The Revue
Spirite of
1860
Parte
4
We continue in this issue the study of the Revue Spirite
of 1860, 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 can we say about those who attribute Spiritist
manifestations to the devil?
B. Do the most advanced Spirits know everything?
C. Are remorse and regret the same thing?
D. What is one of the main pitfalls in mediumistic
activity?
Text for reading
79. The Revue reports that on 01-14-1860 Mr.
Lecomte, of the Brix commune, saw the Spirit of a former
comrade, who had died two and a half years before. The
apparition asked him to say a Mass. The fact was
repeated for several days. On the fifth time, on the
19th, Lecomte promised to do it. On the 27th the Mass
was said in the chapel chosen by the Spirit, who
appeared there, close to the priest. (P. 124)
80. Kardec transcribes the message of Michael, one of
the Spirits dedicated to the protection of little
children, who thanks God for this gentle mission. (P.
124)
81. The Spirit of Truth says that the best answer to
those, who attribute Spiritist manifestations to the
devil, is to say what Jesus said to His persecutors when
they made the same accusations against him. (P. 126)
82. In a message about ostentation, a Spirit says that
ostentatious charity does not please God, but rather
that which is done with all the humility of the heart.
(P. 127)
83. Francis de Sales says that Spiritism came to
enlighten the world, but it needs some time to progress,
although it existed since Creation, when it was
recognized only by some people. (P. 129)
84. In a message received by Mr. Colin, it is said that
Spirits, however high, do not know everything; only God
knows. Moreover, of all that they know, they cannot
reveal everything. (P. 130)
85. A Spirit that did not identify itself tells men
without faith that there is still time for repentance to
enter their hearts. "Seek the unfortunate man who does
not lament and that misery kills slowly, and the poor
who you have helped will include your name in his
prayers”. (P. 131)
86. The Spirit of a lady addresses her grandchildren,
remembering that it is never too early to occupy
ourselves with the good and what is good. "Begin
therefore, early, to take care of serious things. The
time of futilities is always long: it is useless for
your progress, which should be your sole purpose
always". (Pages 135 and 136)
87. Kardec comments on the case of Miss Godu, a healing
medium, and states: "One would be interested in a medium
of physical effects, producing extraordinary phenomena;
we should not be indifferent to the one whose faculties
are useful to mankind, and which, moreover, reveals to
us a new force of Nature". (P. 137)
88. Kardec says that the Spirit is all the more lucid
and explicit the more he communicates and, in a sense,
identifies with the medium that serves as his
instrument. (P. 138)
89. From 04-20-1860, the sessions of the Spiritist
Society of Paris began to take place on Sainte-Anne
Street, no. 59, Sainte-Anne passage. (P. 138)
90. The Revue transcribes news extracted from the
chronicles of Froissard, dating from the fourteenth
century, which show the antiquity of the Spiritist
facts. (P. 142)
91. Kardec copies another letter from Dr. Morhery, who
gives an account of the cures obtained by the medium
Desiree Godu. From their arrival until 04-25-1860 they
had already visited more than 200 patients and were able
to cure almost all who followed their prescriptions. (P.
148)
92. The physician says that it is especially in
rheumatic diseases, in paralyzes, sciatica, ulcers, bone
deviations, and sores of all kinds that the treatment
system of Miss. Godu seemed to be doing better. (P. 148)
93. Dr. Morhery informs that he has learned from the
medium many useful things, both for treatment and for
diagnosis, and sends in the letter summaries containing
the evolution of the treatment of 12 patients, where it
is seen that the Spiritual treatment was usually done
with ointments and infusions of various plants. (Pages
149-151)
94. Revue reports the curious case of Mr. Jardin, who
foresaw his own death. Summoned by Kardec, he explained
that his foreboding was in fact a warning from his wife,
who had died before him. (P. 153)
95. Kardec evokes the Spirit of a woman who was one of
the main convulsionists of Saint-Medard, "a poor
fanatic," as she defined herself. (P. 155)
96. The Revue copies news published by the
Gazetta dei Teatri in Milan about the young man who
saw at dinnertime his suicidal bride, who appeared to
him in the form of a menacing skeleton (he had abandoned
her and indirectly contributed to the suicide). (P. 160)
97. Commenting on a message obtained in English by Miss.
Huet, who did not know the language, Kardec says that
the most obvious proofs sometimes arise when it is least
expected, since Spirits have free will and they want to
prove to us that they are not subject to our whims. (P.
164)
98. One Spirit says that sincere repentance obtains the
forgiveness of all faults; remorse, however, has nothing
in common with repentance. Remorse is the prelude to
punishment; repentance, charity and faith lead us to the
happiness reserved for the Good Spirits. (Pages 166 and
167)
99. The faculties which mediums enjoy attract praise,
congratulation, and adulation. Here is the pitfall. If
they let themselves be involved by vanity, attributing
to themselves the merit of their mediumistic
productions, the Good Spirits abandon them and they
become toys of the deceiving Spirits. (P. 167)
100. But the Guardian Angels will aid them with their
counsel and preserve them against the influence of evil
Spirits, if they can hear their voice and close their
hearts to pride, vanity, and envy. (P. 167)
Answers to the questions
A. What can we say about those who attribute Spiritist
manifestations to the devil?
According to the Spirit of Truth, the best answer to
those who attribute to the devil the Spiritist
manifestations is to say what Jesus said to His
followers when they went against Him with the same
accusations. (Revue Spirite, 1860, p. 126).
B. Do the most advanced Spirits know everything?
No. No matter how high they are, they do not know
everything; only God knows. Moreover, of all that they
know, they cannot reveal everything. (Ibid, 130).
C. Are remorse and regret the same thing?
No. Remorse has nothing in common with repentance.
Remorse is the prelude to punishment; already
repentance, as much as charity and faith, leads us to
the happiness reserved for Good Spirits. (Ibid, pages
166 and 167).
D. What is one of the main pitfalls in mediumistic
activity?
The faculties enjoyed by the mediums attract praise,
congratulation, and adulation. Here is the choice. If
they let themselves be involved by vanity, attributing
to themselves the merit of their mediumistic
productions, the Good Spirits abandon them and they
become toys of deceiving Spirits. The Guardian Angels,
however, will help them with their counsel and guard
them against the influence of evil Spirits, if they can
hear their voice and close their hearts to pride,
vanity, and envy. (Ibid, 167).
Translation:
Eleni Frangatos -
eleni.moreira@uol.com.br
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