Example 11 - CLARA RIVIER.

— She was a girl of about ten years, daughter of a family of peasants from the South of France. For four years already she had been profoundly ill. During her life there was never heard from her a complaint, a sign of impatience, and, although devoid of instruction, she consoled the family in their afflictions, commenting on the future life and the happiness that should result from it.

She died in September 1862, after four days of convulsive tortures, during which she did not cease to pray. “I do not fear death,” she said, “for after it a happy life is reserved for me.”

To her father, who wept, she said: “Console yourself, for I shall come to visit you; I feel that the hour is approaching, but, when it arrives, I shall know how to forewarn you.”

And, indeed, when the fatal moment was imminent, she called for all her family and said to them: “I have but five minutes of life; give me your hands.” And she expired as she had foreseen.

From then on, a rapping Spirit began to visit the Rivier house where it disarranges everything, raps on the table, shakes the clothes, the curtains, the dishes…

In the form of Clara it appears to the youngest sister, who is barely five years old. According to what this child affirms, her sister appears to her frequently, and such apparitions provoke in her exclamations of joy like this one: “But look how pretty Clara is!”

Evocation of Clara Rivier. — A. Here I am, ready to answer you.

So young when incarnated, whence came to you the elevated ideas about the future life, manifested in this world? — A. From the little time it behooved me to spend on your planet and from my preceding incarnation.

I was a medium both on leaving and on returning to the Earth; predestined, I felt and saw what I said.

How is it explained that a child of your age did not give a single moan during four years of suffering? — A. Because that physical suffering was dominated by a greater power — that of my guide, continually visible at my side. He, at the same time that he relieved me, knew how to instill in me a force of will superior to the sufferings.

How did you perceive the decisive moment of death? — A. Through the influx of my guardian angel, who never deceived me.

You told your father to resign himself because you would come to visit him. How is it explained, then, that, animated by such good sentiments toward your parents you came afterward to disturb them with noises in their house? — A. It is that I undoubtedly have a trial, or rather a mission to accomplish.

Do you believe that I come to see my parents with no purpose at all? Those noises, those struggles deriving from my presence are a warning.

In this I am also assisted by other Spirits whose turbulence has its reason for being, as my apparition to the little sister has its reason for being… Thanks to us, many convictions will spring up.

My parents had to pass through a trial. Very soon it will pass, but not before they have convinced a multitude of people.

Then it is not you, individually, who are the author of those noises? — A. I am, but aided by Spirits in the service of the trial reserved for my parents.

How is it explained, then, that the little sister recognized only you, since you are not the exclusive author of such manifestations? — A. It is that she saw only me. Now she has double sight, and I shall still have to comfort her many times with my presence.

What is the reason for your mortifying sufferings at so childish an age? — A. Former faults, expiation. In the preceding existence I had abused my health, as well as the brilliant position I occupied. That is why God said to me: “You enjoyed too much and beyond measure; therefore, you shall pay the difference; you were proud, hence, you shall be humble; vain of your beauty, it is needful that you fall from it, striving rather to acquire charity and goodness.” I proceeded according to the divine will, and my guide aided me.

Do you wish us to say something to your parents? — A. At a medium's request, they have already had occasion to practice charity, not to pray only with the lips, and they did well, for one must do it also in practice, with the heart.

To succor those who suffer is to pray, is to be a Spiritist.

To all souls God granted free will, that is, the faculty of progress, as He gave them all the same aspiration, and, for this reason, more than is generally thought, the apron brushes against the embroidered toga.

Bring the distances closer through charity, give shelter to the poor in your house, revive him, do not humiliate him. If this great law of conscience were generally practiced, the world would not periodically witness those great penuries that dishonor the civilization of peoples, and which are sent by God to chastise them and open their eyes.

Dear parents, pray to God, love one another, practice the law of the Christ: do not do to another what you would not wish to be done to you; appeal to the God who tries you, showing that His goodness is holy and infinite like Himself.

As a forecast of the future, arm yourselves with courage and perseverance, since you are called to suffer still more. One must earn the good position in a better world, where the comprehension of divine justice becomes the punishment of the wicked Spirits.

Dear parents, I shall always be near you. Farewell, or, rather, until we meet again. Have resignation, charity, love for your fellow beings, and one day you shall be happy.

Clara.

“More than is generally thought, the apron brushes against the embroidered toga…” This most beautiful image is an allusion to the Spirits who, from one existence to another, pass from brilliant to most humble conditions, often expiating the abuse in relation to the gifts that God granted them. It is a justice that is within the reach of all.

A profound thought too is this that attributes collective calamities to the infraction of the divine laws, because God chastises peoples as much as individuals.

Indeed, through the practice of charity, wars and miseries would end by being eliminated. Well then, the practice of this law leads to Spiritism and, who knows, may this be the reason it has so many and such fierce enemies? Will the exhortations of this daughter, to her parents, perhaps be those of a demon?