Spiritist Society of Vienna.

— In announcing that a German edition of our brochure Spiritism in Its Simplest Expression had been published in Vienna, we spoke of the Spiritist Society of that city. We received from the president of that Society the following letter:

“Mr. Allan Kardec, “The Spiritist Society of Vienna charges me to communicate to you that it has just named you its honorary president, asking that you accept this title as a pledge of the high and respectful esteem it bears you. It is needless to add, sir, that in serving here as an instrument, I do but obey an impulse of the heart, which is entirely devoted to you.

“Permit me, sir, without abusing your precious time, to add a few words concerning our Society. It has just entered its third year and, although the number of its associates is still very limited, I can say with satisfaction that, in the private circle in which it still moves, it does proportionally much good; and I have hope that, when the moment comes to broaden its field of activity, it will produce more abundant fruits: it is my most ardent desire. Last year, on the occasion of the first anniversary, our protecting Spirit said to me in its profound and majestic laconism: You have sown the good seed; I bless you. This year it said to me: Here is the maxim for the year that is about to begin: With God and for God. The past year was a recompense for what had passed; this year is an encouragement for the future. Thus, I have prepared myself to employ more direct means to act upon public opinion. Firstly, the translation of your excellent brochure will not have failed to prepare the ground; then, I thought of the publication of a journal in German as the surest means of hastening the results. Material will not be lacking to me, especially if you permit that I may sometimes draw it from the treasures enclosed in your Review, where, naturally, I shall always take as a sacred duty to indicate the source of the passages and the excerpts I may have translated. Finally, to crown the work, I should like to put at the disposal of the Germans your precious and indispensable The Spirits’ Book. Thus, sir, and without fearing to importune you, for I am persuaded that every thought of good corresponds to your own thought, I come to ask you that, if no one has yet obtained this favor, you permit me to make its translation into the German language. “I have just laid before you, sir, the projects I contemplate, in order to give a greater impulse to the propagation of Spiritism among us. Would it be audacity on my part to address myself to your benevolent experience to receive some salutary counsels which, doubt it not, will have great weight in the decision I am to take?

“Receive, etc.

C… Delhez.”

— This letter was accompanied by the following diploma:

SPIRITIST SOCIETY, CALLED OF CHARITY, OF VIENNA (AUSTRIA.)

ANNIVERSARY SESSION. – 18 MAY 1862.

“In the name of God Almighty and under the protection of the divine Spirit, “The Spiritist Society of Vienna, on the occasion of its second anniversary, wishing to testify to its firstborn of Paris, in the person of its worthy and courageous president, the deference and the recognition that its constant efforts and its precious labors for the holy cause of Spiritism and for the triumph of universal fraternity inspire in it, upon the proposal of its president and with the approval of its spiritual counselors, named, by acclamation, Mr. Allan Kardec, president of the Society of Spiritist Studies of Paris, with the title of Honorary President of the Spiritist Society, called of Charity, of Vienna, Austria. “Vienna, 19 May 1862.

“The President, C… Delhez.”

In deference to insistent requests, we feel it our duty to publish textually the two pieces above, as testimony of our profound gratitude for the honor done us by our Spiritist brothers of Vienna, an honor we were far from expecting, because in it we see not a homage to our person, but to the regenerating principles of Spiritism. It is a new proof of the credit that such principles acquire, both abroad and in France. Setting aside what the letters have that is flattering to us, what causes us lively satisfaction is, above all, to see the eminently serious, religious, and humanitarian aim that the Spiritist Society of Vienna proposes to itself, to which our cooperation and our devotion will not be lacking. As much can we say of all the societies that are forming at various points and that accept, without restriction, the principles of The Spirits’ Book and of The Mediums’ Book.

— Among those that have lately been organized, we must cite the African Society of Spiritist Studies, of Constantine, which saw fit to place itself under our patronage and that of the Society of Paris, and which already counts about forty members. We shall have occasion to return to the subject in greater detail.

— In view of this general movement and of the incessant growth of opinion, the adversaries of Spiritism will at last understand that any attempt to halt it would be useless and that the best they have to do is to accept it, considering it, henceforth, as an accomplished fact. The weapon of ridicule has exhausted itself in vain efforts, thus becoming impotent; will the doctrine of the devil, which at this moment they obstinately seek to restore, be more fortunate? The answer lies entirely in the effect it produces: it causes laughter. For this, it would be necessary that those who propagate it should be convinced of it. Now, we can affirm with assurance that, among their number, many do not believe it at all. It is a last sally, whose result will be to hasten the propagation of the new ideas, first because it makes them known, exciting curiosity, and then because it proves the scarcity of truly serious arguments.