Sunday, April 3rd, 1864 was a day of great celebration in the commune of Cempuis, near Grand Villiers, in the Oise. Many thousands gathered there for a touching ceremony that will leave indelible marks in the hearts of all of those that attended. Our colleague, Mr. Prevost, member of the Spiritist Society of Paris and founder of the retirement home of Cempuis and charitable societies of the Department was the modest hero. A huge entourage preceded by the band of Gran Villiers led him to the City Hall where he received a medal of honor from the local authority for his noble devotion to the humane cause of those in suffering. We extracted the following passage from the speech given by the local official:
“If in this short analysis, ladies and gentlemen, I am able to assign the fair value that each one deserves in the consecration of this great day, allow me to rejoice with you in the accomplishment of a duty that is very dear to me from all points of view. It is then with great happiness and legitimate pride that you will all see on Mr. Prevost’s chest this honorific award granted by the Emperor with his name expecting, make no mistake that the star of honor may shine there with its most vivid light. Before we finish this beautiful ceremony that they youth awaits impatiently to replace by their joyful animation, and rightfully so, let us remember the great Emperor and his faithful interpreter, the mayor of Oise.”
The Spiritist Society of Paris is also proud of the distinguish honor served to one of its highly recognized members. (For more details about the retirement home of Cempuis see The Spiritist Review, October 1863).
