The Revue Spirite of 1861

Part 12

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. The strength of Spiritism has two main causes. What are they?

B. What is most beautiful in Spiritism?

C. Was Kardec supportive of the existence of small Spiritist groups?

Text for reading

206. After censoring the excesses of Rome, Dante (Spirit) warns: "Oh men, who call yourselves Christians, seeing your attachment to the perishable goods of this world, you would say that you do not really count on those of eternity. Rome! You that consider yourself immortal may the future centuries not seek your place, as is done today with Babylon!" (Pages 333 and 334).

207. Pascal (Spirit), communicating in Sens, says that evil will disappear from the face of the Earth if the charity here reigns. In the face of this, he suggests: "Begin by setting an example, yourselves; be charitable to all, indifferently; strive to take the habit of not noticing those who look at you with disdain; always believe that they deserve your sympathy and leave to God the care of all justice, because each day in His Kingdom he separates the wheat from the chaff". (Page 336)

208. The Revue informs about the decree of Barcelona, ​​which took place on October 9, 1861. (Pages 337 to 340)

209. Kardec, after referring to the repercussion that the episode had in Spain, where it was deplored by several newspapers, says that for the Spiritists this date should be a day of celebration, not mourning. In a message copied in the Revue, Saint Dominique explained: "Nothing is uselessly done in your Earth in this sense; and we, who inspired the Act of Faith of Barcelona, knew that by doing so we would contribute to a great step forward". (Page 340)

210. Kardec talks about his visit to the Spiritists of Bordeaux, where Spiritism penetrated all levels of society, and publishes in the Revue the greeting that was given to him in the city by a five-and-a-half-year-old boy named Joseph, son of Mr. Sabo, a great Spiritist leader of the city. (Pages 343 to 346)

211. The speeches of Mr. Sabo, Dr. Bouche de Vitray and Kardec were published in the Revue. (Pages 346 to 364)

212. Doctor in Medicine, Bouche de Vitray says in his speech that the testimony of the authenticity of our Doctrine goes to the dawn of time and that the sacred books, the basis of Christianity, mention it. (Page 349)

213. With Spiritism, says Vitray, young men abandon the illusions of their youth and mature men learn to take life seriously, and Spiritist Centers are founded all over the world. (Page 351)

214. In his message to the confreres of Bordeaux, Kardec says that he is not a medium in the ordinary sense of the word, and considers it a great bliss which helped him a lot to accomplish his task regarding Spiritism. (Pages 356 and 357)

215. According to Kardec, the strength of Spiritism has two main causes. (Page 357)

216. The first one is that it makes all those who know, understand and practice it happy. The second is that it is not supported by any man who can be overthrown, because its focus is everywhere. (Pages 357 and 358)

217. They killed the Christ, killed His Apostles, and yet the Christian idea triumphed, overcoming even the persecution of the omnipotent Caesars. Why, then, will Spiritism, which is nothing more than the development and application of the Christian idea, not triumph over some mockers or antagonists who could only oppose it with a mild denial? (Page 358)

218. Up to present what do its enemies oppose? "Mockeries and denials – says Kardec – which, using our common sense, never surpassed mere discussions”. (Page 358)

219. After stating that Spiritism is foreign to every dogmatic question, Kardec says that the most beautiful side of Spiritism is the moral side, and it is by its moral consequences that it will triumph, for there is its strength. (Page 359)

220. The enemies of Spiritism, Kardec understands, are of two orders: on the one hand, the mockers and the unbelievers. On the other hand, those interested in combating the Doctrine; these do not seek light. (Page 360)

221. If the opinions are divided on some points of the Doctrine, how to know which side is the truth? "It's the easiest thing," answers Kardec. "To begin with, you have the weight of your judgment, and as measure your sound and inflexible logic. Then you will obtain the acceptance of the majority”. (Page 361)

222. Here is another criterion to know the truth, which Kardec considers infallible: "Since the motto of Spiritism is Love and Charity, you will recognize the truth by the practice of this maxim, and you will be certain that he, who stones the other, surely cannot be with the absolute truth". (Page 361)

223. Kardec states with no doubt that in case of dissidence he would openly separate himself from those who abandoned the banner of Fraternity, because in his eyes they cannot be regarded as true Spiritists. (Page 361)

224. Kardec then says that it is impractical to form a single Spiritist Society in a large city, encompassing all Spiritists in the locality. And he clearly advocates the idea of ​​creating multiple and smaller groups. (Continued on next issue.)

Answers to the issues

A. The strength of Spiritism has two main causes. What are they?

The first one, says Kardec, is that it makes all those who know, understand and practice it happy. The second is that it is not supported by any man that can be overthrown, because its focus is everywhere. (The Revue Spirite of1861, Pages 357 and 358).

B. What is most beautiful in Spiritism?

The most beautiful aspect of Spiritism is, according to the Encoder of Spiritism, its moral side, and it is by this moral characteristic that it will triumph. (Ibid, page 359.)

C. Was Kardec supportive of the existence of small Spiritist groups?

Yes. He thought it would be impractical to form a single Spiritist Society in a large city, covering all Spiritists in the locality. And he clearly advocated the idea of creating multiple and smaller groups. (Ibid, page 362).