Notes On American Freemasonry.

fo a serious argument in its favour , much less one in opposition to it . We are pleased to observe that the Grand Master of New York has determined that the ri ght of her sister Grand Lodges shall be

protected , ancl shall not be infringed by persons who come within her jurisdiction from their own domiciles , ancl ask to have conferred upon them Masonic honours that they have been refused at home . Hence , on the complaint of the Grand

Lodge of Wisconisn , they expelled a person from the privileges of the Order admitted to a Lodge at Sag Harbor , who had been rejected in Wisconsin . And that they suspended the warrant of Ionic Lodge , No . 486 , of the city of New York ,

on the complaint of the Grand Master of Nevada , for being guilty of a like offence , and refusing to atone for , or apoli gize to the proper jurisdiction . He also remarks " that the invasions of Lodges in this State of the territorial jurisdiction of each

other have been numerous . The suppression of this evil , aud the necessary executive acts in consequence of the commission of this offence , have required much time and labour , and it is to be hoped will prevent its frequency in future . " The following are some of the decisions of the Grand Master : —

The Ballot is to be inviolably kept secret ; it is to be always so spread that no one present will knoAA ' , or can know , how any other votes . Every member present is to vote ; no one can be excused , or ask to be excused , or state reasons for voting ,

or not voting , or state objections to the candidate , or arguments in his favour , or discuss the subject at all , nor after the result is declared can any debate be had .

The name of au insane brother , in good standing , when attacked Avith disease causing insanit y , or when becoming insane suddenly , cannot be stricken from tho roll of the lodge for non-payment of dues . The brother is in distress , from loss of

reason , and while in that condition , cannot be proceeded against for not doing what it requires reason and recollection to do . He is under God ' s hand , and his lodge cannot afflict him . He also says : — "In granting relief it is a dut y

incumbent on the lodge , iu justice to itself and to other meritorious claims on its bounty , that it should scrutinize the case thoroughl y aud ascertain the tacts . If the applicant has means of his own , sufficient for his necessity , the application should

Notes On American Freemasonry.

be entirely denied ; or if there is any other person or property legall y liable for , and able or sufficient to meet the obligation of his support , that should be called for before exhausting the funds of the lodge . Lodges , therefore , should not yield to such

demands , in favour of Masons having wealth y relatives , legally and rnoral ty liable for their maintenance ; and it is shameful that such applications should be made . There is an error prevailing quite generall y , that lodges of Free and Accepted

Masons are in some respects benefit societies , , and partake of their duties . Now this is totall y erroneous . Our lodges , are not founded for life , or health , or accident insurance purposes , nor for

giving relief for funeral benefits . If any one Avishes to secure these objects , there ai- e many excellent organizations to which he can resort , and accomplish his object , and be certain of a fixed and determinate sum , Avithout any regard to the will ,

or the pleasure , or fcho feeling of the society or organization which he has joined . But lodges of Free and Accepted Masons are not of that kind , and do uot give , or profess to give , any such . privileges or benefits . Their fees for initiation ,

and their charges for dues , are not based on any calculation of the duration of health , or the liabilit y to disease of the petitioner . These are wholl y foreign to the objects of the Fraternity . " { To le Continued . ' )

Uniformity Of Ritual.

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .

PAPEK READ BEPOKE THE KnfosTosr LODGE , NO . 1 , 010 , ET WM . , Bito . 0 . JAMES TODD . ( From the Kingston Masonic Annual ) . " It is my object this evening to place before you , in as shore a compass as possiblethe history of the

, present system of working in our Masonic Lodges , and then to add a few observations on the desirability of establishing an uniformity of Ritual . " It must be patent to the youngest brother who has visited a strange Lodge , that at present there is no uniformity of procedure iu our lodge ceremonies ,

which differ in many respects . In proof of this , Ave need go no further than our own town , where with three lodges , we have no two working in exact harmony . " Nor is this state of things peculiar to any particular locality , but may with truth be said to be the state of the working throughout the country ; yet by

the Book of Constitutions under the head of ' Private Lodges , ' we find it laid dowu that ' All lodges are particularly bound to observe the same usages and customs ; every deviation therefore from the established mode of working is highly improper , and cannot be jusitified or countenanced . '