The flood

One day a spring arose in a region once barren. At first it was no more than a thin trickle of water running across the plain, to which they paid little attention. Little by little this feeble brook swelled, becoming a stream; it widened, invaded the neighboring lands, but those that remained uncovered were fertilized and produced a hundredfold. Yet a riverside landowner, displeased to see his land receding, tried to halt the course in order to reconquer the portion covered by the waters, thinking thus to increase his riches. Now, it came to pass that, held back, the stream submerged everything, land and landowner alike. Such is the image of progress; like an impetuous river, it breaks the dikes that oppose it and carries off with it the imprudent who, instead of following its course, seek to obstruct it. It will be the same with Spiritism. God sends it to fertilize the moral terrain of Humanity. Blessed are those who know how to profit from it and unfortunate are those who try to oppose the designs of God! Do you not see it advancing with giant strides toward the four cardinal points? Everywhere its voice is already making itself heard and soon will so cover that of its enemies that they will be forced into silence and constrained to bow before the evidence. Men! those who try to obstruct the irresistible march of progress prepare harsh trials for you. God permits it to be so for the punishment of some and the glorification of others; but he gives you in Spiritism the pilot who is to lead you to port, bearing in his hands the banner of hope. Wilhelm, Grandfather of the medium.

Paris. — Typ. H. CARION, rue Bonaparte, 64.

[1] Translator’s note: Instead of Inspruck, might the Spirit not be referring to the Austrian city of Innsbruck?