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As for the audience, listeners, or people considered as “consultees,” let us recall that at the dawn of
Spiritism in France - that is, in Allan Kardec’s time - the men and women who possessed notions of oriental or
druidic philosophy acknowledging the theory of transmigration or the successive lives of the soul, were a very
small number. Information on the subject was not readily available; it was necessary to seek them in the
bosom of the academies or in some secluded scientific centers.
We ask our challengers how could it be possible for such a vast number of mediums spread throughout
the whole earth, working independently and being strangers to each other, by themselves alone constitute the
basis of a doctrine with sufficient strength to resist all attacks and criticisms. A doctrine so exact, that its
principles would be validated time and again by the daily receipt of confirming experiences, as described at the
beginning of this chapter.
Regarding the sincerity of the mediumistic communications and their philosophical achievement, we
are going to cite the words of an orator, whose opinions will not seem suspect, knowing the aversion most
ecclesiastics have concerning Spiritism.
During a sermon given on April 7, 1899, in New York, Reverend J. Savage, a well-known preacher
said:
“The supposed nonsense said to come from the other world makes up a legion. Along with it,
however, there exists one of the most pure and complete moral literature - of incomparable spiritualistic
teachings. I know of a book whose author is a graduate from Oxford and also a minister of the English Church.
That book was written through automatic writing. At times, in order to deviate his thoughts from the work his
hand executed, the author read Plato in Greek. In contrast to what is commonly admitted for that kind of work,
that book was in absolute opposition to the author’s religious beliefs. (This author and medium converted into
Spiritism, before concluding the book. 22 ) That work contains moral and spiritual teachings worthy of any of
the Bibles that are in existence throughout the world.”
The first periods of Christianity were composed of people who were looked down upon and deemed
unworthy of any attention by those of the established society. One should read Saint Paul’s story to recall it.
Modern Spiritualism was launched on similar circumstances; only, in the shadow of its banner, we find many
of today’s honored names, followed by the best and most enlightened men. Observe then, that in general, it is a
great and most sincere movement.” 23
In his speech, reverend Savage knew to give each thing its proper place. It is certain that not all
mediumistic communications offer the same degree of interest. Many of them are simply composed of
foolishness, repetitions and trivialities. Not all Spirits have the capability of transmitting useful and profound
teachings. As it happens on earth, but even more meticulously in space, the scale of beings holds an infinite
number of degrees. In that scale we find the noblest intelligences, as well as the most vulgar souls. At times,
however, even the inferior Spirits, by describing their moral situations, their impressions at the moment of
death and their situations in the Beyond - thus initiating us in the particulars of their new existences - furnish
us with precious material to determine the conditions of survival of the diverse categories of Spirits.
Thus, from our relationship with the Invisibles, we can cultivate elements for our own education,
though not all should be taken into consideration. The cautious and astute experimenters must know how to
separate the glitter from the gold. The truth does not always reach us in its purest state. Interaction with those
from the Above provides man with an ample field for the exercising of his faculties and reasoning abilities.
It is necessary to act with the utmost caution, be attentive and apply continuous examination to all 24 . In
addition, we have to guard against conscious or unconscious frauds, while ascertaining that the written
messages are not a mere case of animism. In order to accomplish this it is critical to verify if the
There is nothing more marvelous in the history of the human spirit than the following fact: Whether it is deep within the most remote American
forest, or in the less important cities of England, ignorant men and women – most of which were educated in the usual sectarian beliefs of heaven and
hell – ever since they were taken over by the strange powers of mediumship, they gave on the subject teachings that were more philosophical than
religious. Furthermore, those teachings differed considerably from all that was so deeply engraved within their spirit.
22 It refers to Stainton Moses – Spirit Teachings.
23 Reproduced by Revue du Spiritualisme Moderne, October 25, de 1901.
Note that in cases like that of Stainton Moses, besides automatic writing, messages can also be obtained through direct writing, without any intervention
of the human hand.
24 See conditions on experimentation – Allan Kardec, The Mediums’ Book;” G. Delanne, Recherches sur la Médiumnité; Léon Denis, Dans l’Invisible,
chapter IX.
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