Captain NivracCaptain Nivrac, deceased on February 11th, 1862
Evoked by request of his friend, Cap. Blou, member of the Society medium Mr. Leymarie
Mr. Nivrac was a man of broad, serious education and a remarkable intelligence. Captain Blou had briefly spoken to him about Spiritism and offered him the whole collection of books about the subject. He used to look at all these things as utopias and those who follow them as dreamers.
On February 1st he was walking with one of his comrades discussing this subject as usual when walking by a shop window they saw the book Spiritism in its simplest expression.
Good inspiration, said Mr. Blou. He bought it. He would certainly not have bought it if I were with them.
From that day Mr. Nivrac read The Spirits’ Book, The Mediums’ Book and some issues of The Spiritist Review. He was touched in his heart and spirit. Far from attacking it, he now came to ask me questions and among the officers he became an eager advocate of Spiritism to the point that for eight days Spiritism was the only subject of his conversations. He really wanted to take part in one session when death surprised him without any apparent cause from a disease. On Tuesday, February 11th, he was having a shower and ended up dying in the arms of a doctor.
“Isn’t that the hand of God”, asks Captain Blou, “…allowing my friend to have his eyes opened to the light before his death?”
1. Evocation. – A. I understand why you wish to speak to me. I am glad for this evocation and gladly come to you since it is a friend that calls me and nothing else could be more enjoyable to me.
OBSERVATION: The spirit advances the question that was going to be asked which was: “Although we do not have the pleasure of having met you, we asked you to come in the name of your friend and our colleague, Captain Blou, thus we would be delighted if you could speak with us in case you are okay with that.”
2. Are you happy…? (the spirit does not allow us to finish the question that would terminate like this: for having met Spiritism before your death?) – A. I am happy because I believed before I died. I remember the discussions I had with you, my friend, because I rejected every new idea. In reality I was shaken. I used to tell my wife, my daughter that it was madness to listen to that kind of stupidity and that I considered you to be disturbed. That is how I used to think but fortunately I was able to believe and wait. My position is happier because God allows me a much anticipated advancement.
3. How come a little brochure of only a few pages had more authority upon you than the words of your good friend that you must have trusted? – A. I was shaken because the idea of a better life is at the bottom line of every religion. I believed instinctively but the ideas of the soldier had modified my thoughts. That is all. When I read the brochure it touched me. I thought that those concepts revealed such a clear and concise doctrine is goodness. Future seemed less somber to me. I believed because I should and the brochure touched my heart.
4. What was the cause of your death? – A. I died of a stroke. Several reasons were given: it was an effusion of the brain. It was my time and I had to leave.
5. Could you describe your sensations at the time of death and later after your awakening?
– A. The transition from life to death is painful but quick. We have a presentment of everything that may happen. Your whole life shows up before you like in a mirage. We feel like recovering the past in order to clear up the bad days. Such thoughts follow us in the spontaneous transition from life to death and death is nothing more than another life. The light stuns you. I was confused with ideas. I was not a perfect spirit. Nonetheless I was able to recover awareness and I thank God for having enlightened me before I died.
OBSERVATION: Such an image of the passage from life to death has a shocking analogy with the one given by Mr. Sanson. Notice, however, that this is a different medium.
6. Would your current situation be different if you had not known and accepted the Spiritist ideas? – A. No doubt but I was a good-natured and honest man and although not much advanced it is not less certain that God rewards the good decisions including the last one.
7. Is it useless to ask you if… (the spirit here does not allow the conclusion of the question which would be: visit your wife and daughter but you cannot be seen or heard. Would you like us to transmit any message to them?) – A. No doubt, I am always near them. I encourage them to be patient and say: Courage, my friend! Dry your tears out and smile to God who will give you the strength. Think that my existence is an advancement, a purification and that I need the support of your prayers. With all my heart I wish a new incarnation and despite the fact that the physical separation is painful remember that I love you and that you are alone and need good health and much resignation to keep up. However, I will be by your side to encourage you, bless and love you.
8. We are sure that your comrades from the regiment would also be happy to receive some words from you. I add another question to this one that perhaps you may include it in your answer. Up until now Spiritism has almost not propagated with the army with the exception of a few officers. Do you think it could also be useful among the soldiers? What would be the result? – A. It is necessary that the mind becomes serious so that the body may follow suit. I understand that the officers were the first to accept these philosophical and sensible solutions given in The Spirits’ Book. Through that reading the officer understands better his duty; becomes more serious and less prone to mock people’s families; he gets used to an internal order and eating and drinking are no long the main drivers of his life. The sub-officers will learn from them and propagate Spiritism. They will do it if they wish to do so. I tell them this: March on! Always forward! This is a new battlefield of humanity but without casualties, without the machine gun and with harmony, love and duty at all times. The soldier shall become a liberal person, in the good sense. There will be courage and good-will that make the worker a good citizen, a person of God. Therefore, follow the new route! Be apostles according to God and address seek the tireless propagator of Spiritism, the author of the little book that enlightened me.
OBSERVATION: On a different occasion the following communication was given with respect to the influence of Spiritism upon a soldier:
“A soldier that becomes a Spiritist is easier to be commanded, more obedient, more disciplined for obedience will be a duty with the sanction of reason whereas in the majority of cases it is no more than the result of embarrassment. They will no longer be given to the excesses that very frequently lead to sedition and disrespect to authority. The same happens to all those who are subordinate, regardless of their classes: workers, employees, and others. They will carry out their duties with more consciousness when they become aware of the causes that led them to that position on Earth and the rewards that wait for the humble ones on the next life.
Unfortunately only a few believe in the next life and that is why they do everything to the present one. If disbelief is a social ulcer that is even more so in the lower classes of society where there is no counter balance of education and respect to other’s opinion. When those who are invited to the exercise of authority, regardless of their title, understand it through the Spiritist ideas, they will make every effort to drive their subordination through the right path.
Be patient though! This will come.
Lespinasse
