Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.

Mr. Delanne, whom many of our readers already know, has a son of eight years. This boy, who at every moment hears Spiritism spoken of in his family, and who often attends the meetings directed by his father and his mother, was thus initiated very early into the doctrine, often surprising us by the accuracy with which he reasons out its principles. There is nothing astonishing in this, for it is merely the echo of the ideas with which he was cradled. Nor is this the object of this article: it is only to enter into the subject of the fact that we are going to relate and which has its bearing on present circumstances. Mr. Delanne’s meetings are grave, serious, and conducted with perfect order, as all those should be in which one wishes to gather fruits. Although written communications occupy the first place in them, physical and typtological manifestations are also attended to there, but as instruction and never as an object of curiosity. Directed with method and recollection, and always supported by some theoretical explanations, they are, by the impression they produce, fit to lead to conviction. It is under such conditions that physical manifestations are really useful. They speak to the Spirit and impose silence upon mockery. One feels oneself in the presence of a phenomenon whose depth is glimpsed, and which dispels even the idea of jesting. If these kinds of manifestations, of which there has been so much abuse, were always presented in this manner, and not as entertainment and a pretext for futile questions, criticism would not have accused them of charlatanism. Unfortunately, they have often given occasion for this. Mr. Delanne’s son often associated himself with these manifestations and, influenced by the good example, regarded them as a serious thing.

One day he found himself with a person of his acquaintance and was playing in the courtyard of the house with his little cousin, of five years, and two little boys, one of seven, the other of four years. A lady who lived on the ground floor compelled them to come into her home and gave them sweets. The children, as one may imagine, did not need to be asked twice. The lady asked Mr. Delanne’s son:

Q. – What is your name, my child?

Answer. – My name is Gabriel, madam.

Q. – What does your father do?

Answer. – Madam, my father is a Spiritist.

Q. – I do not know this profession.

Answer. – But, madam, it is not a profession. My father is not paid for it; he does it disinterestedly and to do good to men.

Q. – Child, I do not know what you mean.

Answer. – What! Have you never heard of turning tables?

Q. – Very well, my friend, I should like your father to be here to make them turn.

Answer. – It is needless, madam; I myself have the power to make them turn.

Q. – Then, do you wish to try and let me see how one proceeds?

Answer. – With great pleasure, madam.

This said, he sits down at the foot of the little table of the room and seats his three little friends; and behold the four of them gravely placing their hands upon it. Gabriel made an evocation in a very serious tone and with recollection. He had hardly finished when, to the great stupefaction of the lady and the children, the little table rose up and rapped forcefully. — Ask, madam, who comes to answer through the table.

The neighbor questions, and the table spells out the words: your father. The woman turns pale with emotion. And she continues: Well then! tell me, my father, whether I should send the letter I have just written? – The table answers: Yes, without fail. – To prove that it is really you, my father, who are here, could you tell me how many years you have been dead? – At once the table raps eight well-marked blows. It was exactly the number of years. – Could you tell your name and that of the city in which you died? – The table spells out the two names. Tears gushed from the eyes of that lady who, dismayed by this revelation and overcome by emotion, could no longer continue.

Surely this fact defies all suspicion of preparation of the instrument, of preconceived idea, and of charlatanism. Neither can the two names spelled out be put down to chance. We greatly doubt that this lady would have received such an impression in one of the sessions of the Messrs. Davenport, or any other of the same kind. Besides, it is not the first time that mediumship has revealed itself in children, in the intimacy of families. Is it not the realization of those prophetic words: Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy? (Acts of the Apostles, 2:17.)

Allan Kardec.

Paris. – Typ. of COSSON ET Ce, rue du Four-Saint-Germain, 43.