In this issue we continue the study of the book Posthumous Works, published after Allan Kardec disembodied and containing texts written by him. The present work is based on the translation made by Dr. Guillon Ribeiro, published by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation.
Questions for discussion
202. What did Kardec call central place and what was its purpose?
203. Regarding the Spiritist teachings, what did the Encoder propose?
204. What does the Project 1868 contain regarding publicity?
205. What did the Encoder think about the issue “Trips”?
Answers to the proposed questions
202. What did Kardec call a central place and what was its purpose?
It would be a conveniently situated and arranged place for meetings and receptions, however with no useless and needless luxury; it should not show scarcity, and it should be an appropriate place to welcome people.
In addition to a private space for his use, the place should have:
1. A large room for the séances and large meetings;
2. A reception room;
3. An area for private evocations, a kind of a sanctuary that would not be profaned by any strange occupation;
4. An office for the Journal, files and the Society’s business.
All this should be placed and arranged in a comfortable and convenient way for its purpose. There would be a library with all the books and periodicals, French and foreign, ancient and modern, all related to Spiritism. The Reception would open every day, at scheduled hours, for the members of the Society and they could go there to talk freely, read the papers, and consult files and library. Foreign followers, passing through Paris, when introduced by a member, would also be admitted. A regular correspondence was established with the different centers in France and abroad. Employees, such as a secretary and an office boy would be hired. (Posthumous Works – Second Part – Project 1868).
203. Regarding the Spiritist teachings, what did the Encoder propose?
A regular course on Spiritism would take place in order to develop the principles of Science and to spread the liking for serious studies. This course would have the advantage of founding the principles of unity, to make enlightened fans capable of spreading Spiritist ideas and develop a large number of mediums. "I look at this course as being able to exercise a capital influence on the future of Spiritism, and its consequences", stated Kardec. (Posthumous Works - Second Part - Project 1868).
204. What does the Project 1868 contain regarding publicity?
The Journal should be developed, either by increasing the number of its pages, either by publishing it more often. A paid editor would be required. Publicity on a large scale would spread the newspapers globally, even to the most remote places, disseminating the Spiritist ideas, and more people would wish to study it more deeply, multiplying the followers, thus imposing silence to the detractors that soon would give in to the upward view. (Posthumous Works - Second Part - Project 1868).
205. What did the Encoder think about the issue “Trips”?
Two or three months of the year would be spent on trips to visit different centers and guide them in a good direction. If the resources allowed, a fund would be set up to compensate a number of missionaries, enlightened and talented, who would be in charge of spreading the Doctrine. A complete organization and the assistance of paid helpers with who Kardec could count, exempting him from a multitude of occupations and material concerns, would allow him a needed leisure necessary to enable the remaining work, and to which he could not dedicate himself so assiduously, due to the current state of things. (Posthumous Works - Second Part - Project 1868).
