Spiritism in Bordeaux.

If Lyon made what one might call its pronouncement regarding Spiritism, Bordeaux did not lag behind, for it too wishes to occupy one of the foremost places in the great family. One may judge by the account we give of the visit we have just made to the Spiritists of that city, at their own invitation. It was not over the course of a few years, but in the course of a few months, that the doctrine there took on grandiose proportions in every class of society. To begin with, we observed a capital fact: that there, as in Lyon and in many other cities we have visited, we saw the doctrine regarded from the most serious point of view and in its moral applications; there, as elsewhere, we saw innumerable transformations, true metamorphoses; characters no longer recognizable; persons who believed in nothing, brought to religious ideas by the certainty of the hereafter, now palpable to them. This gives the measure of the spirit that prevails in the Spiritist meetings, already greatly multiplied. In all those we attended, we observed the most edifying recollection, an air of mutual benevolence among those present; one feels oneself in a sympathetic milieu, one that inspires confidence. The workers of Bordeaux owe nothing to those of Lyon; there they count numerous and fervent adepts, whose number increases daily. We are happy to say that we left their meetings edified by the pious sentiment that presides over them and by the tact with which they know how to guard themselves against the intrusion of deceiving Spirits. A fact we observed with pleasure is that certain men, often in eminent social positions, mingle with the plebeian groups with the most fraternal cordiality, leaving their titles at the door, as if they were simple laborers, welcomed with equal benevolence in groups of one order and the other. Everywhere the rich man and the artisan cordially clasp hands. We were told that this drawing together of the two extremities of the social scale has entered into the customs of the region, and we congratulate ourselves on this. But we recognize that Spiritism has come to give this state of affairs a reason for being and a moral sanction, by showing wherein true fraternity consists. We found in Bordeaux numerous and excellent mediums in every class, of every sex and age. Many write with great facility and obtain communications of high reach, of which, moreover, the Spirits had forewarned us before our departure. Furthermore, one can only praise them for the solicitude with which they lend their assistance in the meetings. But what is better still is the abnegation of all self-love with respect to the communications; no one judges himself privileged and the exclusive interpreter of truth; no one seeks to impose himself, nor to impose the Spirits who assist him; all submit with simplicity what they obtain to the judgment of the assembly, and no one is offended, nor takes umbrage at criticism; he who receives false communications consoles himself by profiting from the good ones that others obtain and of which he is not jealous. Does the same thing happen everywhere? We do not know. We attest to what we saw; we attest, also, that they have become imbued with the principle that every proud, jealous, and touchy medium cannot be assisted by good Spirits, and that in him these imperfections are grounds for suspicion. Far, then, from seeking out such mediums, despite the eminence of their faculties, for were they to be found they would be repelled by all serious groups which, above all, wish to have serious communications, and not to aim at effects. Among the mediums we saw, there is one who deserves special mention. She is a girl of nineteen who, to the faculty of writing, joins that of a drawing and musical medium. She mechanically noted down, at the dictation of a Spirit who said he was Mozart, a piece of music that he would not disavow. She signed it, and several persons who saw his autographs attested to the perfect identity of the signature. But the most remarkable work is, without contradiction, the drawing; it is a planetary chart of four square meters in surface, of an effect so original and so singular that it would be impossible for us to give an idea of it by description. It is worked in black pencil, in pastel of various colors, and in stump. This chart, begun some months ago, is not yet finished; it is destined by the Spirit for the Spiritist Society of Paris. We saw the medium at work and were as amazed by the rapidity as by the precision of the work. Initially, and by way of practice, the Spirit had her trace, with raised hand and in a single stroke, circles and spirals about a meter in diameter and of such regularity that the geometric center was found to be perfectly exact. We can say nothing yet as to the scientific value of the chart; but, granting that it is a fantasy, it is nonetheless, as a mediumistic execution, a truly remarkable work. Since the original is to be sent to Paris, the Spirit advised that it be photographed so that several copies could be made. A fact we must mention is that the medium's father is a painter. As an artist he thought the Spirit was working contrary to the rules of art and meant to give advice. For this reason the Spirit forbade him to attend the work, so that the medium would not suffer his influence.

Until recently the medium had not read our works. The Spirit dictated to her, to be delivered to us upon our arrival, which had not yet been announced, a small treatise on Spiritism, in every point in agreement with The Spirits' Book.

It would be much presumption on our part to relate the testimonies of sympathy we received, the attentions and courtesies of which we were the object; they would surely have inflamed our pride, had we not thought that it was a homage paid rather to the doctrine than to our person. For the same reason we had hesitated to publish certain speeches that were pronounced and that truly left us abashed. Having submitted our scruples to some friends and to several members of the Society, we were told that such speeches were an indication of the state of the doctrine and that, from this point of view, it was instructive that all Spiritists should know them; that, on the other hand, the words being the expression of a sincere sentiment, those who had pronounced them would regret that, from an excess of modesty, we should abstain from reproducing them; they might see in this indifference on our part. It was above all this last consideration that determined us. We hope the readers will judge us a good enough Spiritist not to belie the principles we profess by making this account a matter of self-love. Since we are referring to these various speeches, we do not wish to omit, as a characteristic trait, the little address that was recited to us with charming grace and ingenuous solicitude by a boy of five and a half years, son of Mr. Sabò, upon our arrival in the bosom of that truly patriarchal family, and upon which Spiritism has poured its beneficent consolations in abundance. If every generation that arises were imbued with such sentiments, it would be permitted to glimpse as very near the change that must take place in social customs, a change that is announced on all sides by the Spirits. Do not think that this child recited his little greeting like a parrot. No; he grasped its meaning very well. Spiritism, in which he was, so to speak, cradled, is already for his young intelligence a curb, which he understands perfectly and which his reason, as it develops, will not reject.

Here is the little speech of our young Joseph Sabò, who would be most distressed if we did not publish it:

“Mr. Allan Kardec, permit the youngest of your Spiritist children to come today, a day forever engraved in our hearts, to express to you the joy caused by your stay among us. I am still in infancy; but my father has already taught me that it is the Spirits who manifest to us; the docility with which we must follow their counsels; the penalties and rewards that are destined for them. And, in a few years, if God judge it fitting, I too wish, under your auspices, to become a worthy and fervent apostle of Spiritism, ever submissive to your knowledge and your experience. In reward for these brief words, dictated by my little heart, would you grant me a kiss, which I dare not ask of you?”