Marcel

Marcel, known in an asylum only as Number 4, was a horribly deformed child of about eight. His legs were twisted against his neck, his body was covered in sores, and his suffering was extreme. Yet he was gentle, patient, intelligent, and resigned. He once asked the doctor for more sleeping pills, not to ease himself, but so he would not groan and disturb the other patients.

The medium’s hand begins writing...

MarcelYou have called me, and I have come so that my voice may pass beyond these walls and touch other hearts. Let it tell those who hear me that the sorrows of Earth prepare the joys of heaven.

MarcelSuffering is only the bitter outer skin of a delicious fruit when it is borne with courage and acceptance. On the hard and narrow bed of pain and poverty, there are often envoys of God whose mission is to teach people that there is no suffering they cannot bear with the help of God and their good spirits.

MarcelThe groan torn from them by pain, when mixed with prayer and hope, has a very different meaning from rebellious complaints mixed with rage and blasphemy.

MarcelOne of your guardian spirits, a great apostle of Spiritism, kindly gave me his place this evening so that I could say a few words about the progress of your doctrine. It is meant to help all those born among you fulfill their mission by teaching them how to suffer.

MarcelSpiritism will be the signpost that shows them the road. It will teach them through reason and example. And the sighs of those who accepted a mission of suffering will one day be changed into songs of joy.

AllanIt seems, from what you have just said, that your sufferings were not a direct atonement for faults of a former life?

MarcelThey were not a direct atonement. But be sure of this: there is a just cause behind every sorrow. The one you knew as so deformed and miserable had once been handsome, powerful, rich, and admired by all. I had flatterers and courtiers. I was vain and proud.

MarcelI was very guilty, because I forgot God and wronged my fellow human beings. But I had already atoned for that life through terrible suffering, first in the spirit world, then on Earth. What I had endured in a previous life for only a few years, I had already endured before that from childhood to old age.

MarcelThrough repentance I was at last restored to the favor of the Lord, who was willing to entrust me with several missions. The last of them is the one you know. I asked for it so that I could finish the work of my purification.

MarcelFarewell, my friends. I will return sometimes. My mission is not to instruct, but to console. There are so many who suffer in your world, and they will be very glad of my visits.

Mediums’ GuidePoor little sufferer... so small, ulcerated, and deformed. His situation was heartbreaking, and yet even in youth he was resigned and understood the true purpose of suffering. He felt that a reward was waiting beyond the grave for all the complaints he held back.

Mediums’ GuideHe prayed fervently for those who did not have his courage, especially for those who blasphemed against heaven instead of praying. Though his agony lasted long, his passing was gentle. Those around him saw the deformed little body struggling in convulsions with death, obeying the instinct of the flesh that clings to life until the final moment.

Mediums’ GuideBut above the bed hovered an angel, speaking encouragement and hope. When it was all over, that angel carried away in loving arms the purified soul that had left the ruined body, while the last sigh seemed to whisper, Glory to God.

Mediums’ GuideAnd that soul, rising radiant and happy toward God, cried out with joy, Here I am, Lord. You gave me the mission of showing how people should suffer. Have I fulfilled it worthily?

Mediums’ GuideNow the spirit of that suffering child has regained its true form. He moves through space with the brightness and speed of a sunbeam, visiting the weak and humble and saying to their hearts, Hope and courage.

Mediums’ GuideFreed from matter and cleansed from the soil of the past, he is near you and says this: Those who saw me on Earth saw a child carrying his burden of pain without a murmur. Through his patience they learned to bear their own sorrows with acceptance, and their hearts were filled with trust in God. That was the purpose of my short stay on Earth.