The Revue Spirite of 1862

Part 15

We continue in  this issue the study of the Revue Spirite corresponding to the year of 1862. The condensed text of the mentioned volume will hereby be presented in sixteen parts, based on the translation of Julio Abreu Filho and published by EDICEL.

Issues for discussion

A. Is a mediumistic communication of an incarnate possible?

B. Can a duel be considered a crime in the eyes of the Creator?

C. What is the importance of fraternity, according to the Spiritist Doctrine?

Text for reading

157. In the Revue, Kardec refers to the evocation of Guillaume Remone’s wife, who was incarnate. St. John the Baptist, the guide of the Society, clarified that at that moment her physical body was sleeping and therefore she could come. The first question, however, produced much disturbance, and she herself, with the help of the spiritual guide, asked to end the questions. St. John explained that she was now a child in her present life and the fatigue of the Spirit could have a painful reaction on her body. (Page 329)

158. St. John then gave the following information concerning the case: I - Remone and his wife had not yet forgiven each other. II - If they met on Earth as incarnates they would have a mutual dislike. III - The wife was a female again in her present life and she was eleven years old. IV – She was the daughter of a wealthy businessman, and resided in the West Indies, specifically in Havana. V. Her trial in her present life will be the loss of fortune, an illegitimate and hopeless love, plus misery and hard work. (Pages 329 to 331)

159. In order to complete the current study, the group decided - with the permission of the spiritual guide - to evoke Mrs. Remone's accomplice, a still very backward Spirit, who at the time was a simple court ordinance and his name was Jacques Noulin. (Pages 331 to 335)

160. The Revue brings the prescription of an ointment that was dictated to Miss Ermance Dufaux by her spiritual protector (she was the psychic medium who wrote the story of Joan of Arc). This ointment was of proven efficacy in all sorts of sores or wounds. One of her uncles brought it from America, but the prescription was lost. She was suffering from a bad leg, with a very bad and old wound that resisted all treatment; she asked her protector if there was no cure for her. He then dictated to her the lost prescription. Soon Miss Dufaux's leg was healed, and so were her washerwoman and a known worker. When applied, the ointment would soon burst and heal boils, abscesses, and panicles. (Pages 336 to 338. See also note on page 386)

161. "My Testament", received by Mrs. E. Collignon, and "The Monologue of the Little Donkey" by Mr. J. Joubert of Carcassone, are the Spiritist poetry of the November edition. (Pages 338 to 341)

162. The Revue also publishes a letter sent by Mr J. Joubert, Vice-President of the Civil Court of Carcassone, to Mr Sabo, Bordeaux. Kardec comments, by the way, that Spiritism already had, at that time, many supporters in the ranks of the judiciary and the law, as well as among civil servants, although not all of them dared to face public opinion, contrary to what occurred with Joubert, the author of the letter. (Pages 342 and 343)

163. The communication received in Bordeaux by Mr. Guipon in November, 1861, makes several considerations about the duel, presenting the spiritual and human consequences of this practice. As you know, twice as criminal in the eyes of God are the duelists, and therefore twice as terrible will be their punishment, because no excuse will be accepted, since they coldly calculated and premeditated everything. (Pages 343 to 347)

164. Kardec mentions that fortunately the duels were becoming rarer and rarer, at least in France, which indicated the relaxation of customs. Today, unlike previous times, the death of a man is an event that moves the creatures, whereas in the past no great attention was given to it. (Page 347)

165. Leon de Muriane transmitted in Lyon an important communication in which he speaks of the foundations of the social order and asserts that fraternity is the basis of all moral institutions and the only means of raising a social state that can subsist and produce worthy effects. (Page 347)

166. The same Spirit explained at that meeting why he had inspired the medium Emile V... the phrase: "Here lie 18 centuries of illumination", which was the title of an allegorical painting in which he had painted a coffin. His thought was that eighteen centuries had passed since Jesus bequeathed us the Gospel, putting His message within the reach of all. But what happened? "The earthly passions took over; this one was put in a coffin, from which Spiritism has just taken it. This is the allegory", explained Leon de Muriane. (Pages 348 and 349)

167. Sanson, a former member of the Spiritist Society of Paris, writes about the role of the Institution led by Kardec, stating that it makes his thoughts known around the world. "His strength," says Sanson, "is not in the circle where his sessions are held, but in all countries where his dissertations are followed, wherever he makes law, in the light of his intelligent teachings" (Pages 350 and 351) (Continues on next issue.)

Answers to the issues

A. Is a mediumistic communication of an incarnate possible?

Yes. The case of Guillaume Remone’s ex-wife, who had already reincarnated, proves this fact. At the time of her communication she was eleven, but when she spoke, she spoke as an adult and assumed the personality of the one who had been married to Mr. Remone. (Revue Spirite of 1862, pages 329 to 331).

B. Can a duel be considered a crime in the eyes of the Creator?

Yes. Twice as criminal in the eyes of God are the duelists, and therefore their punishment will be terrible twice, because no excuse will be accepted, because they coldly calculated and premeditated everything. (Ibid., pages 343 to 347)

C. What is the importance of fraternity, according to the Spiritist Doctrine?

Fraternity - as a basis for the civilization of the future - was the object of an important message signed by Leon de Muriane in Lyons. In this message the Spirit speaks of the foundations of the social order and states that Fraternity is the basis of all moral institutions and the only means of to raise a social state that can subsist and produce worthy effects. (Ibid, page 347).

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