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Year 14 |
Number 68 |
2005 |
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November
15th, 2005 |
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"Unshakable faith is only that which
can face reason face to
face in every Humankind epoch."
Allan Kardec |
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Dear
Readers,
We are sorry to inform you that we will have to stop reproducing The
Memoirs of Father Germain in
electronic form because its
publishing in
printed form is being negotiated with editors.
If negotiations are successful we will have to rejoice. After all,
we all know what a wonderful work it is and so the more people can read
it, the better. You may still currently download the book from
our
website
before it is taken off. In order to do so, all you have to do
is
follow the links: GEAE in
English/GEAE Resources/Electronic Books/Memoirs of Father Germain.
In order to keep our Electronic Book section alive we have chosen to
publish Life
and Destiny by
Léon Denis, a superb work by
a great Spiritist researcher. In this issue we will reproduce the Introduction by the
Translator, a
poem by the translator named A
Sculptor and the book's Summary.
In our next issue we'll reproduce the book's Introduction
and then one chapter
in each following issue of the SM.
We hope that you willl like your reading and profit a lot from
it.
Much peace
The GEAE Editors
If
we truly
believe in a Creator Who is All Love and Goodness, why does suffering
exist? It is obvious that suffering is rampant upon this planet, in one
form or another, and that no one escapes it and many people suffer
things that seem random with no apparent cause.
Science
tells us
every effect must have a cause. Reason tells us that suffering must
have a just cause because all suffering must be in conformance with the
Perfect Justice of God’s All Powerful Goodness. This also
means
we
cannot receive punishments arbitrarily. Then what is the answer to the
question: “Why
do good people
suffer?” The only
logical answer is the
spiritually mature concept of reincarnation through it laws of cause
and effect based upon the choices people make through their thoughts,
words, and deeds. The inequities of life only appear unfair
because of
mankind’s limited perspective, for it must look out beyond
the
horizon
of one lifetime into the infinity of the plurality of existences to
find the reasons for Life’s sorrows. One lifetime is but only
one
link
in a long chain of lives.
It
is high time
for mankind to begin to accept this fact…for it is the only
concept
where mankind will truly find solace while upon this material world and
where reason can provide a solid faith to sustain it.
Mankind
suffers
the results of its choices in order to learn lessons that in turn
assist in its soul’s progression and moral purification. A
human
being
cannot sufficiently progress and learn all that it needs to learn in
one lifetime; to have only one chance to get things right, and then
either go to heaven or to the eternal damnation of hell is not in
keeping with the Goodness of the Creator.
The
Creator
Knows the past, present, and future, as the Creator is All Knowing. It
would go against God’s Supreme Justice to create beings
already
known
to be doomed to hell or to create others, already knowing
they
would
“be
saved” and
could go to heaven. If this was the case that would mean
that the Creator was playing favorites and that is unfair even to a
mere human’s sense of justice!
Neither
does it
truly make sense that a person may have one horrible or one relatively
good lifetime then, continue to supposedly evolve in the afterlife or
spirit world or beyond. One can learn all one likes, but it is only
when one puts knowledge into practice, that is when a person is put to
the real test of its will power and determination. It is also the only
way the soul actually transforms itself through a progressive
purification process. It would be like going to school forever but
never using or testing the knowledge attained in one’s field
of
study.
The
Creator
Created all of humanity and Holds all mankind to the same Universal
Spiritual Laws no matter what their religious or non-religious beliefs;
for the Law of Cause and Effect is the same for all.
Now,
if we
believe that we have had many existences, we must assume we have made
some wrong choices along the way, most probably even committed terrible
crimes when we were less morally mature in ages long past. We have only
to look at the violent past of the history of mankind. It would be
illogical to assume we have all been perfect angels from the very
beginning of our creation! Therefore, as it states in the book The
Gospel According to Spiritism, Chapter 17: “God has
created all men
equal in relation to pain, whether we be small or great, ignorant or
educated, we all suffer for the same motives so that each one may judge
in clear consciousness the evil that can be done… God
Desires
that all
His children, being instructed through their common experiences, should
not practice evil with the excuse of not knowing its effects.”
Mankind
suffers because it has caused hurt or pain to itself or others and it
must repent, expiate, and make reparation for any transgressions of
moral and spiritual laws, either in this present lifetime or in another
existence; for it is insufficient just to say one is sorry and carry
on. The Divine Scales of Justice are Perfect and there are no mistakes.
In addition, being good and doing good deeds, in certain cases, may
help to ease expiations.
Further,
those
who have completely expiated their past want to push themselves further
through self-sacrifice and by accepting difficult missions (these are
very morally superior souls). They comprehend fully that if they
succeed in these, it will help push them further along the pathway that
leads to their final purification (no longer having to reincarnate
anymore) and towards the Creator.
Everyone
starts
at the same place and ends at the same place, how long it takes (how
many existences) is up to each individual. In order to accept this
concept of reincarnation one must have a mature spiritual
understanding. We realize that there are no special dispensations, no
magical words that can be said, there is no way to avert the
consequences of our own thoughts, words, and deeds. We are the
architects of our very own destinies! We have only ourselves to blame
for all our sufferings, for we have chosen our own spiritual journey.
It
is we who
choose what types of trials we will subject ourselves when we return to
the material world in each existence, after we have been shown (upon
our physical death and return to the spirit world) what crimes, bad
deeds, or wrong doings we have committed in our previous lives. We do
this because we want to make amends, we want to clear our consciences,
we want to become better persons, and we want to progress, as all
spirits eventually want to do, for the Law of Progress is a Law of the
Universe. We understand then, that we cannot progress until we have
cleansed and purified ourselves of our past, reparated for it, and,
attained great knowledge and wisdom while removing all selfishness and
materiality from the very essence of our being and soul. Humankind
progresses through the merits of its deeds not through any type of
special grace or the sacrifices of another.
Many
who may
initially accept the concept of reincarnation, when they begin to look
deeper into what that concept actually means, and later learn we must
accept our own personal responsibility regarding the circumstances we
find ourselves, it is then when they either humbly accept this reality,
or, reject the whole thing and walk away (or even reject God) because
they are not spiritually or morally ready to accept this truth.
But,
they
will
accept it eventually, as they mature later in this lifetime or in
another, because reincarnation is the only logical answer to the
question, “Why
do good people
suffer?” - for it
is in total conformance
with the Creator’s Supreme Love and Perfect Divine Justice.
(Reproduced
from The
Academy of Religion and Psychical Research, June 2005 Bulletin
–
Website: www.lightlink.com/arpr/
with the author's autorization)
132. The spontaneous manifestations which have occurred in all times,
and the persistence of some spirits in ostensible
evidence of their presence in certain localities, are the source of the
belief in haunted places. The following spirit-answers were elicited by
our questions on this subject.
1. Do spirits attach themselves to persons only, or do they also attach
themselves to things?
"That depends upon their elevation. Certain spirits may attach
themselves to terrestrial objects ; misers, for instance, who have
hidden their
hoards, and who are not sufficiently dematerialised, may still watch
over and guard them."
2. Are there any places for which errant spirits have a predilection ?
"Spirits who are no longer earth-bound go where they find those whom
they love, for they are attracted rather by persons than by material
things.
Some of them may, for a time, retain a preference for certain places;
but those who
do so are spirits of inferior advancement."
3. Since the attachment of spirits for localities is a sign of
inferiority, is it also a proof that they are evil spirits ?
"Assuredly not; a spirit may be but little advanced, and yet not be a
bad spirit; is it not so among men?"
4. Is there any foundation for the belief that spirits frequent ruins
by preference?
"No; spirits go to such places, just as they go everywhere else; but
the lugubrious aspect of certain places strikes the
human imagination, and leads you to attribute, to the presence of
spirits, what is often
merely a natural effect. How often does fear turn the shadow of a tree
into a phantom,
or mistake the cry of an animal, or the murmuring of the wind, for the
wail of a ghost!
Spirits like the presence of men, and usually seek out inhabited places
rather than
solitary ones."
- Nevertheless, knowing what we do of the diversity of character among
spirits, may we not suppose that there are misanthropes among them,
preferring
solitude to society?
"Have I not already answered you on this point, by saying that spirits
may seek out desolate places, as well as all other places? If some of
them live
alone, they do so because it pleases them, but this is no reason why
spirits should
necessarily prefer ruins; and, assuredly, there are many more spirits
in cities and inhabited
dwellings than in solitary places."
5. Popular beliefs have generally a foundation of truth; what is the
origin of the belief in haunted places?
"It has grown out of men's instinctive belief in spirit manifestations,
a belief that has prevailed in all ages of the world; but, as I said
just now, the
aspect of lugubrious places strikes the imagination, and men have
naturally located, in such
places, the beings whom they have regarded as supernatural. This
superstitious
belief is upheld by the fanciful imaginings of your poets, as well as
by the nonsensical
stories told to you in the nursery."
6. Spirits who assemble together, have they any preferences in regard
to days and hours of meeting?
"No;
days and hours are measurements
of time for the use of men, and
for the needs of corporeal life; spirits have no need of any such
measurements,
and take very little heed of them."
7. What is the origin of the idea that spirits. come by preference at
night?
"The impression produced on the imagination by darkness and silence.
All such ideas are superstitions that a rational knowledge of
spiritism will destroy. It is the same with
respect to the notion, held by some people, that certain days and hours
are more propitious
than others; the influence of midnight has no existence except in
story-books."
- If this be the case, how is it that many spirits announce their
arrival and manifestations for midnight, or for certain pre-determined
days, as
Fridays, for example?
"Such spirits only trifle with your credulity. In the same way, there
are spirits who declare themselves to be the devil, or give themselves
some other
diabolical or fantastic name. Show them that you are not to be taken in
by them, and
you will hear no more of such absurdities."
8. Do spirits come back by preference to the burial-place of their body?
"The body was but a garment; they care no more for their fleshly
envelope, in which they have had to suffer, than the prisoner cares for
his chains.
The memory of those they love is the only thing they value."
- Are prayers offered up at their graves especially pleasant to them,
and do they attract them more than prayers would do elsewhere?
"Prayer is an evocation which attracts a spirit, as you know. The more
fervent and sincere the prayer, the greater the effect it produces; and
therefore, the sight of a venerated tomb may serve to concentrate the
thought of him who prays,
while the interest attached to it, as to any other treasured relic,
being a
testimony of affection offered to the spirit, he is always attracted
and touched thereby. But,
in all such cases, it is the thought which acts on a spirit, and not
any material objects;
for these have less influence on the spirit who is prayed for than on
the person who prays,
and whose attention they serve to concentrate and intensify."
9. That being the case, the belief in haunted places would appear to be
not absolutely groundless?
"We have told you that there are spirits who are attracted by material
things; such spirits may also be attracted to certain places, and may
even take
up their abode in them, until the cessation of the
circumstances that have attracted them
thither."
- What are the circumstances that may attract spirits to a given place?
"Their sympathy with persons who frequent that place, and, in some
cases, the desire to communicate with them. Their motives, however, are
not always
so praiseworthy inferior spirits may desire to revenge themselves on
persons against whom they have a grudge. Sojourn in a fixed locality
may be, also, a
punishment inflicted on them especially if they have committed a crime
there, so that the crime
may be constantly before their eyes."
10. Have haunted places, in all cases, been the former habitation of
the spirits who haunt them?
"Not in all cases ; if the former inhabitant be an elevated spirit, he
will no more hold to his old house than to his old body. Spirits who
haunt certain
localities, when not attracted to them by sympathy for certain persons,
are often only
actuated by
caprice."
- Can they attach themselves to certain places, in order to act as
protectors of particular persons of families?
"Assuredly, if they are good spirits ; but, in that case, they never
manifest their presence by disagreeable actions"
11. Is there any truth in the legend of "The White Lady." †
"It
is as true as are a thousand
other facts of a similar nature."
12. Is it rational to dread places that are reputed to be haunted by
spirits?
"No; the spirits who haunt certain places, and make disturbances there,
do so to amuse themselves at the expense of the credulous and the
cowardly,
rather than for any evil purpose. Besides, you must not forget that
there are spirits
everywhere ; and that, wherever you may be, you have them incessantly
around you, even in the
quietest houses. They only appear to haunt certain habitations because
they find, in them, the conditions necessary for manifesting
their presence."
13. Is there any method of expelling them?
"Yes; but most frequently what people do for that purpose attracts
rather than repels them. The best way of expelling bad spirits is to
attract good
ones, by doing all the good you can; the bad ones will then go away,
for good and evil are
incompatible. Be always good, and you will have only good spirits about
you."
- Many very good people, however, are greatly annoyed by the
persecutions of bad spirits.
"If persons thus annoyed are really good, the annoyance may be a trial
to exercise their patience, and to excite them to greater goodness."
14. Can evil spirits be driven from haunted places by exorcisms?
"Have you often seen exorcisms successful? Have you not, on the
contrary, often found that they increased the disturbances? Mischievous
spirits
are often amused at being mistaken for the devil."
"Spirits who come without any evil intention may also manifest their
presence by rendering themselves visible, or by noises ; but the noises
they
make never degenerate into racket. They are often suffering spirits
whom you may
relieve by praying for them; they are sometimes kindly spirits, who
desire to show
you that they are near you ; or they may be frivolous spirits, who are
only in sport.
Since these who disturb you are, almost invariably, spirits in search
of amusement, the
best thing to do is to laugh at them they will tire of playing pranks,
if they see that
they neither frighten nor vex you."
From these explanations, we learn that there are spirits who attach
themselves to localities, and remain in them by preference, without
having any motive
for manifesting their presence to us. Any place may be the sojourn of a
spirit, either
from a preference on his part, or from its having been assigned to him
as a temporary
abode, without his ever producing a manifestation of any kind; and
this, even in the case
of those who have led an evil life.
The
spirits who
attach themselves to localities, or to material things,
are never of superior advancement; but although not of high degree,
they are not
necessarily wicked, nor animated by hostile intentions. Such inmates
are sometimes
even useful;
for, when they take
an interest in the people of the house, they often
render them various services.
LIFE
AND DESTINY
BY
LEON DENIS
AUTHOR OF
‘APRÈS LA MORT,’
‘JEANNE D’ARC-MÉDIUM’
‘CHRISTIANISME
ET SPIRITISME,’
‘DANS L’INVISIBLE’
‘LA
GRANDE ÉNIGME,’
‘POURQUOI LA VIE?’
‘L’AU-DELÀ
ET LA SURVIVANCE DE
L’ÉTRE’
TRANSLATED
INTO ENGLISH BY
ELLA
WHEELER WILCOX
LONDON
GAY & HANCOCK LTD.
1919
This book
is out of print indefinitely.
1st
Electronic Edition by
the Spiritist
Group of New York
(SGNY)
and the Advanced
Study Group of Spiritism
(GEAE)
2002
INTRODUCTION
BY THE TRANSLATOR
Early in May, while in Dijon, France, the books of Léon
Denis,
the great spiritual philosopher, were brought to my attention by his
friend and pupil, Miss Camille Chaise, a
beautiful young refugee from Rheims. Profoundly impressed by the
literary and religious importance of this volume, I asked Miss Chaise
to inquire if I could obtain the rights of translation. This inquiry
led to my coming to Tours, where Mr. Denis resides, and where I have
pursued the delightful work. Feeling it to be a holy task, I resolved
to begin it on a holy day, May 21st, which was the second anniversary
of the birth of my husband into spirit life. Beginning with three pages
daily, I gradually increased the number, and was able to complete the
task on September 21st. The translation was made of peculiar interest
to me, through messages received from my husband, while in Dijon, by
the aid of a cultured lady in private life, Madame Soyer, who had no
personal acquaintance with Mr. Denis or Miss Chaise. The messages urged
me to make the translation, assuring me that I would not only benefit
the world, but that I would be personally benefited, as the book
contained great truths of life and death which would aid in my
development. On numerous occasions while in Tours, messages received
from the astral world referred to the translation with interest and
approval. In giving this work of Léon Denis to the
English-speaking world, I feel I am bestowing an inestimable favor on
every intelligent mind capable of feeling love, sorrow, aspiration, or
yearning for a larger understanding of life.
The work of translation of these beautiful thoughts has been an
education to my mind, a solace to my heart, and an uplift to my soul.
When I made this statement to the dear
author, he replied: ‘But you, long a student of spiritual
research, and of theosophical lore, surely knew
all these things before?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I knew
them. But
I feel as if you had entered a store-room of my mind,
where were packed priceless paintings and rare statues, and as if you
had taken them one by one, and hung them in a clear light on
memory’s walls, and placed the sculptured treasures on
pedestals
for the delight of my spiritual eyes; you have, in truth, set my
intellectual house in order.’
It is rarely that a mind of such an analytically scientific bent, as
that of Léon Denis, is at the same time so poetical. This,
together with the writer’s profoundly
reverential nature, makes his work of threefold value. He appeals to
those who pursue psychical research in a purely
scientific manner; he appeals to those who value noble and moving
literature; and he appeals to every soul that loves and believes in a
God great enough to be the Supreme Creator of this magnificent universe.
This book is the crowning work of Mr. Denis’s three score
years
and ten of life - the ripe fruit of more than half a century of
continual study and research. It can be said of
Mr. Denis (which cannot be said of all authors), that his personal life
accords with his beautiful philosophy.
From a troubled and painful youth, he has slowly climbed an ascending
path of difficulties, overcome obstacles and surmounted sorrows,
attained profound knowledge and a wide education, and put into daily
practice the lofty principles he sets forth in this volume.
May it bring to every reader the uplift it has brought to the
translator.
ELLA
WHEELER WILCOX
TOURS, FRANCE,
September 1918.
A
SCULPTOR
As
the ambitious
sculptor, tireless, lifts
Chisel
and
hammer to the block at hand,
Before
my
half-formed character I stand
And
ply the
shining tools of mental gifts.
I’ll
cut
away a huge unsightly side
Of
selfishness,
and smooth to curves of grace
The
angles of
ill temper.
And
no trace
Shall
my sure
hammer leave of silly pride.
Chip
after chip
must fall from vain desires,
And
the sharp
corners of my discontent
Be
rounded into
symmetry, and lent
Great
harmony by
faith that never tires.
Unfinished
still, I must toil on and on,
Till
the pale
critic, Death, shall say, ‘Tis done.’
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX
C
O N T E N T S
INTRODUCTION
BY THE
TRANSLATOR
INTRODUCTION
PART
FIRST
THE
PROBLEM OF LIFE
I
THE
EVOLUTION OF THOUGHT
II
THE CRITERION
OF THE SPIRITIST DOCTRINE
III
THE PROBLEM
OF LIFE
IV
PERSONALITY
V
THE SOUL AND
DIFFERENT STATES OF SLEEP
VI
TELEPATHIC
PROJECTIONS
VII
MANIFESTATIONS AFTER DEATH
VIII
VIBRATORY
STATES OF THE SOUL’S MEMORY
IX
EVOLUTION AND
FINALITY OF THE SOUL
X
DEATH
XI
LIFE IN THE
BEYOND
XII
THE HIGHER
LIFE
New Chapter ! This chapter was left out when this book was first
translated and published in English.
The translator of this chapter is: Eliene Sherman final
editing: Louis Albert Day; revision against the French
original (Nouvelle Edition - Conforme a l’edition de 1922 -
Union Spirite Française et Francophone): Jussara
Korngold.
PART
SECOND
SUCCESSIVE
LIVES AND
THE LAWS OF REINCARNATION
XIII
THE
LAW OF REINCARNATION
XIV
RENOVATION
OF THE MEMORY
XV
REINCARNATION
AND INFANT PRODIGIES
XVI
OBJECTIONS
AND CRITICISMS
XVII
SUCCESSIVE
LIVES - HISTORIC PROOFS
XVIII
JUSTICE
AND RESPONSIBILITY
XIX
THE LAW OF
DESTINY
PART
THIRD
THE
POWERS OF
THE SOUL - THE WILL
XX
THE
WILL
XXI
THE INNER
SOUL
XXII
LIBERTY
XXIII
THOUGHT
XXIV
DISCIPLINE
OF THOUGHT AND REFORM OF CHARACTER
XXV
LOVE
XXVI
SORROW
XXVII
REVELATION
OF SORROW
PROFESSION
OF FAITH
Next: INTRODUCTION
We
Want to Know the Truth About Life,
But
Can We Accept it?
Spirit
communication received by Yvonne
Limoges
So
many
catastrophes, so much suffering…we want to know,
“Why?” But, can we
accept the truth? The answer is… we are the architects of
our
very own
destiny.
The
truth is
that full responsibility for whatever happens to us lies with us. Our
freewill has allowed us to make choices, some good, some not so good,
and these have consequences, for our selves and others. The situation
of our current life was determined by our own choices in the present
and/or from a previous life or lives, and our choices now will
determine the circumstances of our future lives. So try and make good
ones!
The
law of
cause and effect is a natural moral law that humans are subject to.
This law provides that by our own choices, we learn, we grow, we
change, and eventually, we will advance to a higher level of moral and
spiritual maturity. This is how we will collectively change our planet
for the better.
It
is only
through the process of reincarnation that each being will progress in
all areas, intellectually, morally, and spiritually to its highest
level. We are spiritual beings that incarnate into a physical body only
briefly into a material world to try and progress. In each existence,
we hopefully learn new things, mature in many areas, and leave this
existence at least a little bit better than when we first arrived. We
are provided with as many chances (through the plurality of existences)
as it takes to change and better our selves. This process is what
transforms our very souls!
Right
now
this
planet is in a transitional phase. Intellect progresses faster than
morality. We acquire knowledge faster than wisdom, and, materiality
seems more important than morality. But, this is slowly changing... We
humans have physically and intellectually evolved, it is time for
mankind as a whole, to concentrate more on evolving morally and
spiritually…
Why?
So we will
all suffer less. How? We must try and be good and we need to love one
another and be more charitable. If we stumble along the way, we must
pick ourselves up, and then try again, and again, eventually we will
fall less. Progress is very slow but continues forward consistently and
we will eventually reach our goal. Humanity will finally unite, as one
large family on this planet, there will be no more suffering, and only
the sentiments of love will abound!
The
Spiritist
Society of Baltimore Presents
Title |
The Family I Chose |
Date |
November
19 |
Starrt Time |
7:30 PM |
Duration |
02 hour(s) 00 minutes(s)
|
Location |
Baltimore,
MD |
Category |
Workshop |
Workshop
about Spiritism or on
Spiritism's views of other topics,
generally involving a forum for a healthy exchange of ideas by all
participants.
Workshop
will be held at
the following address:
Ruscombe
Mansion
Community Health
Center
4801 Yellowwood Avenue
Baltimore,
MD 21209
For
more information and driving
directions, please visit www.ssbaltimore.org
*
The Spiritist Society of Baltimore
offers activities for children 4
and above while parents attend the workshop!
Title |
The Christ Consciousness
|
Date |
December
10 |
Starrt Time |
7:30 PM |
Duration |
02 hour(s) 00 minutes(s)
|
Location |
Baltimore,
MD |
Category |
Workshop |
Workshop
about Spiritism or on
Spiritism's views of other topics,
generally involving a forum for a healthy exchange of ideas by all
participants.
Workshop
will be held at the
following address:
Ruscombe
Mansion
Community Health
Center
4801 Yellowwood Avenue
Baltimore,
MD 21209
For
more information and driving
directions, please visit www.ssbaltimore.org
*
The Spiritist Society of Baltimore
offers activities for children 4
and above while parents attend the workshop!
Source:
SpiritismOnline.Net
BUSS - British Union
of Spiritist
Societies
AGUS
II (Artistic Gathering for the
Union of Spiritist)
26th
November - 6pm
Waltham
Forest Theatre
Lloyd's Park
Winns Avenue
Walthamstow
London
E 17
UK
Featuring the play:
"Two Thousand
Years Ago" - The story of the
life of Publius Lentulus, a Roman
Senator in the first century of the Christian era.(
based in the book by the
spirit Emmanuel
thorough
Francisco Candido Xavier)
by "
Souls
in Harmony"
theatre group.
Directed
by Johnson.
Information / Tickets:
Tel:
079 5078 6202
078 5172 3975
Johnson -
ljs1@uol.com.br
Joca -
president@buss.org.uk
Source: BUSS
Back
to Content
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Messenger"
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GEAE)
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in
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Spiritist Messenger)
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in
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