Spiritism in Algeria.

– Concerning our article of last month on the pastoral letter of the Bishop of Algiers, several persons have asked us whether we had sent it to him. We do not know whether anyone took it upon himself to do so; as for us, we did not, and here is our reason:

We have not the slightest intention of converting the Bishop of Algiers to our opinion. He might have seen in the direct sending of that article a kind of bravado on our part, which is not in keeping with our character. Once again, Spiritism must be freely accepted and must do no violence to anyone's conscience; it must draw men to itself by the force of its reasoning, accessible to all, and by the good fruits it bears; it must fulfill this saying of Christ: “Formerly heaven was taken by violence; today it is taken by gentleness.” Of two things, one: either the Bishop of Algiers confines himself to speaking of what he knows, or he does not. In the first case, he must himself become acquainted with the question and not limit himself to the writings that abound in this regard, if he does not wish to expose himself to committing lamentable errors; in the second case, it would be wasted labor to try to open the eyes of one who wishes to keep them shut. It is a grave error to believe that the fate of Spiritism depends on the adherence of this or that individual; it rests upon a more solid foundation: the assent of the masses, in which the opinion of the lesser weighs as much as that of the greater. It is not a single stone that makes the solidity of an edifice, for a single stone can be overturned, but the whole of all the stones that serve as its foundation. In a question of such vast interest, the importance of individuals, considered in itself, is in a manner of speaking effaced; each one brings its contingent of action, but if some fail to answer the call, the whole does not suffer for it.

In his opinion, the Bishop of Algiers judged it good to do what he did. He was within his right; we shall say more: he did well to do it, for he acted according to his conscience. If the result does not correspond to his expectation, it is because it is lost. That is all. It is not for us to modify his ideas, and for this reason there was no point in sending him our refutation. We did not write it for him, but for the instruction of Spiritists of all countries, in order to reassure them as to the consequences of a maneuver which will probably have imitators. The measure, therefore, matters little in itself; the essential thing was to prove that neither this one nor others could attain the goal they set for themselves: the annihilation of Spiritism. In principle, in all our refutations we have never aimed at individuals, because personal questions die with persons. Spiritism sees things from a higher vantage point; it attaches itself to questions of principle, which outlive individuals. At a given time, all the present detractors of Spiritism will be dead; since in life they could not halt its momentum, still less will they be able to do so after death; on the contrary, more than one, recognizing his error, will second as a Spirit what he had fought as a man, as did the late bishop of Barcelona, whom we commend to the prayers of all Spiritists, according to the wish he expressed [See: Death of the Bishop of Barcelona]. As you see, even before departing, some antagonists are already morally dead! Of all the writings that claimed to pulverize the doctrine, how many have survived? A year or two sufficed to consign most of them to oblivion, and those that made the most uproar only kindled a fire of straw, already extinguished, or in the process of being extinguished. A few more years and they will no longer be spoken of; they will be sought after as rarities. Is it the same with Spiritist ideas? The facts answer the question. Is it to be presumed that, in the wake of their authors, more fearsome adversaries will come who will be right against Spiritism? It is hardly probable, for it is neither talent, nor good will, nor high position that is lacking to those of today; they are all fire and all ardor; what they lack are arguments that surpass those of Spiritism, and it is certainly not for want of seeking them. Now, since the Spiritist idea ceaselessly gains partisans, the number of adversaries will diminish proportionally, and these will find themselves forced to accept an accomplished fact.

– Besides, we have already said that the clergy is not unanimous in its reprobation of Spiritism. We personally know several ecclesiastics who are very sympathetic to this idea and accept all its consequences. Here is a very characteristic proof in the following fact, quite recent, whose authenticity we can guarantee:

In a railway carriage there were two gentlemen, one a materialist scientist and extreme atheist, and his friend, who, on the contrary, was very spiritualist. They were discussing heatedly, each sustaining his opinion. At one station a young priest got on, who at first listens and soon after takes part in the conversation. Addressing the unbeliever, he says to him: “It seems, sir, that you believe in nothing, not even in God? – I confess it is true, Father, and no one has yet managed to prove to me that I am in error. – Well then, sir, I advise you to go to the Spiritists in order to believe. – What! Father, is it really you who speak to me thus? – Yes, sir, and I say this because it is my conviction. I know from experience that when religion is powerless to overcome incredulity, Spiritism triumphs. – But what would your bishop think if he knew what you have just said to me? – He would think what he liked, and I would say it to him myself, for I am in the habit of not concealing my way of thinking.” It was the scientist himself who related the fact to one of his friends, from whom we gathered it.

Here is another no less significant. One of our fervent adepts, having gone to visit one of his uncles, a village priest, found him occupied in reading The Spirits' Book. We transcribe verbatim the account he gave us of the conversation.

“What! uncle! you read this book and do not fear to be damned? Would it not be in order to refute it in your sermons? – On the contrary, this doctrine reassures me as to the future, for today I understand many mysteries that I had not understood, even in the Gospel. And you, do you know of this? – Of course I do! I am a Spiritist in heart and soul; besides, I am something of a medium. – Then, my dear nephew, we have come to an agreement! We had never understood one another about religion, and now we understand one another. Why had you not yet spoken to me of this? – I feared to scandalize you. – Formerly, with your incredulity, you scandalized me far more. – If I was an unbeliever, you were the cause. – How so? – Was it not you who educated me? And what did you teach me in matters of religion? You always wanted to explain to me what you yourself did not understand; then, when I questioned you and you did not know how to answer, you would say: ‘Be silent, wretch! one must believe and not seek to understand. You will never be anything but an atheist.’ Now perhaps I could teach you. Thus, it is I who undertake to instruct my son; he is ten years old and I assure you that he is more of a believer than I was at that age, in your hands, and I do not fear that one day he will lose his faith, because he understands everything as well as I do. If you saw how fervently he prays, how docile he is, hardworking, attentive to all his duties, you would be edified. But tell me, uncle, do you preach Spiritism to your parishioners? – The will is not lacking in me; but you will understand that this is impossible. – Do you still speak to them of the devil's furnace, as in my day? I can say this now without offending you: that really made us laugh a great deal. I am sure that among your listeners there were no more than three or four pious old women who believed what you said; the young girls, generally very timid, as soon as they left the sermon would go play the ‘devil's game.’ If that fear has so little hold over country people, naturally superstitious, imagine what it must be among enlightened people. Ah! my dear uncle, it is time to change the batteries, for the time of the devil is over. – I know it well, and the worst of all this is that the majority no longer believe in God any more than in the devil, which is why they go more to the cabaret than to church. I confess to you that at times I find myself embarrassed to reconcile duty with my conscience. I try to seek an intermediate solution: I speak more of morality, of duties toward the family and society, supporting myself on the Gospel, and I see that I am better heard and understood. – What result do you think would be obtained if religion were preached to them from the standpoint of Spiritism? – You have made your confession and I will make mine, speaking with an open heart. I am convinced that within ten years there will not be a single unbeliever in the parish and all will be honorable people; what they lack is faith. In them faith is gone, and their skepticism, having no ballast in human respect given by education, has something bestial about it. I speak to them of morality, but morality without faith has no foundation. Spiritism gives them that faith, for these creatures, despite their lack of instruction, have a great deal of good sense; they reason more than one imagines, but they are extremely distrustful, and that distrust makes them want to understand before believing. Now, for this there is nothing better than Spiritism. – The consequence of what you say, uncle, is that if this result is possible in one parish, it is equally so in others. If, then, all the priests of France preached with the support of Spiritism, society would be transformed in a few years. – That is my opinion. – Do you think this will happen one day? – I hope so. – As for me, I am certain that before the end of the century this change will take place. Tell me, uncle, are you a medium? – Hush! (in a low voice) Yes! – And what do the Spirits tell you? – They say that… (Here the good priest spoke so low that the nephew could not hear).

– We said that the pastoral letter of the Bishop of Algiers had not halted the momentum of Spiritism in that region. The following summary of two letters, among many other similar ones, gives us an idea of it:

“Dear and venerated master: in confirming to you my previous letter, on the occasion of the circular of the Bishop of Algiers, I come to renew the inviolable protestations of affection that unite all the Spiritists of our group to the holy and sublime doctrine of Spiritism, a doctrine that they will never persuade us is the work of the devil, since it has torn us from doubt and from the cult of matter, making us better toward one another, even toward our enemies, for whom we pray daily. As in the past, we continue to gather and to receive the instructions of our protective Spirits, who assure us that all that is happening is for the best and according to the designs of Providence. All tell us that the times are near when great changes will take place in beliefs, to which Spiritism will serve as a link to bring all men to fraternity…” Another letter says: “The pastoral letter of the Bishop of Algiers furnished our priest with material for a sermon thundering against Spiritism, above all by reason of his eloquence. I am mistaken, for it made such a strong impression on several mockers that these, seeing Spiritism taken seriously by the ecclesiastical authority, said to themselves that there must be something serious in it. They then set about studying it and now they no longer laugh and are of our number. Besides, the number of Spiritists continues to increase and several new groups are forming.”

All our correspondence is in the same vein and does not indicate a single defection, but only a few individuals who, by their position dependent on the ecclesiastical authority, find themselves obliged not to put themselves in evidence, without, however, ceasing to occupy themselves with Spiritism in private or in the silence of the study. Outward acts can be imposed, but the conscience cannot be dominated. The communication that follows proves that the momentum has not diminished, whether on the part of the Spirits or on the part of men:

– “Sétif, September 17, 1863.

“My friends, I come to you full of joy, seeing Spiritism make rapid progress, daily draw new strength, in the midst of the obstacles that are opposed to it. These forces are not only those of number, but also of union, of fraternity, of charity. Have, then, confidence, hope, and courage, marching in this holy way of Spiritist progress, from which no human force will turn you aside.

“Nevertheless, expect the struggle and prepare yourselves to sustain it. There are the enemies forging heavy chains for you, with which they hope to conquer and subdue you. What will they do against the will of God, who protects you? The foundations of His law will rise up, in spite of all difficulties. The servants of the Almighty are full of ardor and zeal; they will not let themselves be cast down; they will resist all attacks; they will follow their road always and despite everything; the obstacles and the chains will break as if they were of glass.

“I say to you, watch, pray, stretch out your hand to the unfortunate, open the eyes that are closed; let your hearts and your arms be open to all, without exception. Spiritists, your task is beautiful! What is more beautiful, more consoling than this pact of union between the living and the dead? What immense services we shall be able to render one another! By your prayers to God, springing from the depths of the heart, you can do much for the relief of the souls that suffer, and how sweet is the benefit to the heart of the one who practices it! What touching harmony is that of the blessings you shall have merited! Once again, pray, raising your soul to heaven, and be persuaded that each of your prayers will be heard and will lessen a sorrow. Understand well that the more men you lead to imitate you, the more powerful will be the whole of your prayers. Take men by the hand and lead them to the true path, where they will increase your phalanx. Preach the good doctrine, the doctrine of Jesus, the one the Divine Master teaches in His communications, which do nothing but repeat and confirm the doctrine of the Gospels. Those who live will see admirable things, I tell you.

Q. – Should this pastoral letter be answered through the press?

Answer. – My God! permit me to say what I think! They have established a road. They sweep it, so that the people may stroll along it with more ease and in greater number; thus, the multitude comes crowding in. You must understand my somewhat enigmatic language. Your duty as Spiritists is to show them that they have opened a door, instead of closing it.

Saint Joseph. n Observation. – This communication was obtained by a workman, a medium completely illiterate and who could barely sign his name. Since he became a medium, he writes a little, but with extreme difficulty. One cannot, then, suppose that the above dissertation is the work of his imagination.

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[v. Saint Joseph.]