The Entered Apprentice has the right of making the application.

Herein he differs from a profane, who has no such right of application until he has qualified himself for making it, by becoming an Entered Apprentice.

But, if the application is granted, it is _ex gratia_, or, by the favour of the lodge, which may withhold it, if it pleases.

If such were not the case, the lodge would possess no free will on the subject of advancing candidates; and the rule requiring a probation and an examination, before passing, would be useless and absurd--because, the neglect of improvement or the want of competency would be attended with no penalty.
It seems to me, then, that, when an Apprentice applies for his second degree, the lodge may, if it thinks proper, refuse to grant it; and that it may express that refusal by a ballot.

No trial is necessary, because no rights of the candidate are affected.