A new Spiritist journal in Sicily.

— It is with satisfaction that we note the appearance of a new organ of Spiritism in Palermo, in Sicily, published in the Italian language under the title Spiritism, journal of experimental psychology. The multiplication of journals specialized in this matter is an unmistakable sign of the ground gained by the new ideas, in spite of, or, rather, by reason of the very attacks of which they are the object. These ideas, which in a few years have taken root in all parts of the world, count in Italy numerous and serious representatives. It is that, in this homeland of intelligence, as everywhere, whoever sounds its scope understands that they enclose all the elements of progress, that they are the banner under which all peoples will one day shelter, and that they alone resolve the formidable problems of the future, in a manner to satisfy reason. Our sympathetic support extends naturally to all publications of this nature, suited to second our efforts in the great and laborious task that we have undertaken. The following letter, which accompanied the dispatch of this journal, announces, at the same time, the constitution of a Spiritist Society in Palermo, under the title of Società Spiritista di Palermo.

“Sir, “A new Spiritist society has just been constituted here in Palermo, under the presidency of Mr. Joseph Vassallo Paleologo. It already has its publicity organ: Spiritism, or Journal of experimental psychology, whose first two editions have just appeared. Deign to accept a copy that I take the liberty of offering you, as to him who has so well deserved of Humanity through the progress of moral ideas under the providential impulse of Spiritism. “Accept, etc.

Signed: Paolo Morello.

Professor of History and Philosophy of the University of Palermo.

— Each number of the journal begins with the citation of some aphorisms, in the form of an epigraph, taken from The Spirits’ Book or from The Mediums’ Book, for example:

“If Spiritism is an error, it will fall by itself; if it is a truth, not even all the diatribes in the world will be capable of transforming it into a lie.”

“It is an error to believe that it suffices for certain categories of incredulous persons to see extraordinary phenomena in order to be convinced. Those who do not admit the soul or the Spirit in man cannot admit it outside of man. That is why, denying the cause, they deny the effect.”

“Frivolous meetings have a grave drawback for the neophytes who attend them, for they give them a false idea of Spiritism.”

We add: and so do those which, without being frivolous, are not conducted with the suitable order and dignity.

— The first number contains an exposition of principles, in the form of a manifesto, from which we extract the following passages:

“Every science rests on two points: facts and theory. Now, according to what we have read and seen, we are in a position to affirm that Spiritism possesses the materials and the qualities of a science; because, on the one hand, it affirms itself by facts that are peculiar to it and that result from observation and experience, absolutely like any other experimental science; and, on the other hand, it affirms itself by its theory, deduced logically from the observation of facts. “Considered from the point of view of facts or of theory, Spiritism is not a conception of the human brain, but flows from the very nature of things. Given the creation of intelligences, as well as spiritual existence, that which has received the name of Spiritism presents itself as a necessity, of which, in the present conditions of Science and Humanity, one can be a witness before being a judge; a necessity from which results a complex fact, which demands to be studied seriously, before it can be judged. Each one is free not to study it, if such study does not please him, although this confers on no one the right to mock those who study it. “The society that founds this journal neither claims to put forth a belief, nor a doctrine of its own; as in its conviction nothing belongs less to human invention than Spiritism, it proposes to expound the Spiritist Doctrine, and in no way to impose it. Moreover, it reserves entire freedom of examination and the most complete independence of conscience in the appreciation of facts, without allowing itself to be influenced by the opinion of some individuals or of whatever it may be. What makes it responsible before its own conscience, before God and men, is the sincerity of the facts.” Drawn from the second number, the following communication [The mediums and the Spirits], signed by Dante, testifies to the nature of the teachings given to this Society: