The Spirits’ Teachings

False Prophets

If they tell you, “The Christ is here,” do not go there; on the contrary, be on your guard because there will be many false prophets. Do you not see the leaves of the fig tree beginning to fade? Do you not see its many shoots awaiting the time of blossoming? And did not Christ say to you, “A tree is known by its fruit?” Thus, if the fruit is bitter, you say that the tree is bad, but if the fruit is sweet and healthful, you say: Nothing that is this pure could have come from a bad tree.

This is the way you must judge, my brothers and sisters; the deeds are what you must examine. If those who say they are vested with divine power are accompanied by all the signs of such a mission, that is, if they possess the highest degree of the eternal and Christian virtues: charity, love, indulgence, the goodness that reconciles all souls; if, in support of their words, they add actions, then you can say: These are truly messengers of God.

However, distrust sugary words; distrust the scribes and the Pharisees who pray in the public squares, dressed in long robes. Distrust those who claim to have the one and only monopoly on the truth!

No, no, Christ is not there, for those whom he sends to disseminate his holy doctrine and to regenerate his people by following his example will be kind and humble of heart above all else. Those who by their example and counsels must save humankind – quickly heading toward its perdition and roaming tortuous roads –  will be above all else modest and  humble.

Run from those who display one atom of pride as if they were contagious lepers who infect everything they touch. Remember that all individuals bear on their brow, but more especially on their actions, the stamp of their greatness or decadence.

Go forth, therefore, my beloved children. Advance without hesitation, without ulterior motives, along the blessed course you have undertaken. Go forth, go forth always without fear. Courageously distance yourselves from anything that could hinder your progress toward the eternal objective. O travelers, you will be in the darkness and pain of trial for only a little while longer if you will allow your hearts to follow that gentle doctrine that has come to reveal to you the eternal laws and to satisfy all the aspirations of your soul regarding the unknown. Right now you can give embodiment to those fleeting sylphs you have seen in your dreams, and which, being ephemeral, could only enchant your spirit without saying anything to your heart. Now, my dear ones, death has disappeared, giving way to the radiant angel you have come to know, the angel of re-encounter and reunion! Now, you who have well fulfilled the task imposed by the Creator, you have nothing more to fear of his justice, for he is the Father and always forgives his wayward children who clamor for mercy. Therefore, press on; advance without ceasing. Let your banner be progress, continual progress in all things, until you finally arrive at the happy destination where all those who have preceded you await.

Louis (Bordeaux, 1861)