Metropolitan.

respected , not only in the Craft but throughout the Metropolitan Press . —The W . M . gave "The Health of Bro . Emmens , the Secretary of the lodge , " and hoped for many years he would fulfil the duties in the same Masonic spirit he had ever done . — Bro . EMMEITS , P . M ., in returning thanks , said he had for twenty years been their Secretary , and that he had given them satisfaction was shown by the observations of the W . M . in investing him with his collar that evening , and as long as he had health and strength he would perform his duties as he had hitherto done . The Old Concord Lodge was in a prosperous condition , and so was the Benevolent Fund in connection with

it , winch was one of the great ornaments of Freemasonry . They had nearly £ 100 in the hands of the Treasurer to relieve any brother who might fall into distress , without going to the Board of Benevolence . After the coming hall , when alVthe expenses were paid , there would still be a sum to devote to Masonic Charities . Some other toasts were given , and the evening was spent in the most harmonious manner , it being agreeably diversified by songs from Bros . Woollams , Carter , Hollingsworth , and E . Hart , the latter brother presiding at tbe pianoforte .

LODGE OF USIONS ( No . 318 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge took place on Monday , the Sth inst ., at the Freemasons ' Tavern . The lodge was opened in due form . There were present a full attendance of the members , besides visitors from various lodges , amongst whom we observed Bros . J . Udall , P . G . D ., S . B . Wilson , P . G . D ., Rev . J . W . Laughlin , P . M ., 201 and Prov . G . Chap , for Herts , F . Binckes , P . M ., 11 , Secretary to the Masonic Boys' School . Bro . the RevEJTownewas

. . . , raised to the degree of a M . M ., Bro . Dr . D'Olier to that of a F . C , and Mr . J . Lane Hatchings , was initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . Gifford acting for the W . M . announced that a most important duty had now to be fulfilled , viz ., the installation of W . M .. , and Bro . Wade , the W . M . elect having subscribed to all the preliminary requirements , was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year , by Bro . Gifford , who was

ably assisted by Bro , John Hervey , P . G . D . and Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , P . G . D . The W . M . appointed Bros . Brown , S . W . ; and Postlethwaite , as J . D . The lodge was closed , and the brethren proceeded to an excellent banquet provided hy Messrs . Elkington and Co . The cloth being withdrawn , the usual preliminary toasts were given from the chair , after which Bro . WAXKISS rose and craved the attention of the lodge for a few moments . He said , the period of the evening had arrived when the most important feature of the proceedings , the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . W . Farnfield , Assist . G . Sec . of the Grand Lodge , was to take place , and he ( Bro . Watkins ) wished that it bad fallen to the lot of some other brother who

• could have done greater justice to it . It would be affectation to assume that Bi-o . Farnfield was ignorant of the object for which he had risen , for notice had been actually sent to him of the matter . Bro . Watkins called attention to the fact that it was now forty years since Bro . Farnfield was initiated in that lodge , and thirty-eight years of that period he had been one of its most active members , and all would bear testimony to his untiring zeal and attention . After so long a period of service

Bro . Farnfield had no common claim upon them ; and he ( Bro-Watkins ) felt a pleasure in offering the handsome testimonial then placed before the W . M ., consisting of a silver tea and coffee service for Bro . Farnfield ' s acceptance . The value of the gift would be enhanced when he mentioned that there was not a brother of the loclge but who had cheerfully contributed towards it , on its being mooted by Bro . Green , P . M . Bro . Watkins then referred to Bro . Farnfield ' s connexion with the Freemasons ' at

Asylum Croydon , and the manner in which he had laboured for the good of that institution , and presented the testimonial to him , with every wish for his health , happiness , and prosperity . Tlie testimonial bears the following inscription : —

Presented to Brother Wm . Farnfield , P . M . By the Members of the Lodge of Unions , 318 , to mark their great Regard and Esteem for him as the Father of the Lodge ; and for his unceasing attention to its interests , as its Secretary , for nearly forty years . January 5 tb , 1863 .

Bro . FABNEIEED returned thanks in an appropriate speech , mentioning that it was in the year 1828 that he was installed Master ofthe lodge , and that he had never been absent from its duties

for a single night , with the exception of the time when he was labouring under a severe illness . He accepted with pleasure the handsome testimonial so gracefully presented to him , and which he should more highly prize from the facts mentioned by Bro . Watkins . —In the course of the evening another presentation was made , in the name of the lodge , of a P . M . 's jewel to Bro . Lamb , the immediate P . M ., by Bra . GBEEIT , P . M ., who commented on the hearty and generous support Bro . Lamb

had given the various Masonic Charities during his year of office . Bro . LAMB , in a humourous speech , returned thank ' s . The toast of the Visitors was ably responded to by Bros . S . B . Wilson , Laughlin , and Binckes . The remaining toasts , amongst which was that of the initiate , to which Bro . Hutchings replied , were given from the chair , and tbe brethren parted , mnch gratified with their evening ' s entertainment .

ROYAD OAK LODGE ( NO . 1173 ) . —This prosperous and flourishing lodge held its usual monthly meeting , on Wednesday , Dec . 31 st . ( in consequence of the regular lodge night falling on Christmas Eve ) , at Bro . Steven's , Royal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford . The W . M ., Dr . Scott , assisted by his officers , Wilton , Stabr , Stevens , sen ., Walters , Weir , P . M ., Pembroke , and Mills , opened the lodge . There was a heavy programme of business , viz ., two raisings , four passings , and three initiations . The first

ceremony was the raising of Bros . Nettlebohm and Hawker , to the sublime degree of Master Masons . The second ceremony was passing Bios . Blomeley and Parkinson , to the degree of Fellow Craft Freemasons . The concluding ceremony was the initiation of Mr . Henry Furnier , into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Each candidate in the several degrees was introduced separately and the entire ceremony of the third degree given . It is almost superfluous to addthat the worth

, y and highly esteemed W . M ., Dr . Scott , went through the various ceremonies in his accustomed first-rate style , maintaining perfect silence which always adds much effect and beauty to the various degrees . The only drawback was the want of time which precluded the W . M . from giving all the explanations to the tracing board for each degree . Ere this lodge meets again , their W . M ., Dr . Scott , will ( by dispensation ) , be installed W . M . of No . 164 St . George's Lod Greenwichhe having been elected

, ge , , unanimously to that high position , being now S . W . We feel sure another bright aud prosperous year of office awaits him there , and he is certain by his kind , urbane , gentlemanly manner , to win the esteem of all the members of that lodge . The business being ended , the brethren retired to an excellent banquet . Visitors , I . Cavell , W . M ., 172 , J . Lightfoot , J . D ., 172 . & c .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CHANNEL ISLES . JEESEY . —Lodge La Cesaree ( No . 860 ) . —It having been inconvenient to the members to assemble on Christmas-day , the regular monthly meeting was held on Friday , January 2 nd , Bro . Durell in his place as W . M ., Bro . P . Le Sueur as S . W ., and Bro . Schmitt acting as J . W . The lodge was opened at 7 p . m . in the First Degree . The minutes of the last regular meetingand also of an emergency meetingwere read and

, , confirmed . The usual questions having been put to Bros . Hanau and Muller , and their progress satisfactorily proved , they were entrusted . Bro . Granger , who had been initiated under the Grand Orient of France , and now presented his certificate , was proposed as a joining member b y Bro . Alavoine , seconded by Bro . Dr . Piscard , and supported by Bro . Schmitt . The W . M . announced that he had received from Bro .

Dr . Hopkins , as a present to the lodge , a complete set of drawings of the new Masonic Temple . Bro . Dr . Hopkins rose , and observed that whenever he had been consulted by young men as to the desirability of their becoming Freemasons , he had always , if he knew their personal character to be good , recommended them to do so , at the same time urging them to make strict inquiries before determining where they should receive the benefit of initiationas the habits and arrangements of

, different lodges varied much ; when , however , the choice had been made , and membership had ensued , he felt that it was the duty of every Mason to take an interest , and , as far as possible , an active part in the proceedings in some form or other , endeavouring to promote its welfare and to maintain a high standard . Being himself an old Mason , for some time after his arrival in Jersey he had abstained from local membership , in