America.

AMERICA .

NEW YORK . In the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New York recently published we find the following singular report from the Committee on the Condition of Masonry : — " The Standing Committee on the Condition of Masonry respectfully report , in part , as follows : —That they have had under consideration the statement ofW . Bro . Spencer , of Temple Lodge , No . 14 , relative to the case of a Brother made an E . A . Mason , in said Temple Lodge , who has one shortened leg , occasioned by

the dislocation of his hip . Two inquiries present themselves : —1 . Ought he to have been made a Mason ? 2 . Ought he to be further advanced in Masonry ? As to the first point , the language of Subdivision Nine , of Section Eight , of the Constitution , and that of the ' Old Charges' are identical in meaning . The candidate must be ' hale and sound , not deformed or dismembered , ' at the time of making . Can this be said to be the case with the Brother in question *? Can it be said that he is fully qualified to take part in every portion of the Lodge work ? And should Charity , which is ever kind , prompt an affirmative answer to both these

interrogatories , where shall the rule be limited ? To what point may not the disability be stretched . ? Must it be the entire loss of a limb , or an absolute distortion of the whole frame . ? We are of the opinion that the first inquiry must be answered in the negative , and that he ought not to have been made a Mason . As to the second point , if we are right in our conclusions as to the first , a negative answer must also be returned . Suppose he had imposed upon the Lodge , or had committed an offence after his initiation , or even previously , although not discovered till afterward , has the Lodge therefore no remedy ? Happy we are to be informed ,

that the excellent character and social standing of the candidate forbids the idea of any truth in these suppositions , but they furnish a complete argument that he is already a Mason , and therefore the disability should not be regarded . Nor does the fact that he is industrious in his occupation , and that his labour is not affected by his lameness , alter the conclusion . The true question is , whether he is qualified for our work . And if we would arrest the progress of a man who is debarred by moral deformity , why cannot we apply the express and unalterable rule where the case is one of physical infirmity ? Although not perhaps strictly

within the range of our duties , we will add , that there are two modes of preventing his further advancement : by the refusal of the Master to act in violation of a Landmark ; or if positive action be required , by the use of the ballot , and exercising the right asserted in Subdivision Nineteen of the above-cited Section Eight . That the decision of the Grand Lodge may serve as a guide for the future , we have thus extended these remarks , and that they may take definite action on the point , we submit this resolution : —Resolved , That it is a violation of a Landmark to make a Mason of one who has the disability of lameness , occasioned by a shortened and crooked limb , and that Temple Lodge , No . 14 , use their discretion

in conferring the remaining two Degrees upon said candidate . The report was adopted . We are sure in England such a trivial objection wbuld not prevent a man of good moral character becoming a Mason . Proposed Masonic Temple . —La Eraternidad Lodge ( Spanish ) has issued invitations to the various Lodges in this city , to send delegates to co-operate with

them in erecting a Masonic Temple . Bro . Heyneman , of Philadelphia , proposed to raise 500 , 000 dollars on the following plan : —One hundred acres of ground to be bought for a graveyard , at a cost of 100 , 000 dollars ; another 100 , 000 dollars to fence and beautify it ; divide the whole into 50 , 000 lots , and sell them at 10 dollars per lot . With the 300 , 000 dollars balance , buy a lot on Broadway , build a Hall , and furnish it . A committee was appointed to select such Brethren