The best propaganda Parisian Society, October 23rd, 1868 – medium Mr. Nivard
“If there are few mediums tonight, it does not mean that there is a shortage of Spirits; they are, on the contrary, a large crowd; some are regulars who come to instruct you or to instruct themselves; the others, in large numbers, are newcomers to you. They came without a letter of reference, it's true, but with the approval and by the invitation of the usual Spirits. Many of these Spirits are happy to attend the session and are especially happy to see here several Spiritists that they love and whom they direct, and who have had the thought of joining you.
There are many Spiritists in the world, but their degree of doctrinal instruction is far from sufficient to qualify them as enlightened Spiritists. They have enlightenment, no doubt, but practice is generally lacking; or if they practice, they need to be seconded, to bring more persuasion and less enthusiasm into the efforts that they attempt. When I speak of practicing Spiritism, I mean the part that concerns propaganda; for this part, more difficult than one thinks, to exercise it with efficiency, it is necessary to be well imbued of the philosophy of Spiritism and of its moral part. The moral part is easy to know; it requires little effort for this; on the other hand, it is the most difficult to practice, because example alone can make it clearly understood. You will make a virtue better understood by setting an example than by defining it. To be virtuous is to make virtue understood and loved. There is nothing to object to whoever does what he urges others to do. So, for the moral part of Spiritism, no difficulty in theory, much difficulty in practice.
The philosophical part presents more difficulties to be understood, therefore, it requires more effort. The followers who try to be militant, must set to work to know it well, because it is the weapon with which they will fight most successfully. It is useful that they do not overjoy with material phenomena, and that they give their explanation without too much development. They must spare these developments for the analysis of the facts of intelligent order, without saying too much, though, because we must not fatigue the minds of people new to Spiritism. Concise explanations, well-chosen examples, well suited to the question being discussed, that is all it takes. But I repeat, to be concise, one must nonetheless know; to give examples or explanations well suited to the subject, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the philosophy of Spiritism. This philosophy is summarized in The Spirits’ Book, and the practical side in The Medium’s Book. If you know well the substance of these two books, that are the work of the Spirits, you will certainly have the happiness of bringing many of your brothers to this so consoling belief, and many of those who believe will be placed on its true ground: that of love and charity.
So, my friends, those of you who desire, and all of you must desire it, to share their beliefs with their brothers, who want to call them to the banquet of consolation that Spiritism offers to all its children, must morally preach Spiritism by practicing its moral, and intellectually by spreading around them the lights that they have drawn or will draw from the communications of the Spirits.
All this is easy; all you need is to wish for it. Well! my dear friends, in the name of your happiness, your peace, in the name of union and charity, I urge you to want it.
A Spirit.”
