded to by Bros . KassonColeGriffithJewettand others . In the eveningthe

, , , , , festivities of the day were brought to a close by an ice cream festival at the residence of Col . Hooper , under the superintendence of his most excellent lady . On Monday following , about two or three hundred children were made happy by a musical pic-nic on the Pair Grounds . MISSISSIPPI . —At Brookhaven , the corner stone of the new Masonic HalL was laid June 23 . The exercises passed off well , and gave public satisfaction .

ALABAMA . —Lodge 256 , at Gaylesville , celebrated St . John's Day , in appropriate style , about one hundred brethren forming the procession , and the address by Bro . AVm . E . Laeey , of Center , Alabama . Our informant says , the affair was orderly . AA e marched from the hall to a beautiful grove close to a good spring , where seats and a stand were prepared , after which we had a speech , suited to the time and occasion , delivered . Then we marched to the table , and partook of a wholesome repast ,- then hack to the stand , and installed the officers of our Lodge and of Jefferson Lodge , ( No . 51 . ) All went home satisfied that they had done no discredit to the

cause . The Craft at Benton enjoyed themselves on June 23 . In the language of our correspondent , "it was one of the pleasantest evei known . " Hon . S . A . M . AA ood , P . G . Master , was orator , and maintained his well-earned lame . About five hundred Masons were

in procession . KANSAS . —At Leavenworth , tho 25 th June had good attention . At half-past eleven o'clock , the procession moved through the principal streets , presenting an imposing appearance . The procession having arrived at Stockston ' s Hall , a large number of the uninitiated , including many ladies , gathered to hear the orations . The first speaker made a powerful and eloquent expose of the ends and uses of Masonry , and was frequently interrupted b } - applause .

He was very happy and felicitous in his remarks , and made a fine impression on his auditors , many of whom had never heard him before . Richard R , Roes , Most AVorshipful Grand Master of Kansas , next addressed the assemblage , and was listened to with marked attention throughout . Ho reviewed the history of Masonry , and traced it down to the present time , in a masterly style . His was also an eloquent effort , and added new laurels to those he has already won in this community . At three o'clock a banquet was

served at the Planter ' s House , which was participated in by about two hundred persons . A brilliant ball in the evening closed the proceedings . DELAWARE . —The Grand Lodge of Delaware held its annual communication , June 27 , in AVashington . The Lodge wos opened in ample form , and the Grand Master delivered a beautiful and instructive address . Tho usual amount of business was transacted . The Committee on Constitution reported the accomplishment of

that important duty ; but , owing to a want of time , the report was not read , but ordered to be printed with the proceedings . There was another report fi'oni the pen of the Chairman of the Committee upon the " right of AAtirdcns to preside and confer degrees , they not being , 1 'ast Masters . " It denies the ri ght of Wardens to act as Masters , unless they be Past Masters , and is spoken of by the majority ofthe committee as an able and interesting paperthough they holding a different inion did not si it

, op gn The time for the election of officers having arrived , the Deputy Grand Master made known to tie members that he would not accept any office . The Grand Lodge elected as Grand Master , Bro . Danii ' l Godwin , of Milford , and ' Brc . Win . S . Hayes was re-elected Grand Secretary . KENTUCKY . — The 23 rd of June was appropriately celebrated in

Glasgow , by the Masonic fraternity , under the auspices of the different Masonic bodies . A number of the Craft , members of neighbouring Lodges , were present , and united in the ceremonies , which were witnessed by a large portion of the citizens of the county . The ladies were out in full force at the Church , and gave the closest attention to the proceedings . The oration , by Bro . AVm . Sampson , was one of the most eloquent and appropriate Masonic addresses we have ever heard . It was not only characterised

by deep thought , expressed in elegant and felicitous language , but was richly garnished and decorated with gems of rhetoric , and the most glowing flights of fancy . The ceremonies at the Church concluded , the procession re-formed ,- and , after proceeding- round the square , stopped at the Glasgow House , where a magiiificient and sumptuous repast had been provided . The entire proceedings past oft' most admirably . AVehave lowing accountsof the celebration ( June 23 ) at Franklin

g , , , of the anniversary of St . John and dedication of the new Masonic Hall , by Simpson Benevolent Lodge , assisted by large delegations of the Masonic fraternity from the different Lodges in the vicinity . It was a day long to be remembered , not only by the Masons , but by a vast multitude of people who witnessed the public part of the ceremonies . The sun did not arise brighter on the great dedication day of King Solomon ' s Temple , and never was a day more auspicious . From early morning the beauty and chivalry of that

section of country bad congregated , and never has that staid and quiet town witnessed such a display . At eleven a . m . the procession formed in front of Bell ' s Hall , under Chief Marshals and Assistants , and proceded to the new Masonic Hall , which was denselycrowded to witness a part of the dedication . An appropriate welcome was given , and compliments paid to the ladies by Bro . F . N . Porter ( on behalf of Simpson Benevolent Lodge ) , in a short but beautiful address , which spoke the sentiments of all

presentafter which all were excluded except the fraternity . At one o ' clock p . m . the procession marched to the Court-house , which was crowded to its utmost capacity . Hundreds were compelled to remain without . Here the sweet music from the ladies again gave honourto Masonry . A sketch of the history of Simpson Benevolent Lodge , from its origin to the present time , was read by our fellowtownsman , Judge Jones , who held the proxy of the G . M . of Kentucky for the occasion . The oration , which was delivered by Bro . F . Ni Porter , Dep . Lecturer , was replete with Masonic lore . On the close of the exercises at the Court-house , tho procession again

formed—the wives , sisters , and daughters of Masons in the centre , and the fraternity forming- the outside lines . They proceeded to a beautiful grove in the vicinity and partook of a banquet , which was spread with no sparing band . Hundreds , and we may say thousands , feasted upon the profusion spread before them . At the close , the twelve baskets remaining were distributed among the poor and needy . NEW YORK " —At Owego the 2 Gth of June was made to do

honour to St . John . Quito a number of the Masonic fraternity in Binghampton went to Owego to participate in the celebration at that village . The day , though warm for a procession , was bright clear , and pleasant ; and a good representation of the Order , and a large concourse of people , of both sexes , were present . The procession formed about noon , and marched through several of the streets of the village to the park , where the exercises took place , no building in Owego being large enough for tho accommodation

of the people . In tho evening Past Master AA ' ebstor , of Otseningo Lodge , conferred the third degree iu the crowded Lodge in Owego , with that superior skill and thoroughness which distinguish him as a " master workman . " The day passed oil' pleasantly and successfully , and the fraternity generally felt that their celebration ofthe anniversary of one of the patron saints of their Order bad not been in vain . On MondayJune 25 a large concourse of brethren assembled at

, , Greenfield Centre to celebrate the anniversary of St . John . At eleven o'clock a . m . St . John ' s Lodge , ( No . 22 ) , was duly opened in the third degree . The procession was formed byj the Marshals , assisted by Bro . Rufus B . Rosevelt . The procession received a large addition of ladies and citizens ; and the ladies , under escort of Bros . Alonzo Russell aud David Kane marched to the Baptist Church , where the audience was entertained with choice music . Pious and devout supplications were offered in behalf of our

timehonoured institution to the great Architect of the Universe by the Chaplains , and an eloquent address was delivered by R . AA . Bro . Willavd , in which he related several interesting incidents connected with tho perilous exploring voyage of the late Dr . Elisha K . Kane in the Northern regions—which incidents were , illustrative of the beauties and benefits of Freemasonry . After the exercises in tho church the procession returned to Bro . Porter ' s Hotel , and , to the number of two hundred , partook of an excellent dinner . PENNSYLVANIA . —On the 23 rd of June the Sir Knights , clothed in the beautiful and appropriate uniform of the Templar costume , as adopted by the Grand Encampment of the United States , num . -