The Revue Spirite of 1861

Part 9

 
We continue in this issue the study of the Revue Spirite of 1861, 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 proposed issues are at the end of the text for reading.

Issues for discussion

A. What did Erasto recommend regarding the analysis of mediumistic communications?

B. Do Spiritist communications always depend on mediums?

C. What consequences, according to Rousseau, can come from Spiritism?

Text for reading

149. It is better to repel ten truths, says Erasto, than to admit one lie, one false theory. (P. 257)

150. If, therefore, the medium becomes a legitimate motive for suspicion, we must repel his communications, for there is a serpent hidden in the grass - this is how Erastus treats the necessity of rigorously analyzing all communications. (Pages 257 and 258)

151. Erastus says that in order to obtain the transport of objects it is necessary to have sensitive mediums, i.e., endowed to the highest degree with the mediumistic powers of expansion and penetrability, since their nervous system, which is easily excitable, allows them, through certain vibrations, to project around them their animalized fluid. (P. 258)

152. In general, Erasto says, cases of transportation of objects are still and will continue to be very rare. (P. 259)

153. There must exist between the Spirit and the medium a certain affinity, a certain analogy, a certain likeness which enables the expansive part of the perispirit fluid of the medium to blend, to unite with that of the Spirit. (P. 259)

154. In order to produce such phenomena it is necessary that the needs of the Spirit-motor be increased by some of the mediator: the vital fluid, indispensable to the production of all mediumistic phenomena, is the exclusive prerogative of the incarnate and, therefore - the Spirit-operator is required to impregnate himself with it. (P. 259)

155. Noting that if we had no other means of conviction, besides the phenomena, we would not be the hundredth part of the Spiritists we are, Erasto recommends: "Speak to the heart. It is through it that you will accomplish more serious conversions". (P. 261)

156. The Revue transcribes a message obtained by Monsieur D'Ambel at the Spiritist Society of Paris, in which it is clear that the mediumistic facts cannot be manifested without the conscious or unconscious assistance of the medium, and that only among the incarnated Spirits like us, is that we can find those who can serve as mediums. (P. 264)

157. Certainly the Spirits may become visible and tangible in the eyes of animals, but this does not mean that animals or inert matter can become mediums. (P. 264)

158. Saying that men employ all that they have of strength and energy in the acquisition of earthly goods, the Spirit of Byron warns: "Fools! From one moment to another the angel of deliverance will knock at your door: you will be forced to abandon all chimeras; you are outcasts that God can call to the mother-country at any moment". (P. 266)

159. "Do not build palaces and monuments: a tent, clothing, and bread - that is what is necessary," states Byron. "Be content with this and your superfluous give it to your brothers in need of shelter, clothing and bread" (P. 266)

160. In a beautiful message, which can be seen in The Book of Mediums, Jean-Jacques Rousseau says: "If Spiritism resurrects Spiritualism, it will give back to society the impulse that gives to some an inner dignity; to others resignation; and to all the need to rise to the Supreme Being, forgotten and unknown by His ungrateful creatures". (P. 267)

161. Adolphe, Bishop of Alger, reminds us of Christ's words: "The poor, you will always have them!" (P. 269)

162. Since the Earth is the place of atonement, there will always be poor people here to atone for their abuses and past mistakes. (P. 269)

163. Adolphe advises against seeing in all the poor guilty in punishment: "If poverty is for some a severe atonement, for others it is a test that should open more quickly to them the sanctuary of the elect". "Yes, there will always be poor and rich, so that some may have the merit of resignation and the others of charity and devotion". (P. 270)

164. Curious controversy occurred in the Spiritist Society of Paris from a dissertation in which Lamennais analyzed the aphorism of Buffon: The style is the man himself. Diverging from Buffon, Lamennais stated that often man is not reflected in his works, since many are illuminated by a divine spark that makes them bigger. (P. 274)

165. Buffon replied in a strangely offensively manner, sparing no famous writers such as Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, and Lamennais himself. For Buffon, Lamennais mistook form and background, style and thought. (Pages 274 and 275)

166. Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, mentioned in the controversy, also manifested himself and, according to Lamennais, said: "No, the style is not the man himself”. And he presented himself as proof of this, stating, "I do not deserve all the literary reputation I have enjoyed". (P. 281)

167. Lamennais finally addressed a message to Buffon, reminding him that he merely meant that "human inspiration is often divine" and that there was no matter for controversy in this. (Pages 281 and 282) (Continues on next issue).

Answers to the issues

A. What did Erasto recommend regarding the analysis of mediumistic communications?

Erastus said: It is better to reject ten truths, than to admit one lie, one false theory. If, then, the medium gives a legitimate reason for suspicion, we must reject his communications, for there is a serpent hidden in the grass. It was like this that Erasto told us about the necessity of rigorously analyzing all communications. (Revue Spirite of 1861, Pages 257 and 258)

B. Do Spiritist communications always depend on mediums?

Yes. According to a message given to Mr. D'Ambel at the Spiritist Society of Paris, mediumistic facts cannot be given without the conscious or unconscious assistance of the medium, and that only among the embodied Spirits like us can we find those who can serve as mediums. (Ibid, 264)

C. What consequences, according to Rousseau, can come from Spiritism?

The remarkable thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote: "If Spiritism resurrects Spiritualism, it will give back to society the impulse that it gives to some inner dignity; to others it will give resignation; and to all the need to rise to the Supreme Being, forgotten and unknown by His ungrateful creatures". (Ibid, 267)