Part 3
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 did the Spirits say in 1862 about reincarnation?
B. How do Spirits define Faith?
C. What did Adolph, a former bishop of Algiers, say
about Charity?
Text for reading
25. Mr. Dombre, from Marmande, signs in the Revue
a Spiritist story entitled "The Wind", in which the poet
says that in the same way as the tree - shaken by the
wind - spreads its seeds everywhere, so does Spiritism
also spread, whipped by the wind of unbelief, the seeds
of love and austere knowledge... (Page 46)
26. Kardec, writing about the acceptance of the
Reincarnation Doctrine in America, informs that the
Spirits have always said that later unity would be
established on this, as on other points. And this is
what already occurs in the American continent. In this
regard, the Encoder says that such a belief does not
belong to him, since it was taught by the Spirits to
other people, even before the publication of The Book
of Spirits. (Page 48)
27. The Revue says that American mediums,
regarding physical manifestations, outnumber in figures
and strength those of Europe, and their reputation is
great, especially after the phenomena attributed to Mr.
Home. Because of this, the abuses have been innumerable
since, and charlatans announce themselves as American
mediums, mentioning Mr. Squire, who took advantage of
the situation to exploit the unwary. The Revue
thus refers to a prospectus regarding the presence in
Paris of the couple Eddwards and Julia Girroodd,
presented as American mediums. (Pages 48 and 49)
28. The mentioned prospectus promised amusements and
illusions, but Eddwards Girroodd was, indeed, Edouard
Girod, not from America but from Saint-Flour, Cantal,
France. (Pages 49 to 51)
29. The Revue reported the financial aid sent by
the Spiritist Society of Paris to the poor of the city
of Lyon, and then copied a message from the Carita, who
was on this Earth St. Irene, the Empress. (Page 52)
30. Carita appreciates the gesture, especially since the
good deed was anonymous. "Charity is gentle and deserves
to be practiced," says Carita, noting that "little is
necessary to transform tears into joy, especially in the
home of the worker who is not accustomed to seeing
happiness visit him often." (Pages 52 and 53)
31. In a message about the Faith, the Spirit of Georges,
former bishop of Perigueux, says that the Faith is the
elder sister of Hope and Charity, and its purpose is to
raise the world, and Spiritism is the lever that will
help it. Faith without works, says Georges, is a
countenance of faith, because true faith is life and
action. (Page 54)
32. Speaking about Charity, the Spirit of Adolphus,
former bishop of Algiers, says that Charity knows all
misfortunes, all sorrows and all afflictions. It is the
mother of the orphans, the daughter of the old men, and
the protector of the widows. It heals infected sores;
treats all the sick; clothes, nourishes and shelters
those who have nothing, but also helps the rich. (Page
56)
33. Lazarus states that to forget injuries is the
perfection of the soul, as to forgive the wounds done to
the truth is the perfection of the Spirit. And Jesus is,
in this sense, for all of us, the model to be followed.
(Page 57)
34. Commenting on Lazarus's message, Kardec says that
there are two kinds of instincts: the animal and the
moral. The first is organic and is given to all beings.
The second – the inclination to do good or evil - is the
privilege of man. (Page 59)
35. In a message given in Paris, the Spirit of Lamennais
teaches that the various deeds worthy of the Spirit
after death are chiefly those of the heart, rather than
of intelligence. (Page 60)
(Continues on next
issue)
Answers to the issues
A. What did the Spirits say in 1862 about reincarnation?
According to Kardec, in a comment regarding the
non-acceptance of the Doctrine of Reincarnation in
America, Spirits have always said that in the future
unity would be established on this as on other points.
And that was what was beginning to happen in the
American continent. (Revue Spirite, 1862, page
48).
B. How do Spirits define Faith?
In a message on this subject, the Spirit of Georges,
former bishop of Perigueux, says that the Faith is the
older sister of Hope and Charity, and its purpose is to
raise the world, Spiritism being the lever that should
help it. Faith without works, he says, is a countenance
of faith, because true faith is life and action. (Ibid,
page 54)
C. What did Adolph, a former bishop of Algiers, say
about Charity?
He said that the Charity knows all the misfortunes, all
the pains and all the afflictions. She is the mother of
the orphans, the daughter of the old, and the widow's
protector. Heals infected sores; treats all the sick;
clothes, nourishes and shelters those who have nothing,
but also helps the rich.
(Ibid, page 56).
