Different ways of doing charity

Note. – The following communication was received in our presence in the group of Perrache:

Yes, my friends, I will always come into your midst, whenever I am called. Yesterday I felt very happy on your account, when I heard the author of the books that opened your eyes testify the desire to see you gathered in order to address words of benevolence to you [v. Discourse of Allan Kardec]. It is a great instruction for all of you and, at the same time, a powerful reminder. I only noticed, when he spoke to you of love and of charity, that several of you asked yourselves: How to do charity? Often I do not even have what is necessary.

Friends, in a thousand ways charity is done. You can do it by thoughts, by words, and by actions. By thoughts, praying for the poor abandoned ones, who died without even finding themselves in a condition to see the light. A prayer made from the heart relieves them. By words, giving to your everyday companions some good counsel, saying to those whom despair and privations have soured in spirit and led to blaspheme the name of the Most High: “I was as you are; I suffered, I felt myself wretched, but I believed in Spiritism and, see, now I am happy.” To the old who say to you: “It is useless; I am at the end of my journey; I will die as I have lived,” say: God uses equal justice toward all of us; remember the laborers of the last hour. To the children already vitiated by the company with which they have surrounded themselves and who go about the world, ready to succumb to evil temptations, say: “God sees you, my dear little ones,” and do not tire of repeating to them these gentle words. They will end by germinating in their childish intelligences and, instead of vagabonds, you will make of them men. This too is charity. Others among you say: “Bah! we are so numerous on Earth that God cannot see us all.” Listen well to this, my friends: When you are at the summit of the mountain, do you not embrace with the gaze the billions of grains of sand that cover it? Well then: in the same way does God see you. He lets you make use of your free will, as you let those grains of sand move at the whim of the wind that disperses them. Only, God, in his infinite mercy, has placed at the bottom of your heart a vigilant sentinel, which is called conscience. Listen to it, for it will give you only good counsel. Sometimes, you manage to numb it, opposing to it the spirit of evil. It then falls silent. But, be certain that the poor banished one will make itself heard, as soon as you let it perceive the shadow of remorse. Hear it, interrogate it, and frequently you will find yourselves consoled by the counsel you will have received from it. My friends, to each new regiment the general delivers a standard. I give you as a device this maxim of the Christ: “Love one another.” Observe this precept, gather yourselves all around this banner, and you will have happiness and consolation.

Your protecting Spirit.

[1] Translator's note: See The Gospel According to Spiritism, chapter XIII, item 10.