Dear Brothers and sisters
The Allan Kardec Spiritst Gruop of New Zealand has the privileged to invite you
to another public lecture:
We feel honored to host Dr. Sergio Thiesen who will present the topic:

   - " Reincarnation and Imortality . Rediscovering the soul and the high value
of life".

Doors open at 17:00.
A variety of spiritists books available for sale , as well as an afternoon tea,
coffee, cakes and cookies (No EFTPOS).
The Lecture starts at 18:00 and finishes at 19:30, when the attendees will have
the opportunity to ask some questions until 20:00

Place: Grey Lynn Community Centre
Date:  25 April 09
Free Entry

All welcome

Please send me an email for further information:

manifagundes@...

May God's peace be  with us all.

AKSGNZ

RESETTING THE SOUL'S COMPASS: THE SPIRITS' BOOK

We all face difficult issues every day-stressful relationships,
performance at work, conjugal apathy, financial problems, and
countless others troubles and tribulations that are characteristics of
being human. There is hardly ever a day when we are not discontent
about something, somebody, or ourselves. Often, we live with a surreal
conviction that right is on our side and our perspective matters most.
We are challenged everyday by the need to pinpoint the sources of our
dissatisfactions and reset the directions of our inner compass.

As we meet life's adversities there is never a lack of support groups,
psychologists and a crowd of self-help gurus lining the airwaves and
bookstores with myriads of practical solutions-meditation,
affirmations, 10 easy steps plans, guides to prosperity, etc. Their
advice is often useful and yet they invariably reflect aspects of the
author's own search and personal victories. One thing they all have in
common is a short term perspective. They focus on the now, the
immediate pain, and the situation that screams for attention. They
represent in most cases short term palliatives, and don't address the
deeper causes of our unhappiness. These are things we do many times,
we commit ourselves to new attitudes, promise to change our ways, or
resolve to become more positive. And, one year later, we are back to
our old ways, or are deeply frustrated for some other, we say, very
good reason.

All too sudden, the motivating insight that fueled our desire to
change dies down, or gets rammed by unexpected mishaps or family
upheaval. Is this the stuff of bad karma? Where does this crazy
circling end? The definitive answer, I don't think, is in the books.
However, some surprisingly brilliant answers can be found in a book
whose powerful logic has nurtured far-reaching changes in millions of
people. Dissatisfaction may not disappear necessarily, but thresholds
of tolerance definitely increase. The ideal is to gain an
understanding of our heritage as spiritual beings, and an awareness of
our purpose do help refocus our perspectives. The Spirits' Book
delivers exactly that.

The Spirits' Book makes a difference at the core of our way of life
based on the evolution of the human spirit (consciousness). It helps
the reader discover, and gradually come to the realization, that life
on earth is an educational experience designed to benefit the eternal
consciousness of humanity and each individual. Yet, each past life
represents an active factor in the dynamics of our current experience.
When Dr. Chris Nielson (Robin Williams), in the movie How Dreams May
Come, anticipating a new life on earth, says "I'd love the opportunity
to make choices again," he states a fact. We make choices, acquire
knowledge and goodness, exercise our free-will and, forge our own our
purification step-by-step.

The dialogues between Allan Kardec and the spirit-instructors reveal
discerning views on the causes and purposes of many things and events
that are seemingly inexplicable. The dialogues also invite us to
invest more in understanding the higher-self within each of us. They
teach us how we can unlock the gates to a happier life, and show us
ways to live a more purposeful life.

If the wisdom of the book were to be distilled into one single notion,
it would be that every effort we make to become a better person is
richly rewarded by Life, if not immediately, for certain in the morrow
of the consciousness. This is indeed, the guarantee given by the
spirit-instructors: contentment is the end goal of the journey toward
the absolute.

Dear Friend,

The last SpiritistNews issue (May/June 2007)  is already available online.

To read it, please click on the following link:
http://www.ssbaltimore.org/Newsletter/2007/SpiritistNewsMAY-JUN07.pdf

Featuring:

     * What is Spiritism?
     * Living Fully
     * Intelligent Sleep and Mediumship
     * What happens while we are sleeping?
     * A Matter of using your Faith
     * Spiritist Facts
     * Whoever has will be given more
     * Body & Soul
     * Spiritism offers an anti-depression aid kit
     * Events in the U.S.
     * Spiritist Books/CDs
     * International Events
     * SSB activities

       PDF version



If you can't open the link, please check it directly at our web site
www.ssbaltimore.org or contact us.

You can also check previous issues by clicking onto:
www.ssbaltimore.org/Newsletter/SpiritistNews.html

Fraternally,

-The Editors

The Messengers

    A Story from the spirit world
by Andre Luiz, through the mediumship of Francisco C. Xavier

reviewed by Theresa Welsh

Do you wonder what happens when you die? Would you like a tour of some
regions of the astral world populated by spirits? I say "some regions"
because the spirit world is a very large place and our tour guide,
Andre Luiz, can only tell us about the places he actually visited.
Andre Luiz is the "spirit pen name" for one of a number of spirits who
dictated information and stories through the mediumship of Francisco
"Chico" Xavier.

About Chico Xavier
Chico Xavier, almost unknown in the United States, was immensely
popular in Brazil, where his books - over 400 received by automatic
handwriting - have sold millions of copies. Xavier was born into a
poor family in Minas Gerais in 1910. He had a difficult childhood,
losing his mother at age five, but he soon showed psychic ability. He
began to sense messages from spirits and one of his sisters was healed
through Spiritist intervention.

As a young man, he began receiving documents through automatic
handwriting, where a spirit literally moves the hand that writes words
on paper. The literary output of Chico Xavier, covering many topics,
became popular literature in Brazil. Xavier never took a cent from the
sale of these books, instead becoming a one-man charitable institution
for the poor of his native land. There is no doubt he was a sincere
and saintly person and the many web sites (pretty much all in
Portuguese) dedicated to his memory (he died in 2002) attest to how
much he was loved and revered by Brazilians.

Spiritism is is the belief that spirits of the departed are all around
us and that the physical world is influenced by, and influences, the
spirit world. Much of its main ideas are in The Spirits Book, which
was compiled by Allan Kardec in France in the mid 19th century. The
Spiritist Doctrine was taken to Brazil by Brazilians educated in
France and there it took hold with the general population.

The books of Chico Xavier are generally unavailable in English, but an
organization called the Allan Kardec Education Association (AKES) has
as its goal the translation of as many as possible, given time and
funds, into the English language. Only two Chico Xavier books are
currently available and The Messengers becomes the third. I admit to
some personal excitement about this one because I had the privilege of
editing the book. I got a thorough advance look at this tale of the
afterlife from the spirit pen of Andre Luiz.

Nosso Lar
The book picks up the activities of Andre from a previous book, Nosso
Lar. In that book, Andre had been rescued by spirit helpers from the
"Lower Zone," an area of the astral plane that is close to earth and
where spirits who passed over in poor spiritual condition find
themselves. It is not a nice place to be, full of darkness, anger,
hatred and nasty spirits who lash out at each other. In his physical
life, Andre (who is called "Andy" in this book) had been a physician,
but had spent his life in selfish pursuits, with little empathy for
family or his patients. He had not had any particular religious
beliefs and knew little or nothing about Spiritism. But after years of
unhappy wandering in the Lower Zone, he regrets his past mistakes and,
desiring to find a better existence, is ready for help. That help
comes from rescuers from the astral colony of Nosso Lar, a place that
is actually a city full of spirits, all engaged in learning how to
help others. Mainly these helpers travel back to earth to assist
people who need spiritual help. Interestingly, Andre is rescued by an
angel named Clarence (think for a minute about the movie, It's a
Wonderful Life)

In The Messengers, Andy is studying with instructors in Nosso Lar to
become a helper, or messenger, to the people of earth. He listens to
lectures, talks with instructors, and is finally given an assignment,
along with another former physician, Vincent, to return to earth under
the care of an advanced worker, Aniceto. Aniceto tells Andy that the
task is difficult and that "we don't waste time whining or expecting
praise every time we do a good job."

Andy goes to a lecture at The Messenger Center in an auditorium filled
with other spirits and learns that most of the spirits sent to earth,
either in a physical body or as spirit helpers, have failed in their
assigned duties. The lecturer, Telesphor, paints a grim picture of the
tasks ahead. Since this manuscript was received during the 1940s, the
lecture includes reminders of the terrible war that rages on earth.
After the lecture, Andy lingers to hear the stories of some of the
other spirits in the audience. He mostly hears sad stories of past
failures. Andy is a bit shaken, but ready to move forward.

The Journey Back to Earth
He finally departs from Nosso Lar with Vincent and Aniceto. Advanced
spirits have the ability to move rapidly and safely from one place to
another, and there is a safe pathway back to earth, but Andy and
Vincent do not have enough spiritual energy to use this method, so
they must make the trip by a longer and more difficult method. They
come to a region that is dense, dark and a bit eerie. In this
forbidding place, Andy suddenly becomes aware that his spirit body is
radiating light! He is overwhelmed with joy at the realization that
his spiritual energy is increasing. But the journey continues until
they come ot an outpost surrounded by thick walls. This is a place of
light in the dark region dedicated to helping the unfortunate spirits
inhabiting this region. Here the messengers from Nosso Lar will rest
and visit with Alfred, the administrator of the outpost.

The outpost is an amazing place, where the spirit helpers who live
within its walls must defend against constant attacks from deranged
discarnates whose anger and hatred cause fierce magnetic storms. Only
within the walls can rescue and rehabilitation happen. The workers
within minister to many confused and sick spirits who are well enough
to receive help. They also have long wards of beds where the
"sleepers" lay, reliving their worst actions on earth in a dreamlike
state. Skilled workers assist these poor souls in an effort to awaken
them to the reality of their situation.

Andy meets Alfred and his beautiful wife, Ismalia, who lives in a
higher plane and is with Alfred only for a visit. Alfred has another
sad story to tell, about his life on earth and a friend who told a
false story about Ismalia, whom he had sexually harassed. A jealous
Alfred believed the stories and left Ismalia and his children and only
returned after Ismalia had passed on. When the man who had given false
witness was on his death bed, he told Alfred the truth. When Afred
passed on, he learned that Ismalia had worked to help him from the
other side. He wanted to be with her again, but, due to his need to
make amends, was only able to have her visit from time to time. Since
becoming administrator of the Outpost, he had been working diligently
to serve others.

Later we meet Paul, the man who had falsely accused Ismalia. He is
tortured by the memory of what he did (not only to Ismalia, but other
women as well) and the lives he helped ruin. We find that Alfred and
Ismalia have not only forgiven him but are now working to help him.
They are carrying out Jesus' dictum to do good to those who harm you.

Aniceto explains: "The criminal cannot run away from universal
justice, because the crime committed will be carried in his or her
conscience. On Earth or over here, each individual lives in the
reality of his or her own interior world. We all have to live with the
most intimate creations of our minds."

We meet other interesting characters at the Outpost and read about a
beautiful prayer ceremony where Ismalia's prayer produces "a profusion
of small bluish flowers" emanating from her heart and showering onto
those present. A spectacle of "special effects" along with music makes
this an event unique to the spirit world.

But soon the astral travelers continue their journey. It seems there
are many modes of transportation in the spirit world and in this case,
Alfred provides a car and driver to take the travelers through some
difficult areas ahead. They used "volitation" to get the rest of the
way to coast of Brazil. (Volitation is a method of "flying" - just
moving without using your feet).

Activities In Rio
Their final destination is a home in a poor section of Rio de Janeiro.
This home is occupied by a widow, Isabel, and her five children, but
is also a sort of "safe house" for spirit workers. Isabel has four
girls and a boy. The girls and their mother are tuned in to the
spirits around them, but the boy is different and takes no interest in
the spiritual activities of the home, causing sorrow for Isobel. We
learn a great deal about how spirits and humans interact from this
part of the story. We learn that much spiritual activity goes on at
night, when those in the body can leave their physical body and join
the spirits. Isabel's deceased husband, Isadore, joins her and other
incarnate persons also come, in their spirit bodies. Many spirit
helpers arrive at the home and Andy learns a lot about the activities
of these spirit helpers.

We learn that even on earth (maybe especially on earth), there are
demented spirits who try to disrupt the helpers. In fact, Andy is
amazed at the number of dark-looking spirits who seem to be everywhere
around town. He says that anywhere he went, there were easily as many
discarnates as people in the flesh. As Andy gains spiritual strength,
he is able to see more and more of what had been invisible to him before.
Here is an interesting conversation between Aniceto and Andy as they
rested in the countryside from their work:

       "But does the mental matter emitted by individuals also have a
life of its own, just like microbes that generate physical illnesses"?

       "And could it be any different? You both know that incarnated
humans are both physical and psychological beings. When one examines a
physical illness, one doesn't take into consideration only the
physiological situation, but also the psychological status of the
individual."

       "If the sick body produces millions of pathogenic
microorganisms, so does the sick mind launch millions of mental forms
into the environment. In this way, when it comes to people who have no
knowledge of spiritual realities, not only the bodies, but also the
minds, become ill. "

And another interesting passage from the same section of the story:

       "As we all know, no living creature could survive on Earth
without nitrogen. Although humans move around in an ocean of nitrogen
and breathe in approximately one thousand liters per day, they cannot
absorb it directly from the air. For the time being, God has not
permitted the development of cells in the human body which are capable
of spontaneously absorbing nitrogen, such as is the case for oxygen.
It is only the plant kingdom which is capable of removing nitrogen
from the soil and fixing it, so that other beings can live. Each grain
of wheat is a blessing, and each fruit is a receptacle of sugar and
albumin, loaded with indispensable nitrogen. All farming and cattle
ranches are nothing more than the organized and methodological search
for this precious element. If humans could fix only a small part of
the nitrogen that they take in daily, Earth would be transformed into
a true spiritual paradise. But if the Lord gives us much, it is also
reasonable that He expects us to collaborate and make an effort
towards our own happiness. Even in "Nosso Lar", we are far from being
able to absorb our nutrition entirely from the air. And humanity, my
friends, transforms the search for nitrogen into a mayhem of
uncontrolled passions, hurting and being hurt, offending and being
offended, enslaving and becoming enslaved, always surrounded by
darkness …"

Giving Assistance
Finally, Andy attends a special meeting at the home of Isabel. It is
meant as a rehabilitation process for the many suffering spirits who
the helpers bring to the meeting. Aniceto explains that the
anguished-looking spirits being helped into the house are living in a
world of their own making. He says:

       "The concept of the oneness of the universe is a vision not all
can grasp, and it can cost a high price that we are not always willing
to pay. We find it tough to do away with old habits and get on the
right path. Under these circumstances, once we discarnate, the
environment that we will find ourselves in will be full of the mental
creations that we lived with while incarnated. Consequently, it's
logical that those who thought and talked about nothing else but their
illnesses will find themselves enslaved to these thoughts once in the
spiritual world."

The helpers begin to provide "magnetic treatments" to the sick
spirits. Andy joins in this work and finds he has cured a spirit of
her blindness. He is startled as she says to him, "Who are you,
Messenger of God?" Andy is naturally shaken by this experience.
Aniceto tells him not to be affected by the woman's natural reaction
and go on with his work and Andy finds he is not successful with
everyone he tries to heal.

At the meeting are also people in the flesh, and several engage in a
conversation about the work of mediums. There is a discussion of
"phony mediums" and other problems with the process. We learn that
good communication between the physical and spiritual planes depends
on a lot of factors and can be disrupted by bad intentions or the
presence of individuals not ready for serious communication. It is an
imperfect process with many pitfalls.

Aniceto, Andy and Vincent are called to help a woman who has just died
and is afraid to leave her physical body. She is in the morgue, lying
on a slab, with the spirit of a young man who loved her close by,
trying to coax her from her body. Aniceto takes over and tells the
women that he is a doctor who has a new treatment. The woman is
relieved and says she has had a bad dream in which she died and saw
her fiancé. Aniceto tells her "Death doesn't exist...just believe in
life" They go on to help another dying man, whose spirit mother is by
him, trying to help him separate. He too is helped to peacefully pass
to the world of spirit.

Finally, Andy's first experience as a Messenger was over, and it was
time to return to Nosso Lar.

The story of Andy's experiences as a Messenger makes interesting
reading and as you can see from this summary, there are many ideas in
this material that are generally unfamiliar, such as: The spirit world
has colonies and outposts; spirits travel by flying, walking and even
by vehicles; spirits are all around us and can influence us; spirits
assist us when we are dying so we can separate from our bodies;
spirits use magnetic healing.

The Messengers comes with an Introduction, a Prologue and a Preface.
There is also a glossary in the back that gives more information on
Spiritist concepts.

To purchase a copy, see the Allan Kardec Educational Association
(AKES) website

Personal Note: I had the privilege of introducing The Messengers at
the book launch on July 9 at the Community Church of New York. The
audience filled the church as several speakers gave their views on the
life of Chico Xavier. I gave a fifteen minute talk on the adventures
of Andre Luiz as told in The Messengers, explaining that the truths in
this manuscript are the same as many very ancient spiritual traditions
and also bear a striking resemblance to the revelations in the
Readings of Edgar Cayce.

The main speaker was the very dynamic Divaldo Franco, who spoke in
Portuguese. Those of us who don't know that language had headphones
with a simultaneous translation. It was clear that many in the
audience DID know Portuguese, as many were Brazilian. Spiritism is
primarily a Brazilian movement, but a number of organizations in the
US are working to bring its literature to an English-speaking
audience. The Spiritism Group of New York is one of those organizations.

Francisco C. Xavier Biography

Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society June 2002 Great Exponents of
Spiritism
(From "Eusapia, The "Witch", L Palhano Jr, 1995, Brazilian Edition)

Francisco C�ndido Xavier, or Chico Xavier, as he is known in Brazil,
is considered the most prolific psychographic medium of all time. He
was born in Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 2 April 1910. He
has lived in the town of Uberaba since 1959. He only completed his
primary studies and worked as a shop assistant and later as a modest
civil servant. He has been retired since 1958. He had a difficult
childhood and the need to work from an early age was, in his words,
"an indescribable blessing."

His first Spiritist meeting was in May 1927. Two months later he
started to exercise his mediumship publicly, at the age of 17. In 1931
he saw his mentor Emmanuel for the first time. In those early days,
Emmanuel asked Chico if he was really willing to work on mediumship
with Jesus. He said he was, if the Good Spirits stayed with him.
Emmanuel said he would not be forsaken, but added that he needed to
work, study and make efforts for goodness. Chico asked Emmanuel if he
thought he was up to the task. Emmanuel replied: "Certainly, provided
you try and respect the three basic points in this Service…" As the
benefactor remained silent, the young man asked: "What is the first
one?" "Discipline", Emmanuel replied. "And the second one?"
"Discipline" was the answer. "And the third one?" "Discipline". The
medium remembers another important teaching he received in those early
days:

"I remember that in one of his first contacts with me, Emmanuel told
me that he intended to work with me for a long time, but that I should
above all, try to follow the teachings of Jesus and the lessons of
Allan Kardec. He added that if one day he taught me something that was
not in accordance with Jesus or Kardec, then I should stay with Jesus
and Kardec, and try to forget him."

In 1932, the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB) published his first
book, "Parnassus of the Beyond". Today his published books count more
than 400. Several are translated into English, Esperanto, French,
Greek, Japanese, etc. Always simple and humble, he has never profited
in any way from his mediumship. He has withstood criticism and mockery
of all possible sorts with true Christian resignation. With the medium
Waldo Vieira, he travelled to the United States and Europe, where they
visited England, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, always serving the
Spiritist Doctrine. From the books he has published, over 12 million
copies have been sold, only of those edited by FEB, which count 88.
His historical novels, "2000 Years Ago", "50 Years Later", "Hail,
Christ" and "Paul and Stephen", prompted the author Roberto Macedo to
write the book "Historical-Geographic Vocabulary of Emmanuel's
Novels", in which the writer explains the historical events contained
in those books.

The Andr� Luiz collection of books is at one time revealing, doctrinal
and scientific. The 15 books in great part complete previous works
about life after discarnation by authors such as Swedenborg, A.
Jackson Davis, Reverend G Vale Owen and others. The books "Nosso Lar –
A Spiritual Home" and "And Life Goes On", already available in
English, are part of that collection.

In 1997, Francisco C. Xavier completed 70 years of continuous
mediumistic activity. Until that year he received more than 400 books,
by hundreds of Spiritual authors, about the most diverse subjects and
in various styles, including poems, chronicles, novels and short
stories about general and Brazilian History, science, philosophy,
religion, children's books, etc.

He has dedicated days and nights to his brothers and sisters in
humanity. Health problems in his youth and middle age, including eye
problems and surgeries, have not stopped him from fulfilling his
mission to assist those in need. His outlook is only one: love of his
neighbors, disinterest in material gains and a constant and exclusive
concern with other people's happiness.

Chico Xavier is a gift from Above to our troubled times, enriching our
values with his life of true Christian spirit.
Note: Chico Xavier passed away on 30th of June 2002.

Good afternoon all!

Just a quick note to thank few friends who have donate books for the
Allan Kardec Spiritist Group of New Zealand.

1-Seed of Lights (Sidney-Australia) - http://www.seedoflight.org.au/

2-INSTITUIÇÃO FRATERNAL SORRISO DE CRIANÇA
Responsáveis: Zélia ou Carmerival
Rua Caravelas, 377 - bairro Jardim Acácia
Feira de Santana - Bahia - Brasil
Fones: (75) 3225-7479 e 3221-5021

3-Alaide Policarpo from Belo Horizonte - Brazil

The new books are now available on our local library...

Portuguese titles
Encontro com a paz e a saúde - Divaldo Franco - Joanna de Ângelis
Iniciação Espírita (Various writers)
Gestão à luz do afeto - Anabela Sabino
Estrelas são olhos de Deus - Fátima Moura - João Clemêncio
O destino em suas mãos - Richard Simonetti
A barca do destino - Amilcar del chiaro Filho
Testemunho de Amor - Eni de Carvalho Rocha Costa - Antonio Carlos
Borelli Jr
O Redentor - Edgard Armond
Entendendo o Espiritismo  - Curso Básico

English
And life goes on - Francisco Xavier - André Luis
Heaven and Hell - Allan Kardec
Genesis - Allan Kardec


Thank you so much

Allan Kardec Spiritist Group of New Zealand

Francisco de Paula Candido Xavier


     Birth: April 2, 1910 in Pedro Leopoldo, Brazil

     Death: June 30, 2002 in Uberaba, Brazil
     BIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

     Famous Brazilian Spiritist medium. (Spiritism, the Brazilian form
of Spiritualism, stems from the teachings of French Spiritist Allan
Kardec.) Known throughout Brazil as ``Chico Xavier'' (pronounced
Sheeko Shaveer), he was born April 2, 1910, in the town of Pedro
Leopoldo in the central state of Minas Gerais. He was one of a family
of nine children. His mother died when he was only five, but Chico saw
her materialize after her death, and during his period at primary
school three years later, be became accustomed to hearing voices and
sensing spirit presences.

     He won an honorable mention for an essay contest with an entry
that appeared to be dictated to him by a spirit form. On being
challenged to produce another ``spirit essay,'' he went straight to
the blackboard and started writing a profound statement on the theme
suggested, after which the teacher recommended he stop talking about
spirit voices and pray on conventional Catholic lines.

     He became a practicing medium in 1927 soon after one of his
sisters was cured of apparent possession through the efforts of a
healing medium. The whole Xavier family became Spiritists, and the
medium's wife, Carmen Perácio, founded an evangelical Spiritist
center, where Xavier manifested an ability for automatic writing. At
one of these sessions, Perácio had a vision of a priestly spirit,
``Emmanuel,'' who became Xavier's spirit guide thereafter. Xavier's
mediumship continued in the form of automatic writing from spirit
dictation.

     Although nearly blind in one eye through most of his life and with
only a rudimentary primary education, Xavier produced a prodigious
number of books recognizably in the style of hundreds of deceased
Brazilian and Portuguese authors whose works he had never had the
opportunity to study.

     In addition, he visited invalids in the district and undertook
voluntary social work at his Pedro Leopoldo Spiritist Center at
Uberaba. Hundreds of visitors came to this center for a personal
message delivered by Xavier in trance, with instructions on individual
problems, whether spiritual or medical. He has written some 130 books,
of which over 3,000,000 copies have been sold in 415 editions. Some of
these books have been translated into Spanish, French, Japanese,
Esperanto, and English.

     His book Evolucão em dois mundos (Evolution in Two Worlds, 1959)
was written in collaboration with Dr. Waldo Vieira, who lived 250
miles away. The chapters were written alternately in uniform style and
continuity, and the work took only forty days. It contained scientific
concepts beyond the medium's understanding, suggesting to many that
such information does not come from the medium's subconscious.
Brazilian Spiritists follow Allan Kardec in clearly distinguishing
between escrita automatica (automatic writing involving the medium's
subconscious) and psiografia (involving a spirit entity).

     In spite of the enormous popularity of his prodigious literary
output, Xavier never accepted payment for any of his books and even
disclaimed personal credit by the phrase ``dictated by the spirit
of-'' on the title page.

     He left Brazil only on two occasions. In 1965 and 1966 he made
brief trips to Spiritualist centers abroad and a pilgrimage to the
tomb of Allan Kardec in Paris, France. He appeared on Brazilian
television programs, but remained a modest, sincere individual who
devoted his psychic gift to the service of mankind. He was made an
honorary citizen of São Paulo in 1973, and was similarly honored by
other cities and towns in Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, Uberada,
Campinas, and São Bernardo. In 1977, the government of Brazil endorsed
Xavier's half century as a medium by issuing a postage stamp in his
honor. This official recognition of Spiritism is unique to Brazil; the
government has also issued postage stamps honoring Allan Kardec and
his teachings.
     Sources:

     Xavier, Francisco Candido. Christian Agenda. London: Regency
Press, 1970.

     ------. The World of the Spirit. New York: Philosophical Library, n.d.



         The above writeup was reproduced by permission from "Francisco
Candido Xavier." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, 5th ed.
Edited by J. Gordon Melton, 2001.

     ------------
     Additional Biographies and Obituaries:

     Chico of the Spirits - Obituary from Brazzil.com
     Chico Xavier - Brazil's leading medium, his many books were
dictated by the dead. (Obituary)
     The Pope of Spiritism - a tribute on his passing
     The Most Prolific Spiritist Medium in Brazil, Francisco de Paula
Candido Xavier, returns to the Spiritual Plane - by Antonio Leite &
Renan Lacerda from spiritists/geae.inf.br
     Francisco Candido Xavier - biography from thefreedictionary.com
     Francisco Candido Xavier - biography from occultopedia.com
     Brazilian Medium Francisco Xavier - from ieja.org

     Works via Chico Xavier translated into English

     And life goes on--. (Original Portuguese title: E A Vida Continua)
Philadelphia, PA : Allan Kardec Educational Society, 2000
     Children From The Beyond. (Original Portuguese title: Crianças no
Além) - Francisco C. Xavier & Caio Ramacciotii
     Christian agenda. (Original Portuguese title: Agenda Cristã).
Translated by: George C. Hart and Evelyn R. Morales, London : Regency
Press, 1970
     Disobsession. (Original Portuguese title: Desobsessão) - Andre
Luiz & Fransciso C. Xavier
     Translated by: Tânia Stevanin, Jussara Korngold and Maria Levinson
     "Nosso Lar", the astral city, the story of a doctor's odyssey in
the spirit world. Elon College, N.C., Christian Spirit Center, 1986
     Our Daily Bread - (Original Portuguese title: Pão Nosso). Emmanuel
& Francisco C. Xavier. Translated by: J. Korngold and M. Levinson
     The world of the spirit. via Francisco C. Xavier & Waldo Vieira,
New York, Philosophical Library, 1966

     Works via Chico Xavier in Portuguese

     Chico Xavier - Site Oficial (Portuguese) - free downloads of some
books in Portuguese

     Os 3 caminhos de HÈcate: crÙnicas do Irmo Saulo. Sao Paulo, 196?
     AÁo e reaÁo. Rio de Janeiro, 1956
     Alma e coraÁo, pelo espÌrito de Emmanuel. Sao Paulo, 1969
     Amanhece. [Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil], 1976
     Amor sem adeus. Araras, Brasil, 1978
     Antologia de espiritualidade. Rio [de Janeiro] 1971
     Antologia dos imortais, poetas diversos. Rio de Janiero, 1963
     Antologia mediúnica do Natal: espÌritos diversos. Rio, 1967
     Astronautas do alÈm. Sao Paulo, 1973
     Auta de Souza. Sao Paulo, 1976
     Ave, Cristo; romance ditado pelo espÌrito de Emmanuel. Rio de
Janeiro, 1966
     Baú de casos. Sao Paulo, 1977
     BÍnÁo de paz: pelo espÌrito de Emmanuel. Sao Paulo, 1971
     Bezerra, Chico e vocÍ [Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil], 1973
     Brasil, coraÁo do mundo, p·tria do evangelho. Rio de Janeiro, 1957
     Busca e achar·s [Saõ Paulo, Brasil ], 1976
     A caminho da luz: histÛria da civilizaÁo. Rio de Janeiro, 1945
     A caminho da luz; histÛria da civilizaÁo luz do espiritismo. Rio
de Janeiro, 1961
     Caminhos de volta [Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil], 1975
     A caninho da Luz, histÛria da civilizaco. Rio de Janeiro, 1945
     Caridade. Araras, Brasil, 1978
     Castro Alves fala terra: antologia. Sao Paulo, Brasil, 1971
     Cho de flores [Sso Paulo], 1975
     Chico Xavier: a vida s as obras. Sao Paulo, 1987
     Chico Xavier: dos hippies aos problemas do mundo. Sao Paulo, SP, 1990
     Chico Xavier, mandato de amor Belo Horizonte: UEM, 1992
     Chico Xavier no Pinga Fogo. Sao Paulo, 1971
     Chico Xavier pede licenÁa; um aparte do alÈm nos di·logos da
terra. Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil], 1972
     Chico Xavier--dos hippies aos problemas do mundo. Sao Paulo, 1972
     Coisas deste mundo. Sao Paulo 1977
     Companheiro. Araras, 1979
     Consolador. Rio De Janeiro, 1955
     Contos Desta e Doutra Vida: Pelo Espirito Irmo X. Brasil, 1990
     Conversa firme. Uberaba [Brasil], 1976
     Correio fraterno [obra mediúnica] por diversos espÌritos. Rio [de
Janeiro], 1970
     D·divas espirituais. Sao Paulo, 1994
     Desobsesso, pelo espÌrito de AndrÈ Luiz. Rio [de Janeiro], 1964
     Deus sempre. Sao Paulo, 1976
     Di·logo dos vivos [Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil], 1974
     Dicion·rio da alma. MÈier, GB, 1964
     DoaÁões de amor: [Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil], 1992
     Os dois maiores amores [Sao Bernando do Campo, SP], 1983
     E a vida continua . Rio de Janeiro, 1968
     Encontros no tempo. Araras, Brasil, 1979
     Entrevistas. Araras, SP, Brasil, 1975
     Enxugando l·grimas: espÌritos diversos. Araras, Brasil, 1979
     O espÌrito da verdade, autores diversos. Rio de Janeiro, 1970
     O espÌrito de CornÈlio Pires; antologia poÈtica. Rio [de Janeiro],
1965
     Estante da vida; [crÙnicas] Ditado pelo espÌrito de Irmo x. Rio, 1969
     Estude e viva, pelos espÌritos de Emmanuel e AndrÈ Luiz. Rio, 1965
     Filhos voltando. Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP, 1982
     Gotas de Luz. Rio [de Janeiro], RJ, Brasil, 1987
     H· dois mil anos . romance de Emmanuel. Rio de Janeiro, 1944
     Ideias e ilustraÁões; espÌritos diversos. Rio, 1970
     Igrejas e cassarões do. Rio Grande do Norte. Natal, 1973
     Instrumentos do tempo [Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil], 1974
     Jesus no lar, Rio de Janeiro, 1958
     Jovens no alÈm. Sao Bernardo do Campo, 1975
     JustiÁa divina, pelo espÌrito de Emmanuel. Rio de Janeiro, 1962
     Leis de amor. Sao Paulo, 1965
     Lira imortal: poesias. Sao Paulo, 1966
     Luz acima . Rio de Janeiro, 1948
     Mais luz, pelo espÌrito de BatuÌra. Sao Paulo, 1970
     Mos marcadas: espÌritos diversos. Araras [Brasil], 1973
     Mos unidas. Araras, Brasil, 1979
     Mecanismos da mediunidade; Rio de Janeiro, 1960
     Os mensageiros: pelo espÌrito AndrÈ Luiz. Rio, 1944
     Mission·rios da luz: ditado pelo espÌrito AndrÈ Luiz. Rio de
Janeiro, 1945
     Na era do espÌrito. Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brasil, 1973
     Na hora do testemunho. Sao Paolo, Brasil, 1978
     Natal de Sabina. Sao Bernardo do Campo, [Brasil], 1973
     No portal da luz; ditado pelo espÌrito de Emmanuel. Uberaba, 1967
     Nos domÌnios da mediunidade. Rio [de Janeiro] GB, Brasil, 1954
     Nosso lar, ditado pelo espÌrito de AndrÈ Luiz. Rio de Janeiro, 1944
     Obreiros da vida eterna: ditado pelo espÌrito AndrÈ Luiz. Rio de
Janeiro, 1946
     Opinio espÌrita: ditado pelos espÌritos de Emmanuel e AndrÈ Luiz.
Uberaba, [Brasil], 1963
     Orvalho de luz (trovas mediúnicas); trovadores diversos. Uberaba
[Brazil], 1969
     Palavras de Emmanuel: conceitos e pensamentos extraÌdos das obras
ditadas. Rio [de Janeiro], Brasil, 1954
     Parnaso de alÈm-túmulo :autores espirituais diversos: Rio [de
Janeiro], RJ, Brasil, 1978
     Passos da vida; espiritos diversos. Uberaba [Brazil], 1972
     Paulo e EstÍvo: episÛdios histÛricos do christianismo primitivo.
Rio-RJ, Brasil, 1941
     Recanto de paz. [Rio de Janeiro], 1976
     Religio dos espÌritos, Rio de Janeiro, 1961
     Respostas da vida. [Sao Paulo], 1976
     Rosas com amor. Araras, [Brasil], 1979
     Seara dos mÈdiuns; Rio de Janeiro, 1961
     Sexo e destino. Rio, RJ, Brasil, 1963
     Somos seis. Sao Bernardo do Campo, 1976
     A terra e o semeador. Araras, Brasil, 1975
     Testemunhos de Chico Xavier. Rio-RJ, Brasil, 1986
     Trovadores do alÈm: antologia. Rio [de Janeiro], 1965
     Trovas do outro mundo; trovadores diversos. Rio de Janiero, 1968
     Vida e sexo. Ditado pelo espÌrito de Emmanuel. Rio [de Janeiro], 1970
     A vida escreve: ditado pelo espÌrito de Hil·rio Silva. Rio de
Janeiro, 1963
     Volta Bocage; sonetos do Espirito de Manuel Maria de Barbosa du
Bocage. Rio de Janeiro, 1947
     Vozes do grande alÈm. Rio de Janeiro, 1957

DIVINE LIGHT


Once upon a time, there was a very young Captain who had just
graduated from the Navy school and was serving in a great battle ship.

His fleet was performing exercises in an archipelago, among thousands
of islands. It was already dusk and the weather was terrible, with
dense fog and very poor visibility.

Suddenly the watchman informed the captain about a light blinking on
the right-hand side. The Captain asked him whether the light was still
or moving.

The watchman confirmed it was still and that they were heading for a
collision.

The Captain sent a message to what he assumed to be a vessel informing
it was on a collision course and that it should change immediately its
course in twenty degrees.

The following message returned: "It is best if you change your course
immediately ".

The Captain thought the crew of the other ship didn't know who he was
and transmitted another message: "This is the Commander speaking.
Please change your course in twenty degrees."

Another message came: " I am a second-class sailor, Sir and I am
alerting you that is necessary for you to change the course of your
ship ".

The Captain got extremely mad and sent his final message: "I am in
command of the most important ship of this fleet. We cannot maneuver
this fast. Change your course immediately. This is an order!"

A final message came: "Sir, I can not change my route because this is
the Lighthouse and I am just a lighthouse keeper."

Along humans' evolution, many were the times when men who occupied
important and prominent positions were overcome with arrogance and
vanity, to the point of not noticing the reality surrounding them.

History registered countless of those situations, but the most
celebrated one has happened to Jesus.

When the Master of Nazareth stood before the powerful doctors of the
law - those who felt themselves above good and evil - as a light
illuminating the dark night of their hearts, he was crucified.

Those men did not admit that a simple carpenter, a man without titles
nor material wealth, could indicate them the direction they should
turn in order to avoid a shipwreck in the darkness of their own darkness.

Invested with transitory powers and terrestrial glories, they closed
their eyes for the great light that came upon Earth to illuminate our
consciences and perfume our hearts.

Blinded by the shinning gold, they disdained the most precious
treasure ever given to mankind.

Pseudo-wise people, deceived by arrogance of false knowledge, despised
The One who was and is the wisest person mankind has ever known.

Blinded by race and religion discrimination, they did not accept the
orientation of the Sublime Light that came to this world of poverty to
drive their disoriented ship to a safe port of a different reign - a
reign that He himself had exemplified.

And despite all the resistance offered by the powerful ones of today
and yesterday, the Divine Light continues to guide all those who,
tired of struggling in the dark night of sufferings and in the storms
generated by ignorance, want to arrive at a safe port.

And it will continue to be like this, until all the sheep return to
His sublime shelter... Until the end of times, according to what He
affirmed.



*   *   *

Jesus is a star of first greatness.



On Earth, He made himself a humble carpenter to get closer to the
painful hearts of those who were willing to satiate the thirst of hope
and follow His bright steps.

Though disdained by many, He continues to be the great source of Light
that leads us to the Father, through His bright teachings.



Text written by the Spiritist Moment Team, based on a story by unknown
author. Translated by P.H.Medeiros.

If you bring in your spirit sensations of pessimism and sadness then
give yourself a break in order to reflect.

If someone has offended you, forgive.

If you have hurt the feelings of anyone then reconsider your attitude.

Setbacks are part of the world and they will be wherever you are.

Difficult relatives are found in any family.

Work is a Law of the Universe.

Discipline is the support for education.

Disappointing circumstances are like clouds, which appear in any sky
of any climate.

Revolt, in relation to pathways and decisions that one takes are
obstacles and challenges in the path of those who desire balance and work.

To please everyone at the same time is an impossible task.

Separations and renewals represent inevitable imperative for a
spiritual progress.

Changes are similar to a treatment of the soul, just like adjustments
and readjustments are necessary to life.

Inner conflicts reach any person who aspires to elevation.

Today's failures are lessons for tomorrow's wisdom.

Problems are present in the existence of those who do not accept
stagnation.

By understanding the reality of every person who aspires to happiness,
peace, improvement an renewal and, every time that suggestions of
pessimism visit our soul, let us rectify in ourselves what should be
corrected and, by embracing the work that life gave us for fulfilment,
let us go forward.

Emmanuel

Hello everybody

When you get a chance, please watch the following two videos which
have been showed in America last week.


http://www.ssbaltimore.org/Photos/2007/Symposium/videos.html


Peace and love,

Vanessa Berry
Allan Kardec Spiritist Group of New Zealand

LET US BE SIMPLE

"Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of
such is the kingdom of
heaven." Jesus. (Luke 18:16.)
Progress arises from the constant succession of varied labors on all
fronts of human
activity.
One effort accompanies another, one objective more highly perfected
modifies man's
movements.
Life after life, generation after generation, humanity goes on
receiving light and
polishing.
All future life, therefore, depends inevitably on the present life,
all future harvests depend
upon the present sowing.
Infancy, therefore, signifies the vibrations of hope in future days,
notwithstanding the
fragility which characterizes it.
The ingenuousness of thoughts and mildness of ways endow the child
with the traces of
sentimental virginity necessary to the spirit for climbing the higher
stages of evolution. That is
why the Lord with great propriety chose childhood as the symbol of
purity indispensable to the
sustenance of being in the Greater Life.
In the period of childhood we find incontrovertible proofs that the
soul possesses, in its
own essence, the potential conditions for the angelic state.
It is urgent, therefore, that we learn how to live with this
simplicity of children in the
route to maturity, renouncing the inferior expressions of selfishness
and pride, of cunning and
cruelty which we so often hide behind gestures of apparent nobility.
In the kingdom of God, no one grows up to be evil.
Let us be simple, living spontaneous good.
Therefore, observe in yourself the positive signals you conserve from
infancy as an index
of the moral values for the upward journey.
Be a child in relation to the evil which perturbs and strikes,
realizing the maturity of your
feelings in the creation of pure love, for only in pure love shall we
find access to the Eternal
Sublimation to which we are destined.

Emmanuel
THE WORLD OF THE SPIRIT
FRANCISCO CÂNDIDO XAVIER
and
WALDO VIEIRA

NÃO FUJA DO DEVER


Todo ser humano enfrenta períodos difíceis em sua vida.
Há momentos em que a esperança parece desaparecer no horizonte.
Nessas oportunidades, todos os sonhos e planos periclitam.
A harmonia familiar, tão cuidadosamente construída, sucumbe a brigas.
A carreira, tratada com o máximo carinho, passa a ser motivo de tormento.
A saúde, habitualmente vigorosa, torna-se frágil e vacilante.
Amigos de longa data se afastam por conta de desentendimentos fortuitos.
Muitas vezes é possível identificar uma falha no próprio comportamento que
desencadeou a catástrofe.
Uma leviandade, uma palavra mal posta, falta de dedicação ou de carinho
podem ter levado à desarmonia.
Nesses casos, torna-se evidente o que deve ser corrigido, a fim de evitar
novas crises.
Mas às vezes não há causa visível para uma tragédia que se abate.
É o trabalhador dedicado e honesto que se torna desempregado.
O marido fiel e atencioso traído pela esposa.
O filho amado e cercado de atenção que sucumbe às drogas e causa infinitas
aflições aos pais.
A amizade antiga que termina por conta de fofocas.
Em outras oportunidades, a vida parece exigir uma quota muito grande de
esforços.
A doença de um familiar consome vastos recursos financeiros.
Além disso, o doente exige atenção e cuidados constantes.
A manutenção de um negócio torna-se árdua e pouco rentável.
O patrão revela-se exigente e avaro.
Trabalhar converte-se em uma penitência.
A união da família só se mantém a custo de inauditos esforços.
Entre incompreensões e dificuldades, a tarefa parece hercúlea.
Muitas vezes, há uma saída fácil.
Em outras, isso não ocorre.
Perante um familiar doente, um filho drogado, o único emprego
disponível que
se torna árduo, o que fazer?
Em tais situações, tem-se um regime severo imposto pela vida.
Se não há causas identificáveis na presente existência, elas se
encontram no
passado.
O destino das criaturas não é regido pelo acaso.
Em face de situações inelutáveis e graves, não se sinta uma vítima.
Pense que você está tendo oportunidade de redimir-se perante sua própria
consciência.
O sacrifício atual representa a liberação de uma antiga dívida.
O familiar que reclama atenção e cuidados pode ter sido outrora levado por
você ao vício e à degradação.
Ajudá-lo hoje não representa um favor, mas a reparação de um erro.
Talvez o chefe insensato tenha sido um explorado servo seu no pretérito.
Se ele não teve a força necessária para superar o episódio, cabe a você
entendê-lo e desculpá-lo.
Os recursos financeiros que hoje lhe faltam devem ter sido esbanjados
outrora.
Seja digno em face das dificuldades que a vida lhe apresenta.
Elas correspondem às suas exatas necessidades de aprendizado e reparação.
Não pense em abandonar o barco, em fugir do dever.
As leis divinas não podem ser burladas.
Elas sempre dão o justo retorno ao mérito e aos equívocos.
Se alguém o trair ou prejudicar, perdoe.
Aja com grandeza e feche o ciclo da dor.
Aprenda a viver e a servir com alegria, mesmo por entre dificuldades.
Para seguir adiante é preciso acertar-se com o passado.

Equipe de Redação do Momento Espírita







----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedimos a sua atenção para o fato de o Momento em Casa não ser um serviço
diário.  São enviadas,  em média,  3 a 4 mensagens no decorrer da semana.
As mensagens do Momento Espírita também estão disponíveis em CD's e
livros,
em http://www.livrariamundoespirita.com.br
Se não desejar mais receber nossos textos em seu e-mail acesse:
http://casa.momento.com.br/ e selecione retirar.



Todo ser humano enfrenta períodos difíceis em sua vida.
Há momentos em que a esperança parece desaparecer no horizonte.
Nessas oportunidades, todos os sonhos e planos periclitam.
A harmonia familiar, tão cuidadosamente construída, sucumbe a brigas.
A carreira, tratada com o máximo carinho, passa a ser motivo de tormento.
A saúde, habitualmente vigorosa, torna-se frágil e vacilante.
Amigos de longa data se afastam por conta de desentendimentos fortuitos.
Muitas vezes é possível identificar uma falha no próprio comportamento que
desencadeou a catástrofe.
Uma leviandade, uma palavra mal posta, falta de dedicação ou de carinho
podem ter levado à desarmonia.
Nesses casos, torna-se evidente o que deve ser corrigido, a fim de evitar
novas crises.
Mas às vezes não há causa visível para uma tragédia que se abate.
É o trabalhador dedicado e honesto que se torna desempregado.
O marido fiel e atencioso traído pela esposa.
O filho amado e cercado de atenção que sucumbe às drogas e causa infinitas
aflições aos pais.
A amizade antiga que termina por conta de fofocas.
Em outras oportunidades, a vida parece exigir uma quota muito grande de
esforços.
A doença de um familiar consome vastos recursos financeiros.
Além disso, o doente exige atenção e cuidados constantes.
A manutenção de um negócio torna-se árdua e pouco rentável.
O patrão revela-se exigente e avaro.
Trabalhar converte-se em uma penitência.
A união da família só se mantém a custo de inauditos esforços.
Entre incompreensões e dificuldades, a tarefa parece hercúlea.
Muitas vezes, há uma saída fácil.
Em outras, isso não ocorre.
Perante um familiar doente, um filho drogado, o único emprego
disponível que
se torna árduo, o que fazer?
Em tais situações, tem-se um regime severo imposto pela vida.
Se não há causas identificáveis na presente existência, elas se
encontram no
passado.
O destino das criaturas não é regido pelo acaso.
Em face de situações inelutáveis e graves, não se sinta uma vítima.
Pense que você está tendo oportunidade de redimir-se perante sua própria
consciência.
O sacrifício atual representa a liberação de uma antiga dívida.
O familiar que reclama atenção e cuidados pode ter sido outrora levado por
você ao vício e à degradação.
Ajudá-lo hoje não representa um favor, mas a reparação de um erro.
Talvez o chefe insensato tenha sido um explorado servo seu no pretérito.
Se ele não teve a força necessária para superar o episódio, cabe a você
entendê-lo e desculpá-lo.
Os recursos financeiros que hoje lhe faltam devem ter sido esbanjados
outrora.
Seja digno em face das dificuldades que a vida lhe apresenta.
Elas correspondem às suas exatas necessidades de aprendizado e reparação.
Não pense em abandonar o barco, em fugir do dever.
As leis divinas não podem ser burladas.
Elas sempre dão o justo retorno ao mérito e aos equívocos.
Se alguém o trair ou prejudicar, perdoe.
Aja com grandeza e feche o ciclo da dor.
Aprenda a viver e a servir com alegria, mesmo por entre dificuldades.
Para seguir adiante é preciso acertar-se com o passado.

Equipe de Redação do Momento Espírita







----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedimos a sua atenção para o fato de o Momento em Casa não ser um serviço
diário.  São enviadas,  em média,  3 a 4 mensagens no decorrer da semana.
As mensagens do Momento Espírita também estão disponíveis em CD's e
livros,
em http://www.livrariamundoespirita.com.br
Se não desejar mais receber nossos textos em seu e-mail acesse:
http://casa.momento.com.br/ e selecione retirar.

Lord!

We do not ask you to release us from necessary trials but we beg your
mercy so that we may have strength to overcome them.

We do not ask you to eradicate the problems that we carry along the
way; however, we expect the support of your love so that we may
resolve them based on our own efforts.

We do not ask you to remove adversaries who make our journey difficult
hence obscuring our pathway; however, we count on you yo help is so
that we learn to respect them, thus making a worthwhile use of their
oppression.

We do not ask you to have immunity against disillusionments that may
appear in out path, but we implore your aid so that, without revolt,
we may accept their edifying and liberating purpose.

We do not supplicate you to exempt us from tears and atonements,
however, we beg your benevolence so that we may cease their bitterness
thus assimilating their lessons!

Lord, may we thank your protection and goodness in times of joy
triumph. However, in days of affliction and failure, may we have the
light of your care and bless!

Emmanuel (spirit)
Francisco Xavier (medium)
"Courage" (book)
Spiritist Group of Brighton

In Truth, our Christian - Spiritist group of work is similar to a
farmland.

The souls in suffering, who search for us, are like a flooded land
whose draining task belongs to us.

Aggressive and rude observers are like thorn bushes that should be
removed without disturbance.

Members who usually enjoy mental idleness are similar to a dry land
and it is up to us to carry out the task of irrigating it with kindness.

Persons of good character but vacillating in terms of faith are like
fragile seeds that need support until time itself may strengthen them.

Irritated colleagues who are easily annoyed are similar to bushes of a
terrible aspect, when they are attacked by agricultural plagues.

Dreamer~s brothers and sisters, who are good in giving ideas, but
inefficient at putting them into practice, are like unproductive flowers.

People who are always asking for something, but never move a finger to
do any good work, are similar to unproductive foliages that we should
bear with patience.

Friends who occupy themselves making use of sarcasm and gossip are
like scavenging birds that eat the seeds on a ploughed land.

However, a friend who is willing to serve is a sower who goes to sow
with Jesus. He does help by putting into practice the Divine Program,
thus preparing a pathway of Love and Wisdom, in favour of Mankind for
a better future.

Andre Luiz (spirit)
Francisco Xavier (medium)
"Courage" (book)
Spiritist Group Of Brighton (publisher)

Laziness maintains our mind unoccupied and our hands idle.

An unoccupied mind and idle hands always find untidiness.

Untidiness results in time without discipline.

Time without discipline leads to a lack of vigilance.

This lack of vigilance then supports useless conversation.

Useless conversation only makes the darkness of spiritual blindness
even denser.

Spiritual blindness promotes imbalance.

Imbalance attracts pride.

Pride feeds our vanity.

Vanity aggravates laziness worse.

As it is easy to perceive, laziness is liable to unleash all that is
bad, just as darkness is capable of inducing us towards all kinds of
errors.

Therefore, we come to understand that obsession, madness, pessimism,
delinquency or illness can appear due to an authentic fertilization by
idleness, which intoxicates the mind and ruins lives.

Thus, we should recognize, that the first step towards liberation from
inertia will always be: TO WORK.

Emmanuel (spirit) -
Book Courage -
Francisco Candico Xavier
Spiritist Group of Brighton

AS IT WERE
Spiritualist sisters create stir in Ohio
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Ed Lentz

In September 1851, local Columbus papers announced that the Fox
sisters had arrived in Columbus for an indefinite stay.
Announcements like this were sometimes made to report that friends or
relatives of local residents were in town for a visit. Columbus was a
small town of 17.000 people at the time and the arrival of familial
visitors actually qualified in some quarters as news. In some parts of
Ohio, it still does.
But the Fox sisters were not these sorts of visitors.
Announcements like this were sometimes made to note the arrival in
town of celebrities of one sort or another. Some might have made their
name militarily or politically, like Gen. William Henry Harrison or
former President John Quincy Adams. Others might be notable authors
like Charles Dickens or actors like Edwin Booth.
But the Fox sisters were only by a broad definition like these notable
people.
In fact, Columbus -- and most of the rest of the country -- had rarely
seen anything quite like the Fox sisters.
Arguably, many of the people who tried to follow their example paled
in comparison to the original.
The Fox sisters were "the original mediums of Hydeville, New York" and
were holding "sittings for spiritualist communication" at a local
residence. A donation of one dollar -- a not inconsiderable sum of
money in those days -- was requested in order to gain admission to a
sitting. Margaret Fox was 17 years old and her sister, Kate, was only
11. Ably managed by their older sister Leah, the Fox sisters were
holding three sittings a day to rooms full of people eager to see them.
How all of this came about and what became of these "original mediums"
is a story worth retelling.
It began in 1847 in a pleasant house in Hydeville, N.Y. Hydeville --
or Hydesville, as it is sometimes called -- is near Rochester in
upstate New York. It is an area of various and abiding public interests.
The movements against slavery and for women's rights and against
alcohol and for prison reform all found strong adherents here in the
years after the turn of the 19th century.
The area was also home to a wide variety of religious, utopian and
other philosophical movements. It was in this area of great idealism
and firm beliefs that a man named Michael Weekman found himself with a
problem in his house at Hydeville.
It made noises.
Many older houses make noises. But these noises were more like
rappings made by a person. Mr. Weekman chose not to determine if
whatever was making the noise was trying to get in. Mr. Weekman
decided to get out.
Replacing him in the house was the family of one John D. Fox, whose
two youngest daughters, Margaret and Kate, began to hear the rappings
as well. At one point, as she later recounted, Margaret -- as fearless
as 12-year-olds often are -- told the hidden presence knocking on the
walls to tap as many times as she did. And the mysterious tapper did
just that.
Inviting friends and acquaintances to their house, the girls
demonstrated their ability of tapping and tapping back. Eventually, it
was decided to point to letters of an alphabet and ask the presence to
tap when an appropriate letter was reached.
The news of the success of the Fox sisters in tapping with unseen
spirits traveled quickly and soon, hundreds of people were coming to
see them. A journey to New York City produced an endorsement from
editor Horace Greeley. The Fox sisters soon began charging admission
to their "sittings."
A society was founded as early as 1849 and soon, dozens of other men
and women were claiming to be in communication with the spirit world.
By 1888, it was estimated that 8,000,000 Americans, and even more in
Europe, were attending sÈances.
But the early leaders of the movement were the Fox sisters. By 1851,
when they arrived in Columbus, the sisters had acquired an
international reputation. Their sÈances were well-attended and in the
wake of their brief visit, a spiritualist society in Columbus became
quite popular.
Like many new movements, spiritualism was viewed with some derision by
skeptics. In October 1854, the Ohio Statesman noted that, "the little
knot of spirit rappers still continue ... near Peters Run (where I-70
passes through downtown today) in the south end of town. The
performances on Sunday commence at church time, both morning and
afternoon. At night, by way of variety, they are held in a dark room
occasionally."
The end of the story of the Fox sisters was not very pleasant.
Margaret Fox became closely acquainted with the noted explorer, Elisha
Kent Kane, who attempted to persuade her to leave spiritualism behind.
After his death in 1857, Margaret entered the Roman Catholic Church
and seldom worked as a medium in her later years.
In the 1870s, the sisters moved to England, where Kate Fox married a
man named Henry Jenkyn. In this period, both sisters allegedly became
increasingly alcohol dependent.
In 1888, Margaret appeared before an audience at the New York Academy
of Music and announced that the entirety of her experiences had been a
hoax. Originally intended to be a joke on their superstitious mother,
the rappings were done in a variety of ways, including cracking the
bones in one's toes and feet.
The sensation caused by this announcement was lessened when Margaret
soon thereafter retracted her admissions and claimed she had done it
because she had been promised a large sum of money for a "confession"
of fraud.
After living a few years in poverty and obscurity, Kate Fox died in
Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1892. Her older sister, Margaret, died in New York
City a year later.
Ed Lentz writes a history column for ThisWeek.

SERVE MORE BY WORKING MORE

Always do more, by working more.
Does a new day come carrying worries due to the fights of the day before?
Serve more, by working more.
Do tribulations come unexpectedly, foretelling even bigger obstacles
or imminent disasters?
Work more, by serving more.
Do dear companions abandon us, when our situation is more complex
before responsibilities we took on
behalf of others?
Serve more, by working more.
Do crisis shape up ahead of us, proposing sacrifices and obligations
that seem to be impracticable?
Work more, by serving more.
Have paths darkened and disharmony befallen, imposing the impression
we are under the influence of
enemies of the light?
Serve more, by working more.
Afflictions, disappointments, frustrations, impediments, demands and
frustrations surprise us suddenly…
What used to be hope is now disillusion, what used to be joy is now
bitterness… The day darkens, the
strength walks out on us…
Does all seem contrary to the expectations we had at first?
The solution to all problems is working more and serving more.
Apart from the work that is expressed through service for the benefit
of others in general, we are by ourselves,
but in the service that is expressed through constant working for the
well-being and happiness of others, we
are and will always be in the presence of Jesus.

Spirit: BATUÍRA
Medium: Francisco Cândido Xavier
In: "Mais Luz" – "GEEM" Edition
THE INTERNATIONAL SPIRITIST COUNCIL
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