Example 10 - ADÉLAÏDE-MARGUERITE GOSSE.

— She was a humble and poor maidservant, from Harfleur, Normandy. At eleven years of age she entered the service of some wealthy horticulturists from her town. A year later, a flood of the Seine swept away and drowned all their animals! Through still other sorrows that supervened, the girl's employers fell into poverty! Adélaïde joined them in their misfortune, stifled the voice of selfishness, and, listening only to her generous heart, compelled them to accept five hundred francs of her savings, continuing to serve them independently of any wage. After the death of her employers, she went on to devote herself to a daughter they left behind, widowed and without resources. She toiled in the fields, gathered the produce, and, upon marrying, joined her efforts to those of her husband, in order to support together the poor woman, whom she continued to call her mistress! This sublime self-denial lasted nearly half a century.

The Society of Emulation, of Rouen, did not leave in oblivion this woman so worthy of respect and admiration, for it decreed for her a medal of honor and a monetary reward; to this testimony were joined the Masonic lodges of Le Havre, offering her a small sum destined for her well-being. Finally, the local administration also took an interest in her, delicately, so as not to wound her sensibility.

This angel of goodness was taken from the Earth, instantly and gently, as a consequence of a stroke of paralysis. Simple, yet decent, were the last homages rendered to her memory. The secretary of the municipality walked at the head of the funeral procession.

(SOCIETY of Paris, — December 27, 1861.)

— Evocation. — To the Omnipotent God we pray that He permit us the communication of the Spirit of Marguerite Gosse. — A. Yes, God is indeed willing to do me this grace.

We consider ourselves happy to be able to testify to you our admiration for your conduct on Earth, and we hope that so much self-denial has received its reward. — A. Yes, God was good and merciful toward His servant. All that I did, and which seems praiseworthy to you, was natural.

Could you tell us, for our edification, the cause of the humility of your earthly condition? — A. In two successive incarnations I occupied a position quite elevated, the practice of good being easy for me, which I did without sacrifice, being, as I was, rich; 2 it seemed to me, however, that I was advancing slowly, and so I asked to return in lowly conditions, in which I would even have to struggle with privations. For this I prepared myself for a long time, and God sustained my courage, so that I could attain the end I had set for myself.

Have you seen your former employers again? Tell us what your position is with regard to them, and whether you still consider yourself their subordinate? — A. I saw them, then, when I arrived in this world, for they were already here.

I humbly confess to you that they consider me as being superior to them.

Did you have any motive of affection toward them, in preference to any others? — A. None obligatory, since anywhere I would have attained my objective. I chose them, however, to repay a debt of gratitude. For in former times they had been kind toward me, rendering me services.

What future do you think awaits you? — A. I await reincarnation in a world where sorrows are unknown. Perhaps you will consider me very presumptuous, but I speak to you with the vivacity proper to my character. Besides, I submit myself to the will of God.

Grateful for your presence, we do not doubt that God will heap His benefits upon you. — A. Thank you. May God thus bless you all, that you may, when disincarnated, enjoy the pure joys that have been granted to me.