The Revue Spirite of 1861

Part 14 and final

We end 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 questions are at the end of the text for reading.

Issues for discussion

A. What does it take for a Spiritist group to be stable?

B. Who, according to Kardec, is a true Spiritist?

C. Who are the best promoters of Spiritism?

Text for reading

244. When forming a group, there is one condition that is very important: unity. A group cannot be stable, or serious, if there is no empathy among its members. (P. 392)

245. What a Spiritist meeting requires, above all, is self-contemplation. How can we be in a state of self-contemplation if, we are every moment being distracted by a bitter argument, and if there are unfriendly people in the group? (P. 393)

246. Kardec then repeats the classification of Spiritists in item 28 of The Book of Mediums. (P. 393)

247. The Encoder calls true Spiritists, or rather, Christian Spiritists, those who do not merely admire the Spiritist moral, but who practice and accept it. And he says that a group formed exclusively by elements of this last class would be in the best conditions, because among those who practice the law of love and charity it is possible to establish a serious fraternal connection. (Pages 393 and 394)

248. For the purpose of improving men, Spiritism does not seek the perfect, but those who fight to be perfect, putting into practice the teachings of the Spirits. "The true Spiritist" – says Kardec - "is not the one who has attained the goal, but the one who seriously wants to attain it" (P. 394)

249. Simple logic demonstrates to anyone who knows the laws of Spiritism the best elements to form truly serious groups, and these are the ones that have the greatest influence on the disclosure of the Doctrine. (P. 394)

250. He who intends to organize a group in good condition must, above all, assure himself of the help of some sincere followers, who take the Doctrine seriously and whose conciliatory and benevolent character is known. Forming this nucleus, the precise rules for admissions and the order of business will be made. (P. 395)

251. These rules, according to Kardec, may be modified, but there are some that are essential to the unity of principles: prior study, a profession of categorical faith, and a formal acceptance of the Doctrine of The Book of Spirits. (P. 395)

252. The order and regularity of the work, Kardec argues, are equally essential. (P. 396)

253. Kardec also says that it would be useful if there was a link between the groups, a center of action, made up of delegates from all groups, which would significantly help the unity of all. (P. 397)

254. According to Karkec, the main point, however, is how the original groups are formed. If formed of good elements, they will be the good roots that will give good shoots too. If, however, they are formed of different, unfriendly and suspicious elements, which are more occupied with form rather than with the content, who consider morality as a secondary and supplementary part, we must expect annoying and dead-end polemics, misunderstandings, susceptibilities and conflicts. (P. 397)

255. Kardec states again, that the true propagation, which is useful and fruitful, is made by the moral ascendant of serious meetings. "Be you therefore" - says the Encoder - "earnest in every sense of the word, and earnest persons will come to you: they are the best promoters, because they speak with conviction, and preach both by example and by word". (P. 398)

256. Saying that some groups spoke about joining the Spiritist Society of Paris, Kardec explains that the word affiliation is inappropriate because it would assume a kind of material supremacy that should not exist. The relations of the Society of Paris with the others are moral, scientific relations of mutual benevolence, but without subjection. (P. 400)

257. Ending his instructions, Kardec recalls that many accused him of wanting to make an educational guideline in Spiritism. Why should he not have that right? "Let there be, then, a school, since they so desire it", answers the Encoder. "For us," he says, "it will be a glory to write on its forefront: School of Moral, Philosophical, and Christian Spiritism. And we invite all who practice love and charity. To all who bind themselves to this banner, all our sympathies and our assistance will never fail". (Pages 401 and 402)

258. The Revue reports the death at the age of 69 of Mr. Jobard of Brussels, honorary president of the Parisian Society for Spiritist Studies. (P. 402)

259. In embracing Spiritism, Jobard said that the Doctrine of Reincarnation had marked him like a trace of light, because by explaining all logically, it was the key that he lacked to reach the truth so sought after. (P. 404)

260. As promised, the Revue brings passages from some Spanish newspapers that were outraged by the Act of Faith of Barcelona, classified by the Spanish press as a disgusting show. (Pages 404 to 407)

261. The Revue brings another fable of Mr. Dombre - "The Warbler Warbler, the Pigeon and the Little Fish" - in which the fish, when helping the bird, to whom the pigeon had refused aid, says: "At least in the future / Do not trust the great ones; the clamor of misery / Only weakly echoes in hearts on vacation; / Its gifts are advice and sympathy. / But the cordial assistance / is only found in the little ones". (P. 410) (Editor’s Note: Warbler, a kind of bird with dark plumage and pleasant singing).

262. Lamennais says: "Ideas change, but the ideas and plans of God, never. Religion, i.e., faith, hope, charity - one only thing in three - the symbol of God on Earth, remains unshaken in the midst of struggles and prejudices". “Religion exists, above all, within our heart, and thus cannot change" (Pages 415 and 416)

Answers to the issues

A. What does it take for a Spiritist group to be stable?

Unity, says Kardec, is one of the first conditions to form a group and the meetings can only be stable and serious, if there is sympathy among its elements. (The Revue Spirite of 1861, p.392).

B. Who, according to Kardec, is a true Spiritist?

The true Spiritists, or rather, the Christian Spiritists are those who do not only admire the Spiritist morality, but practice and accept it too. A group formed exclusively by elements of this class would be in the best conditions, because among the practitioners of the law of love and charity it is possible to establish a serious fraternal bond. (Ibid, pages 393 and 394).

C. Who are the best promoters of Spiritism?

The true propagation of Spiritism, which is useful and fruitful, is the one accomplished considering the moral ascendant of serious meetings. The best promoters are those who speak with conviction and preach by example and by word. (Ibid, page 398)