Charity Toward Criminals.

— “A man finds himself in danger of death; to save him, another has to expose his life. It is known, however, that the former is a malefactor and that, if he escapes, he may commit new crimes. Should the second, nevertheless, risk himself to save him?”

The response that follows was obtained at the Spiritist Society of Paris, on the 7th of February 1862, through the medium Mr. A. Didier:

This is a very grave question, and one that may naturally present itself to the mind. I will answer in conformity with my moral advancement, for what is in question is to know whether one should expose his life, even for a malefactor. Devotedness is blind; one succors an enemy; one should, therefore, succor the enemy of society, a malefactor, in short. Do you think that it is only from death that, in such a case, one runs to snatch the wretched man? It is, perhaps, from all his past life. Imagine, in effect, that, in the rapid moments which carry off the last breaths of his life, the lost man turns back to his past, or rather, that this past rises up before him. Death, perhaps, comes to him too soon; reincarnation may come and be terrible for him. Throw yourselves, then, O men; throw yourselves, all of you whom the Spiritist science has enlightened; throw yourselves, snatch him from his condemnation, and perhaps that man, who would have died blaspheming, will cast himself into your arms. Yet, you have not to inquire whether he will do so or not; succor him, for, in saving him, you obey that voice of the heart, which says to you: “You can save him, save him!” Lamennais. n Observation. – By a singular coincidence we received, some days later, the following communication, obtained in the Spiritist group of Le Havre, treating more or less of the same subject.

We are written that, in consequence of a conversation on the subject of the assassin Dumollard, the Spirit of Mrs. Elisabeth of France, who had already given several communications, presented herself spontaneously and dictated what follows: n

[TRUE CHARITY.]

True charity constitutes one of the most sublime teachings that God has given to the world. Complete fraternity must exist among the true followers of his doctrine. You must love the wretched, the criminals, as creatures, which they are, of God, to whom pardon and mercy will be granted, if they repent, as also to you, for the faults that you commit against his Law. Consider that you are more reprehensible, more culpable than those to whom you would deny pardon and commiseration, for, most often, they do not know God as you know him, and much less will be asked of them than of you. Do not judge, oh! do not judge at all, my dear friends, for the judgment that you shall pronounce will be applied to you even more severely, and you have need of indulgence for the sins into which you incessantly fall. Are you unaware that there are many actions which are crimes in the eyes of the God of purity and which the world does not even consider as slight faults?

True charity does not consist merely in the alms that you give, nor even in the words of consolation that you add to it. No, that is not all that God requires of you. The sublime charity which Jesus taught also consists in the benevolence that you use always and in all things toward your neighbor. You can also exercise that sublime virtue with regard to beings for whom your alms will have no usefulness, but whom a few words of consolation, of encouragement, of love, will lead to the supreme Lord. The times are near, I repeat it, in which on this planet the great fraternity will reign, in which men will obey the law of the Christ, a law that will be both a curb and a hope and will lead souls to the blessed dwellings. Love one another, then, as children of the same Father; do not establish differences among the other unfortunate ones, for God wills that all be equal; despise no one. God permits that among you there be great criminals, that they may serve you as teachings. Soon, when men find themselves submitted to the true laws of God, there will no longer be need of these teachings: all the impure and rebellious Spirits will be relegated to inferior worlds, according to their inclinations. You owe to those of whom I speak the succor of your prayers: it is true charity. It does not fall to you to say of a criminal: “He is a wretch; the Earth must be purged of his presence; too mild, for a being of such a kind, is the death that they inflict upon him.” No, it is not thus that it befits you to speak. Observe your model: Jesus. What would he say, if he saw beside him one of these wretched ones? He would lament him; he would consider him a sick man well worthy of pity; he would extend his hand to him. In reality, you cannot do the same; but, at least, you can pray for him, assist his Spirit during the time that he still has to pass on the Earth. He may be touched by repentance, if you pray with faith. He is as much your neighbor as the best of men; his soul, led astray and rebellious, was created, like yours, in the image of the perfect God. Thus, pray for him; do not judge him: you do not have that right. God alone will judge him. Elisabeth of France. n Allan Kardec.

Paris. — Typ. de Cosson et Ce rue du Four-St-Germain, 43.

[1] Translator's Note: See The Gospel According to Spiritism, chapter XI, item 15.

[2] [v.

Lamennais.]

[3] Translator's Note: See The Gospel According to Spiritism, chapter XI, item 14.

[4] [v.

Elisabeth of France.]