The New York herald., 1868-05-26
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE.

Annual Communication Of the Grand Lodge.
The annual Communication of the Grand Lodge Of
the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity Of Free and
Accepted Masons will commence in the ifst week in
June, in this city, and will probably continue for
several days.
The great increase in the number of lodges and of
individual Masons during the last few years has
caused corresponding increase in the labor to be
performed, and IL is doubtful n IL can all be done in
the space Of time usually devoted to the work. which
used to take four days. but last year five days
consumed and it is possible that this year second
week may be encrOached upon. The number OF lodges
in the State is about 600 with average representa-
ton Of four delegates from each lodge which with
some 5000 representatives for 80, 900 members. To
legisate for this vast body will require some time,
and @ certainly ain M the proceedings viii not be hurried
been selected as the place OF meeting To the great
body OF The craft in the city this selection Ia disaste
full and it Is generally disapproved, inasmuch as
there is but one room for committees to meet and
there are usually four or five in session. Another
reason is that the place is unsafe in Masonic point
or view as 1t cannot be closely tiled, there being
many doors; and third, and which should not
be overlooked, Is that crowding many into place
under the street In the heat OF summer may be preu
dicia to health, especially as the daily meetings
commence at nine O'Clock A. NJ. except the first day.
and continue till ten p. NJ, with but two or three
II is understood that the Deputy Grand Master has
except In very rare instances, refused to grant dis
pensations for new lodges refusal which has caused
some murmurings especially in those lodges which
have increased so rapidly In numbers. For instance,
one lodge, numbering some four hundred members.
wishing to divide and form new lodge. applied for
dispensaton, but the applicants were refused.
This lodge Is entitled to eight representatives In the
Grand Lodge, or one to every fifty members.
Another matter will probably be discussed, and
that is the c0nferring the Adaptive rite female
degree OF the Eastern Star, which has within the
last few years been conferred on several thou
sand ladies' consisting OF the wives, sisters
daughters and widows OF Masons. IL is understood
that the Deputy Grand Master Is wholly opposed TO
this, while II Is believed that the Grand Master,
stephen H. Johnston, OF White Plains, approves Of IL;
certainly Past Grand Master Holmes gave IL his
official sanction, and attended often where these de-
grees were conferred.
There will no doubt be some discussion as to the
purchase OF site for Masonic hail. and the school
and asylum at Havana will come in for their share.
The property at the corner of Grand and Crosby
streets was purchased some years ago. but the site
was disapproved by majority of the brethren and
the property sold at great disadvantage real estate
having materially advanced, and Is still advancing
In price.
fhe school and asylum at Havana is noble
charity and should be supported. 1t takes care OF
children OF Masons, giving them an education and
business, ana giving an asylum to aged and decayed
Masons as well as the widows Of Masons.
The hail. however, should be commenced at all
hazards. II Is strange that New York IL about the
only place in the Union without place OF this kind,
and II certainly looks bad TO be hiring other places
annually, which are scarcely secure from the eyes Of
the "profane."