Advanced Study Group of Spiritism

Truth cannot afford to be tolerant where it faces positive evil.

In our desire for eternal life we pray for an eternity of our habit and comfort, forgetting that immortality is in repeatedly transcending the definite forms of life in order to pursue the infinite truth of life.

This October we commemorate GEAE's 10th Anniversary and there are many reasons to commemorate. In the beginning of October GEAE launched its new page with improved graphical resources and a new distribution system.

GEAE also added two new editors into the Spanish and English sections of the website:  Edgar Crespo, who is the Director of the Spiritist Society of Florida and his daughter Yvonne Limoges, who is the coordinator of the organization and the editor for its newsletter. Both have been collaborators of GEAE and Spiritist enthusiasts for many years. Yvonne and Edgar have been a welcome addition to GEAE and they surely show the growth of GEAE towards better fulfilling its main mission, which is to provide quality Spiritist information.

Happy Anniversary to GEAE!

Let the light of the Spirits Benefactors illuminate all of us in our journey.

GEAE Editors.

Dear GEAE Readers,

We would like to express very warm congratulations to GEAE on its 10th Year Anniversary! This website has provided, and continues to provide its readers, with Spiritist news from around the world, interesting and educational articles, a Spiritist exchange forum, and all of which supplies a tremendous service for the discussion, study, and dissemination of Spiritism!  GEAE has done a tremendous job!

And it is at this momentous time, we would like to graciously thank GEAE, for their invitation for us to join their Editorial Board. We are both very honored to be a part of GEAE and we hope our contributions will be of value, to you the readers, and for the continued success of this website.

To give a little background about ourselves, Ed Crespo and I, are the founders of The Spiritist Society of Florida, in St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A. My father is the Director and I am the editor of our newsletter. Our Spiritist center is also celebrating, it is our 20th Year Anniversary! We invite anyone who may be in our area to attend our center which holds services the last Sunday of each month, except in the month of December. In addition, we both were raised as Spiritists, my father has been studying and practicing Spiritism for over 50 years, and for myself over 30 years, if we don´t count when we were children. Besides the activities of our center, we have been active in translating Spiritist literature from Portuguese and Spanish into English over many years. Belief in Spiritism has been long in our family, my Great, Great Grandfather was arrested three times by the Spanish government for practicing Spiritism!  But, with God's blessings, he continued his works.

The spread of this beautiful Doctrine, with its compilation of the natural laws which govern the invisible world and the material world, with its serious and profound religious and philosophic ramifications, has been our life´s work: in its investigation, in its study, and in striving to put it into practice. Now, we appreciate the opportunity, and we look forward with great joy, to our new partnership with GEAE, which we feel will enhance our sincere endeavors.

May God bless all who work in the wonderful field of Spiritism!

Fraternally and Sincerely,
Yvonne Limoges and Ed Crespo
 
 

NEWS

Our Society is extremely pleased to announce that The Advanced Study Group of Spiritism website at: www.geae.inf.br/en/  will have (as we edit and send them each chapter) the entire book of The Memoirs of Father Germain by Amalia Domingo Soler, translated from Spanish into English by our Director, Ed Crespo. The author of the book, Miss Soler, was a very famous Spiritist in Spain and her books are considered classics. Anyone will be able to read, access, and print the book for the first time in English. We would especially like to thank, Antonio Leite, from the Advanced Study Group, for acting as liaison and specifically working with us on this important project. Also, Ademir has done a beautiful job of putting the book on the site. In addition, we were very pleased to meet with one of the founders of their website, Jose Cid  from Brazil, who visited us here in St. Petersburg recently.

In addition, their Study Group invited our Director Ed Crespo and myself, to be on their Editorial Board. We were very honored to be asked and we have graciously accepted. The website has new articles each month relating to Spiritism, in three languages: Portuguese, Spanish, and English. We are very proud to be affiliated with such a wonderful forum for the study of Spiritism.

Yvonne Limoges
 
 

SPIRITIST GROUPS

Hello people,

I have been a subscriber of this group for some months. Unfortunately there is never a message here. I also attend another group about
Spiritism. We have good threads and interesting topics.

If you want to subscribe, please send an e-mail to spiritism_english-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Maurizio
 
 

TEXT

By Antonio Leite & Renan Lacerda

 As we celebrate GEAE’s 10th Anniversary we would like to take advantage of this opportunity to make an inquiry regarding the first steps taken in establishing the Spiritist Movement in the United States of America.

 Among the information we found in regard to this matter we would like to describe what the Brazilian journalist Marcel Souto Maior writes in the book The Lives of Chico Xavier. (As Vidas de Chico Xavier): 1

 Before doing so, we would like to say that those might not be the only pieces of information related to the beginning of the Spiritist Movement in America. Our intent is actually to bring as much information as possible in this matter that we repute as very important for those who are engaged in this blessed task of spreading the teachings of Spiritism according to Allan Kardec throughout this country. Therefore, we will be glad to make available at GEAE’s page all the information regarding this subject that will be sent to us.

 Within the Chapter VIII of the above book, which has the title: The Dead are Alive (Os Mortos Estão Vivos), the following is written: 2

 "In May of 1965, the two (Chico Xavier and Waldo Vieira) had embarked for the United States. It was already time to introduce Spiritism to the Americans. Followed by two friends, Maria Aparecida Pimental and Irineu Alves, they had arrived in Washington on the afternoon of Saturday, May 22nd. In the following day they had visited a Spíritualist Temple in the city to thank the spiritual plane for the possibility of the trip. Without advanced warning, they headed to the Church of Two Worlds, which was directed by the medium Gordon Burrouhgs. It was 3:00 PM. They had sat down in the last row of seats and had remained in silence, following prayers, chants and commentaries on the doctrine. Nobody who was present knew them.

At the end of the meeting, one lady indicated the four "brothers of another country" present at the meeting and spoke about their task in the United States, which was to bring spiritual renewal and to stimulate a fraternal approach between the two nations. Promptly thereafter, in trance, she announced the presence of a "teacher" and a “doctor" close to the Brazilian visitors. Chico and Waldo were already aware of the presence of the spirits of Emmanuel and André Luiz.

In July, Waldo Vieira wrote a text message in the paper signed by the “doctor”: "Basic points for the spíritist in a trip". It was a guideline for the followers of the Spiritist Doctrine who would travel abroad for the first time. The advices, signed by André Luiz, seemed to have been written by Chico Xavier. These guidelines directed that the word foreign must be scratched from the dictionary. "The children of other homelands must be treated as true brothers". Besides prejudicial comparisons which would cause humiliation, it was necessary to refrain from being boastful, to be discreet and humble, to prevent from critique, quarrels, anecdotes and aphorisms of bad taste. In order to be more useful, one would have to study the language and the customs of the country that he or she visited.

For the quartet, there was much work to be done. Allan Kardec was an illustrious stranger (unknown) in the United States, even among the spiritualists. They accepted reincarnation, believed in spiritualistic phenomena such as materializations, but they were still unaware of the gospel 3 codified by the Frenchman in the previous century. Chico and Waldo then turned their attention to the second part of the plan: to establish a Spiritist Center. 4 They had already contacted a person in Washington: Salim Salomão Haddad and his wife, Phyllis. 5 The couple had known Chico Xavier in Pedro Leopoldo  (Brazil), 6 since 1956.

Chico chose the Turkish Salim, who spoke seven languages, to be the president of the Spiritist Center, which was named the Christian Spiritist Center. The address for the Center would be Salim and Phyllis’ house. For three weeks, the Brazilian visitor (Chico Xavier) was a guest there. As usual, he worked and he studied compulsively. In the morning he would be taught English by the couple’s oldest son. During the afternoons, Mrs. Haddad would be the English teacher and in the evening it was Salim Haddad who instructed him. For fifteen days Chico was able to learn what few would be able to learn in one year.

The pupil was a phenomenon, but according to his professors he didn’t have the required skills to write the texts, which in a few minutes was placed in the paper with the signature of a certain Ernest O'Brien. The English words flowed from his hand hastily, astounding even the Americans and left Mrs. Phyllis amazed. One of the articles, titled "Family", soon began with a description of the first impressions of the afterlife:

“Tremendous surprise takes place in our mind at the moment of death. Contrary to our own former opinions we are alive. The body came back to the inorganic Kingdom as subject of universal change and we recognize that death is rebirth.”

Waldo Vieira was not left behind and also would present texts signed by O'Brien:

“On what basis shall we localize the problem of death? Of course, there is no death. Life itself demands death as a rebirth.”

Suicide would be a pure loss of time. Life is inevitable.

Between a lesson and a "message", Chico Xavier would write books and he would occasionally take a walk with the hosts throughout the city. Mrs. Phyllis remembered two phrases of Chico during the sojourn:

“We must forgive seventy by seven times daily.”
“And a lot more patience every day.”

After Washington, they traveled to New York City. There, Chico met the doctor Eurípides Tahan, the companion of Maria Olina in the Sheila Spiritist Center. Tahan was studying for his MD in research for liver transplant and stimulated by Chico, both enrolled for an English course. For three weeks the mineiro7 of Pedro Leopoldo participated in the course. The teacher was impressed with Chico’s ability towards learning the English language.

At the end of one of the classes, a young man from Nicaragua approached Chico and Eurípedes and uttered in relief: he was facing problems with his wife and needed help. That same night, Chico decided to visit his house. The doctor followed him and was astounded by his behavior in the house of the Nicaraguan. Right after arriving in the man’s house he started talking with his wife in fluent Spanish. The conversation lasted for forty minutes. Chico seemed to be another person. When they left the house Chico explained to him: "It was her grandmother helping her and giving her advice..."

Afterwards, Chico and Waldo had left the United States and landed in France. Chico, indeed, embarked on a quest to visit Allan Kardec’s tomb, which is located in the Père la Chaise’s cemetery. There he prayed and wept. Before returning to Brazil, they had passed by Lisbon, where they left written texts in Portuguese. In one of them, signed by Emmanuel, 8 the following warning was issued.

“Let us take care of charity that suppresses the sufferings of the flesh, but do not diminish the aid to the necessities of the soul. Let us divulge the light of the Spíritist Doctrine.9 Let us assist our neighbor in helping him to discern and to think.”

 Chico would repeat the words of Christ:

“Learn the truth and it will set you free.”

 Emmanuel would complete with a firm statement:

“Free to be happy in our obligations and to be more responsible before God.”

 In this first trip, Chico and Waldo had launched the seeds of the Doctrine codified by Allan Kardec (Spiritism) abroad. In the following year, they would return to the United States in order to look after the plantation.

Chico Xavier has initiated this trip with the aim of taking an important step in the goal of disseminating the teachings of the Spiritist Doctrine in the United States and other countries abroad by launching the English version of one of his books: Ideal Espírita. To attract more readers, the book was translated into English with the title: The World of the Spirits and reached the stores with the label of the respected Philosophical Library. Chico was very excited and the trip was a success. Mrs. Phyllis Haddad had contributed to intensify the spiritist author’s optimism. Inspired she proved to be in tune with the beyond and touched in one of the most sensible points of Chico: she wrote in a paper a message signed by a certain Maria João de Deus. 10

The trip would be profitable. Books such as Christian Agenda and Our Home (The Astral City) 11 would be translated into English, Japanese and Czech. The Spiritist Doctrine would start cradling in the United States. A Spiritist Center named Centro de Sheilla would be inaugurated in Miami, besides two others Spiritist Centers. New York would soon host three spiritist centers, California would host two others and Philadelphia another one in the next thirty years.12 Statistically, it was not an exciting achievement. “The World of the Spirits" would sell 216 issues in the first year. Chico was happy and thought it was excellent, though."

As a result of this trip, Francisco Cândido Xavier and Waldo Vieira published a fascinating book in 1966: Entre Irmãos de Outras Terras (Between Brothers of Other Lands).13

The second part of the book is comprised of a number of messages that were dictated in English through the spirits Ernest O’Brien and Anderson. These messages are available at GEAE’s homepage.

Many spirits, one of which is a very dear and celebrated writer known to all Americas as William James 14, dictated one of the enlightening messages that comprise this very interesting book.

The message can be found on page 23 of the book and is titled: Vinte Assuntos Com William James (Twenty Subjects with William James). This message was already translated into English by A. L. Xavier Jr. (one of the members of GEAE’s Editorial Board) with the title: An Interview With William James and included in the newsletter Spiritist Messenger # 30.

The message will be transcribed below with few changes in regard to the first translation, which was permitted by the translator Ademir Luiz Xavier Jr.

1 As vidas de Chico Xavier by Marcel Souto Maior, Rocco, Rio de Janeiro – 1995. Translation of the excerpts by Antonio Leite & Renan Lacerda.
2 Book mentioned above, pages 158 to 164.
3 The Gospel According to Spiritism by Allan Kardec
4 Place where the Spiritist Dodctine’s followers gather to study the Doctrine and to worship God. 
5 Salim Haddad was the first to translate Chico Xavier’s well-known bestseller from the André Luiz collection (Nosso Lar) with the title: The Astral City, which is available in its entirety at GEAE’s homepage. He passed away in 1991. His wife Mrs. Phyllis Haddad lives in Elon College, North Carolina, and directs the Christian Spirit Center.
6 Town where Chico Xavier was born and lived for many years.
7 Designation for people who are born in the Town of Pedro Leopoldo, Brazil, where Chico Xavier was born.
8 Chico Xavier’s main mentor and spiritual guide. 
9 Charity according to the Spiritist Doctrine stands as one of the most important paths to be followed by humanity in order to achieve progress. It is the most practical way to attune oneself with Jesus’ maxim: Love your neighbor as yourself. Therefore, one of the most efficient ways of practicing charity, according to Spiritism, is by disseminating its enlightening teachings. 
10 Chico Xavier’s mother, who had passed away when Chico Xavier was 6 years old. 
11 Book mentioned on the endnote # 5.
12 Today the number of Spiritist Centers in America amounts to almost a hundred and in the year 2000 the first American Spiritist Congress in Miami was held, and approximately a thousand people from ten different countries were in attendance. 
13 Entre Irmãos de Outras Terras by Francisco Cândido Xavier & Waldo Vieira, Copyright by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1966.
14 William James was a Professor of psychology at Harvard University, achieved his MD in 1869 and later taught physiology and philosophy. One of the founders of the American Society for Psychical Research - ASPR, president of the Society for Psychical Research - SPR in 1894-5, vice-president from 1890-1910. He wrote: The Varieties of Religious Experience; The Meaning of Truth; The Will to Believe”, among other interesting books.
 
 

SPIRIT WORD

SPIRIT WORD THE ASTRAL CITY - "Nosso Lar"

A story of a doctor's odyssey in the Spirit World By Andre Luiz, through Francisco C. Xavier

(Translated from the 25th Portuguese edition entitled "Nosso Lar". First Portuguese edition published in 1944 by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.)

Chapter 23  THE ART OF LISTENING
 

I could not help feeling sorry that our talk was interrupted, for Laura's elucidations were most stimulating. Lysias had come back in evident good spirits:

"Hello! Haven't you retired yet?" He asked with a smile. While the two young men took their leave, he invited me cordially to come down to the garden.

"You haven't seen the moonlight from this side of town." He said.

While Laura talked with her daughters, I followed Lysias into the garden. It was really a magnificent sight. Accustomed as I was to the hospital grounds, which were secluded among large trees, I had not yet hat the opportunity to contemplate the wonderful spectacle of a moonlit night from the spacious quarters gloxinias of the Ministry of Assistance. Exquisitely colored gloxinias enhanced the beauty of the scenery and provided a vivid background for fragrant, snow-white lilies, which were slightly tinged with blue at the base of their cups.

I drew in deep breaths feeling a wave of new energy fill my whole being. In the distance rose the towers of the Government House, bathed in a beautiful display of lights. I was hushed into admiration and only after some time did I manage to speak at all:

"What a night! I have never experienced such peace!"

Lysias smiled and explained:

"All the well-balanced inhabitants of the Colony have pledged to avoid emitting negative currents of thought. Thus the effort of the majority merges into an almost continual prayer, hence the atmosphere of peace all around us."

For some time we gazed in wonder at the soul-stirring scenery, trying to absorb the night's opalescent light and soothing calm. Then we returned to the living room, where Lysias approached a small, radio-like apparatus. My curiosity was instantly aroused, and I wondered what we were going to hear. Messages from the Earth? My kind friend, reading my thoughts, explained:

"We aren't going to hear any voices from the planet. Our broadcasts here are based on vibratory currents far more subtle than those on Earth."

"But are there no means," I inquired, "of picking up broadcasts from Earth?"

"Of course there are, and they do it in all the Ministries. But in our homes we must concern ourselves only with our present condition and activities. After all, the work programs in the different departments, the tidings from higher spheres, and lofty teachings are much more important to us than any earthly problems."

The remark was just, but, still bound by domestic ties, I insisted:

"Do you really think so? What about our relatives left behind? Our parents? Our children?"

"I was expecting that question. You see, my friend, on the material plane, we often misinterpret situations. Most of us suffer from emotional hypertrophy. There on Earth we are slaves to exclusivism and inclined to limit our family to those bound to us by blood ties. We go through life heedless of the true principles of brotherhood, and although we preach them to everyone, when it comes to putting our beliefs into practice, nothing counts but our own flesh and blood. Here, however, life presents a different aspect. We have to conquer our old weaknesses and rectify injustices.

"We are told that in the early days of the Colony, every home possessed the necessary equipment to pick up broadcasts from the physical sphere. Everybody insisted on hearing news of his earthly relations, so that, from the Ministry of Regeneration to that of Elevation, the city's inhabitants lived with their nerves on edge. Disturbing rumors interfered with the good order of activities in general. Sometimes whole families were thrown into a state of utter confusion because of bad tidings from their dear ones still on Earth. When collective catastrophes on Earth in any way affected those lodged in the Colony, they assumed the proportion of public calamities. According to our records, the city was more like a purgatorial zone than the place of rest and instruction it was meant to be."

The late Governor was perhaps a little too tolerant, and, as you know, indiscriminate kindness engenders indiscipline and failure.  But two centuries ago one of the devoted Ministers of the Divine Union urged the Governor to change that deplorable situation. Supported by the Ministry, the Governor forbade the widespread communications with Earth. There was great opposition, but the generous Minister who had introduced the measure called to witness Jesus' teaching - let the dead bury their dead, and in a short time the innovation was successfully implemented."

"Still," I insisted, "It would be most comforting to have news of our dear ones on Earth. Wouldn't we feel more at rest?'

Lyaisias, who had been standing by the receiver without turning it on, continued his explanation:

"Now, take yourself as an example to see whether that would be wise. Would you be prepared, for instance, to hear that a beloved son was maligning another, or being maligned himself? Would you maintain the necessary serenity, waiting with faith and acting in accordance with the divine precepts?  If someone informed you that one of your brothers had just been imprisoned as a criminal, would you be strong enough to keep calm?"

I smiled disappointedly.

"We shouldn't try to look for news from lower spheres," Lysias continued obligingly, "except when we are able to render a just service. We must always keep in mind that no one can help justly and efficiently when under emotional or mental stress. So we have to go through suitable preparation before risking any new contacts with our earthly relations. If they offered an adequate field for spiritual love, the exchange would be worthwhile. But unfortunately the overwhelming majority of incarnate people has not yet attained even a moderate degree of self-control. Most of them lead haphazard lives, drifting with the high and low tides of their material conditions. In spite of our sentiments, we must avoid being drawn into low vibratory spheres."

Giving evidence of my stubbornness, I still argued the point:

But Lysias, your father is back on Earth. Wouldn't you like to communicate with him?

"Of course," he answered kindly, "whenever we deserve the joy, and the contact between us is considered opportune, we visit him in his new physical body. But we mustn't forget that we are fallible creatures, and as such should refer to the competent departments and let them decide about the opportunity and merit of such visits.

"That specialized work is done by the Ministry of Communication. Besides, it's well remember that although it is easier to descend from a higher to a lower sphere than the other way around, there are certain principles regulating communication between the different spheres that must be taken into consideration. They tell us that a through understanding of those sill in the lower zones is essential to render them adequate help. It's just as important to know how to speak as to know how to listen. This Colony was in a constant state of unrest because its inhabitants, not knowing how to listen, were unable to help efficiently. Thus, the spiritual atmosphere here was often sadly impaired."

At hose irrefutable arguments, I lapsed into a brooding silence, while Lysias turned on the receiver under my watchful eye.

Chapter 24 A SOUL-STIRRING APPEAL

Soft music floated into the room, soothing us with its melodious cadence, while on the screen we saw the announcer in his studio. In a few moments, he began to speak:

"This is Station Two, 'Residence'. Our colony continues to broadcast its appeal for peace on Earth. We urge all workers of good will to muster their energy to help maintain the moral balance on the Earth. Please, all who can spare a few hours to cooperate in the border zones that connect the dark forces of the Lower Zone to the human mind, help us. Dark bands of ignorant entities, after having left a bloody trail of war in Asia, are laying siege to the European nations, urging them on to new crimes. Our colony, together with all those dedicated to the work of spiritual hygiene in the spheres nearest to the Earth, denounce this onset of the concentrated powers of evil, and request brotherly collaboration and all possible help. Remember that the cause of peace needs defenders! Join in and cooperate with us to the best of your abilities. There is work for everyone, from the regions of the Earth to our very gates! May the Lord bless us!"

The voice silenced and again I heard the celestial melody. The impressive tones of that call stirred my very soul. Lysias hastened to my aid with his usual explanations:

"We are listening to 'Residence', an old colony closely connected with the Lower Zones. As you know, it is August, 1939. All the suffering you have gone through lately has left you little time to ponder the grave situation on Earth. But you can see that the Earth's nations are facing the eminent threat of a tremendous war."

"Really?" I asked, awed, "But wasn't there enough bloodshed in the last World War?"

Lysias smiled and looked at me in silence as if lamenting the gravity of the problem. It was the first time that he did not respond to my question. His silence was strange. The immensity of the spiritual services in my new plane of life overwhelmed me. Were there, cities of generous spirits asking for assistance and cooperation? The voice of the speaker was presented in the tone of an S.O.S. His run-down appearance showed on our screen, and his disquieted eyes betrayed his deep anxiety. And the language? I distinctly heard him speak in clear and correct Portuguese. I had thought that all the spiritual colonies communicated through thought vibrations. Were there, then, such great difficulties in the interchange? Seeing my bewilderment, Lysias explained:

"We are still far from the ideal regions of the mind. As on Earth, those who are in perfect harmony with each other may communicate through thoughts, without any of the barriers of speech; but generally, we cannot dispense with the linguistic form in a broad sense. Our area of battle is immeasurable. Earthly humanity, made up of millions of beings, is united with the invisible humanity of the planet, which numbers in the billions. It would be impossible to reach the more perfect zones, right after physical death. Our national and linguistic heritage remain with us, and our thoughts are restricted within our psychic borders. In different sectors or our activities there are a great number of spirits free from all limitations, but we mustn't forget that nothing escapes the principles of sequence at work in the laws of evolution."

Meanwhile, the music stopped and the speaker returned:

"This is 'Residence', Station Two. The colony continues to broadcast its appeal on behalf of peace on Earth. Dark clouds are gathering over the skies of Europe. Forces of darkness from the Lower Zone, attracted by the base tendencies of mankind are spreading in all directions. Devoted benefactors are stationed in political offices, struggling and making great sacrifices on behalf of international harmony. Some governments, however, are too centralized, and offer few possibilities for spiritual collaboration. These countries, deprived of serene and dispassionate counsel, are moving towards a great and terrible war. Oh, beloved brothers of the higher spheres, let us help to preserve peace on Earth. Let us help to defend centuries of experience of the numerous centers of Western Civilization! May the Lord bless us."

After a short silent, and I did not dare speak. After five minutes of the shooting music, the voice continued:

"This is 'Residence', Station Two. The colony continues to broadcast its appeal on behalf of peace on Earth. Fellow workers and brothers, let us invoke the protection of the powerful Fraternities of Light which preside over the destinies of America! Help us in the preservation of ancient rescue of the defenseless communities - let us sustain the anguished hearts of countless mothers. All our forces are concentrated on the tremendous fight against the legions of ignorance. Give us all the help you can! We are the invisible part of Earthly mankind, and many of us will soon return to the physical sphere to make restitution for past errors. Incarnate humanity is also our family. Let us all unite in one single vibration. We must check the advance of darkness with floods of light, and ward off the blows of Evil with the shield of Good. Rivers of blood and tears are threatening to flow over the fields of Europe. Let us proclaim the necessity of constructive work and expand our faith... May the Lord bless us!"

The broadcast was over, and Lysias turned off the receiver. I saw him discreetly away a tear which he could not hold back. With an expressive gesture, he exclaimed:

"What devoted workers our brothers of 'Residence' are. However," he added sadly with a pause, "everything will be useless. Soon Earthly humanity will be facing tremendous suffering."

"But is there no possibility of averting this catastrophe?" I asked, greatly moved.

"Unfortunately, replied Lysias in a grave tone of voice, "the general state of affairs is exceedingly critical. In answer to the appeals of 'Residence' and other colonies working in the neighborhood of the Lower Zone, several meetings were held here. But the Ministry of Divine Union has already warned us that war is unavoidable because incarnate humanity, taken collectively, is like an insatiable person who has overeaten at a banquet - the organic crisis which follows is inevitable. Various nations have had an orgy of criminal pride, boastfulness and ferocious selfishness.. Now they are experiencing the urgent need to expel these lethal poisons."

Anxious to drop the painful subject, Lysias invite me to retire.

Next chapters: 25 & 26.