Honorary members of the Society of Paris.

— To bear witness to its sympathy and gratitude toward the persons who render relevant and effective services to the cause of Spiritism, by their zeal, devotion, disinterestedness, and, if necessary, by the dangers to which they expose themselves, the Spiritist Society of Paris confers upon them the title of honorary member. It takes pleasure, thus, in recognizing the assistance lent to the common work by the heads and founders of the societies or groups that place themselves under the same banner and that are directed according to the principles of serious Spiritism, in order to obtain moral results. The motives that guide it are less words than deeds. It counts them not only in various cities of France and of Algeria, but in foreign countries: Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, Constantinople, America, etc. Mr. Dombre, of Marmande, who since his initiation into Spiritism has not ceased to make himself, openly, its propagandist and defender, deserved this distinction. In announcing to him his nomination, we had asked his authorization to publish his letter to Father F… (See the article of the preceding month.) His reply deserves to be cited; it shows in what manner certain adherents understand their role.

“Marmande, August 10, 1862.

“Mr. Allan Kardec “I accept, with gratitude, the title of honorary member of the Spiritist Society of Paris. To correspond to such a distinction, which obliges, and to the testimony of sympathy on the part of the members of that society, who saw fit to confer this title upon me, I shall always and everywhere make efforts to aid, within my possibilities, the propagation of a doctrine that makes my happiness on Earth and will also make, at a more or less remote time, that of those who still wish to keep the blindfold of incredulity.

“I see no obstacle, no inconvenience in the publication of my reply to the director of the Abeille Agénaise and of my letter to Father F… My letter to the latter is signed: A Catholic. I believe that no reader of the Review will think that the author wished to conceal himself under the veil of anonymity: human consideration has not taken hold of me. I laugh at those who laugh, because I am with the truth. Every good Spiritist must, by his example, give energy to timid adherents and teach them to raise high and firm the standard of their belief.

“Deign, sir, to present my sincere thanks to the honored Society, of which I today congratulate myself on forming a part, and to accept, etc.”

Dombre, proprietor.

— As concerns Spiritism, the fear of what people will say? has today diminished singularly, the number of those who conceal their opinion being insignificant. It is limited to those who fear losing a position that makes them live, and among this number there are more priests than is thought; we personally know more than a hundred. Meanwhile, in all social positions, among public functionaries, officers of all ranks, physicians, etc., we have noticed many people who only a year ago would not have confessed themselves Spiritists and who today take honor in it. This courage of opinion, which braves mockery, has as its consequence, first, to encourage the timid and, second, to show that the number of adherents is greater than was imagined; finally, to impose silence on the mockers, surprised to hear, everywhere, the word Spiritism from persons one considers twice before ridiculing. Thus, it is observed that the jokers, for some time now, have lowered their voice singularly. A few more years like those that have just elapsed and their role will be finished, because, on all sides, they will see themselves outstripped by opinion. Mr. Dombre has not only the courage of opinion, but also that of action. He occupies the field with determination and confronts the adversaries, provoking them to discussion. And behold a journalist who refuses, in order not to admit his weakness, and a preacher, to whom is offered the finest occasion to assert his arguments and deal a blow to the doctrine, goes away saying that he has no time to reply. Is this not to desert the field of battle? If he were sure of himself, if religion were at stake, why would he not stay to strike down the adversary? In such a case, to abandon the game is to lose it. A preacher has an immense advantage over an advocate: it is that he speaks without a contradictor; he can say what he wishes and no one refutes him. It would seem that it is in this manner that the adversaries of Spiritism understand controversy. At the moment Mr. Dombre was not the only one to face the storm with serenity: Bordeaux, Lyon, and many other less important cities, even simple villages, have offered us numerous examples, which multiply daily; and everywhere the adherents have shown firmness and energy, the antagonists have moderated their arrogance.

Until now this courage of opinion and of action is much more to be found in the middle and obscure classes than in the elevated ones; but if a man of popular name, justly esteemed and honored, influential by his talents, position, or rank, one day embraces the cause of Spiritism and openly grasps its banner, will they dare to accuse of madness him whose genius and talent were exalted? will his voice not impose silence on the clamors of incredulity? Well then! This man will arise, I assure you of it; at his voice the dissidents will unite, yielding to the influence of his moral authority; he too will have his mission, providential like that of all the men who make Humanity advance, a general mission like many other particular and local ones. Though more modest, these latter do not fail to have a relative usefulness, because they prepare the ways. It is then that Spiritism will enter with full force into the customs and will modify them profoundly, because in everything ideas will be different. We sow and he will reap, or rather, they will reap, because many others will follow in his footsteps. Spiritists, sow, sow much, in order that the harvest may be more abundant and more easy. The past is your guarantee of the future!