Clara Rivier

Clara Rivier died at ten. From age four she had been unable to use her limbs. Through years of convulsions and pain, she never complained. She comforted her family, spoke often of the future life, predicted her death, and died exactly when she said she would. Afterward, disturbances shook her parents' house, while her little sister joyfully claimed to see Clara.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

Clara RivierI am beside you, ready to answer your questions.

AllanYou were so young and uneducated. Where did the elevated ideas you expressed before death come from?

Clara RivierFrom the short time I had to stay in your world, and from my previous incarnation. I had been a medium in that life, and I was a medium when I returned among you. My last life was the result of what had been laid out for me. I felt and saw all that I said.

AllanHow could a child of your age go through four years of constant pain without a single complaint?

Clara RivierMy physical pain was held in check by a greater power, that of my Guardian Angel, whom I always saw beside me. He lessened what I felt and made my will stronger than my suffering.

AllanHow did you know the moment of your death beforehand?

Clara RivierMy Guardian Angel told me when it would happen. He was never mistaken.

AllanYou told your father, I will come to visit you. Why, if you loved your parents so much, do you now trouble them with all that noise in the house?

Clara RivierThey must go through this trial, and it is my mission to guide it. Do you think there is no purpose in these disturbances? The sounds, the movements, the disorder caused by my presence are a warning to the whole neighborhood. I am helped in this work by spirits whose turbulence is being used for a purpose, just as I have a purpose in appearing to my sister.

Clara RivierThrough these visitations, many people will be convinced that another life is real. My parents had to undergo a trial. It will soon end, but only after bringing conviction to many minds.

AllanSo it is not you personally who produce these manifestations?

Clara RivierI am assisted by other spirits who act as agents in the trial appointed for my dear parents.

AllanThen how could your sister see you?

Clara RivierMy sister saw only me. It will not be the last time I come to comfort and encourage her.

AllanWhy were you, at such a young age, afflicted with so many infirmities?

Clara RivierI had to atone for faults from a former life. I had misused health and a brilliant position. So God said to me: You enjoyed greatly, without limit or restraint. You will suffer in the same measure. You were proud, so you will be humble. You were vain of your beauty, so you will be like a broken reed. Instead of seeking your own selfish satisfaction, you will seek charity and kindness.

Clara RivierI did what was appointed to me by the will of God, and my Guardian Angel helped me.

AllanWould you like to say anything to your parents?

Clara RivierBy a medium's advice, my parents have done many charitable acts. That is good, because people must pray not only with the lips, but also with the heart and the hand. To give to those who suffer is the true prayer for Spiritists.

Clara RivierGod has given every soul free will, the power to progress. He has given everyone the same inner longing. That is why the rough poor garment is often much closer to the golden robe than people think.

Clara RivierSo bring your social classes closer together through charity. Bring the poor into your homes. Encourage them. Lift them up. Do not humiliate them. If this great law of conscience were practiced on your Earth, nations that call themselves civilized would not suffer the great disasters that shame them and that God sends to punish their blindness and open their eyes.

Clara RivierMy dear parents... pray, love, and practice the love of Christ. Do to others only what you would want them to do to you. When God sends you a trial, ask Him for help in bearing it, as something laid on you by His high and holy will.

Clara RivierArm yourselves for the future with courage and perseverance, because you still have more suffering to go through. Remember that you must earn entrance into a happier world before you can enter it. I will always be with you, dear parents. Goodbye... or rather, until later. Grow in acceptance, charity, and love for your neighbor, and in that way you will reach the place of happiness.

Kardec notes that her images and moral teaching support the idea that earthly rank changes from life to life, and that both individuals and nations are punished when they violate the law of charity.