At the time of resuming our works, it is a great satisfaction to all of us, and to me in particular, to meet again. We will undoubtedly meet our spiritual guides also. Let us hope that with their support this will be a great year in results. Allow me, at this opportunity, to address you with a few words.
Since our separation, there was a huge uproar about Spiritism. In fact, I only heard about it when I came back from my retreat in the mountains, where only a few rumors came to my ears. I will not enter the details, superfluous now, and regarding my personal appreciation you know it from what I wrote in the Spiritist Review. I will only add one word. Everything comes to confirm my opinion about the consequences of what happened. I am happy to see that such appreciation is shared by the great majority, if not unanimously by the Spiritists, and I have daily proofs of that in my correspondence. An evident aspect sticks out from the controversy established during the passage of the Davenports brothers: it is the absolute ignorance of the critics about Spiritism. The confusion that they establish between serious Spiritism and charlatanism may, undoubtedly, induce some people to err, but is notable that the very eccentricity of their language led many people to question what is fair about Spiritism, and were greatly surprised of find things much different from magic. Spiritism will therefore win, as I said, by becoming better known and appreciated. Such consequence, that is far from being the result of chance, will certainly speed up the development of the doctrine. We can say that it is a stranglehold whose result will soon be felt. Besides, Spiritism will soon enter a new phase that will certainly draw the attention of those indifferent, and what has just happened will level the field. This will be the realization of the prophetic words of father D…, whose communication was cited in the Spiritist Review: “
The educated people will be your most powerful allies”. The are already, and unwillingly, but will be voluntarily later. There are circumstances in preparation that will precipitate that result, and it is with confidence that I say that lately the interests of Spiritism advanced more than one would suppose. Since our separation I learned many things, ladies and gentlemen. Please do not believe that this interruption of our common works made me enjoy the “
dolce far niente”
[1]. It is true that I did not visit Spiritist Centers, but it does not mean that I saw less and observed less, and for that very reason I worked a lot. The events move rapidly, and as the work I still need to finish is considerable, I must hurry and be ready when the time is right. Given the greatness and seriousness of the events that make us present everything, secondary incidents are insignificant; personal things pass but the fundamental ones stay.
Hence, we must give only relative weight to certain things, and as far as I am concerned, I must push away from my concerns what is secondary and that could delay or veer me off from the main objective. That objective is more and more delineated, and what I learned lately was particularly the means of reaching it more safely and to overcome obstacles.
May God spare me from the presumption of considering myself the only one capable, or better equipped than any one else, or the only one assigned with the mission designed by the Providence. No. Such a thought is far from me. In this great movement of renovation, I have my part in the action. I therefore only talk about what is up to me; what I can then affirm, and without a bigmouth, is that I will not lack courage and perseverance in the role that is assigned to me. I have never yielded, but today that I see the path illuminated by a wonderful clarity, I feel my strength grow. I have never doubted, but thanks to the new lights that God wanted to give me, I am sure, and I say it to all my brothers and with more certainty than ever: Courage, perseverance, because a magnificent success will crown our efforts.
Despite the advanced state of Spiritism, it would be naïve to believe that from now on it will march without obstacles. On the contrary, we must expect new struggles and new difficulties. Thus, we will still have to difficult situations because our adversaries will not lay down their weapons and will fight for every inch of the terrain. But it is in critical moments that the strong hearts and true devotions are known. It is when profound convictions are distinguished from superficial or simulated beliefs. There is no merit in showing courage in times of peace. At this very moment our invisible chiefs count their soldiers and their difficulty is the find those that can support them. To us it is also a means of identifying who is really with us and who is against us.
The tactic of our adversaries at this time – it is never too much to repeat – is to try to divide the followers, throwing the seed of disagreement, exciting true or simulated weaknesses; and, it is necessary to say, they have the support of certain Spirits disturbed by the appearance of a faith that must interconnect peoples in a common feeling of fraternity. Thus, these words from one of our spiritual guides are perfectly true: “Spiritism revolutionizes the visible and the invisible worlds.” Our adversaries have, for some time, aimed at the societies and Spiritist gatherings, where they sow in profusion the seed of disagreement and jealousy. Short-sighted people, blinded by passion, believe to have conquered a great victory when succeeded in cause some local disturbance, as if Spiritism were entrenched somewhere or incarnate in some individuals! It is everywhere, on Earth and in Space! The movement is not driven by men but by the Spirits, the representatives of God. It is irresistible for it is Providential. Hence, it is not a human revolution that may be stopped by material force. Who would then believe to be able to block it by throwing a little pebble under the wagon? A pigmy in the hand of God, to be dragged by the maelstrom.
May all sincere Spiritists unite in a sacred communion of thoughts, to face the storm; may all that are convinced of the greatness of the object, put aside petty secondary issues, silence the susceptibilities of the self-love to only see the importance of the results to which the Providence drives humanity.
From that elevated point of view, what becomes of the Davenports’ issue? Nonetheless, despite being secondary, this is a wake-up call. It imposes special duties to all Spiritists, and in particular to us. As well-known, those that confound Spiritism with charlatanism lack knowledge about what Spiritism is. They can undoubtedly learn about it from the books, if they wish to do so. It is not enough to say that it is a beautiful doctrine; it is necessary to have it applied by those that profess it. It is then up to the supporters of the cause to demonstrate it by their behavior, be it in private or in the meetings, avoiding with the maximum care anything that can feed malevolence and produce an unfavorable impression in the skeptical. Anyone that is embedded in the principles of the doctrine can dare defy criticism and will never face the censorship of authority or the severity of the law.
In evidence more than any other, the Parisian Society must give the example. We are all glad to see that it has never failed its duties and for seeing acknowledged its eminently serious character, for the gravity and reverence of its gatherings. It is one more reason to scrupulously avoid the appearances that could compromise the reputation that it had conquered. It is up to each one of us to watch for that, in the own interest of the cause. The function of member or medium must be a title of trust and consideration. I then count on the cooperation of all of our colleagues, each one at the limit of their possibilities. We must not forget that personal issues must fade away before the general interest. The times before us are grave, I repeat, and each one of us will have their mission, little or great. We must be prepared to accomplish that and we shall be accounted for. Please forgive my language somewhat harsh at the beginning of our activities but I am forced by the circumstances.
Ladies and gentlemen, one of our colleagues is physically absent to the roll call. During our recess, Mr. Nant, father of our excellent Spiritist, Mrs. Breul, returned to the spiritual world, from where, God willing, will kindly come to us. We paid him the just tribute in his funerals; we believe appropriate to renovate it today and will be happy if he can momentarily kindly address us with a few words, and in the future join the good Spirits that help us with their advices. Let us beg, ladies and gentlemen, that they may continue to provide us with their assistance.
[1] Pleasant idleness (T.N.)
