VISIT, RIGHT OF. While the right of a Mason to visit any Lodge, where he may happen to be, is generally conceded, various regulations, limiting this right, have been made at different times, and in divers jurisdictions, concerning the propriety and necessity of which intelligent Masons enter tain quite different opinions. By the most ancient charges it is ordered, "That every Mason receive and cherish strange fellowes when they come over the countrie, and sett them on worke, if they will worke, as the manner is; that is to if the Mason have any mould-stone in his place, he shall give him a mould-stone, and sett him on worke; and if he have none, the Mason shall refresh him with money unto the next Lodge." This regulation recognizes the right of a traveling brother as absolute. But, as early as 1663, it was ordered by a General Assembly held on the 27th of Decem ber of that year, "That no person hereafter, who shall be accepted a Freemason, shall be admitted into any Lodge or assembly, until he has brought a certificate of the time and place of his acceptation, from the Lodge that accepted him, unto the Master of that limit or division where such a Lodge is kept." In 1772, the Grand Lodge of England
renewed this statute, and some Grand Lodges in this country have adopted it. Of course, no stranger can be admitted to a Lodge without "due trial and examination," or unless he is vouched for by a known brother present. The Grand Lodge of England also has the following regulation, which has been adopted in many other jurisdictions: "A brother who is not a subscribing member to some Lodge shall not be permitted to visit any one Lodge in the town or place where he resides, more than once during his secession from the Craft." The object of the above rule is to exclude all drones from the hive of Masonry. Whoever partakes of the advantages of Freemasonry should contribute something to its support.