In this issue, we continue the study of the Revue Spirite of 1859, 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 pneumatography?
B. What did Voltaire say about the Christ?
C. Was the Spiritist Society of Paris in recess?
D. What principles can guide us in examining Spiritist communications?
Text for reading
124. The Revue copies from Patrie, 5-6-1859 issue, a story regarding King Bernadotte, who, touched by the words of an apparition, submitted himself to the Council of State on a question concerning Norway. The apparition had announced the death of his son Oscar, in case he fought against Norway. (P. 215)
125. Announced in the July 1859 issue the release of Kardec's book “What is Spiritism?” that the Encoder believes may serve as a first initiation to the study of the Spiritist Doctrine. (P. 217)
126. The theory of apparitions is explained by a familiar comparison, like that of vapor which, being rare is completely invisible. In the first degree of condensation, it becomes hazy; when condensed, it goes to the liquid state and then to the solid. (Pages 220 and 353)
127. Something similar happens, by the will of the Spirit, in the substance of the perispirit; but it is not inferred that there is a condensation in it: a molecular modification operates in its context. (Pages 220 and 221)
128. The objects used by the Spirits, such as garments, jewelry, tobacco, etc., are transformations of etherified matter. (P. 224)
129. Spirits can produce a wholesome substance proper for healing, as well as feeding substances capable of quenching hunger. (P. 225)
130. The production of objects does not always result from an act of the will of the Spirit; it often exercises this power despite its will, or some other one exercises it in its behalf, when circumstances so require. (P. 226)
131. Since it is able to draw from the universal element the materials to do such things, the Spirit can also take from there the material for writing. (P. 227)
132. Pneumatography is writing produced directly by the Spirit, without any intermediary, and it is undeniably one of the most extraordinary phenomena of Spiritism. (P. 228)
133. In all times such phenomena could be seen; and it is through them that we can understand the three words that appeared during the feast of King Baltasar in Babylon. The fact is told in the Book of Daniel. At a certain moment, human fingers appeared and wrote three words in front of the chandelier, on the wall of the royal palace: MENE, TEQUEL, and PERES. Here is the meaning of these words, according to Daniel: MEN - God has numbered the years of your reign and puts an end to it. TEQUEL - You were heavy on the scale but considered too light. PERES - your kingdom will be divided and delivered to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5: 25-28). (P. 229)
134. The Baron of Guldenstubbe, who published a work containing a large number of facsimiles of the writings he had obtained, was the first to make known this phenomenon. (P. 230)
135. A correspondent from Bordeaux tells a curious fact that happened to a young lady named Mally, who from a young age had visions. In 1856 Mrs. Mally's third daughter, four years old, fell ill and, for eight days, she was in a state of drowsiness, and was sustained by an invisible food that her spiritual benefactor gave her. Cured, the girl said she had had wonderful visions. (Pages 234 and 235)
136. One day, walking with her eldest daughter, Mally realized that the child was entertained by an invisible being who seemed to be asking for sweets. It was a disembodied boy who wanted candy, explained the girl. (P. 236)
137. Evoked, Ms. Mally's guide explained that the girl had been fed by a kind of manna, a substance formed by the Spirits, which possesses the principle contained in the common manna and the sweetness of the comfit. (P. 240)
138. The Spirit of Voltaire says that, being now in the spiritual world, he tries to learn to do well. When one has a life like he had, there are many obstacles to fight, many thoughts to repel, or change completely, before reaching the truth. (P. 245)
139. He acknowledges having attacked many pure and holy things which his hand should have respected, as Christ himself, "model of superhuman virtues". About Jesus, Voltaire also said that "he will always be above us". "We were still immersed in the vice of corruption, and he was already seated at the right hand of God", added Voltaire. (P. 245)
140. Replying to ideas attributed to the Spirit of Christopher Columbus, Kardec reminds us that man is not fatally impelled to do this or that. It may happen that, as a man, he behaves more or less blindly; but, as a Spirit, he is always aware of what he does and always remains master of his actions. (P. 247)
141. Mr. S ... asks for Mr. M… to be evoked, since he disappeared a month ago and to find out whether he is alive or dead. St. Louis says that such an evocation cannot be made, since the uncertainty about that man has the purpose of a test. (P. 247)
142. At the request of several members and considering that many persons are absent during the season, Kardec proposes that a holiday be determined. The Company then resolves to suspend the sessions in August. (P. 248)
143. In dealing with the meddling of the deceiving Spirits in written communications, Kardec states that - among the things that may be called processes - there is no formula and no material way and no effective protection against such Spirits. (P. 251)
144. We did not say that there is no means to do so – reminds Kardec - but only that most of the means employed are useless. The first thing is not to attract them and to avoid everything that can give them access, and in this sense, the moral dispositions have great relevance. (Pages 252 and 253)
145. St. Louis also reminds us that we must weigh and reflect upon and submit to the control of the most severe reason all communications received. (P. 254)
146. Next, Kardec reviews 18 principles that can guide us in the examination of Spiritist communications. (Pages 256 and 258)
147. Here are some of these principles: 1) High Spirits have a dignified, and noble language and say everything with simplicity and modesty; 2) Good Spirits only say what they know; 3) The language of the Higher Spirits is always identical, if not in form, at least in content; 4) Good Spirits never command or impose, but advise; 5) Good Spirits do not flatter; 6) They do not use bizarre and ridiculous names; 7) Good Spirits only prescribe good and only advise perfectly reasonable things. (Pages 256 and 258)
Answers to the proposed questions
A. What is pneumatography?
Pneumatography is the writing produced directly by the Spirit, without any intermediary, and is undeniably one of the most extraordinary phenomena of Spiritism. In all times there were such phenomena and it is through them that we can understand the appearance of the three words during the feast of King Baltasar in Babylon narrated in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 5. In recent times, the first person to make known this phenomenon was the Baron of Guldenstubbe, who published a work containing a large number of facsimiles of the writings obtained by him. (Revue Spirite, Pages228 to 230).
B. What did Voltaire say about the Christ?
The Spirit of Voltaire acknowledged that he had attacked many pure and holy things which his hand should have respected, such as the Christ, "model of superhuman virtues." About Jesus, Voltaire also said that "he will always be above us". "We were still immersed in the vice of corruption, and he was already seated at the right hand of God." (Ibid, Page 245)
C. Was the Spiritist Society of Paris in recess?
Yes, at the request of several members, and considering that many people were absent during summer, Kardec suggested that a vacation time be determined. Thus, the Society decided to suspend the sessions in August. (Ibid, Page 248).
D. What principles can guide us in examining Spiritist communications?
Kardec mentions in Revue, 18 principles that can guide us in this examination. Here are some of them: 1) High Spirits have a dignified, and noble language and say everything with simplicity and modesty; 2) Good Spirits only say what they know; 3) The language of the Higher Spirits is always identical, if not in form, at least in content; 4) Good Spirits never command or impose, but advise; 5) Good Spirits do not flatter; 6) They do not use bizarre and ridiculous names; 7) Good Spirits only prescribe good and only advise perfectly reasonable things. (Pages 256 and 258)
