Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Mrs. Beecher Stowe
We read the following in volume II of this book, that has had popular success in both worlds:
Page 10 - My father was an aristocrat. I believe that in some previous existence he must have belonged to the classes of the highest social order, and that he had brought with him into this one all the pride of his old caste; pride was inherent in him; it was in his bone marrow, although he was from a poor and commoner family.
Page 128 - Evidently the words he had sung that very evening took his soul, words of supplication addressed to the infinite mercy. His lips moved weakly, and a word would rarely escape them. - His Spirit is wandering, said the doctor. "No, he's coming to himself," said Saint-Clare energetically.
That effort worn him out. The paleness of death spread over his face, but with that an admirable expression of peace, as if some merciful Spirit had sheltered him under his wings. He looked like a fatigued child falling asleep.
He remained like that for a few moments; an almighty hand rested on him. But just as the soul was about to take off, he opened his eyes, suddenly lit up with a gleam of joy, as if he recognized a loved one, and he whispered in a low voice: "My mother! ...” his soul was gone!"
Page 200. - Oh! How dare the perverse soul enter this dark world of sleep, whose uncertain limits so closely approach the frightening and mysterious scenes of retribution!”
Observation: It is impossible to express more clearly the idea of reincarnation, of the origin of our inclinations and of the atonement endured in later existences, since it is said that he who has been rich and powerful can be reborn in poverty. It is remarkable that this book was published in the United States, where the principle of the plurality of earthly existences has long been rejected. It appeared around 1850, at the time of the first spiritualist manifestations, when the doctrine of reincarnation was not yet proclaimed in Europe; Mrs. Beecher Stowe had therefore drawn it from her own intuition; there she found the only plausible reason for innate aptitudes and propensities. The second cited fragment is indeed the image of the soul that foresees the spiritual world at the time of its release.
