Rome

City of Romulus, city of the Caesars, cradle of Christianity, tomb of the apostles, you are the eternal city, and God wills that the long lethargy into which you have fallen cease at last. The hour of your return is going to sound; shake off the torpor of your limbs; rise up, strong and valiant, to obey the destinies that await you, for for long centuries you have been nothing but a deserted city. The numerous ruins of your vast arenas, which scarcely contained the waves of avid spectators, are barely visited by the rare strangers who, from time to time, pass through your solitary streets. Your catacombs, where repose the remains of so many valiant soldiers, dead for the faith, scarcely draw them out of their indifference. But the crisis you suffer will be the last and you will emerge from this painful and sorrowful labor, great, strong, powerful, transformed by the will of God, and, from the height of your old basilica, the voice of the successor of Saint Peter will extend over you the hands that will bring the blessings of heaven, and he will call to his supreme council the Spirits of the Lord; he will submit to their lessons and will give the signal of progress, frankly grasping the banner of Spiritism. Then, submitted to its teachings, the Catholic universe will hasten in mass to place itself around the staff of its first pastor and, that impulse given, all hearts will turn toward you. You will be the luminous beacon that is to illuminate the world, and your inhabitants, joyful and happy to see you give to the nations the example of betterment and of progress, will repeat in their song: Yes, Rome is the eternal city. [v. Observation by Allan Kardec in the following communication.] Massillon. n [1]

[v. Massillon.]