Another regulation is, that no lodge can confer more than two degrees, at one communication, on the same candidate.  The Grand Lodge of England is still more stringent on this subject, and declares that “no candidate shall be permitted to receive more than one degree, on the same day; nor shall a higher degree in Masonry be conferred on any Brother at a less interval than four weeks from his receiving a previous degree, nor until he has passed an examination, in open lodge, in that degree.”  This rule is also in force in South Carolina and several other of the American jurisdictions.  But, the law which forbids the whole three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry to be conferred, at the same communication, on one candidate, is universal in its application, and, as such, may be deemed one of the ancient landmarks of the Order.

There is another rule, which seems to be of universal extent, and is, indeed, contained in the General Regulations of 1767, to the following effect:  “No lodge shall make more than five new Brothers at one and the same time, without an urgent necessity.”

All lodges are bound to hold their meetings at least once in every calendar month; and every lodge neglecting so to do for one year, thereby forfeits its warrant of constitution.

The subject of the removal of lodges is the last thing that shall engage our attention.  Here the ancient regulations of the craft have adopted many guards to prevent the capricious or improper removal of a lodge from its regular place of meeting.  In the first place, no lodge can be removed from the town in which it is situated, to any other place, without the consent of the Grand Lodge.  But, a lodge may remove from one part of the town to another, with the consent of the members, under the following restrictions:  The removal cannot be made without the Master’s knowledge; nor can any motion, for that purpose, be presented in his absence.  When such a motion is made, and properly seconded, the Master will order summonses to every member, specifying the business, and appointing a day for considering and determining the affair.  And if then a majority of the lodge, with the Master, or two-thirds, without him, consent to the removal, it shall take place; but notice thereof must be sent, at once, to the Grand Lodge.  The General Regulations of 1767 further declare, that such removal must be approved by the Grand Master.  I suppose that where the removal of the lodge was only a matter of convenience to the members, the Grand Lodge would hardly interfere, but leave the whole subject to their discretion; but, where the removal would be calculated to affect the interests of the lodge, or of the fraternity—­as in the case of a removal to a house of bad reputation, or to a place of evident insecurity—­I have no doubt that the Grand Lodge, as the conservator of the character and safety of the institution, would have a right to interpose its authority, and prevent the improper removal.