Anna Bitter

Anna Bitter was the only daughter of a wealthy father. She slowly wasted away for years without clear medical cause and without pain, while her father watched in despair. A spiritist friend asked his guide about this trial.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

Mediums’ GuideI will gladly explain this strange case, because your question comes from compassion, not idle curiosity, and because it can teach you to trust divine justice.

Mediums’ GuideThose struck by God's hand should submit to the trial instead of rebelling, because no one is struck without cause. This poor child, whose death has been delayed for a time, will soon return to us, and that will be a blessing for her. Her unhappy father must endure punishment in the one affection of his life because he once toyed with the affection and trust of those around him.

Mediums’ GuideHis repentance reached God for a moment, and death paused over the dear child's head. But he has returned to revolt, and punishment still follows. Pray for this poor child. Her youth will make separation from the body harder. There is so much life in her young soul that, despite the weakness of her body, her spirit will have trouble freeing itself. Pray for her, and she will help and comfort you in return, for her spirit is more advanced than those among whom she is born. I am allowed to answer so that your prayers may help her leave the body more easily.

Anna died. Her father later died after living through the emptiness of losing her. The first communications from both were then received.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

Anna BitterThank you, my friend, for the interest you took in the poor child who was soon to leave the Earth, and for your prayers, which helped me separate more quickly from my earthly body.

Anna BitterMy father, sadly, did not pray for me. He cursed the decree that called me away. I can't be angry with him for that. It came from his deep love for me. I pray to God to enlighten him before he dies. I try to awaken hope in him. My mission is to soften the pain of his last moments on Earth.

Anna BitterSometimes a ray of divine light seems to enter his mind... but it's only a brief flash, and he quickly falls back into dark rebellion. There is still only a seed of faith in him, and that seed is smothered by worldly interests. More painful trials must clear them away before it can grow and bear fruit.

Anna BitterAs for me, I only had a small remainder of atonement to go through. So my short life was neither very painful nor very hard to bear. My strange illness caused me no suffering. I was more a cause of suffering for my father than a sufferer myself. He suffered much more from seeing me that way than I did. Besides, I was resigned, and he was not.

Anna BitterI am rewarded for that acceptance by the happiness I now enjoy among wise and loving spirits, whose work I am glad to share, because idleness would be a torment in the spirit world.

One month after the father's death, he was called.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

AllanWe call you out of concern for your condition in the spiritual world, and to be useful to you if possible.

Anna's FatherYou ask what my condition is in the world of spirits.

Anna's FatherThe world of spirits? I see no spirits.

Anna's FatherI only see men I knew before, and none of them think of me or regret my absence.

Anna's FatherOn the contrary, they seem glad to be rid of me.

AllanAre you aware of your condition?

Anna's FatherPerfectly.

Anna's FatherFor some time I thought I was still in your world.

Anna's FatherBut now I know very well that I have left it.

AllanWhy then do you not see any spirits around you?

Anna's FatherI do not know, because it is quite light where I am.

AllanHave you seen your daughter?

Anna's FatherNo.

Anna's FatherShe is dead.

Anna's FatherI search for her. I call her, but in vain.

Anna's FatherWhat a horrible emptiness her death left in me on Earth.

Anna's FatherAs I was dying, I told myself I would surely find her again... but I see nothing of her.

Anna's FatherI am always completely alone.

Anna's FatherThere is no one to speak a single word of comfort or hope to me.

Anna's FatherFarewell.

Anna's FatherI am going to look for my child.

Mediums’ GuideThis man was not an atheist or a materialist. He believed vaguely in God and a future life, but he never gave real thought to either, because earthly things absorbed him. He was deeply selfish. He would have sacrificed everything for his daughter, but except for her he cared for no one and often sacrificed everyone else's interests to his own advantage.

Mediums’ GuideGod punished him through that selfishness. He took from him the only being he truly loved on Earth. Because he has not repented of his selfishness, he is deprived of seeing her in the spirit world. He took no interest in others on Earth; now no one takes interest in him. He is alone, abandoned by all. That is his punishment.

Mediums’ GuideHis daughter is near him, but he does not see her. If he saw her, he would not be punished. What does he do? Does he ask God for help? Does he repent? No. He still complains and blasphemes. He is doing now exactly what he did on Earth. Help him with your prayers and your advice, so that he may come out of this blindness.