This reply was written in response to a request for further information.
When Lady Paddina Cole, the co-founder of The Erasmus Foundation, was alive she was given the rare gift of deep trance mediumship. This meant that she was able to leave her body as a spirit and allow another to take over for a time, giving many lectures and talks on various subjects about spiritual development. These subjects included an understanding of the structure of man, man’s purpose, where we go after death, where we come from, why we are here, a great deal about the past and a little about the future. Paddina’s main tutorial guide, who spoke the most, was the spirit who had once been Desiderius Erasmus on the Earth. People had asked at times about his life and, as a spirit would, acting in graciousness, he would always respond, but would then move on to the more serious subject of his talk. We have some of the answers to your questions as we are able to maintain a clairaudient contact with spirit, although there is no-one within our Foundation who is a deep-trance channel as Paddina was. However, we could offer you many answers to a lot more important information should you be interested.
(Q) Was Erasmus of humble beginnings, or quite well-off? (A) According to G.S.Facer , “Erasmus and his Times”, Erasmus lost his parents at the age of fifteen. Until then he attended a famous school at Deventer, which might suggest his parents enjoyed a good standard of living.
(Q)Was Erasmus in any way involved in the study of science or medicine, or in contributing to its progress? (A)An enquiring nature, but not a great scholar of the sciences.
(Q)Erasmus appears to have been a preeminent reformer during his lifetime, advocating peace (unique in Rennaissance times), church reform, and freedom of thought. Did he make any contributions to help the lot of the lower classes, and is it known what his attitude was towards women, different races, animals, and/or slavery? (A)Slavery was not a subject that was talked about. Because times were different there was not any strong sexist movement or desire to change public attitude, or least any awareness of this subject. Everyone understood and accepted their role in society.
(Q)Erasmus was quite well travelled throughout Europe. Is it recorded whether he was at all adventurous, or fond of nature or exploration? (A)He had a vision and determination. Not adventurous but had a strong sense of purpose. He had no ambitions to climb mountains, or even small hills. He was not exactly a fit man.
(Q)Is it recorded what Erasmus' actual personality was like? (A)He was very wily, a good teacher, demanded a lot from his students and did not suffer excuses very easily. Truth was important. He was not unkind. Fairness would be a question one would need to ask his students. Patient with others, but impatient to reach his goals. Strong with the desire to sponsor his beliefs. Of good cheer, with many moments of contemplation and inward thinking. Playful with words and teaching. He loved words and still does.
