The Revue Spirite of 1860
Parte 9

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. Will Spiritism, one day be able to influence the social structure?

B. What makes evil Spirits correct themselves and chose to do well?

C. Do friends of the Spiritual world help us in our return to erraticity?

D. Can a person be both a good Catholic and a fervent Spiritist? 

Text for reading

187. Spirits act ceaselessly upon us, without us being aware of it, whether we are psychics or not. It is not mediumship that attracts them; on the contrary, it provides the means of knowing the enemy, who always betrays itself. (P. 319)

188. One day, the Encoder said, Spiritism will have an immense influence on the social structure, but that day is still far off, because it takes generations for us to divest ourselves of the old man in us. (P. 320)

189. With the knowledge that it transmits us, Spiritism makes us happy and this is what gives it an irresistible power and ensures its future triumph. (P. 320)

190. Jobard says in an interesting article that the Higher Spirits do not regret the material goods left here, unlike the humanimal, who feels that, by losing its earthly goods, it loses everything. (Pages 324 and 325)

191. Jobard states that there is no well-meaning medium, who is not a magnetizer and healer by nature, but many ignore this treasure and do not know how to use it. (P. 326)

192. Kardec rectifies some ideas of Jobard, who did not take into account the progress made by the Spirit in the wandering (erraticity) state. (P. 327) 

193. Kardec states that even if we could learn nothing from the manifestations of the Spirits, it is enough that they give us proof of the existence of the beyond. And they give us so much more. (P. 328)

194. Georges (Spirit) describes the punishment inflicted upon evil Spirits. While giving vent to their anger, they are almost happy; however, the centuries pass, and they suddenly feel invaded by darkness, from which comes guilt and repentance, followed by groans and atonement. (Pages 331 and 332)

195. Mars is described as a world far inferior to Earth, where beings, though having the human form, are rudimentary and without any beauty. (Editor’s Note: two works received by Chico Xavier say the opposite). (Pages 332 to 334)

196. The same Spirit says that Jupiter, divided in countries of varied aspects, is a superior and charming world. (Pages 334 to 336)

197. Georges says that the form of pure Spirits is ethereal and has nothing palpable. In their ranks are chosen the guardian angels. They are the ministers of God, who rule the innumerable worlds. (P. 336)

198. The Spirit of Zenon speaks about reincarnation and says that with it the mysteries are explained, the problems are solved, all difficulties become smoother. (P. 339)

199. Georges (Spirit) says that the wandering Spirits do not communicate with each other, and this was contested by Kardec. The Encoder holds that our Spiritist friends welcome us and help us return to the spiritual life and teach that in erraticity, Spirits come together and act in common agreement, both for evil and for good. Kardec understands that Georges' mistake was to restrict the term wandering to a certain category of Spirits instead of applying it to all disincarnate spirits. (Pages 340 and 360)

200. The Revue copies a message signed by the Spirit of Sister Rosalia on material charity and moral charity. (Editor’s Note: This message was later included in the Gospel according to Spiritism, chapter XIII, item 9). (Pages 342 and 343)

201. Delphine de Girardin (Spirit) lectures on the electricity of thought and states that, when men are gathered, they emit a fluid, which transmits them, with the speed of lightning, the smallest impressions. Under the action of this magnetic chain, people most interested in concealing their thinking are led to discover it, even to be accused, as is often seen in the jury's courts. (P. 344)

202. The Spirit of Lamennais, speaking of hypocrisy, asserts that hypocrisy is the evil of our time: "In the name of liberty you magnify yourself, in the name of morality you brutalize, in the name of truth you lie”. (P. 345)

203. The Revue records the trip made by Kardec in September 1860 to the cities of Sens, Mâcon, Lyon and Saint-Etienne. "Spiritism is in the air", is the impression Kardec felt everywhere he spoke. (P. 347)

204. In Lyon, where the followers of Spiritism were numbered in the hundreds, a psychic could see the Spirit of Saint Louis, who later confirmed his presence in Paris on the trip made by the Encoder. (P. 348) 

205. In the vicinity of Saint-Etienne, Kardec witnessed a transfiguration phenomenon with a young girl who at times took on the full appearance of her brother, who had been dead for some years. (P. 348)

206. The Revue reports the incident on an Imperial navy ship stationed in the seas of China, where a lieutenant, who had died two years before, gave a typological communication requesting that a sum be paid to the captain. (Editor’s Note: The fact is also told in The Book of Mediums). (P. 348)

207. The Revue also informs the launching of the work "Letter from a Catholic on Spiritism", by Dr. De Grand-Boulogne, Doctor of Medicine, former Vice-Consul of France, in which the author proves that one can at the same time be a good Catholic and fervent Spiritist. The day will come, said De Grand-Boulogne, in which, by force of things, "Spiritism will be in religion, or religion in Spiritism". (P. 352) (Continued on next issue.) 

Answers to the questions

A. Will Spiritism, one day be able to influence the social structure?

Yes. One day, Kardec said, Spiritism will have an immense influence on the social structure, but that day is still far off, because it takes generations for us to divest ourselves of the old man in us. (Revue Spirite, 320).

B. What makes evil Spirits correct themselves and chose to do well?

The Spirit of Georges says that evil spirits, while giving vent to their anger, are, in their way, almost happy; however, the centuries pass, and they suddenly feel invaded by darkness, from which comes remorse and repentance, followed by groans and atonement. The change for the better would be caused by this. (Ibid, pages 331 and 332.)

C. Do friends of the Spiritual world help us in our return to erraticity?

They certainly do. Kardec maintains that our friends of the Spiritist world welcome us and help us return to the spiritual life and says that in erraticity, Spirits come together and act in common agreement, both for evil and for good. (Ibid, pages 340 and 360.) 

D. Can a person be both a good Catholic and a fervent Spiritist?

It seems to us that no, but there have already been those who thought like this, such as Dr. De Grand-Boulogne, author of the work "Letter of a Catholic on Spiritism", in which he tries to show that one can at the same time be a good Catholic and a fervent Spiritist. (Ibid, page 352). 

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