We continue today the methodical study of “Heaven and Hell, or Divine Justice According to Spiritism” by Allan Kardec. The first edition was published in August 1, 1865. This work is part of the Kardecian Pentateuch. The answers to the questions suggested for discussion are at the end of the text below.
Questions for discussion
A. Are newly disembodied children affected by their parents' distress?
B. Are we guided and assisted by Protecting Spirits in difficult times?
C. How do the Spirits define death? Are there differences between the detachment of a disembodied and the detachment of an incarnate when going through deployment?
D. Is there a difference between honesty before men and honesty before God?
Reading Text
164. The death of Maurice Gontran, only son, eighteen years of age, due to pulmonary congestion, shocked his family and caused his parents great pain. He was a rare intelligence and extremely dedicated to his studies. This young man had several moral qualities and his future would have been a bright one. Some months after he passed away, he communicated, "My good friends do not regret those who die early because it is a grace that God gives them, sparing them the trials of earthly life. This time, my presence there was not to last long, since I acquired the necessary to prepare myself in Space for a higher mission. "If I had more time - said Mauritius - I would have been exposed to dangers and temptations" (Second Part, Chapter II, Maurice Gontran).
165. Maurice explained that his grandfather - not thinner any longer, but with a youthful and healthy appearance - held out his arms and warmly embraced him, holding him to his chest, on his return to the spiritual world, while a crowd of other people, of smiling faces, accompanied him and welcomed him with grace and sweetness. (Second Part, Chapter II, Maurice Gontran.)
166. Speaking about his studies on Earth - which for many seemed to have been lost time - Mauricio Gontran said, "The serious studies I accomplished made my soul stronger and increased my knowledge and, because of my short life, I could not put them into practice, but later on I shall do it and with greater utility". (Second Part, Chapter II, Maurice Gontran).
167. Jose Bre, invoked 22 years after his death by his granddaughter, said he was still suffering due to his disbelief, but great was God's mercy. "I grieve, but not as you might imagine. I am heartbroken to see that I could have done better of my life there on Earth." (Second Part, Chapter III, Joseph Bre.)
168. Considering that her grandfather had lived honestly, the granddaughter could not understand why he had troubles in the spiritual world. So, Joseph Bre explained, "It is not enough to be honest before God, and to comply with the laws of men, we must not break the laws of God too." "God considers you honest if you are selfless and have love in your heart, and devote your life to doing well, and help your brotherhood to improve. You must perform your material duties with enthusiasm, teaching as an example of someone who loves his work, doing good deeds without forgetting that you are only a servant, and one day, God will ask you to account for the way you used your time. Finally, you have to love your neighbor and God" (Second Part, Chapter III, Joseph Bre).
169. At the age of 25, Hellen Michel had a sudden death. She was rich and somewhat frivolous. Three days after her death, she stated, "I do not know where I am... I feel very disturbed! I was called and I came. I do not understand why I am not at home. They cry for me. I am present but cannot make myself seen. I am no longer with my body and, however, I feel its frigidity... I want to leave it and the more I become attached to it forever..." "Oh! When shall I understand what is happening to me?" (Second Part, Chapter III, Helena Michel.)
170. When invoked a few days later, Hellen Michel's ideas had already changed completely. She was aware of what had happened and she explained that she understood she had died on the same day they prayed for her. (Second Part, Chapter III, Helena Michel.)
171. The Marquis of S. Paul died in 1860 and the following year he was evoked at the request of his sister, who belonged to the Spiritist Society of Paris. He said he was in "erraticity - a transient state which does not provide neither happiness nor absolute punishment" - and said he had been disturbed for a long time, until they prayed for him, when he was then received by his mother and father who introduced him to his new life. The Marquis admitted he was in a transient state, where human virtues have their real value. The Spirit said, "Certainly this state is a thousand times preferable to my earthly incarnation, but since I always harbored aspirations to the truly good and beautiful, my soul will only rest when it is at the feet of the Creator." (Second Part, Chapter III, the Marquis of S. Paulo.)
172. Having predicted the day of his death, when the time came, Mr. Cardon, who held the modest profession of farm doctor, gathered his family to say goodbye to them. When it seemed that he was dead, minutes after he opened his eyes, and with a radiant expression of bliss, he exclaimed, "Oh! My children, beautiful! Sublime! Oh! Death! How good! What a pleasant thing! As a dead man, I felt my soul rising quite high, but God allowed me to come back to be able to ask you not to mourn my death, because it is my freedom. "Then he went on, "Oh! My children always behave to deserve this unspeakable joy reserved for the good men. Live in accordance with the principles of charity. Always share what belongs to you with the needy. My dear wife, I leave you in not such a good financial situation. We have monies to receive, but I ask you not to put pressure on those who owe us money. If they are in trouble, wait until they can pay and those who cannot pay forgive their debts and God will reward you." After this brief message, he closed his eyes forever. (Second Part, Chapter III, Cardon, MD.)
173. Evoked days later, Cardon explained that the words addressed by him to his family were what he had seen and heard. The good Spirits inspired him the words he said and gave the glow to his face. Cardon stated, "Guided by such a good Spirit I saw the splendors of a sky, that only in dreams one can imagine. This route through the infinite was made at such a speed that I could not imagine the time used for this." (Second Part, Chapter III, Cardon, MD.)
Answers to the proposed questions
A. Are newly disembodied children affected by their parents' grief?
Yes, this was exactly what the Spirit Mauricio Gontron explained. He said that his parents' grief would calm down when they became aware that life goes on and that no one actually dies. (Heaven and Hell, Part Second, Chapter II, Maurice Gontran, 1st Question.)
B. Are we guided and assisted by Protecting Spirits in difficult times?
Yes, the Spirit of Miss. Emma Livry revealed that her guide and spiritual protectors gave her encouragement and the strength to endure suffering and refreshed her thirsty and burning lips, and whispered in her ear words of hope and love. (Ibid, Second Part, Chapter II, Miss Emma.)
C. How do the Spirits define death? Are there differences between the detachment of a disembodied and the detachment of an incarnate when going through deployment?
Death is life, or rather a dream, a sort of nightmare that lasts one minute, and when we awaken, we find ourselves surrounded by friends congratulating us, blissfully embracing us. These are the words spoken by the Spirit Antonio Cousteau.
There is great difference between the detachment of someone who is disembodying and the one of an incarnate during a deployment. In this last case, matter still oppresses the soul, which cannot thereby free itself totally. Now the disembodied Spirit is free and an unknown and wide field is beyond him, because there is nothing else that holds him onto matter. This is the explanation given by Doctor Vignal, who years before had reported to Kardec his impressions regarding the deployment mentioned by him. (Ibid, Second Part, Chapter II, Antonio Cousteau, last message, and Doctor Vignal.)
D. Is there a difference between honesty before men and honesty before God?
Yes, there is a pit between honesty before men and honesty before God. Among men, an honest man is the one that respects the laws of his country, does not harm his neighbor openly, although many times he destroys his honor and happiness, since the penal code and public opinion do not judge the guilty hypocrite.
It is not enough to be honest before God, and to comply with the laws of men, we must not break the laws of God too. God considers you honest if you are selfless and have love in your heart, and devote your life to doing well, and help your brothers to improve. You must perform your material duties with enthusiasm, teaching as an example of someone who loves his work, doing good deeds without forgetting that you are only a servant, and one day, God will ask you to account for the way you used your time. Finally, you have to love your neighbor and God.
The honest man, before God, must carefully avoid the use of cutting words, and the use of poison hidden under flowers destroying reputations and intimidating man, many a times making a fool of him. According to God, the honest man must always close his heart to any manifestations of pride, envy, and ambition. He must be patient and benevolent with those who offend him, and forgive from the bottom of his soul and with no effort, mainly with no ostentation, all those who offend him. In short, he must practice the concise and grand principle that summarizes "the love of God above all things and our neighbor as you." (Ibid, Second Part, Chapter III, Joseph Bre, 2nd Question.)
