The Revue Spirite of 1860
Parte 10

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 is the effect of the good that is practiced?

B. What do we need to follow in Spiritism?

C. In the sessions presided over by Kardec did the Encoder also evoke the Spirits in general without calling them by their names?

D. How did Kardec see Christianity and the Christian ideas?

Text for reading

208. Kardec, referring to a message attributed to Homer, states that there is not one medium who can boast that he has never been deceived. Regarding the message attributed to Homer, whose identity is difficult to verify, the Encoder says that the most important fact of this message was the disclosure of Homer's surname, which the mediums did not know. (Pages 353 to 355)

209. It is a mistake, says Kardec, to think that one can only learn from the Spirits of great men. Although only these can give us lessons of high theoretical philosophy, one can take advantage of the communications of others, where, in a way, we surprise nature in the act. (P. 356)

210. This is the case of Baltazar, the gastronomic Spirit, who reported that Spirits like him have no need to eat or drink, but they do have the desire to do so. Baltazar says that his fluidic body has a stomach, but of a fluidic nature, where only the aromas can pass. (P. 357)

211. The Spirit of Delphine de Girardin talks about the change that takes place in the Spirit after the trance of death. "It evaporates from the spoils that it leaves behind, as a flame breaks from the focus that produced it, and then there is a great disturbance and this strange doubt: I am dead or alive?" (P. 361)

212. The Revue brings a message about orphans, signed by Jules Morin. (Editor’s Note: This message was included in chapter XIII, item 18, of The Gospel according to Spiritism, under the name of a family Spirit.) (Pages 362 and 363)

213. He who practices well at the expense of his own happiness, says one Spirit, can relieve the severity of many trials. (P. 363)

214. The Spirit of Lamennais, stating that the morality taught by Christ surpasses the most sublime teachings of Antiquity, says that what one must observe in Spiritism is Christian morality. (P. 364)

215. Speaking of time lost, Massillon (Spirit) says that God will ask us to account for the mission entrusted to us. What shall we answer then? (P. 365)

216. The Spirit of Channing says that we must be more firm in our Spiritist works, because, as what occurred with Saint Paul, we will be persecuted, not in the flesh but in the Spirit. (P. 367)

217. Lazarus (Spirit) says that there is no unfailing means to distinguish the nature of Spirits, if we abdicate reason, comparison, and reflection; the three faculties necessary to do it safely. (P. 368)

218. The Spirit of Francis de Salles recommends: When you wish to receive communications from good Spirits, you should prepare yourself for this favor by recollection, and through healthy intentions and by the desire to do good, aiming at general progress. (P. 370)

219. Georges (Spirit) says that Spiritism should be and will be the consolation and hope of hearts wounded by human justice. Therefore, it is above all to the people that the true Spiritists should address themselves, as the Apostles once did, spreading the comforting Doctrine everywhere. (P. 371)

220. To the one who wants to know everything, says Massillon (Spirit), no one will ever know the marvelous Nature except by insisting on working; and no one will ever have a glimpse of the infinite of God except through the practice of Charity. (P. 372)

221. Kardec talks about Mary of Jesus d'Agreda, the nun born in Castile (Spain) on 04-02-1602, who, in a state of ecstasy, transported herself more than five hundred times, from 1622 to 1630, to the New Mexico, and there she taught the Doctrine to the natives. (Pages 372 to 376)

222. Kardec announces for the month of December, 1860, the book "Experimental Spiritism", which would actually be published in 1861 as "The Book of Mediums". (P. 377)

223. Commenting on the variety of subjects discussed in the Revue, Kardec explains that such diversity does not exclude the method and that disorder is only apparent in it. "Variety rests the Spirit, but logical order helps intelligence. What we strive to avoid is to make our Revue an indigestible collection", says the Encoder. (P. 380)

224. The Revue shows that Kardec also made a general appeal, without naming any in particular, to the suffering Spirits, who were present at the session and who perhaps wished to manifest themselves. This session was registered on 11-02-1860. (P. 382)

225. Speaking about the purpose of the works of the Spiritist Society of Paris, defined by St. Louis in November 1858, Kardec says that there would always be an understanding of the Spiritist facts, but also the feeling of love, since mutual charity and benevolence should be the objective of their efforts, the bond to unite them, in order to show with their examples the true purpose of Spiritism. (Pages 382 and 383)

226. Alfred de Musset talks about Spiritist art, using a remarkable comparison: "The worm is a worm; it becomes a silkworm, then a butterfly." "What is more dainty and gracious than a butterfly? The pagan art is the worm, Christian art is the cocoon, and the Spiritist art will be the butterfly. (P. 384)

227. Kardec says that such an image does not mean diminishing the value of the Christian idea, since Spiritism relies essentially on Christianity and does not replace it but completes it. "When Christianity still whore diapers, Spiritism already had its origins, and if they repelled each other, one would deny his son, the other his father", states Kardec. (Pages 384 and 385) (Continued on next issue).

Answers to the questions

A. What is the effect of the good that is practiced?

The one that helps a lot also receives a lot. The one that helps at the expense of his happiness – as taught in Spiritism - can relieve the rigor of many tests. (Revue Spirite, page 363.)

B. What do we need to follow in Spiritism?

According to the Spirit of Lamennais, what is necessary to follow in Spiritism is Christian morality, which, in the opinion of this Spirit, surpasses the most sublime teachings of Antiquity. (Ibid, page 364.)

C. In the sessions presided over by Kardec did the Encoder also evoke the Spirits in general without calling them by their names?

Yes. The Revue informs that Kardec also made a general appeal to the suffering Spirits, who were present at the session and perhaps who wanted to speak too, without naming any in particular. (Ibid, page 382.)

D. How did Kardec see Christianity and the Christian ideas?

The Encoder saw them with respect and went so far as to say that Spiritism relies essentially on Christianity and does not come to replace it but to supplement it. "When Christianity still wore diapers, at that time there were already the origins of Spiritism; if they repelled each other mutually, one would deny his son, the other his father", said Kardec. (Ibid, pages 384 and 385). 

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