The plot is in excellent condition, and though the matter of its enlargement has been under discussion, there is no necessity for haste in making a purchase for such purpose. CASES OF INTEREST. Aside from the numerous cases of the unaffiliated, expelled, and unquestioned fraudulent applications made to us for assistance, there are a few instances which possess features uncommonly interesting. A few of them are appended for purposes of instruction, not only to the Craft, but to those who are closely identified with charitable work. Case No. 1683. This is a brother seventy-six years of age, and (now) a member in good standing of a lodge in this State. He was made a Mason in 1861, and since that year has been unaffiliated three times, covering a period of thirteen years in which he was not in good standing. It appears that he was never, since he became a Mason, unable to pay dues, but simply neglected one of the most important of his Masonic duties. He wanted a little money so that he could get about the city without walking, a daughter here supporting him otherwise. We assisted him twice to small sums and to the extent of his desires. Case No. 1690. A brother belonging to a lodge at Charleston, South Carolina. This case was brought to our attention by a doctor in one of our hospitals, where the case had been operated upon three times and was then under treatment. It was found that he was in good standing, but the Lodge was not in condition to assist him and his family, wife and two children. We took the case in immediate charge, aided the family, and otherwise helped in the matter. We expended fifty dollars. At present the brother has a position enabling him to provide for those dependent upon him and is much better physically than he has been in four years. Case No. 1716. A life member of a lodge in Ohio. During the Civil War he was a colonel in the army; afterward a prominent contractor. A succession of misfortunes, begun by the death of his only children (two sons), followed by reverses during the recent business depression, led to a complete collapse of all his plans, and left him, with an aged wife, at the mercy of the world. Though a life member of a prosperous lodge, it has contributed but a small sum to his relief. Our Board has given him considerably more than one hundred dollars. The case is one deserving of more than the brief notice here given it. Cases Nos. 1726, 1727. Two brothers (in blood), from lodges in Bermuda and Trinidad, both in good Masonic standing. They had not seen each other for many years, but accidentally met face to face in the streets of Philadelphia. Unable to secure employment there, they came to New York, and, by our aid, were taken as conductor and motorman on the cars of the Metropolitan Street Railway. We contributed sixty dollars in these cases, and have been amply repaid in satisfactory results. Case No. 1731. From a lodge at Port au Spain. Intelligent, well educated, but entirely dependent through lack of energy and that "push" without which a man can do little. He haunted the Temple, and his face, from its spiritless ex pression, became familiar to all. Yet he never asked for money or for favor. We simply had to draw out of him, by slow and laborious questioning, all he could give relative to himself. The case cost us eighty-five dollars, but the man is at work, and gradually getting confidence and energy. Case No. 1744. A brother from Lincoln, Nebraska. Did not want money, but wished protection from crowds continually shouting at him wherever he went. Lodge spoke well of him in all particulars. He grew worse and became violent-in his language, at least. We were forced to have him confined, and sent to his home under guard. This and one other case of mild insanity gave us much annoyance-particularly to the timid and sympathetic delegates, who, through lack of experience, cannot appreciate the necessity of prompt restraint. Many other cases of interest could be given in this place, but enough have been given for our purpose of showing the need for patience, kindness, and wise discrimination in dealing with the distress of humanity. Whatever we may do in any particular case, the action is certain to be dictated by prudence and in the best interests of our Craft. GENERAL. The condition of the New York City Board of Relief in respect to finances, general interest, and in all that makes it useful, is such as its friends approve. The lodges supporting the Board are satisfied with its progress, and all its delegates are faithful in interest and attention. Year by year the number of contributing lodges remains about the same, the accessions fully equaling the withdrawals; and as no special effort has been made to secure the coöperation of such lodges as have not hitherto joined with us in Masonic charitable work, we must conclude that our support has grown to be a matter of pride to the contributors. With respect to each and every feature of our labor we congratulate Grand Lodge upon its having, and sustaining by its approval, a Board of Relief that has been in successful operation for upwards of twenty years, without stagnation at any time and without periodical appeals to it for pecuniary aid. We see no good reason for change in our methods of operation, believing that our systematized efforts are as good and perfect as they can well be made. Until all the Boards of Relief throughout the country are organized upon a general plan, approved by all Grand Lodges, we cannot hope for better results. The usual statistical table is hereto appended, without comment. Fraternally submitted, WM. DELAMATER, Secretary. JOHN R. POPE, President. REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SPANISH WAR. W... ELBERT O. SMITH from the Special Committee on Spanish War presented the following report, which was received and ordered printed in the Proceedings: M... W... WRIGHT D. POWNALL, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York. Dear Sir and M.. W... Brother: Your Committee on Spanish War having the matter in charge of tabulating the names, etc., of Masonic brethren of the Lodges of the State of New York who participated in the late war with Spain, beg leave to submit the following report for publication in the Proceedings: Alward, Thos. H., Assistant Engineer, U. S. N...... Avery, Thos. D., Captain, U. S. V. Ashley, Maurice C., Captain and Assistant Surgeon, U. S. V. Allen, Elisha M., Sergeant, Ú. S. V. Abel, Frank, Quartermaster Sergeant. Antz, Chas. F., Hospital Steward (regimental), U. S. V. Ridgewood, 710 .Jerusalem Temple, 721 Anderson, Oscar, Ensign (1st Assistant Engineer), U. S. N. Andrews, Jas. M., Captain, U. S. V... Anderson, Niels, U. S. N. Bernstein, Alfred, 1st Sergeant, U. S. N. Brown, William, Private, U. S. S. C., U. S. V. Bugbee, Ernest F., Quartermaster Sergeant, U. S. V Brown, Wm. H., Sergeant. Beekman, Wm. S., 1st Lieutenant, U. S. V Buckley, Daniel J., U. S. N Bell, Wallace J., Private, U. S. V Bartholomew, A. D., 2d Lieutenant, U. S. V. .Phoenix, 96 Frontier City, 422 Copestone, 641 .Girard, 631 .St. George's, 6 .La Fayette, 64 .Long Island, 382 .Crystal Wave, 638 .Progressive, 354 Tyrian, 618 Commonwealth, 409 Cosmopolitan, 585 ..Auburn, 431 .Cornucopia, 563 .Crescent, 402 . Brooklyn, 288 Polar Star, 245 Charter Oak, 249 Walton, 559 Walton, 559 La Fayette, 64 .La Fayette, 64 .La Fayette, 64 ..La Fayette, 64 Cascade, 427 ..Catskill, 468 .Hudson River, 607 .Hoffman, 412 . Marble, 702 ..Ancient, 724 .Charity, 727 Auburn, 431 Union, 95 ..Union, 95 Richville, 633 .Sackett's Harbor, 135 Sackett's Harbor, 135 . Phoenix, 96 Brady, Lewis, Private, U. S. A Barnaskey, L. W., Corporal, U. S. V. .Frontier City, 422 Callimachus, 369 Burgess, Wm. A., 1st Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A........... Faxton, 697 Beach, Ernest J., Private, U. S. A. Bonney, Nelson P., Sergeant, U. S. V Babcock, Francis G., Captain, U. S. V. Blacklock, Francis G., 1st Sergeant, U. S. V. Bedford, Henry, Gunner's Mate, U. S. N.. Blessing, Ira H., U. S. A. Bander, Frank R., Captain, U. S. V Broughton, Albert D., Corporal, U. S. V. Boyle, James, 1st Grade Quartermaster (killed). . Utica, 47 .Central City, 305 .Thermopylæ at Marathon, 438 Campbell, Geo. W., Passed Assistant Engineer, U. S. N.. Chisholm, John J., Chief Engineer, U. S. N.. Crews, John C., Chief Master-at-Arms, U. S. N. Conrow, Wm. S., 1st Lieutenant, U. S. V. Callender, Thos. S., U. S. V. Joppa, 201 ..Island City, 586 .Sackett's Harbor, 135 .Ancient Landmarks, 441 ...Dunkirk, 767 .Architect, 519 ..Normal, 523 .Wadsworth, 417 Masters', 5 ...Cohoes, 116 .Herkimer, 423 .Ridgewood, 710 Crescent, 402 Constitution, 241 .Mt. Moriah, 27 .La Fayette, 64 |