Advanced Study Group of Spiritism

How beautiful the afternoon was! Not one cloud marred the firmament above, adorned all in blue, and only the lightest haze scarcely veiled the summits of the mountains, conspicuously crowned with fir trees, along the very clear horizon.

At the bottom of the valley, sheep grazed peacefully. The goats jumped, and ran agilely and friskily through the bushes of the hills, seemingly happy upon their victory in ascending them, while groups of small children played with them.  There reigned in nature a calmness so peaceful, and into this sweet solitude, one’s spirit would deliver itself, where one could dream while still awake. Mine also dreamt, in that wonderful atmosphere.

I arrived and sat down next to the Spring of Health, wherein Sultan would then put his head upon my feet. I then would start to think of the solitary life I led and its intimate isolation but, I was grateful that I would soon become absorbed in that wonderful place, and these thoughts would be erased from my mind, including the sense of bitterness I felt, upon these unpleasant reflections.

Looking at the sky, I breathed in that peaceful calmness, and heard the leaves agitated by a soft wind, and said to myself, “Who could say that under this sky, harbored so much pain? When everything seems to smile! When all around, everything seems to murmur a blessing!  Human passions, keep away your hate! Your petty ambitions and your passing pleasures! Your remorse and your intense pain!  I rested my soul in contemplation, rejoicing in the quiet of nature, and I thanked God who had conceded to me this goodness, which is so unappreciated by many, and   there I remained absorbed in mystic contemplation.

I do not know how long I remained in this type of repose, all I know is that all of a sudden, Sultan got up, walked a few paces back and forth, and stood in front of me menacingly, with his mouth partly open.

“Sultan, are your crazy? What have I done to you?” I asked, putting my right hand on his head. Sultan did not pay attention to me, he was listening, and all of a sudden he started to run. I followed with my eyes the direction he took, and I saw a man appear, who upon seeing my companion looking so hostile, shook his cane at him. “Sultan, come here!” I yelled. The noble animal reluctantly returned, over the path he had taken, while turning his head and growling. The unknown man came closer and then I recognized that he was a high dignitary of the church, one who in the past had done me much harm. He was the one who had confined me to my parish and even here, I seemed to cause him problems. More than once, he had plotted to have me burnt at the stake for being a conspirator and a witch.

Upon seeing me, he said with animosity, “Your dog is not well trained, I believe I have come at a timely moment to better discipline him.”

“Sultan has a very good sense of smell, and without a doubt, has recognized you. So leave then, my dog in peace, for he has never harmed anyone, because I have prevented him. But don’t aggravate him, because I’ll not be responsible for what happens. When he hears my voice, he becomes gentle as a lamb, but solely with one look of disdain from you, he’ll become more fierce than a wounded lion. He's more loyal than men, and he is not used to tolerating injustices.”

“Do you know, this is all very charming? In order for us to talk, one must first surrender to your dog!” 

“Believe me, its worth more to have him as friend, than as an enemy. But, let’s forget about Sultan. Tell me, how can I serve you? ” I asked.

“In nothing, I am just tired of Court, with being overwhelmed with its business and its bothersome affairs. It occurred to me to come to this village to rest for a few days. That's the main purpose of my visit here.” Upon saying this, he sat nearby on a rock looking in all directions with visible uneasiness.

I was surprised to see him act this way, and so I told Sultan, while giving him a small pat on the head, “Go see who may come and let me know if you hear anything, no matter how distant.” Sultan looked at me attentively, then at the stranger, back towards me, and then he ran, getting lost down the footpath.

“Do you fear anyone coming?” asked my recently arrived visitor, the one whom I will call Lulio.

“I fear for you, not for me. I've read in your eyes that you have come to hide, not from petty problems, but from a certain prison sentence. But, do not fear, before the coming of the king's guards, Sultan will announce their arrival, then you may flee, or we can hide you in the cellar of the chapel,” I said.

“What are you saying? You’re delirious, no doubt. I do not have to hide from anyone, I come incognito because I want to be left alone, and wish to be for a few days, the priest of this parish,” he said.

“The church and its lodgings are at your disposal, but not the confessional, not the intimacy of my parishioners, because you know full well, Father Lulio, that you and I know each other very well. Together, we spent our childhood and youth. I know full well the vices you have. I know your history, as well as I know mine, and I will not permit that you leave the seeds of discontent at this poor parish. If you only have come here on a whim, I'm almost tempted to tell you to go elsewhere. But, if you come here out of necessity, which I truly believe, you can count on me, with my old assistant Miguel, and my faithful Sultan. I know you have become disgraced and that a nobleman has cursed you, and a poor adulteress, now in a convent, cries out in terror with the remembrance of her fatal extravagance. I know that the king wants to set an example using you, and has started by confiscating all your property, no matter how much you deny it. I know that you are being pursued,” I said.

“You have been wrongfully informed,” he answered.

“I pray to God, that I have been.”

“What is true, is that I'm tired of being at Court and I want to see if the life you lead here is to my satisfaction. If it is, I'll retire from the great world,” he said.

“What good you could do! You are rich, of noble ancestry, and you have powerful relatives capable of doing much good. How many tears you could dry! How much misery, you could alleviate. It is never too late to repent. God always loves His children, no matter what. Believe me, Lulio, the path you have paved, as a priest has not been a good one. A priest should be humble without being servile, charitable without display. He should detach himself from all worldly interests and consecrate himself to God, practicing His Saintly Law. He should be a model of virtues, he should not have any vices, for to call oneself an anointed priest of God, one has to be truly a spirit of progress, eager for the light of truth, of spirituality, and of love. There is still time, you are young, this is the best period in your lifetime, you have not suffered and by natural law you can work at least twenty more years. You can leave planted, a seed of goodness, which is a seed come from God,” I said.

Lulio, looked at me intently, then suddenly got up saying, “Something is happening, or Sultan has gone crazy.”

I looked, and it was true, something had occurred because Sultan, using a short cut, came running towards me. He was running so fast it seemed as if he was propelled by a hurricane. Lulio and I went out to meet him, and instinctively, the noble animal upon seeing me, stopped and put his paws on my shoulders. After which, he scratched the floor, barking furiously, running in all directions, and then again began scratching at the ground.

“There is not a moment to lose,” I told Lulio, “Sultan is trying to tell us many horses are coming, and these I'm sure, are coming for you!”

“I did not think that they would come so soon,” he muttered, growing pale, “I thought they would give me time to be with my relatives. What shall we do?  If they take me, I'm lost, because they want my head!”

“Do not fear, follow me,” I said. Then quickly, we headed to the chapel. We descended down the ravine near there and then, we disappeared around the bend of a large road which lead to ‘Devil’s Cave.’ We arrived at its deepest point, which was the most favorable place to be, as a boulder had come loose above, but it had left an opening where air could come in.

“Remain here,” I told him, “Tonight, Miguel or Sultan, will bring you something to eat. Do not fear, ask God to shelter you, and believe me, He will not abandon you. I will do for you now, what I would do for a son.”

Lulio squeezed my hands firmly, full of emotion. Then I told him, “I'll go now, so as not awake suspicion in those who come.”

Followed by Sultan, I came out of the cave feeling extremely shaken because I felt the  weight of a new and terrible calamity upon me. Lulio, due to his cunning, his tricks, and unchecked ambition, which had lead him into terrible conspiracies, had made himself hated at Court. Since he was very wealthy, he had great power. He was a dark figure to be dreaded and was the head of a formidable faction. But I, who knew him since he was a child,  felt there was still some good within that hardened heart.

I now said to myself, “If they catch him, his great anger will know no limits and he'll turn  into a bloodthirsty tiger. If they end up killing him, the vengeance of his followers will be horrible. Meanwhile, if I'm able to make him change his behavior, maybe he'll repent the error of his ways, and then he could become useful to humanity!” Buried in these thoughts, I arrived at the rectory and called to Miguel. In as few words as possible, I told him what had occurred so that if I were unable to take care of the fugitive, so as not to arouse suspicion, he could do it. Oh, how true it is  that within each sin, resides the punishment! Here is a man of noble birth, a prince of the church, a holder of untold wealth, who now finds himself reduced to live confined, either with me, or in the hands of his pursuers, because of his evil acts! Poor man! Oh, how heavy is the cross of our vices!

These reflections went through my head, as I neared the window. The shadows of the night had extended throughout a part of the earth; everything slept in calmness. Only within the hearts of some men, did the tempests of emotion intensify.

Soon the beat of many galloping horses came to my ears, and the small courtyard of my church was not able hold the horsemen that had invaded it. The captain of the group came to my room and told me that he came in search of the Bishop Lulio. I shrugged my shoulders, and told him that I did not know his whereabouts. In spite of the captain’s threats, supplications, and bribes (he even offered me a cardinal’s hat in the name of the king) it was useless, because I said  nothing.

“Look,” the captain said, “About five years ago, I came here searching for a criminal which I know you hid from me. But now, I have orders that if the bishop does not appear, you, who are the sorcerer of this parish, will be taken in his place. I will be here for eight days, and I will search for him, and remove rock after rock if I have to, in order to find him. I repeat, if the bishop does not appear, I'll take you as a hostage instead. You choose!”

Upon hearing these words, I felt a chill. Without thinking, I looked through the window towards the cypress trees of the cemetery and my heart felt heavy. I would have cried like a baby because the thought of being separated from that tomb, would kill me. But, I deliberated and asked him, “Who is more useful in this world, Lulio or me? He is, because he is young, rich, and powerful, and he could do much good. His remorse could be a spring of prosperity and of great progress for his spirit. In life, one should not be only for oneself, one should be an instrument of universal goodness. The suffering of one soul is not important if it brings forth the collective progress of humanity. We should be one for all, and all for one.”

The captain looked at me and could only say, “What a shame. I feel sorry in removing you  from your parish, but, those were my final orders.”                                               

“Then you should fulfill them, captain,” I said.

For eight days they looked for Lulio without results, because the entrance to ‘Devil’s Cave’ was known only to Miguel, Sultan, and myself. Since the bishop did not appear, I went in his place, and while the inhabitants of my parish were sleeping, I said good‑bye to Miguel. Then I said my goodbyes to Sultan, that admirable animal whose marvelous intelligence I would never forget, and who had never been separated from me. He, who always watched over me while I  slept, understood that he was serving me best, by remaining with Miguel. He howled painfully, his tears filled my hands, but he did not take one step in my direction but remained fixed in the middle of my room, while elderly Miguel cried like a baby. That poor man!

When I saw how far away I was from my village, I felt an intense cold, and a pain so strong and so intense within my heart, that I thought I would die. I thought of her and asked her for courage. I asked for faith, hope, and valor so I would not succumb under this trial, and, as if she was a guardian angel of mine, I instantly felt more animated. I then heard what seemed a distant voice, say, “Return good for evil, and fulfill your duty!”

And I fulfilled it. I arrived at Court and met with the king numerous times, and during all those meetings, it seemed like we had changed places; he appeared as if he were the subject and I the sovereign. I talked with such energy and with such authority and told him, “If you wish to be great, be just. Crowns have been lost by rebelling townspeople. The virtues are stronger than the ages. The bad king of today, may be the slave of tomorrow. The spirit lives always, don’t forget this.”

I remained a prisoner of the state for two months, but well tended for, and visited many times by the king; a sick soul and a very troubled man who lived alone. I did what I could to rejuvenate his soul, and I partially succeeded.

One morning, I received the order to leave my cell and meet with the king, who was going hunting in the mountains which surrounded my village. My heart beat with happiness, they made me a litter pulled by horses, and surrounded by his escorts, I followed them. Upon reaching my beloved village, the king saw himself surrounded by all its inhabitants, who clamored with great enthusiasm for me. I, within my litter, gazed at all those beloved beings, especially those children, who were my inseparable companions, who prostrating themselves at the feet of their monarch asked, “Do you bring us back, our father?” There was an indescribable clamor; some were begging and some were cheering. I, a short distance away, could see that truly moving scene, without them seeing me.

The king dismounted, and he was immediately surrounded by the children and the women. When a path opened in that multitude, a villager, a young girl whose spirit had come to earth on a mission, so beautiful, so discrete, approached the king, and she asked, “Sir, kings are the images of Providence when they supply their people with seeds of goodness. The priest of this parish is our father, our beloved father, and a poor orphan asks you for an act of clemency. Our father is already old, let him be among us, so that we can close his eyes when he dies.”

The king told me that he was deeply moved upon hearing the voice of that young girl, then anticipating her look of gratitude, he turned and asked the head huntsman, “Bring me, Father Germain.” Upon hearing these words, the girl exclaimed, “You are blessed!” Before the huntsman could get to me, she was at my litter first. What I felt upon seeing her I cannot explain, because my savior did not come to me alone, with her was the pale girl with the black curls. I saw her very young, as on the day when she had asked me, “Is to love, evil?”

I saw her, with her crown of jasmines, with her white veil, a sad smile, and with her eyes radiating love. I was so absorbed in this vision that I let myself be lead as if a child, without noticing what was happening around me. I only came out of this state of ecstasy when Sultan,  knocking everyone aside, finally reached me.

What immense jubilation! What imponderable happiness! I had suffered much in my life, but in those brief moments, I was splendidly compensated. There are sensations that are indescribable, there are emotions that are inexplicable! There are some seconds in this world, where each one is worth a hundred centuries. In those short seconds, one lives so very much!

The king remained in our parish over three weeks, as he was injured during one of his hunting trips, and having to convalesce, he was not able to return to his palace directly. When he recovered and eventually left, I realized that his soul had finally started to experience true feelings and sentiments of love, for the first time in his life. Therein, I blessed all the sufferings I had experienced. Yes, I blessed them. I blessed my many hours of agony because if undergoing them,  I had been able to awaken human sentiments in one so high in station, among the men of this earth!

When I was alone again and free of the courtesans of the Court and separated from their shadowy intrigues, I was able to breathe better. I called to Miguel and asked him when did Lulio leave. I learned with alarm that he was still in the cave because he did not want to leave without my counsel. At night, Miguel had been taking him food. At other times, Sultan, taking between his teeth a small basket of food, would go to him.

I waited until nightfall, so that no one would see me, and went with Sultan to see Lulio. He, upon seeing me, threw himself into my arms, and we remained embraced for long time while Sultan caressed the both of us.

I then told him, “Let’s get out of here,” and with my arm around his waist we walked beyond the cave’s entrance and sat down on the nearby ruins of the chapel.

“How much I owe you, Father Germain,” he said, with much emotional sentiment, “How much I've learned in these last three months, away from the eyes of men. Nearly every night, I come to this spot to wait for Miguel. Now Sultan likes me, and during the day, he spends long hours by my side. Just as if he was a person, he would look at me and shedding tears, as if telling me, ‘You are to blame.’ During my illness, I was very sick for more than a month, Sultan, lost his hate for me and although he cannot speak, has been my faithful companion. Also, from Miguel, I've learned how much you have suffered. Although he told me to leave, and even offered me some clothes to disguise myself, I did not want to leave until I saw you, because I wanted to strictly follow any advice you would give me.”

“Lulio, above all, follow the impulses of your heart,” I said.

“Very well,” he replied, “The impulse of my heart is to follow the path that you will designate for me.”

“Then listen to me...all you have gained with your past conduct is to have a price put on your head and other terrible things. You know, they offered me the cardinal’s hat if I had turned you in. But, at that price, I would have been reaching to put that red hat on and it would have been as if I had seared my head with red-hot iron! They could not buy me for any price. I would have preferred to die, if it was necessary, because the poor of my village would have cried over my death. Your death would have brought vengeance in a cruel manner. Always, while we are in this world we should reflect, and do what is the most advantageous for humanity. If you go and put yourself in front of those who seek you, you'll only find yourself an object of persecution without mercy, and you will die accursed and cursing. Or, on the other hand, you could leave the country and go to another one, where you could work your sacred ministry with dedication in a remote village. If  you create a spiritual family composed of the elderly and the children, and through your labors obtain their acceptance and appreciation, then after a time, you will become content. For one can find happiness, when one knows how to look for it.”

“Are you happy here?” he asked.

“As a priest, yes,” I answered.

“And as a man?” he then asked.

I answered, “No, because a roman apostolic catholic priest, if he is to fulfill his vows and duty, has to live a life of sacrifice, living against the laws of nature. He must break those sacred ties that unite a man with a dear wife and loving children.  I do not want concubines and I do not wish to have children outside the sanctity of marriage. So, I have sacrificed myself for an empty religion devoid of feeling, one that oppresses and enslaves men, without ennobling their spirits.  I have envied these new religious reformers, but I have not had the valor to join them. I've lived all my life for others, but not for myself. Therefore, as a man, I have not experienced any of the love and tenderness of this life. But, as a father of souls, I have helped dry many tears and have the intimate satisfaction of having stopped many human catastrophes. You have two paths before you, the reformed church, or ours. In either case, you can teach, if you know how to love and to suffer.”

“I'm tired of struggles, Father Germain. I will try and live like you. My spirit needs rest and to be able to forget the past. In these three months, I've learned much. I have had, I don’t know whether hallucinations or revelations, but I have heard distinct voices of errant souls who tell me, ‘Awaken! Learn! Your victim has served as a teacher! You have done him as much harm as you could, yet he saves you, by exposing himself to danger.’ These warnings, Father Germain, have made me more prudently ponder and meditate my situation.”

“As I've always told you, Lulio, in the sacrificing of myself for you, I was only truly thinking of preventing the spilling of blood and the cruelty of different factions fighting. I don’t do any more than to try to spread the seeds of goodness, because goodness is a seed that comes from God.”

“I'll try to spread some too. I will try to erase the inequities of my past with good deeds.” replied Lulio. A few days later, he left my parish disguised as a poor friar.

A year later, he sent an emissary with a letter for me, which said: “Oh, how much gratitude I owe you! How happy I am, here in this small corner of the world! Already the children look for me, as they do for you. The elderly ask for my advice and the poor bless me! I was able to save some of my property from confiscation and I have employed it in bettering the sad situations of some of these poor people. Some, who until now, had not been able to nourish themselves, except with the coarsest of bread. But today, thanks to my solicitude, they enjoy a much better and more abundant and healthier sustenance. I think sometimes about those in my past, who probably don’t even remember me. But, oh, how much I owe you, Father Germain! May God Bless you! Blessed is the man who made me understand, that goodness is a seed that comes from God!”

This letter filled me full of a profound satisfaction, one that a soul experiences when one sees the flowering of virtues.

I was even happier, when I received a long letter from the king, in which he asked my advice regarding some affairs of state and ending it with saying: “Soon, I will make a visit to come see you, but I will come incognito. I have to talk to you. I have to confess to you what I now feel in my heart. You spoke with me about the love of the soul, and now my soul feels agitated about my past memories and my hopes for the future, between my remembrances and intuitions of an immense love. I'm either fooling myself, or I'm already a teacher in how to love.”

I reflected much regarding these two letters. I went to her tomb and there I reread them. I also thanked God for having had sufficient feelings of abnegation to forgive great offenses that had been done me and to deliver myself up for a sacrifice. For when I had left my parish, I thought that I would never return to see it again. I expected my head to fall in place of Lulio's. But, with my resolutions of this matter, I was able to give light to two souls. Those two rebellious souls were dominated by my love, through my will, and by my faith. Great was my anguish and cruel was my uncertainty. But, bless my hours of agony if through them, I was able to rescue two men from the enslavement of sin.