The Revue Spirite of 1860
Parte 4

We continue in this issue the study of the Revue Spirite of 1860, a monthly newspaper focused on the divulgation of Spiritism, founded and directed by Allan Kardec. This study is based on the translation into the Portuguese language made by Julio Abreu Filho and published by EDICEL. The answers to the questions are at the end of the text for reading.

Questions for discussion

A. What can we say about those who attribute Spiritist manifestations to the devil?
B. Do the most advanced Spirits know everything?
C. Are remorse and regret the same thing?
D. What is one of the main pitfalls in mediumistic activity?

Text for reading

79. The Revue reports that on 01-14-1860 Mr. Lecomte, of the Brix commune, saw the Spirit of a former comrade, who had died two and a half years before. The apparition asked him to say a Mass. The fact was repeated for several days. On the fifth time, on the 19th, Lecomte promised to do it. On the 27th the Mass was said in the chapel chosen by the Spirit, who appeared there, close to the priest. (P. 124)

80. Kardec transcribes the message of Michael, one of the Spirits dedicated to the protection of little children, who thanks God for this gentle mission. (P. 124)

81. The Spirit of Truth says that the best answer to those, who attribute Spiritist manifestations to the devil, is to say what Jesus said to His persecutors when they made the same accusations against him. (P. 126) 

82. In a message about ostentation, a Spirit says that ostentatious charity does not please God, but rather that which is done with all the humility of the heart. (P. 127)

83. Francis de Sales says that Spiritism came to enlighten the world, but it needs some time to progress, although it existed since Creation, when it was recognized only by some people. (P. 129)

84. In a message received by Mr. Colin, it is said that Spirits, however high, do not know everything; only God knows. Moreover, of all that they know, they cannot reveal everything. (P. 130)

85. A Spirit that did not identify itself tells men without faith that there is still time for repentance to enter their hearts. "Seek the unfortunate man who does not lament and that misery kills slowly, and the poor who you have helped will include your name in his prayers”. (P. 131)

86. The Spirit of a lady addresses her grandchildren, remembering that it is never too early to occupy ourselves with the good and what is good. "Begin therefore, early, to take care of serious things. The time of futilities is always long: it is useless for your progress, which should be your sole purpose always". (Pages 135 and 136)

87. Kardec comments on the case of Miss Godu, a healing medium, and states: "One would be interested in a medium of physical effects, producing extraordinary phenomena; we should not be indifferent to the one whose faculties are useful to mankind, and which, moreover, reveals to us a new force of Nature". (P. 137)

88. Kardec says that the Spirit is all the more lucid and explicit the more he communicates and, in a sense, identifies with the medium that serves as his instrument. (P. 138)

89. From 04-20-1860, the sessions of the Spiritist Society of Paris began to take place on Sainte-Anne Street, no. 59, Sainte-Anne passage. (P. 138)

90. The Revue transcribes news extracted from the chronicles of Froissard, dating from the fourteenth century, which show the antiquity of the Spiritist facts. (P. 142)

91. Kardec copies another letter from Dr. Morhery, who gives an account of the cures obtained by the medium Desiree Godu. From their arrival until 04-25-1860 they had already visited more than 200 patients and were able to cure almost all who followed their prescriptions. (P. 148)

92. The physician says that it is especially in rheumatic diseases, in paralyzes, sciatica, ulcers, bone deviations, and sores of all kinds that the treatment system of Miss. Godu seemed to be doing better. (P. 148)

93. Dr. Morhery informs that he has learned from the medium many useful things, both for treatment and for diagnosis, and sends in the letter summaries containing the evolution of the treatment of 12 patients, where it is seen that the Spiritual treatment was usually done with ointments and infusions of various plants. (Pages 149-151)

94. Revue reports the curious case of Mr. Jardin, who foresaw his own death. Summoned by Kardec, he explained that his foreboding was in fact a warning from his wife, who had died before him. (P. 153)

95. Kardec evokes the Spirit of a woman who was one of the main convulsionists of Saint-Medard, "a poor fanatic," as she defined herself. (P. 155)

96. The Revue copies news published by the Gazetta dei Teatri in Milan about the young man who saw at dinnertime his suicidal bride, who appeared to him in the form of a menacing skeleton (he had abandoned her and indirectly contributed to the suicide). (P. 160)

97. Commenting on a message obtained in English by Miss. Huet, who did not know the language, Kardec says that the most obvious proofs sometimes arise when it is least expected, since Spirits have free will and they want to prove to us that they are not subject to our whims. (P. 164)

98. One Spirit says that sincere repentance obtains the forgiveness of all faults; remorse, however, has nothing in common with repentance. Remorse is the prelude to punishment; repentance, charity and faith lead us to the happiness reserved for the Good Spirits. (Pages 166 and 167)

99. The faculties which mediums enjoy attract praise, congratulation, and adulation. Here is the pitfall. If they let themselves be involved by vanity, attributing to themselves the merit of their mediumistic productions, the Good Spirits abandon them and they become toys of the deceiving Spirits. (P. 167)

100. But the Guardian Angels will aid them with their counsel and preserve them against the influence of evil Spirits, if they can hear their voice and close their hearts to pride, vanity, and envy. (P. 167)

Answers to the questions

A. What can we say about those who attribute Spiritist manifestations to the devil?
According to the Spirit of Truth, the best answer to those who attribute to the devil the Spiritist manifestations is to say what Jesus said to His followers when they went against Him with the same accusations. (Revue Spirite, 1860, p. 126).

B. Do the most advanced Spirits know everything?
No. No matter how high they are, they do not know everything; only God knows. Moreover, of all that they know, they cannot reveal everything. (Ibid, 130).

C. Are remorse and regret the same thing?
No. Remorse has nothing in common with repentance. Remorse is the prelude to punishment; already repentance, as much as charity and faith, leads us to the happiness reserved for Good Spirits. (Ibid, pages 166 and 167).

D. What is one of the main pitfalls in mediumistic activity?

The faculties enjoyed by the mediums attract praise, congratulation, and adulation. Here is the choice. If they let themselves be involved by vanity, attributing to themselves the merit of their mediumistic productions, the Good Spirits abandon them and they become toys of deceiving Spirits. The Guardian Angels, however, will help them with their counsel and guard them against the influence of evil Spirits, if they can hear their voice and close their hearts to pride, vanity, and envy. (Ibid, 167).

Translation:
Eleni Frangatos - eleni.moreira@uol.com.br