Count Max the Beggar

In Bavaria, an old beggar known only as Count Max lived for decades from charity, selling small items and sleeping where he could. People mocked him with a noble title, perhaps because his face and manners seemed refined despite his rags. After his death, he appeared in a dream to a charitable woman who had often shown him kindness.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

Count MaxThank you for remembering poor Max in your prayers. They have been heard by the Lord. You want to know who I am, kind and charitable soul who took pity on the miserable peddler. I have come to satisfy your wish. My story will be a lesson.

Count MaxA hundred and fifty years ago, I was the rich and powerful lord of this region. I was vain, proud, and intoxicated with my nobility. My immense wealth was spent only on pleasure, and even that fortune was hardly enough for my gambling and debauchery.

Count MaxMy tenants and dependents, whom I treated as if they existed only for my use, were crushed and worn down to pay for my waste. I was deaf to their complaints and to the cries of all who were poor and friendless. I thought they should consider it an honor to serve my whims.

Count MaxI died young, worn out by excess, without any great earthly misfortune. On the contrary, everything seemed to favor me. Because of my rank, my funeral was splendid. My companions in pleasure regretted losing a lavish host. But not one tear was shed over my tomb, and not one prayer was offered for my soul. My memory was cursed by all whose misery I had deepened through my greed and my crimes.

Count MaxAh, how terrible are the curses of those we have made miserable. Their reproaches and maledictions rang in my ears for years that felt like eternity. At the death of each victim, a new face rose before me, threatening or mocking me, and pursued me without rest. I could not hide anywhere from their gaze. I never met one kind look. My old companions in vice, as miserable as I was, fled from me as if to say, You can no longer pay for our pleasures.

Count MaxWhat would I not have given for one moment of rest, for some dark corner where I could hide from the shame and regret that were devouring me? But I had nothing left to give. All the gold I had scattered on Earth had not produced a single blessing.

Count MaxAt last, exhausted like a traveler who sees no end to the road, I cried out, My God, have pity on me. When will this horrible state end? Then a friendly voice, the first I had heard since leaving Earth, answered, When you truly want it to.

Count MaxI cried, What must I do, great God? Tell me. I am ready for anything. The voice answered, You must repent. You must humble yourself before those you humbled. You must beg them to pray for you, because the prayer of one who forgives the injury done to him is always kindly heard by God.

Count MaxI humbled myself. I sought forgiveness from my dependents, my servants, all my victims. Their faces slowly lost their anger and became more and more gentle until at last they disappeared. No words could express the joy of that moment. I felt as if a new life had begun. Hope took the place of despair, and I thanked God with all my soul for that deliverance.

Count MaxThen the voice called me Prince. I answered, There is no prince here except God, who brings down the proud. Forgive me, O God, for I have sinned. Make me the servant of my servants, if that is Your will.

Count MaxSome years later, I was born again on Earth, this time in a poor peasant family. My parents died while I was still a child, and I was left helpless and alone. I earned my bread however I could, sometimes as a laborer, sometimes as a farm servant, always honestly, for this time I believed in God.

Count MaxAt forty, illness took the use of my limbs. I had to beg for fifty years on the very land where I had once been absolute master. I gratefully received a piece of bread from farms that had once belonged to me. And in bitter mockery they called me The Count. I was only too glad, from time to time, to find shelter in the stables of the castle that had once been my home.

Count MaxIn sleep, I loved to wander again through that stately house where I had once been the proud master. How many times in dreams I saw myself surrounded once more by my old splendor. But when I woke, those visions left only bitterness and regret. Still, no complaint ever escaped my lips. And when God called me back to the spirit world, I blessed Him for giving me the strength to submit, without complaint, to that long and painful trial, whose reward I am now receiving.

Count MaxTo you, noble lady, I give thanks for having prayed for me.

The case was presented as a practical answer to those who think nothing restrains evil if endless punishment is denied. A punishment like this can weigh more heavily on the conscience because it is both visible and morally coherent.