Double Suicide
A Paris newspaper of June 13, 1862 told the story of Palmyra, a charming young woman who loved Mr. B. and was loved by him in return. But out of obedience to her parents, she married Mr. D., whose social position was higher. The tragedy grew worse because Mr. B. and Mr. D. were close friends and constantly together, so the two lovers remained near each other even while trying to crush their feelings. Mr. B. even married another good woman in the hope of curing himself, but it failed. For four years, both lovers remained faithful in act to their marriage duties. At last, believing death was the only safe escape from temptation, they decided to die together by charcoal fumes while Mr. D. was away. They left a long and touching letter saying they chose death as the only way to remain faithful to duty, asking forgiveness and asking to be buried in the same grave. Mr. D. honored that last wish.
After hearing of the event, the Paris Spiritist Society asked about the two lovers.
The medium’s hand begins writing...
Mediums’ GuideThe two lovers who committed suicide are not yet able to reply to you.
Mediums’ GuideI see them.
Mediums’ GuideThey are plunged in confusion and terrified by the awareness of eternity.
Mediums’ GuideThey will be punished by the moral consequences of their fault during future migrations, in which their souls, kept apart from each other, will search for one another without end and will suffer the double torture of hope and disappointment.
Mediums’ GuideWhen their purification is complete, but only then, they will be united in a higher kind of love.
Mediums’ GuideA week from now, at your next meeting, you can call them.
Mediums’ GuideThey will come.
Mediums’ GuideBut they will not see one another.
Mediums’ GuideThe darkness of night will hide them from each other for a long time.
One week later, Madame D. was called.
The medium’s hand begins writing...
MediumDo you see your lover, with whom you committed suicide?
Madame D.I see nothing.
Madame D.I do not even see the spirits who wander, like me, in the place where I am.
Madame D.Oh, what night.
Madame D.What darkness.
Madame D.And what a thick veil is drawn over my eyes.
MediumWhat feeling did you have when you awoke after your death?
Madame D.It was very strange.
Madame D.I was cold, and yet I was burning.
Madame D.My veins were full of ice.
Madame D.And my forehead seemed to be on fire.
Madame D.Strange, unheard-of mix.
Madame D.Ice and fire seemed to struggle inside me.
Madame D.I thought I was going to die a second time.
MediumDo you feel any physical pain?
Madame D.All my suffering is there...
Madame D.And there.
If the spirit could have been seen, she would probably have placed one hand on her forehead and the other on her heart.
MediumDo you think you will always remain in the same condition?
Madame D.Yes.
Madame D.Always.
Madame D.Always.
Madame D.I sometimes hear hellish laughter, horrible voices that howl at me:
Madame D.This is how it will be with you forever.
MediumNo.
MediumWe can assure you it will not be forever.
MediumBy repenting, you will obtain forgiveness.
Madame D.What did you say?
Madame D.I did not hear you.
MediumI repeat what I said.
MediumYour sufferings will end.
MediumYou can shorten them by your repentance.
MediumAnd we will help you by our prayers.
Madame D.I heard vague sounds.
Madame D.But only one word.
Madame D.Mercy.
Madame D.Was it mercy that you said?
Madame D.Because I heard the word mercy.
Madame D.But no doubt you were speaking to the soul that has just passed beside me.
Madame D.A poor child who weeps and hopes.
A lady present remarked that she had just prayed inwardly for this unhappy spirit and had asked God for mercy on her.
MediumYou say you are in darkness.
MediumDo you not see us?
Madame D.I am allowed to hear only a few of the words you say.
Madame D.But I see nothing except black cloth upon which, at times, a weeping face appears.
MediumIf you do not see your lover, do you not at least feel him near you?
MediumFor he is here.
Madame D.Ah...
Madame D.Don't speak of him to me.
Madame D.I have to forget him for now, so that the image I see on that black cloth may be erased.
MediumWhat is that image?
Madame D.It is the image of a man in pain.
Madame D.And his moral progress on Earth has been delayed by me for a long time to come.
Kardec says many people would excuse this double suicide because it seemed to come from love and duty. But in Spiritism it was judged differently. Their honorable wish not to betray duty still counted in their favor, yet their true task was to conquer temptation, not flee from it through death. Their punishment matched the fault: they had sought refuge together in death, and so they would seek one another for a long time without being allowed to meet. Kardec also says the punishment was not endless. Its length depended on how they handled future trials, and prayer could help them.