Masonic News From America.

MASONIC PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM . Bro . Rob Morris , LL , D ., Past Gr . Master of Kentucky , and the present Worshipful Master of Royal Solomon Lodge , N 0 . 293 , of Jerusalem , the only Masonic Lodge in Palestine , is now organizing a Masonic party to be composed of

Master Masons , limited in number . He will leave New York by one of the first class lines , on September 26 th next , and will visit Liverpool , London , Paris , Turin , Milan , Venice , Trieste , Alexandria , Cairo , the Pyramids , Suez , Hebron , the Pools of Solomon and Jerusalem , and from

thence to the Dead Sea , the Jordan , the Sea of Galilee , Nazareth , Mount Hermon , Damascus , Baalbec , the Cedars of Lebanon , and all points of Masonic interest through th < J Holy Land , opening his Lodge in many of these appointed places ; returning from Beyrout in Syria , the

party will go to Smyrna , Ephesus , Constantinople , Athens , Corfu , Brindisi , Naples , Pompei , Vesuvius , Sorrento , Rome , Florence , Bologna , Mt . Cenis , Geneva , Berne , Bale , Paris , London , York , Edinburgh , Ayr , Glasgow , Belfast , Dublin , Liverpool , paying official Masonic visits to the Lodges and Grand Lodge at all these points .

Bro . Morris has a number of the brethren already enrolled , and has made a contract with Cook , Son & Jenkins , of New York and London , the great excursion managers , in which they agree to conduct this party from New York over the entire route back to New York , to provide

the best hotels and first class travelling arrangements for a period of one hundred and forty two days , by sea and land , by rail and steamer , in carriage and on horseback , and in tents , providing guides , camp equipage , omnibuses , porterage ,

lackskeeh , and servants—in a word , paying all expenses necessary for the tour , from the date of departure from New York until the return to New York , for the sum of eleven hundred dollars .

It will be remembered that this is the firm that so successfully managed the Pilgrimage of Alleghany Commandery , Knights Templar , to Europe , three years ago , which was pleasantly commemorated in St . John ' s Commandery at its last meeting , where we had the pleasure of -again greeting Bro . E . M . Jenkins , one of the Pilgrims ,

in person . We may remark , here , that upon that occasion Bro . Jenkins took upon himself the conduct of the Pilgrims , prepared for them a printed volume containing a complete description of the tour , in advance , with every place of note to be visited ,

and what were the prominent points to be seen . He manifested such ability as an excursion manager throughout the Pilgrimage , that Messrs . Cook & Son resolved to utilize his services on this side of the Atlantic , and he became , as a result , and is now , a member of their firm , stationed at New York .

Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association.

STAFFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION .

Theseventh half-yearly meeting of this association was held at Hawkstone , on Tuesday , 9 th inst . Twenty-one new members were enrolled , bringing the present number of subscribing members to 154 , of whom seven have entered

their names for double subscriptions . The Treasurer ' s statement showed funds in hand sufficient for twenty-one life subscriptions to the charities , which were balloted for accordingly . The winter meeting was appointed to be held at Lichfield on the first Tuesday in December .

Thirty-one members and ladies dined after the meeting , under the presidency of W . Bro . Marsh , P . P . S . G . W ., Vice-President of the Association . W . Bro . Binckes , P . G . S . ( who was present as a visitor ) , Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , proposed " Success

to the Association , " and congratulated the members upon its excellent basis , and the . success which had already attended their efforts , assuring them that he saw in it the elements of a further steady growth and a mors influential

organisation for good than they were perhaps aware of . He urged the co-operation of ladies , not as visitors only , but as members . The Secretary in replying to the toast , called special , attention to the Local Education Fund

Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association.

recently added , and announced that the present drawing" would make a total of upwards of ^ £ 400 contributed to the three great charities through the instrumentality of the Association daring its short existence . The healths of " The Committee , " and c : The Ladies , " were then drunk , and the brethren

separated , all having to drive some miles to the different railway stations , agreeing that the Hawkstone meeting had been one of the most enjoyable as well as one of the most successful meetings yet held . The weather was beantifully fine , and the visitors were charmed alike by the varied scenery of the park and the magnificent distant views .

Bro. Sir George Elliot, Bart.

BRO . SIR GEORGE ELLIOT , BART .

On 1 uesday Sir George Elliot , Bart ., was appointed Senior Grand Warden for the Masonic Province of Middlesex for the year 1 S 74 . Sir George Elliot owes this promotion to his zealous and varied efforts' for the spread and development of Freemasonry in all its branches . The

worthy baronet is at this time the Worshipful Master of a distinguished Middlesex lodge , to the chair of which he was re-elected on the termination of his first year of office in 1873 . He is clso First Principal cf a Royal Arch Chapter , in which the Earl of Limerick is Second Principal :

High Prelate of a Knight Templar Preceptory of which Bro . Staveley Hill . Q . C . is the Preceptor ; M . W . S . of a Rose Croix Chapter ; and healso holds high office in a conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine . Sir George is a Vice-Patron of the Freemasons' Boys' School , and a

\ ice-Patron of the Freemasons' Girls' Sc hool , and he has served the office of Steward for both institutions . By the promotion just conferred upon him , he will succeed Sir Gilbert Campbell , Bart ., as Senior Grand Warden of the

Metropolitan Province , and his investiture will take place at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex , to be held at Enfield , in that county , on the 4 th July next , and at which many of the leading Masons in England have expressed their intention of being present . — South Durham Herald .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . R . STEBBING .

With reference to the lamented decease of this distinguished brother , on Monday evening , 2 nd inst ., at his residence , Willbrook , near Southampton , we arc enabled to add the following outline .

He came to Southampton from Portsmouth , about forty years ago , and in conjunction with his brother established a business there as an optician , and nautical instrument maker . With an aptitude for business , and great mechanical ingenuity , he combined a highly scientific

intelligence , for so far back as 18 . 33 he was a frequent lecturer on subjects connected with scientific investigation , at the Southampton Literary and Philosophical Institution . His powers ( if eloquence and business habits soon brought him into notice , and led to his taking part in the

business of the Borough . In 18 38 he entered the Town Council , and in 18 40 was appointed sheriff' of the town , subsequently chosen an alderman ; but it was not till 1867 that , having been frequently urged to accept the Chief Magistracy , he yielded to ( he solicitation of his friends ,

and was unanimously elected Mayor , the somewhat onerous duties of which oilke during an eventful year , he discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents . He had been appointed a Justice of the Peace by the f . oid Chancellor some years previously . lie took ; : u

active part in establishing the Chamber of Commerce , at Southampton , in 18 51 , and was chosen President of it , a member of the Pier and Harbour Commission , a director of the Hampshire Banking Company , and uf tie Soulhhnnta , Permanent Building Society . There was no subject

involving the interests of the inhabitants of Southampton In which lie did not take a prominent part . For many years he was President of the Polytechnic Institution , the members of which will long remember his kindl y counsel and advice . Ilero he frequently delivered lectures .

Obituary.

The original scheme for establishing the Hartly Institute , it is understood , was drawn up by Bro . J . R . Stebbing , and approved by the Courtof Chancery , with but slight alteration . He was an earnest supporter of friendly and benefit societies , and a member of several of them . The

volunteer movement was warmly promoted by him . and when a few years ago , he took up his residence at Milbrook , he took a livel y interest in parochial affairs , and was mainl y instrumental in securing the erection of a new church for that district , and he materially aided its

construction . He was not however , permitted to witness its completion , for on Whit Tuesdav , this handsome building was consecrated by the Bishop of Winchester , and our Bro . Stebbing was suffering from the illness which carried him off " . In n word he possessed all the sterling qualities of

an Englishman , unwavering integrity , bold manly independence , fervent eloquence , kind hearted and genial indisposition ; every one acquainted with him was his friend . At present we have to dwell upon his Masonic career . He was P . M . of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , 130 ,

of the Twelve Brothers No . 785 : of the Peace and Harmony 359 , at Southampton , of the Economy Lodge , Winchester , 76 ; of the St . Hubert at Andover , 1373 ; of the New Forest at Lymingcon , 319 ; and also of a lodge at Portsmouth . In 1 S 36 , he was Grand Steward

of his province ( Hampshire ) , in 1 S 42 , Provincial Grand Secretary , in 1849 , Provincial Grand Warden , in 1870 , on the resignation of the late Bro . C . E . Deacon , the M . W . Prov . Grand Master appointed him Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire and the Isle of

Wight . In 1 S 60 , elected by Grand Lodge a member of the Board of General Purposes , and subsequently the Vice President , during the past 20 years , a constant attendant at Quarterly Communications . His frequent speeches were always listened to with pleasure , his clear ,

emphatic , ready , voice being raised in support of the extension of Masonic privilege , and in defence of what ha deemed justice and fair play . When Grand Lodge determined in 1862 to erect suitable buildings for a Freemasons' Hall , and emancipate the Craft from being a mere

appendage to a tavern , our Bro . Stebbing was elected by Grand Lodge a member of the committee of seven brethren , under the able presidency of Bro . John Havers , to conduct the building operations , and all the Craft know how zealous and indefatigable were the exertions of that distinguished Heptarchy , and the successful

results of their labours in what we may call operative Masonry . Their names cannot be too frequently kept before the brethren , they were Bros . John Havers , J . Llewellyn Evans , John Herbert , Job A . Savage , J . Rankin Stebbing , George Plucknett , and Henry Grissell . When the erection of Freemasons' Hall was

completed and consecrated , Bro . Stebbing received the reward of his labours by being called to the dais as Senior Grand Warden of England , and on the grand staircase of the hall a medallion portrait of the handsome face of our deceased brother , by the distinguished sculptor , Bro .

Durham , perpetuates his likeness , and records his services . That tablet erected as a testimonial to the Building Committee is now , alas ! become for Bro . Stebbing , also a funereal monument . In Royal Arch Masonry he succeeded liro . Deacon , in 1872 , as Second Principal of the

Provincial Grand Chapter , having from iSj . 6 to 1865 officiated as Scribe E . He was Grand Treasurer of the Mark Degree , and First Master of St . Andrew ' s Mark Lodge , as well as of the Solent Lodge of Royal . Ark Mariners : of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , he was Past

Sovereign of the Rose Croix . The Peace and Harmony Lodge presented his portrait to the Masonic Hall , Southampton . He wns also Chairman of the Masonic Assurance Society . Such is a brief outline of the busy and useful life of our departed brother .

On Wednesday the foundation stone of a new chancel lo All Saints Church was laid with full Masonic rites . The brethren of the local lodge , with a number from those of Hampshire and the surrounding counties , met in the Clarence Schoolroom , and the ceremony was performed by the R . W . Prov . G . M . of Hampshire and Isle of Wight , Bro , W . W . B . Beach , M . P .