Spiritism in Lyon.

In response to the repeated invitations extended to us by the Spiritists of Lyon, we went again this year to that city. Although we already knew, through correspondence, of the progress achieved there by Spiritism, the result of the visit far surpassed our expectations. Surely our readers will thank us for giving them some information about it; in this they will see an indication of the irresistible march of the doctrine and a patent proof of its moral consequences.

Before speaking, however, of the Spiritists of Lyon, we must not forget those of Sens and of Mâcon, whom we visited in passing, and thank them for their sympathetic welcome. There, too, we were able to observe a notable progress, whether in the number of adherents or in the opinion held of Spiritism in general. Everywhere the mockers are becoming enlightened, and even those who do not yet believe observe a prudent reserve, dictated by the character and social position of those who, today, no longer fear to declare themselves publicly partisans and propagators of the new ideas. In the face of an opinion that is being pronounced and becoming general, the unbelievers say that perhaps there is something to it, but that, in short, each one is free in his beliefs. At least, before speaking, they want to know what it is about, contrary to what used to happen. Now, it cannot be denied that, for many people, this is a true progress. We shall later return to these two centers, still new, numerically speaking, while Lyon has already reached its full vigor. Indeed, the Spiritists there are no longer counted by the hundreds, as last year, but by the thousands; in other words, they are no longer counted, it being calculated that, if they follow the same progression, in one or two years they will number more than thirty thousand. Spiritism recruits them from all classes, but it is above all among the working classes that it has spread most rapidly, which is not to be wondered at; this being the class that suffers most, it turns toward the side where it finds the most consolations. You who cry out against Spiritism, give them as much! The working class would turn toward you; but instead, you wish to take from it that which helps it carry its burden of miseries. It is the surest means of withdrawing yourselves from its sympathy and of swelling the ranks that oppose you. What we ourselves saw is so characteristic and contains so great a teaching that we deem it a duty to devote to the workers the greater part of our account. Last year there was but a single center of assembly, that of Brotteaux, directed by Mr. Dijoud, a workshop foreman, and his wife; others have since formed, at different points of the city, in Guillotière, in Perrache, in Croix-Rousse, in Vaise, in Saint Just, etc., not to mention a great number of private meetings. In all there were only two or three mediums, very inexperienced, whereas today there are some in every group, and several of the first rank; in a single group we saw five, writing simultaneously. We also saw a young woman, an excellent seeing medium, in whom we were able to observe the faculty developed to a high degree.

We brought back a collection of extremely remarkable drawings, by a drawing medium who does not know how to draw. In execution and in complexity, they rival the drawings of Jupiter, though of another kind. We must not forget a healing medium, as commendable for his devotion as for the power of his faculty.

Certainly the adherents are multiplying; but what is worth even more than the number is the quality. Well then! we declare loud and clear that we have not seen, anywhere, Spiritist meetings more edifying than that of the Lyonese workers, as to the order, the recollection, and the attention with which they devote themselves to the instructions of their spiritual guides. There are men, old people, ladies, young men, even children, whose posture, respectful and recollected, contrasts with their age; never did they disturb, even for an instant, the silence of our meetings, which were generally very long; they seemed almost as eager as their parents to gather up our words. This is not all; the number of moral metamorphoses, among the workers, is almost as great as that of the adherents: vicious habits reformed, passions calmed, hatreds appeased, dispositions pacified, in short, the most Christian virtues developed, and this through the henceforth unshakable confidence that the Spiritist communications give them in a future in which they did not believe. For them it is a happiness to attend these instructions, from which they come away strengthened against adversity; some are also seen who walk more than a league in any weather, winter or summer, facing everything so as not to miss the session; for in them there is not a vulgar faith, but a faith based on profound, reasoned conviction, and not a blind one. The Spirits who instruct them know how to put themselves admirably within reach of their listeners. Their dictations are not manifestations of eloquence, but good familiar instructions, unpretentious, and which, for that very reason, address themselves to the heart. The conversations with dead relatives and friends play a great part there, from which almost always useful lessons emerge. Often an entire family gathers, and the evening passes in gentle expansion with those who have departed; they want to have news of uncles, aunts, cousins; to know whether they are happy. No one is forgotten; each one wants the grandfather to tell him something, and to each one he gives a piece of advice. — And to me, grandfather, an adolescent asked one day, do you say nothing? — Yes, my child, to you I will say something: I am not pleased with you; the other day you argued on the road over a triviality, instead of going straight to work; this is not good. — How do you know this, grandfather? — Without doubt I know it. Do we Spirits not see all that you do, considering that we are at your side? — Forgive me, grandfather; I promise not to do that anymore. Is there not something touching in this communication of the dead with the living? There is the future life, palpitating before their eyes; no more death, no more eternal separation, no more nothingness; Heaven is closer to the Earth, and it is better understood. If this is a superstition, may it please God that there had never been others!

A fact worthy of note, and which we observed, is the ease with which these men, almost always unlettered and hardened by the roughest labors, understand the scope of the doctrine; it may be said that they see only its serious side. In the instructions we gave in the different groups, we sought in vain to excite their curiosity by the account of physical manifestations, although not a single one of them had seen a table move; nevertheless, everything that touched upon moral considerations captivated their interest to the highest degree.

The following address was directed to us on the occasion of our visit to the group of Saint Just; we publish it, not to give satisfaction to a foolish and puerile vanity, but as proof of the sentiments that prevail in the workshops where Spiritism has penetrated, and because we know it will be agreeable to those who wished to give us this testimony of sympathy. We transcribe it textually, for we would have scruples about adding a single word to it; only the spelling has been corrected.

“Mr. Allan Kardec, disciple of Jesus, interpreter of the Spirit of Truth, you are our brother in God. We are all gathered with one and the same heart, under the protection of Saint John the Baptist, protector of Humanity and precursor of the great master Jesus, our Savior.

“We beseech you, dear master, to plunge your gaze into the recesses of our hearts, so that you may realize the sympathies we have for you. We are poor workers, without artifice; a thick curtain, from our childhood, was drawn over us, to smother our intelligence; but you, dear master, by the will of the Almighty, tear the curtain. That curtain, which they thought impenetrable, could not resist your worthy courage. Oh! yes, our brother, you took up the heavy mattock to uncover the seed of Spiritism, which they had buried in granitic ground, and you sow it to the four corners of the globe, even in the poor quarters of the ignorant, who are beginning to savor the bread of life.

“We all say it from the bottom of our hearts; we are animated by the same fire and we all repeat: Glory to Allan Kardec and to the good Spirits who inspired him! And you, good brother and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Dijoud, blessed by God, Jesus, and Mary, you are engraved in our hearts never to leave them, because for us you have sacrificed your interests and your material pleasures. God knows it; we thank Him for having chosen you for this mission, thanking also our superior protector, Saint John the Baptist.

“Thank you, Mr. Allan Kardec; a thousand times thank you, in the name of the group of Saint Just, for having come among us, simple workers and still very imperfect in Spiritism; your presence causes us a great joy in the midst of our tribulations, which are great in this moment of commercial crisis; you bring us the beneficent balm that is called hope, which calms hatreds and rekindles in the heart of man love and charity. We will apply ourselves, dear master, to following your good counsels, as well as those of the superior Spirits who have the kindness to help and instruct us, so that we may all become true and good Spiritists. Dear master, be assured that you carry with you the sympathy of our hearts unto eternity; we promise it. We are and will always be your sincere and submissive adherents. Permit me and the medium to give you the kiss of fraternal love, in the name of all the brothers and sisters present here. We would also be very happy if you would drink a toast with us.” We had come from afar and had climbed to the heights of Saint Just in a stifling heat. Some refreshments had been prepared, in the midst of the instruments of labor: bread, cheese, some fruit, a glass of wine, a true agape offered with ancient simplicity and a sincere heart. A glass of wine! ah! on our account, for these good people do not drink every day; but it was a fine feast for them: they were going to speak of Spiritism. Oh! it was with immense pleasure that we drank a toast with them, and their modest meal, in our eyes, was worth a hundred times more than the most splendid banquets. May they here have the certainty of this.

Someone said to us in Lyon: “Spiritism infiltrates the workers through reasoning; would it not be time to make it penetrate through the heart?” Surely this person does not know the workers; it would be desirable that so much heart were found in all the world. If such language is not inspired by the heart; if the heart means nothing to one who, in Spiritism, finds the strength to overcome his evil inclinations, to struggle with resignation against misery, to stifle his rancors and animosities; to one who shares his piece of bread with someone more unfortunate, we confess we do not know where the heart is.