Example 12 - ANTOINE COSTEAU.

— Member of the Spiritist Society of Paris, buried on September 12, 1863 in the cemetery of Montmartre, in a common grave.

He was a man of heart whom Spiritism led back to God; complete, sincere and profound was his faith in God. A simple pavior, he practiced charity through thoughts, words and works according to the meager resources at his disposal and finding means, even so, to succor those who possessed less than he.

If the SOCIETY did not acquire for him a private grave, it was because it seemed to it that it should rather employ the money more usefully for the benefit of the living, than in vain satisfactions of self-love, besides which we, the Spiritists, know better than anyone that the common grave is, just as much as the most sumptuous mausoleums, a door open to Heaven.

Mr. Canu, secretary of the SOCIETY and a profound materialist in former times, pronounced over the grave the following address:

“Dear brother Costeau: A few years ago, many among us, and I first of all, would not have come before this open tomb, which would represent only the end of human miseries, and then nothingness, the dreadful nothingness, that is, where there existed neither a soul to merit or expiate, and, consequently, nor a God to reward, chastise, or pardon.

Today, thanks to our holy Doctrine, we discern here the end of the trials, and for you, dear brother, whose remains descend into the earth, the triumph of labors and the beginning of the rewards earned by your courage, resignation, charity, your virtues, and, above all this, the glorification of a God wise, almighty, just and good.

Be, then, dear brother, the bearer of the thanks we render to the Eternal for having permitted the dissipation of the shadows of error and incredulity that overwhelmed us. Not long ago, and in these very circumstances, with bowed brow and lacerated heart, in discouragement, we would say to you: “Friend, farewell forever.” But today we say to you, with raised brow, radiant with hopes, and with the heart filled with love and courage: — “Dear brother, until soon, pray for us.” n I.

— One of the SOCIETY's mediums obtained right there over the grave, still half open, the following communication, heard by all those present, gravediggers included, with bared heads and profound emotion. It was, in fact, a new and surprising spectacle, that of hearing words from a dead man, gathered from the very bosom of the tomb:

“Thank you, friends, thank you. My tomb is not even yet entirely closed, but, with a second passing, the earth will cover my remains. You know, nevertheless, that my soul will not be buried in that dust, but rather will hover in Space in order to ascend to God!

“And how consoling it is to be able to say regarding the dissolution of the envelope: Oh! I did not die, I live the true life, the eternal life!

“The burial of the poor man has no great processions, nor do proud manifestations approach his grave, in compensation, believe me, an immense multitude is not lacking here, and good Spirits accompanied along with you, and with these pious women, the body that lies there; outstretched. At least all of you have faith and love the good God!

“Oh! certainly we do not die merely because our body crumbles, beloved wife! Moreover, I shall always be at your side to console you, to help you bear the trials. Life will be harsh for you, but the heart filled with the ideas of eternity and of the love of God. How ephemeral your sufferings will be!

“Relatives who surround my most beloved companion, love her, respect her, be to her as brothers. Never forget the assistance you mutually owe one another on the Earth, if indeed you intend to enter the dwelling of the Lord.

“As for you, Spiritists, brothers, friends, thank you for having come to this dwelling of dust and mud, to say farewell to me. But you know, and you know very well, you, that my immortal soul lives, and that sometimes it will ask of you prayers which you will never refuse it to aid it in the magnificent life that you unveiled to it in the earthly life.

“To all of you who are here, farewell. We can see one another again in another place than over this tomb. The souls call me to confer. Farewell, pray for those who suffer and until another meeting.”

Costeau.

II.

— Three days later, evoked in a private group, the Spirit of Costeau expressed himself thus through the intermediary of another medium:

“Death is life;

I do no more than repeat what has already been said, but for you there is no other expression than this, in spite of what the materialists affirm, those who prefer to remain blind.

Oh! my friends, what a beautiful spectacle upon the Earth, that of seeing the banners of Spiritism flutter! Profound, immense science, of which you only spell out the first words.

And how many lights it brings to men of good will, to those who, freeing themselves from the terrible chains of pride, loftily proclaim their belief in God! Men, pray, render thanks for so many benefits.

Poor Humanity! Ah! if it were granted you to understand!… But no, for the time has not yet come, in which the mercy of the Lord must extend over all men, so that they may recognize His wills and submit to them.

“By your luminous rays, blessed science, it is that they will arrive there and will understand. By your beneficent warmth they will warm their hearts, invigorating them in the divine fire, bearer of consolations as of faith.

By your vivifying rays, the master and the workman will come to merge and identify themselves, imbued with that fraternal charity preached by the divine Messiah.

“Oh! my brothers, think of the immense happiness you possess as the first initiates in the work of regeneration. Honor be done to you.

Press on, and one day, like me, seeing the homeland of the Spirits, you will exclaim: — Death is life, or rather a dream, a kind of nightmare that lasts the space of a minute, and from which we awaken to find ourselves surrounded by friends who congratulate us, glad to embrace us.

So great was my good fortune, that I could not understand that God should destine me so many graces relative to the little I did.

It seemed to me that I was dreaming, and as it formerly happened to me to dream that I was dead, I was for a few moments obliged to fear returning to the poor body. It was not long, however, before I gave myself an account of the reality and rendered thanks to God.

I blessed the master who knew so well how to instill in me the duties of a man who believes in the future life. Yes, I blessed him, I thanked him, for The Spirits' Book had awakened in my soul the bonds of love for my Creator.

“Thank you, good friends who drew me to your side. Inform our brothers that I am often with our friend Sanson. Until another meeting and courage, for the triumph awaits you. Happy are those who shall have taken part in the combat!”

From then on Mr. Costeau manifested himself constantly, at the SOCIETY and in other gatherings, always giving proofs of that elevation of thoughts that characterizes the advanced Spirits.

[1] For more details, and other addresses, see the Spiritist Review of October 1863.