VI. But no man can be entered a Brother in any particu-

lar Lodge, or admitted to be a member thereof, without the unanimous consent of all the members of that Lodgef then present when the candidate is proposed, and their consent is formally asked by the Master ; and they are to signify their consent or dissent in their own prudent way, either virtually or in form, but with unanimity ; nor is this inherent privilege subject to a dispensation ; because the members
* There is a palpable contradiction in the terms of this Regulation, which caused a new Regulation to be adopted in 1723, which declares that the au- thority of the Master shall, in such cases, devolve on the Senior Warden, and such is now the general sense of the Fraternity.
f A subsequent Regulation allowed the Lodges to admit a member, if not above three ballots were against him. But in this country this has nevei been considered as good law, and the rule of unanimity has been very strictlj enforced.
THE WRITTEN LAW. 67
of a particular Lodge are the best judges of it ; and if a frao tious member should be imposed on them, it might spoil their harmony, or hinder their freedom ; or even break and disperse the Lodge, which ought to be avoided by all good and true brethren.