Spiritualism.

is one which entirely dispenses with aught of quibbling . The question left for the seeker after truth to decide therefore : Is the explanation that these spiritualistic phenomena are the work of " disembodied spirits " really correct ? On account of his experiences thus far in the

matter , Bro . Carpenter answers , yes , while so far as I have been able to investigate the subject , I feel bound to say no . And to the question —• To whom are these manifestations due ? I must answer , that allowing them to be the work of spirits , they were the work of embodied

" spirits ; " and in no case was it either necessary for , or did any " disembodied spirit " take the slig htest action in the matter . It will be time enough to attribute these " manifestations " to " disembodied spirits " when all the various faculties and powers connected with

the living human frame , or with the " embodied spirits" present , have been taken into account and proved to be unable to solve the problem . Being somehow asked by various parties who were either spiritualists or in doubt about the matter to help them in their difficulties , I found

that , so far as I could observe any so called spiritualistic p henomena to which I was either witness or became acquainted with , were produced by one or moie of the living parties present , and produced without the aid of any disembodied spirit , there being about as much

need for the aid of a disembodied spirit in any oi these " spiritualistic " p henomena , as there is for its services in sending a telegraphic message from here to London , or in keeping a piece of iron from falling to the ground that is suspended by

a mag-net . And to imagine that a disembodied spirit can either use its lungs (?) or speak or move material objects , is equivalent to expecting your watch to be able to go on ticking away and telling the time of day after its works have been taken out .

I had a friend who was brought into contact with the spiritualists , anil not only did he become one himself , but he turned out a capital medium . In the first llush of the excitement produced by his sudden introduction to a new world he was fairly carried away by it , and not a single word

would he listen to in opposition lo the idea that all the manifestations , in which he played such an important part , were the result ol something else than the work of a " disembodied spirit . " However , ti ne wore on and and he began to feel that this close acquaintance with '" disembodied

spirits " was anything but favourable to either his health or nerves . He could not sleep at night , ( others have told me that their nerves got so unstrung , and the manifestations took such a g hostl y turn in the dark that they had to keep the gas burning full blaze all night ) , and bye and bye he began to think and also to examine into

the cause ot the manilestations , and the result now is that he considers that the idea of " disembodied spirits" having anything to do with the matter , was simply a delusion—the feelings swaying the judgment . There are many , 1 have reason to assert , who have gone through tho same experience as my friend , onl y in order to prevent ill-feeling they do not care to sav

much about it . 1 am , yours fraternally , W . P . IIUCHAX ,

The St . James ' s Lodge-of Instruction . No . 76 ;) J has been removed to , and is now held at the New Tanners' Arms , Grange-road , Bennondsev , and

meets every Friday evening , at 8 o ' clock . On Friday , the 26 th inst ., the ceremony of installation will be rehearsed b y Uro . Monta » u Scott , P . M . 76 " . 7 , '/ .. 17 C .

A Grand Council of Royal an . 1 Select Alaslers was held on Wednesday , at z , Red l . ion-squaie , the M . P . G . M . 011 the throne , when the constitutions were Considered and approved . 'I'he M . W . G . M . M . M . the Karl Percv . . 1 / . /' ..

has appointed Kridav , ( lei , ; i . l . i , ;¦ ,:, ¦ j : l . ; , ] lalion of the .. l . ' W . i !¦ ¦ l- ' ,- . ( ; . !• ' . I .- , ¦; ,. ! . Prov . G . M .. M . for Hairs and ihe I - ! .- ,, | ' Wii . 'h ; . The install . 11 ion will Life ; iaee - ; i ' o . .-n o ; , \\ , and will lie n- 'i' -fo ' .-nii-l i . y < ne M . V \ -. ' . , \ i \| •,:. ¦¦ Earil ' eic ,. ' . U , ' .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . F . JOHNSON .

On the nth inst ., Bro . Wm . Francis Johnson , member of Everton Lodge , No . 823 , and Junior Deacon of the Hamer Lodge , No . 1393 , and connected with H . M . ' s Customs as tide surveyor , departed this life , after a painful and lingering illness , at his residence iu Newlands-street , Liverpool . On Saturday last , in conformit y

with the wish of the deceased , his remains were interred with Masonic ceremonial , at Anfield Cemetery ; and the respect for the deceased was clearly shown by the attendance of a large number of the brethren connected with the two local lodges of which he had been a member for a considerable time .

The Hamer Lodge , situated in Wmdermerestreet , was opened shortly after 9 o ' clock by Bro . J . Jones , W . M ., who was supported by the following officers and other members : — Bros . W . T . May , I . P . M . ; Capt . T . Berry , S . W . ; R . H . Evans , J . W . ; E . Wilson , Sec . ; C . Tyrer ,

Treas . ; A . Jackson , S . D . ; E . Dutch , 3 . S . ; R . Price , J . S . ; M . Williamson , Ty ler ; T . Larce , N . Thornthwaite , C . A . Cooper , G . Lunt , G . Chapman , R . Parry , T . Roberts , G . Graham , T . Sammons , T . Durrans , W . Malpass , T . Leadley , J . Cearney , R . W . Rowlands .

The Everton Lodge was represented b y the following : —Bros . W . Boalton , W . M . ; Jesse Banning , P . M .: W . Cottrell . S . W . ; T . Shaw , J . W . ; J . Moulding , S . D . ; II . Ashimare , J . D . ; J . Goodman , I . G . ; J . S . Cuthbert , J . S . ; E .

G . Benedict T . Blooinfield , J . Alannay , E . H . Bryson , C . Morgan . W . Atherton , and J . W . Coates . There were also present Bros . T . G . Wilkins , 1164 , W . Brewers , 126 4 ; W . Jones , Sec . S ' 14 , and R . Lloyd , 13 , 5 6 . After the lodge had been opened in the three degrees , the brethren proceeded

to the late residence of the deceased , where a procession was formed . liy a special dispensation , the brethren wore their Alasonic clothing . The route taken was by Breck-road , O . ikfield-road , Walton Breck-road , Spellow-lane , , '\ x \ , aud on the arrival of the cartet ' i

at the cemetery , the funeral service , of the church to whicli deceased belonged , was impressivel y read by the clergyman . The brethren then gathered round the grave , and the usual Masonic luneral oration was very impressivel y delivered

by Bro . J . Jones , W . M . 1393 . The Secretaries advanced and deposited their rolls in the grave , and the brethren threw in sprigs of acacia . The procession was then reversed , and the brethren returned to Windermere-street , where the lodge was closed in solemn form .

Bro. The Rev. John Bannister, L.L.D. (T.C.D.)

BRO . THE REV . JOHN BANNISTER , L . L . D . ( T . C . D . )

Our lamented friend and Bro . the Rev . J ohn Bannister , LL . I ) ., was removed from the scene of his earthl y labours , on Saturday , the 30 th August , having onl y been ill for a few days .

His decease will leave a void in the Province not easil y supplied , for the reverend brother was a man of considerable ability , and as well known for his Alasonic zeal and information , as for his literary acquirements and general intelligence , added to which lie was , ever read ) ' to lend a

helping hand to every good cause , and the poor especially found in him a constant friend . We do not intend in this short sketch to sayaught of the woith y Doctor ' s labours iu philology , or in fact to mention the various

scientific works with which his name has been so honourably allied , and for which the county of Cornwall is much indebted ; but our desire is •imply lo present : \ lew particulars as to his Masonic career for the benefit of tho .-. e ol the Craft interested therein .

'I'he Rev . Dr . John Bannister , was initiated in the Trcgullow Lodge Xo . 1 co ^ , y . i . Day ( the Alasonic rooms , h-io / n ,, v ; ' ; v : c . > ia"c ocujii-.-. l b y our bi . ii ' i 1 , in J 1 , i :. ¦ 1 : ;• ' . ; , , m | from

, ' o- ; , •¦ 1 •, . ... ., ; / Ol .. ' ,.,. :.. n- . , ,, ¦¦¦¦ ..:. ,-, ; , i , - :. ; ! . c : :: \ : , 0 ; , 1 e . 11 in-.: I he I ' e . sent ( V . i . uiy . ( h ' . Lodge of ' . I Vi ; . ' , ill lo- . V j ..:: t ; ci . i , ;| - i y li . i .-i h . i . l .- \ . ¦ r , re . ; - " .. . ; i io I ,.- jeoud ol tin ir member , anil ; h •l ' :.- •, fve . ilnois-h its 1 o . ' - ' iioi . i-. s h . i ••. 0 e .. o , ,. ¦ , ..:.. ! . ; ...- L . ¦; . ,: A

Bro. The Rev. John Bannister, L.L.D. (T.C.D.)

to their appreciation of his worth . In 1865 , and 1866 , he was Chaplain of the lodge 1006 , in 1867 Senior Warden , in 1868 W . Master , in 1 S 69 and 1871 Treasurer , and re-appointed Chaplain from 186 9 to the last festival . The late Bro . Augustus Smith , Prov . G . Master ,

appointed him Junior Prov . Grand Chaplain , in 1866 , at the Prov . G . Lodge held at Bodmin , and Senior Prov . G . Chap , at Redruth in 1867 . In the Mark Degree , our brother was , we believe , advanced in the Meridian Lodge , No . 73 , Redruth , was Master Overseer in 1872 , and

Junior Warden in 1873 . The Prov . G . Master Bro . Sir F . M . Williams , Bart ., ALP ., invested him as Prov . G . Chaplain , at Hayle , in 186 9 . Mark Masonry was a favourite with Dr . Bannister , because of its being preservative of the

ancient custom , of " choosing the mark , " and few were better acquainted with its earl y history . Royal Arch Masonry had special charms for him , and being a good Hebrew scholar , he was particularl y well qualified to be the first Principal of a chapter , he was at his decease .

He was exalted in the Cornubian Chapter , No . 33 t , Truro , on the 25 th of January , 1 S 67 , and was Chaplain therein dtiring 1868 , as also of the Tregullow Chapter , St . Day , No . 1006 . Of the latter chapter he was elected Prin . Soj .. 187 c , Third Principal , 1871 , Second Principal ,

1 S 72 , and Z . in 1873 . lie joined the lV-nig hts Templars in the Cornubian Preceptory , Truro ; was Prelate in 1870 and 1872 , and appointed Prov . Grand Prelate by the Prov . Grand Prior , the Rt . Hon . Lord Eliot , in 1872 .

He was connected with the Ancient and Acceptetl Rite through joining the St . Aubyn Rose Croix Chapter , at Devonport , of which he was Chaplain in 1868 , and occupied the chair of Perfect Master for one year ; the degrees from tlie fifth to the 18 , beintr worked in this

chapter . It will be seen that Dr . Bannister ' s Alasonic career has been a brilliant and eventful one ; he was a most constant attendant at his mother lodge , the " Tregullow , " St . Day , never missing a meeting , unless wholly unable to be present ,

and he was always anxious , at the festivals of the lodge , ( as also at those he visited , ) to impress on the brethren the necessity of practising in their dail y lives , the principles of Freemasonry which they professed to admire , and while he was a most social and agreeable visitor , he was a

faithful friend and adviser , ever solicitous to warn , the members against intemperance and excess , to impress on the newly-initiated candidates thu value of the symbols ami illustrations of the Craft , and to remind the brethren generally that they were only true Freemasons as they obeyed

its sublime precepts . His Alasonic studies were diligently pursued , and his views as to the ori gin of the Order are best explained b y mentioning that he was an adherent of the " Guild Theory , " believing that the present society , vas not only a " Revival" of

17 1 7 , but a continuation ol the operative lodges of former centuries . On Thursday , the 14 th inst ., the mortal remains of our Brother were committed to their last resting place , in the church-yard of St . Day , in the presence of a vast concourse of people .

ihe Members of the Iregullow Lodge ol Freemasons ( IOO ' I ) , and many other brethren , met at 11 a . m . at the Lodge Rooms , St . Day , and were addressed in a few suitable words by Bro . Sir F . M . Williams , Bart ., M . J ' ., Past Grand Warden of England , £ ; e ., who ( expressing

the unanimous feeling of all present ) stated that their late excellent brother would be deeply lamented , not onl y b y his lodge ( which he had seiNi'd so faithfully I , but also b y the Craft throughout the count ) . Bro . J ) r . Geo . Aliciiell , P . M . ; oo > , then read

several letters apologising for absence , including one from the . Pro ,. Grand Sec , Bro , E . T Carlyon , who was prevented from attending , as ' . ' . as alii Bro . John I locking , Jtinr ., I ' . Si . . - 'I •' ' ;; . and elii , s who had b . vn Masonieallv ' '¦ •, ! . ' ! ¦ i ¦ ¦! ,, . ' . h Ihe I en , , i ¦! . , -1 , ,, lo , ui'il ! , -

car . , Br . j . Joiui Xiness . P . M . I ' : ; . P . Prov . G . Reg ., ae ' ... ! .:. ; Master of the l Yivniiri :, s , and the pro-••> s-iou being formed , th . brethren , in Masonic lo .:. i nitji :, pio . eed ' -. l 1 . ; o and LiK 10 ihe