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ROYAL OAK LODGE ( NO . 871 ) . —This well established lodge held its last regular meeting of the year 1863 , on Wednesday December 23 rd , at Bro . Stevens' , Royal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford . Bro . George AVilton , AV . M ., supported by Bros . C . Stahr , S . W . ; H . A . Collington , P . M ., J . AV . ; F . Walters , Sec ; J . AV . AA ' cir , P . M . ; G . S . Hodgson , I . G . j J . S . Blomely , AV . S . ; J . Hawker , J . AA . Hinderwell , J . Hammond , J . Gjertsen , J . Stevensand many othersconducted the business of the evening .

, , Amongst the visitors we noticed—Bros . J . H . Searle , J . AV . 169 ; T . Vesper , P . M . 554 ; Pridmore , 765 ; P . A . Neilson , I . G . 610 ; and others . The first ceremony was raising Bro . Jacob Gjertsen to the sublime degree of a M . M ., and afterwards Bros . J . AA . Hinderwell and J . Hammond were also raised to that superior degree . The AV . M ., Bro . G . AVilton , purposely raised Bro . J . Gjertsen bhimselfho being a foreignerin order that no

pory , , tion of this beautiful and impressive ceremony might be lost on him ; and , by afterwards seeing the other two brethren raised , it enabled him to appreciate all he saw and heard . The WM was highly complimented by the visiting Uro . P . M ., who expressed how sincerely glad he was to Le able to witness this eeremony so truthfully and impressively performed ; in fact his working was all that could be possibly desired . In reply to

several inquiries of different brethren the AV . M ., Bro . G . Wilton , assured them it was his intention to perform the ceremony of installation , himself agreeable , to Bro . S . B . AA'ilson ' s working , as he did not intend departing from the good example set him by his two predecessors , who had performed the ceremony . Nevertheless lie could , perhaps , to escape trouble and work have let some other member of the lodge do it , they had no less than three who could perform this ceremony besides his P . M ' s . ; yet

he would not disappoint the brethren , because be was so fully aware they expected and wished him to perforin it . The AA . JI ., Bro . G . AVilton , solicited the brethren to allow the donation of the lodge to the Royal Benevolent Institution to lie placed on our esteemed Bro . G . Bolton , P . M . 147 , 169 , Steward's list , as he had taken the honour and responsibility of that office to represent the lodges be was a member of . This suggestion was carried unanimously . After business the brethren partook of refreshment . The usual loyal toasts were given and received . The AA' . AL , in proposing the health of the visitors , spoke in

feeling terms of the awful shipwreck which Bro . Capt . Neilson had undergone , together with one of their members his chief officer ( Bro . Gjertsen ) , and rejoiced to think it had pleased the G . A . O . T . tf . once more to preserve our brethren from the perils of the deep . This toast was responded to by Bro . Pridmore in consequence of Bro . Neilson not being fluent in the English language . He said he felt the arduous duty lie had to perform was more than he could manageyeton behalf of

him-, , self and his brother visitor , he returned his thanks for the first time ( and he hoped it would not be the last ) on his own behalf , for the very kind manner he had been entertained and received amongst them , and on behalf of Bro . Capt . Neilson who had been frequently there , and who felt grateful to receive at sueh a trying moment as the present , when he li-id been so lately wrecked on the coast of Franceand saved in only what he

, stood upright in ( in fact he aud his crew were at the mercy of the winds and waves for three days , in consequence of a tremendous sea striking and destroying at one blow the stern of of the ship ) ; it was indeed a comfort and consolation for him to accept the right hand of good fellowship , and the healing halms of consolation which they offered him . In a great measure it soothedliim in his difficulties , and he would

ever remember with gratitude their fraternal kindness . After a few hours of enjoyment , the brethren separated , wishing each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year . ROYAL ALBERT LODGE ( NO . 907 ) . — The regular meeting of the above lodge was held on the 2 lst ult ., at the Freemasons ' Tavern . The lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the previous regular meeting , and also of the lodge of emergency , on the 16 th Nov ., were severally confirmed . The business

comprised one initiation , three passings , and one raising , all of which ceremonies were worked in a very creditable manner . The lodge was then duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , the AA . M ., Bro . Jeffreys , presiding , supported by his AA ardens , Bros . Downs and J . A . Farnfield . On the health of the initiate being given , Bro . Stubbings replied very feelingly , regretting that he should not he enabled to meet the brethren of the Royal Albert on a future occasion , as be was about to proceed to the . East , there to be located permanently . The steward appointed to represent the lodge at the Festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution on the 27 th proximo having handed

Metropolitan.

round his list , the AV . M . made a powerful appeal on behalf of the Charity , and which was liberally responded to , five of the brethren present becoming life governors of the Institution . After a most convivial evening , enlivened by the vocal talents of Bros . Peters , T . R . Lewis , II . J . Lewis , & e ., the brethren separated . Visitors : Bros . Neumann , G . Expert , G . Org . France ; C . AA ' orrell , No . 9 ; AV . AA'insor , No . 15 ; and A . Cameron , No . 180 .

INSTRUCTION . NEW CONCORD LODGE ( NO . 813 ) . —The anniversary meetingof this lodge was held on Thursday , the 17 th ult ., at the Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , and it was very numerously attended . Bro . Emmens , P . AI . of the parent lodge , presided . The lodge having been opened in due form , and the minutes confirmedthe ceremony of initiation was gone throughafter

, , which two sections of the lecture were worked , The lodge wasthen closed , and the brethren adjourned for refresment , Bro . Emmans presiding . After the cloth was drawn , the usual Masonic toasts were given . Bro . Emmens said on such occasions there was one toast which it gave him peculiar gratification to propose . As the founder of the New Concord Lodge of Instruction , it could not fail to be . to him a source of pleasure when ,

he saw the success which had attended them ; and with regard to that lodge , the anniversary of which they had met to celebrate , it must be peculiarly gratifying to the members of it tc find that in so short a time they had been enabled to devote so large sum as they had to their Masonic Charities , and he trusted that in a short time , they would become life governors to all their Masonic Institutions . He mentioned the fact that a fewmembers of the lodges with which he was connected had made

a collection amongst themselves for the purpose of affording the aged inmates of their asylums some extra comforts to gladden their hearts at Christmas ; and they should have the pleasure of handing over to them the sum of £ 13 , which would show them that although they were to some decree provided-, for , that they were not forgotten by their more fortunate brethren , and he hoped their example would be followed by

thosewho had the means of showing their sympathy with their aged , brethren . The toast was cordially drunk , and a very liberal subscription was the response . Some other toasts were given , aud the evening was spent in tho most complete harmony .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . PLYMOUTH . —Lodge Brunsioie / c ( No . 159 ) . —A meeting-of tins ' lodge was held on the evening of AVednesday , the 23 rd ult ., for the purpose of installing tbe Master elect , Bro . R . Lose , S . AV .. The ceremonies were conducted by Bro . Richards , P . M . The Master elect having been placed in the chair , and the brethren 1 admitted , the usual congratulations were made . The W . M .-appointed Bros . PophardS . W . ; JeffersonJ . AA ' . ; CarterS . D .

, , , ; Amery , J . D . ; Elliott , I . G . ; Rogers , Tyler . Tbe Secretary and Treasurer were reinvested with the collars of their office . Thebanquet was held at Thomas' Hotel on the 28 th ult . LODGE CHAHITY ( NO . 223 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 17 th ult . at their rooms , 41 , Union--street , Plymouth . The previous election having been in favour of the late S . W . Bro . Millerhe was dulinstalled AV . M . for

, , y the next year . Having received the usual salutations lie invested his officers : —Bros . May , S . AV . ; Heydon , J . AV . ; AA'itheridge , S . D . ; Jane , J . D . ; Bray , I . G . ; Radmore , Tyler . The collars ot Secretary and Treasurer were reinvested on the shoulders of the brothers who filled the offices under the late Mastership . The chairs and other paraphernalia recently voted were placed in the roomand seemed to give satisfaction . The brethren adjourned

, , at four p . m . to six p . m ., when the initiation of a gentleman took place , and some ordinary business was transacted . DEVONPORT . — -Lodge Friendship ( No . 202 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met at their rooms , St . Stephen-street , on Christmas Eve , to instal tho Master elect , Bro . Murch , S . AV ., Prov . G . Org ., who , having been placed in the chair of K . S ., and suitably acknowledged by the members presentcalled forth the

following-, brethren and invested them with the jewel and collar of theirrespective rani ; -. —Bros . S . W . ; Beer , J . W " . ; Ryall , S . D . ; Price , J . D . ; Nicholls , I . G . ; Radmore , Tyler ; Capplestone , Treas . ; Sutton , Sec . The banquet was appointed to take place at Bro . Hawkins , Royal Albert Hotel , Morice Town .