Preface to the Revised Edition

1 min

In the first edition of this work, we announced our intention to publish a Supplement treating of points for which it had been impossible to find room in that edition, or which might be suggested by subsequent investigations; but the new matter proved to be so closely connected with what had been previously published as to render its publication in a separate volume inexpedient. We therefore preferred to await the reprinting of the work, taking advantage of the opportunity thus afforded to fuse the whole of the materials together, to suppress redundancies, and to make a more methodical arrangement of its contents. This new edition may consequently be considered as a new work, although the principles originally laid down have undergone no change, excepting in a very few instances which will be found to constitute complements and explanations rather than modifications.

In the first edition of this work, we announced our intention to publish a Supplement. It would cover points we had been unable to include in that edition, along with any suggested by later investigations. But the new material proved so closely connected to what we had already published that a separate volume seemed impractical. We therefore chose to wait until the work was reprinted. This gave us the opportunity to combine all the material, remove repetition, and arrange the contents more systematically. This new edition may therefore be considered a new work. However, the principles originally set out have changed in only a very few instances. These changes will be found to be additions and explanations rather than modifications.

This conformity of the teachings transmitted, notwithstanding the diversity of the sources from which they have emanated, is a fact of great importance in relation to the establishment of spiritist doctrine. Our correspondence shows us, moreover, that communications, identical (in substance, if not in form) with those embodied in the present work, have been obtained in various quarters, and even, in some instances, previously to the publication of The Spirits' Book, which has served to systematise and to confirm them. History, on the other hand, proves that most of the ideas herein set forth have been held by the most eminent thinkers of ancient and of modern times, and thus gives to them the additional sanction of its testimony.

The agreement among these teachings, despite their different sources, is very important to establishing spiritist doctrine. Our correspondence also shows that communications matching those in this work have been received in various places. They match in substance, if not in form. Some were even received before the publication of The Spirits' Book, which helped organize and confirm them. History, meanwhile, shows that most of the ideas presented here were held by the most eminent thinkers of ancient and modern times. Its testimony thus gives these ideas further support.

ALLAN KARDEC. Paris, April 1857.