The Revue Spirite of 1862

Part 2

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. What was, according to Kardec, the greatest miracle produced by Jesus?

B. What is necessary for a group to have consistency?

C. What, in the opinion of St. Augustine, is the banner of Spiritism?

Text for reading

12. Kardec comments on an article published in December 1861 by Mr. Guizot, which assumes that all religions are based on the supernatural. This would be correct if such was its understanding, but it is not. (Pages 20 and 21)

13. As proof of the supernatural, Guizot mentions the first man, who was brought up as an adult, because, he says, alone and during his childhood he could not have been fed. (P. 23)

14. Kardec refutes the argument, recalling that the question of a single trunk for the human species is controversial because the laws of anthropology demonstrate the material impossibility that the posterity of one man could, in some centuries, populate the entire Earth and turn into ethnic groups so different and of skin with different colors - black, white, yellow and red. (P. 23)

15. After stating that Magnetism and Spiritism, reproducing the miracles, took from them their supernatural character, Kardec recalls that this does not remove from Jesus His divine character, since a miracle produced by the Master - much greater than changing the water in wine, feeding four thousand men with five loaves of bread, healing epileptics, giving sight to the blind, and making the paralytics walk - was to have changed the face of the world in just three years, with nothing written and aided by only a few obscure, and ignorant fishermen. (Pages 24 and 25).

16. From Mexico, the Revue publishes verses from the Spirit of Beranger, in which, among other thoughts, the poet says: "The giants of glory are fallen: slaves, kings, all will be confused, because, for us all, the most beautiful victory belongs to the one who knows best how to love". (Pages 25 and 26)

17. Another book of the Encoder appears: "Spiritism in its simplest expression" and "Revelations of beyond Tomb", by Mrs. H. Dozon, a psychic of the Spiritist Society of Paris. (P. 27)

18. The Revue mentions a personal will favoring the Spiritism by a sympathizer. (Editor’s Note: Holographic means a handwritten document by its author). (Pages 28 and 29)

19. Kardec tells Dr. Morhery that it was out of sheer prudence that he did not publish the news he had sent about very strange facts that had occurred with Miss Godu, who would have "produced" even diamonds. (Pages 29 and 30)

20. In response to the New Year's message received from the Spiritists of Lyons, with approximately two hundred signatures, Kardec gives them a number of timely advices: I - If a group wishes to have order, peace, and consistency, it has to have a fraternal feeling, because every group or society that is formed without having the basis of effective charity will not survive. II - The true Spiritist is recognized by the practice of charity in thoughts, words and acts: anyone who nourishes in his soul feelings of animosity, rancor, hatred, jealousy or envy, lies to himself, if he intends to understand and practice Spiritism. III - Selfishness and pride kill particular societies, as they kill people and societies in general. (Pages 31 to 34)

21. Further on, the Encoder recommends that all matters relating to politics and annoying issues should be carefully removed from their meetings, seeking in Spiritism what can improve the individual: that is what is essential. He adds: "When men have improved, really useful social reforms will be a natural consequence". (Pages 34 and 35)

22. To a priest who raised the question of miracles, Kardec answers by saying that the Spiritists do not have the most insignificant miracle to offer and, further, that Spiritism does not rely on any miraculous fact. (P. 37)

23. In the sequence, he states that there are two things in Spiritism: the fact of the existence of the Spirits and their manifestations and the Doctrine resulting therefrom. The first point cannot be doubted except by those who have not seen or have not wanted to see. As for the second, the question is whether this Doctrine is just or false. (P. 39)

24. In his reply to the priest, Kardec adds a series of mediumistic communications, including one signed by the Spirit of St. Augustine, which concludes his thoughts in this way: "What Doctrine will give more feeling and courage to the heart? Christianity has planted the banner of equality on Earth and Spiritism has raised that of brotherhood!... Here is the most heavenly and divine miracle that can happen!... Priests, whose hands are sometimes stained by sacrilege, do not ask for physical miracles, because you may break your heads, when stumbling on the stones as you walk up to the altar! No, Spiritism does not attach itself to physical phenomena, it does not rely on miracles that speak to the eyes - it gives faith to the heart. Now, tell me, is this not the greatest miracle?" (Pages 43 to 46) (Continues on next issue).

Answers to the proposed issues

A. What was, according to Kardec, the greatest miracle produced by Jesus?

Greater than changing the water into wine, feeding four thousand men with five loaves of bread, healing epileptics, giving sight to the blind and walking the paralyzed, Jesus' greatest miracle was to have changed the face of the world in just three years, without anything written and aided only by some obscure ignorant fishermen. (Revue Spirite, 1862, pages 24 and 25).

B. What is necessary for a group to have consistency?

In order to enjoy order, tranquility and stability, it is necessary that a fraternal feeling should reign in it, because every group or society that is formed without having the basis of effective charity will have no vitality. The true Spiritist is recognized by the practice of charity in thoughts, words and deeds. Anyone who nourishes in his soul feelings of animosity, rancor, hatred, jealousy or envy, mind itself if it intends to understand and practice Spiritism. Selfishness and pride kill particular societies, just as they kill people and societies in general. (Ibid, Pages 31-34).

C. What, in the opinion of St. Augustine, is the banner of Spiritism?

Just as Christianity has planted the banner of equality on earth, Spiritism spreads that of brotherhood. This is your flag. Spiritism is not about physical phenomena, nor is it based on miracles that speak to the eyes - it gives faith to the heart. (Ibid, Pages 43-46).