The Spiritist Society of Paris

— Most dear and much honored brothers in belief, A recent circumstance [The Davenport brothers in Paris,] furnished our adversaries the occasion to repeat against our doctrine certain attacks which, by their violence, surpassed all that had been done up to now, and to pour out upon its adepts sarcasm, insult, and calumny. The opinion of some persons may have been led astray for a moment, but the protests, verbal or written, were so general that they are already retracting. All of you have understood that Spiritism rests on bases unshakable enough to withstand any attack, and that this commotion can do nothing but popularize it and make it better understood.

It is proper to all great truths to receive the baptism of persecution. The animosities that Spiritism raises are the proof of its importance, since, if they judged it without value, they would not concern themselves with it. In the conflict that has just been raised, all the Spiritists kept the calm and the moderation that are the signs of true strength; all bore the shock with courage and no one doubted the result. Be assured, then, that this attitude, at once dignified and firm, opposed to the invectives and the acrimony of the language of our antagonists, does not fail to give pause for reflection and to carry great weight upon opinion. The impartial public is not deceived; even without taking the fact and the cause for one or the other, a secret sympathy draws it toward the one who, in the discussion, knows how to preserve his dignity; the comparison is always advantageous to him. Thus, these latest events have won numerous partisans for Spiritism. In this circumstance, the Society of Paris feels happy to offer to all its brothers of France and abroad its congratulations and its sincere thanks. In the new struggles that may occur, it counts on them, as they may count on it.

Receive, gentlemen and dear brothers, the assurance of our entire and affectionate devotion.

For the members of the Society, the President, Allan Kardec.

(Voted unanimously in the session of October 27, 1865.)

ADDRESS.

AT THE REOPENING OF THE SESSIONS OF THE SOCIETY OF PARIS, ON OCTOBER 6, 1865.

Gentlemen and dear colleagues, At the moment of resuming the course of our labors, it is for all of us, and for me in particular, a great satisfaction to find ourselves all gathered together. Without doubt we are going to find again our good spiritual guides; let us make vows that, thanks to their concourse, this year may be fruitful in results. Permit me to address to you on this occasion a few words appropriate to the circumstance.

After our separation [see Notice], a great noise was made on the subject of Spiritism. To tell the truth, I learned of it only on my return, because only a few echoes reached me amid my solitude in the mountains.

In this regard I shall not enter into details, which today would be superfluous. As for my personal appreciation, you know it from what I said in the Review.

[see The Davenport brothers.] I shall only add a word: it is that everything comes to confirm my opinion on the consequences of what took place.

I feel happy to see that this appreciation is shared by the great majority, if not by the unanimity, of the Spiritists, of which I have proofs daily in my correspondence.

An evident fact stands out from the polemic begun on the occasion of the Davenport brothers: it is the absolute ignorance of the critics with regard to Spiritism. The confusion they established between serious Spiritism and charlatanism may indeed momentarily lead some persons into error, but it is notorious that the very eccentricity of their language led many people to inquire what there is just in it, and great was their surprise at finding something completely different from sleight of hand. As I have already said, Spiritism has only to gain from this, by being better known and better appreciated. This circumstance, which is far from being the work of chance, will incontestably hasten the development of the doctrine. One may say that it is a superhuman effort, whose scope will not be slow in making itself felt. Moreover, before long Spiritism will enter into a new phase which will necessarily attract the attention of the most indifferent, and what has just taken place will smooth the ways. Then will be realized that prophetic word of the abbot D…, whose communication [item 3, 5th §] I cited in the Review: “The men of letters will be your most powerful auxiliaries.” They already are so, without wishing it; later they will be so voluntarily. Circumstances are being prepared which will precipitate this result, and it is with certainty that I say that in these latest times the affairs of Spiritism have advanced more than one could imagine.

— Since our separation I have learned many things, gentlemen. For do not think that during this interruption of our labors I went to enjoy the sweetness of the far niente. It is true that I did not visit Spiritist centers, but I did not for that see any less or cease to observe. Thus, I worked a great deal.

Events march with rapidity, and as the labors that remain for me to finish are considerable, I must hasten, in order to be ready in due time. In view of the grandeur and the gravity of the events that everything makes us foresee, the secondary incidents are insignificant; the questions pass, but the capital things remain.

Thus, one should attach to things only a relative importance; as concerns me personally, I must put away from my preoccupations what is only secondary, for it could delay me or divert me from the principal object. This object outlines itself more and more clearly, and what I grasped in those meetings was, above all, the means of attaining it more surely and of overcoming the obstacles.

God keep me from the presumption of judging myself the only one capable, or more capable than others, or the only one charged with realizing the designs of Providence. No; far be from me such a thought. In this great renovating movement, I have my part of action. Thus, I speak only of what concerns me; but what I can affirm without boastfulness is that, in the role that falls to me, I lack neither courage nor perseverance. I have never faltered; but today, when I see the route light up with a marvelous clarity, I feel that my forces have grown. I have never doubted; but today, thanks to the new lights that it has pleased God to give me, I am certain, and I say to all our brothers, with more assurance than ever: Courage and perseverance, for a resounding success will crown our efforts.

— Despite the prosperous state of Spiritism, it would be utterly mistaken to imagine that from now on it will march without hindrance. On the contrary, one must expect new difficulties, new struggles. Thus, we shall still have painful moments to pass through, because our adversaries do not give themselves up for vanquished and will dispute the ground inch by inch. But it is in critical moments that one knows the solid hearts, the true devotions. It is then that profound convictions are distinguished from superficial or simulated beliefs. In peace there is no merit in having courage. At this moment our invisible chiefs count on their soldiers, and the difficulties are for them a means of putting in evidence those upon whom they can rely. It is also for us a means of knowing who is really with us or against us. The tactic of our adversaries, it could never be repeated too often, is at this moment to seek to divide the adepts, casting in their midst the apples of discord, exciting the faintings, real or simulated; and, it must be said, they have as auxiliaries certain Spirits who find themselves disturbed by the advent of a faith that is to unite men in a common sentiment of fraternity. Thus, this word of one of our guides is perfectly true: Spiritism throws into revolution the visible world and the invisible world.

For some time our adversaries have had in their sights the Spiritist societies and meetings, where they sow in profusion the ferments of discord and jealousy. Men of little vision, blinded by passion, think they have won a great victory because they have managed to cause some disturbances in one locality, as if Spiritism were enfeoffed to some place or other, or incarnated in a few individuals! It is everywhere, on Earth and in the ethereal regions; let them, then, reach it in the depths of space! The movement is given, not by men, but by the Spirits appointed by God; it is irresistible because it is providential. It is not, then, a human revolution, which can be stopped by material force. Thus, who will judge himself capable of arresting it because he throws a pebble under the wheel? A pygmy in the hand of God, he will be carried off by the whirlwind. Let all sincere Spiritists, then, unite in a holy communion of thought, to face the storm; let all those who are imbued with the grandeur of the object set aside the puerile accessory questions; let them silence the susceptibilities of self-love, in order to see only the importance of the result toward which Providence is leading Humanity.

— Considered from this elevated point of view, what becomes of the question of the Davenport brothers? And yet, even this circumstance, though very secondary, is a salutary warning; it imposes special duties on all Spiritists, and on us in particular. As is known, what those who confuse Spiritism with charlatanism lack is to know what Spiritism is. Without doubt they will be able to know it from books, when they take the trouble. But what is theory beside practice? It is not enough to say that the doctrine is beautiful; it is necessary that those who profess it show its application. It falls, then, to the adepts devoted to the cause to prove what it is, by their manner of acting, whether in private or in meetings, avoiding with the utmost care all that could give occasion to malevolence and produce in the incredulous an unfavorable impression. Whoever shuts himself within the limits of the principles of the doctrine will be able boldly to defy criticism and will never incur the censure of authority, nor the severities of the law. The Society of Paris, placed in evidence more than any other, must give the example. We all feel happy to say that it has never failed in its duties, and to have been able to verify the good impression produced by its eminently serious character, by the gravity and the recollection that preside over its meetings. It is one reason the more for it scrupulously to avoid even the appearances of what could compromise the reputation it has acquired. It falls to each of us to watch over this, in the very interest of the cause; it is necessary that the quality of member, or of medium, lend it their concourse, whether by way of confidence or of consideration. I count, then, on the cooperation of all our colleagues, each within the limit of his power. One must not lose sight of the fact that personal questions must efface themselves before the question of general interest. The circumstances into which we are going to enter are grave, I repeat, and each of us will have his mission, great or small. For this reason we must put ourselves in a condition to fulfill it, for an accounting will be asked of us. I beg you to forgive me this somewhat austere language at the resumption of our labors, but it is dictated by the circumstances.

— Gentlemen, in our first meeting one of our colleagues fails the roll call corporeally; during our separation, Mr. Nant, father of our good and excellent Spiritist, Mrs. Breul, returned to the world of the Spirits, from where, we hope, he will deign to come to us. During his funeral, we rendered him a just tribute of sympathy [See: Funeral of a Spiritist], which we judge we ought to renew today, and we shall be happy if, in a little while, he will be willing to address to us a few words and, in the future, to join the good Spirits who help us with their counsels. Let us ask them, gentlemen, to continue to assist us.