We continue today the methodical study of “Heaven and Hell, or Divine Justice According to Spiritism” by Allan Kardec. The first edition was published in August 1, 1865. This work is part of the Kardecian Pentateuch. The answers to the questions suggested for discussion are at the end of the text below.
Questions for discussion
A. How must we deal with the evidence of wealth?
B. Is the body a hindrance to Spiritual development?
C. Is there a difference between professing and practicing?
D. How has Spiritism progressed?
Reading Text
144. When incarnate, Jobard believed in the theory of incrustation, according to which the Earth was formed by the junction of four planets. When he became free of dense matter, he realized that such a theory was a mistake, since the new geological discoveries proved the convulsions of the Earth and its gradual and successive formation. (Second Part, Chapter II, M. Jobard, question 10).
145. When the Spiritist Society of Paris opened a subscription in favor of the workers of Lyons, in February 1862 a partner subscribed 25 francs on behalf of Jobard, who then gave a new message pertinent to this gesture, for which he thanked, adding that the need of money was null in the world in which he now resided. (Second Part, Chapter II, M. Jobard, after question 11).
146. Kardec says in a statement then affixed to the last message of Jobard, that after the first moments devoted to the encouragement of his friends, Jobard stood among the Spirits who advocated for social renewal, waiting for a new earthly incarnation allowing him to take part more actively and directly in this movement. (Second Part, Chapter II, M. Jobard, note Kardec).
147. Samuel Philip tells us how he passed away. "Although I suffered cruelly with the illness which affected me - he says - I hardly felt agony: death came to me as a sleep without fights or concussions. Without fear of the future, I did not cling to life and, therefore, I did not toss or stir during my last moments. "His detachment was completed without pain or effort. Samuel felt no pain and then rejoiced with joy... (Second Part, Chapter II, Samuel Philip, question 2).
148. "Everything around me was as if it were a dream," says Samuel Philip. "I saw my wife and some friends kneeling in my room, crying, and thought to myself, that they imagined me dead. I then wanted to tell them I was alive, but I could not say a word, and so arrived to the conclusion that I was dreaming." Gradually his ideas became clearer and he realized, finally, that he no longer belonged to the earthly world, and his previous knowledge of Spiritism helped a lot. His material body had not yet been buried and he could already breathe freely, as one who leaves a sickening atmosphere. (Second Part, Chapter II, Samuel Philip, question 2).
149. A fact that surprised him was the fact that he could understand the Spirits around him without articulating a word. His thoughts were transmitted only by his eyes as if through a fluidic penetration. However, Samuel was not completely free from earthly concerns and, from time to time, the memory of his sufferings came back to his mind. (Second Part, Chapter II, Samuel Philip, question 2).
150. When talking about the trials and their importance to man, Samuel Philip reported that visiting people who were dear to him on Earth, he was heartbroken when he saw them slow their progress for lack of courage, complaining, hesitating and above all by performing reprehensible acts. "Then I try to make them move away from evil, and if I can, it is not only a joy for me, but for other Spirits too." (Second Part, Chapter II, Samuel Philip, question 3).
Answers to the proposed questions
A. How must we deal with the evidence of wealth?
According to information given by the Countess Paula's Spirit, any evidence of wealth is actually very dangerous. One must be very strong not to give in to such evidence. She transmitted the following message: "Workers, I am in your ranks: I, the noble lady, like you I got my bread by the sweat of my brow; I suffered a lot of deprivation, setbacks, and it was this that gave me strength in my soul. Otherwise, I would have failed on my last trial, and this would have left me behind in my career. Like me, you will also have the evidence of your wealth, but do not hasten to ask for it before time. And, you... the wealthy ones, always have in mind that fortune, the inextinguishable wealth, does not exist on Earth, instead start by finding out how you can achieve the benefits of the Almighty" "(Heaven and Hell, Part Second, Chapter II. The Countess Paula).
B. Is the body a hindrance to Spiritual development?
Yes, the body is an obstacle to spiritual faculties, and however great the illumination of the Spirit, it always suffers some type of difficulty when in contact with matter. (Ibid, Second Part, Chapter II, John Reynaud, communication given in Bordeaux).
C. Is there a difference between professing and praticing?
Yes, there is a big difference between professing and practicing. Many people profess a religion, but do not practice it. There are those who practice, but do not profess it. This is what happened with John Reynaud, as he himself revealed, "As every man, who follows the laws of Christ, is a Christian without even knowing it, so can we also be Spiritists, believing in the immortality of the soul, in reincarnation, and in an incessant progress, on earthly trials - a necessary spiritual purification to improve. Believing all this, therefore, I was a Spiritist. "Reynaud understood the erraticity in the spiritual world, an intermediate connection between reincarnation and purgatory in which the guilty Spirit frees itself of his unclean garments to dress new clothes, and where the evolving Spirit carefully weaves this new toga which the Spirit will carry and maintain it clean and pure."I understood it all, and without professing it, I continued to practice it" - said the Spirit of John Reynaud. (Ibid, Second Part, Chapter II, John Reynaud, communication given in Bordeaux).
D. How has Spiritism progressed?
The Spirit of John Reynaud referred to the subject in his second message. He said, "Did you notice, my friend, how Spiritism marches in direction of progress? First, God gave Spiritism the material evidence, moving tables, knocks and all sorts of phenomena, to call the attention. It was like a funny preface. Men need tangible evidence to believe. Now, it is quite different. After the material facts, God speaks to intelligence, common sense, cold reasoning. Now, effects are no longer physical, but things are rational, which convince and gather all unbelievers, even the most stubborn. Moreover, this is just the beginning. Make a note of what I tell you, a range of smart, irrefutable phenomena will follow, and the number of Spiritists will increase. God will influence the elite's intelligence, as well as the talent and knowledge of the eminences of Spiritism. It will be like a ray of light expanding and pouring over the entire Earth, as an irresistible magnetic fluid, dragging the most recalcitrant to research the infinite, to the study of this remarkable science that teaches us so sublime maxims" (Ibid, Second Part , Chapter II , John Reynaud second message).
