Father

At the start of the Italian war in 1859, a respected Paris tradesman learned that his only son had been drafted. He could not afford to pay for a substitute. Under French law, the only son of a widow was exempt, so the father killed himself to spare his son from military service. A year later, his spirit was called at the Paris Spiritist Society by someone who had known him.

AllanSaint Louis, may we call the spirit our friend has spoken about?

Mediums’ GuideYes.

Mediums’ GuideHe will be glad to reply, because this will bring him some relief.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

FatherOh, thank you for speaking to me.

FatherI suffer greatly, but...

The writing was irregular, shaky, and done with obvious difficulty. After the word "but," the spirit stopped and made useless efforts to continue, tracing only dots and broken strokes. It was clear that he was unable to write the word "God."

AllanPlease complete the missing part.

FatherI am unworthy to do so.

AllanYou say that you suffer.

AllanDid the reason that led you to this act not win you at least some indulgence?

FatherMy punishment will be shortened because of that.

FatherBut the act itself was still blameworthy.

AllanCan you describe the punishment you are going through?

FatherI suffer doubly, in my soul and in my body.

FatherI suffer in the body, though I no longer have one, like someone whose limb has been cut off and who still feels pain in the missing part.

AllanWas your anxiety for your son the only motive for what you did?

FatherA father's love was my only guide.

FatherBut it was a guide that led me astray.

FatherBecause of my motive, my punishment will be shortened.

AllanDo you see the end of your suffering?

FatherI do not know when it will come.

FatherBut I know it will come.

FatherAnd that comforts me.

AllanA few moments ago, you could not write the name of God.

AllanYet we have seen very unhappy spirits write it.

AllanIs this inability part of your punishment?

FatherI will be able to write it when I have repented enough.

AllanThen make the effort to repent with all your heart.

AllanTry to write it.

AllanWe are convinced that, if you succeed, you will find relief.

After a painful struggle, the spirit finally wrote in very large, trembling, uneven letters.

FatherGod is very good.

AllanWe thank you for coming.

AllanWe will pray for you and ask for the mercy of God.

FatherYes.

FatherPlease do so.

AllanSaint Louis, what is your own opinion of the act committed by this spirit?

Mediums’ GuideHe suffers justly, because he lacked trust in God.

Mediums’ GuideThat is always a fault that deserves punishment.

Mediums’ GuideHis punishment would be terrible and very long if he did not have one honorable motive in his favor.

Mediums’ GuideHe wanted to keep his son from being sent to his death.

Mediums’ GuideGod sees the deepest part of the heart.

Mediums’ GuideAnd because He is just, He punishes only according to the measure of the fault.

Kardec says this suicide may look almost excusable at first, because it came from devotion. But good intentions do not make a wrong act right. The father lacked trust in God, and he may also have interrupted his son's path. It was not certain the son would die in war. Military life might even have been useful for his growth. Spiritism teaches that no one has the right to deliberately shorten life, because life on Earth is given for duties, trials, and progress. It also distinguishes suicide from self-sacrifice: risking death to save another is not suicide, because there is no intention to escape life.