James Padgett and Divine Love
by Dennis Tormey, Esq.
Born: August 25, 1852
Passed: March 17, 1923
James Padgett was the oldest of three sons born to John H. Padgett and Ann R. Padgett. He and his siblings, Edward and John, were born in Washington D.C. The son of a butcher, Padgett grew up in the nation’s capital: he was only eight years old when the American Civil War began.
Padgett studied in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia at New Market Polytechnic Institute, which first opened on September 5, 1870. Joseph H. Salyards was one of the school’s two opening principals. Padgett became good friends with Professor Salyards.
By 1872, Padgett returned to Washington D.C. and was studying law under Albert G. Riddle, Esq. Mr. Riddle was a former Congressional Representative from Ohio, and he was a personal friend of President Abraham Lincoln. By 1876, Padgett was a practicing attorney, and in December 1877, Albert Riddle, Francis Miller and James Padgett announced the association of their new law firm, specializing in Insurance and Railroad business. Padgett became a prominent attorney as a member of the Washington D.C. bar.
On December 15, 1880, Padgett married Helen Worman Heyde, daughter of Rev. George Watson Heyde and Susan Olivia Whitehill Heyde. Rev. Heyde was a Methodist minister, and for 25 years he was also the chaplain of the Seamen’s Union Bethel, in Baltimore, Maryland. Helen was 18 years old, and James was 28 when they married.
James and Helen had three children: Edward Riddle Padgett, Harry Heyde Padgett, and Helenita Padgett. The Padgett family lived in Washington D.C. while James Padgett practiced law in various capacities throughout his 45 years as member of the bar.
Helen and James were married for thirty-two years, but in 1910, Helen and James separated. After a lengthy illness, Helen passed on February 12, 1914. James was devastated at the loss of his wife, who was just over 51 years old at the time of her passing. Padgett turned to the Spiritualist groups of Washington D.C. in an effort to make contact with his lost love.
During a spiritualist meeting, a medium named Mrs. Maltby told Padgett that his wife was present, and she described her nearly perfectly. She also went on to say that Padgett possessed the gift of mediumship through “automatic writing”, and that he must endeavor to develop his own mediumship skills.
Mrs. Maltby spiritualist ad in the Washington Herald 1914
Padgett began attempting to receive messages from spirit, but in the beginning he could only see scribbles on paper, which he said looked liked “fish hooks” and “hangers”. However, Padgett continued, and he eventually was able to make out a short paragraph – it was from his wife, Helen. She wrote to Padgett that she was often with him and was so happy to be able to communicate in this way.
Padgett had serious doubts that he was receiving messages from his departed wife. He insisted it was a trick of his own mind. He asked Helen for proof, and she wrote about experiences that the couple shared that only she would know. Still, Padgett doubted, and he believed it was of his own mind or sub-conscious mind.
Still doubting his mediumship skills, Padgett began to read and study spiritualism and life in the spirit world. He continued to receive messages from Helen, and he asked her in which sphere did she reside. She answered that she was in the Second Sphere. Having studied the spirit world at some length, Padgett knew that Helen should advance to a higher sphere. At first, Helen declined because she thought it was so easy for her to be close to Padgett from where she resided. Padgett insisted, and Helen said she would speak with Padgett’s grandmother, Ann Rollins, who had been in spirit for some time.
Helen wrote to Padgett that she met with his grandmother and what a glorious spirit she was. She was dwelling in the “High Celestial Heavens”. She had told Helen that the only way for a spirit to progress to the Higher Celestial Realms was through prayer to the Heavenly Father for His Divine Love.
In addition to Helen’s messages, Padgett received messages from his mother, Ann R. Padgett, his father, John H. Padgett, and his grandmother, Ann Rollins. His mother confirmed what his grandmother had said that soul progression to the Celestial Heavens can only be accomplished through prayers to God, asking for His Divine Love.
Helen took the advice of these spirits, and through subsequent messages, Padgett could follow her progress through the different spheres of the spirit world. Helen prayed for God’s Divine Love, and she found that as her prayers were answered and she received God’s Love in her soul, she noticed a change in her spiritual appearance. Because of the change in her soul condition, she was becoming “etherealized” and “brighter.”
As Helen progressed through the spheres, she advised Padgett that he would benefit greatly from the same prayers while he was still a mortal on earth. Padgett refused to believe that he could benefit from such, but the spirits insisted. They wrote many messages to Padgett, stating that they were dwellers of higher spirit spheres and possessed knowledge of Divine Truths, and that even Jesus himself would come to Padgett and corroborate what they had said.
Jesus did come and write through Padgett, but Padgett thought it was absurd to think that Jesus of the Bible would come to write him any messages. He threw many of the early messages from Jesus in the trash.
Padgett, still a practicing attorney, never went public with his mediumship skills. He only shared his experiences with a few close friends that he had met at spiritualist meetings or séances. His closest friends, Doctor Leslie R. Stone, Dr. Francis A. Goerger, and fellow attorney, Eugene Morgan had “instinctive feelings” that these were, in fact, messages from Jesus.
By the time Padgett started saving messages, the earliest message from Jesus was dated September 28, 1914, and it refers to a message from a few days prior. In this message, Jesus urged Padgett to pray for Divine Love, and Jesus wrote of other Truths that Padgett found astounding as a long-time Methodist and Sunday school teacher. The message urged him to “Go to your Father for His Help. Go in prayer, firmly believing, and you will soon feel His Divine Love in your heart.”
As an attorney, Padgett found facts hard to accept without certain proof. This was no different, and he doubted that he had received any messages from Jesus. He asked Helen, as well as his mother, father and grandmother, asking who it was that wrote, and was it really Jesus. All of them corroborated that Jesus had written.
Padgett, and his few close friends, began to pray for Divine Love. As they did, they could physically feel the Love of the Father in the area of their hearts.
Over the course of the next nine years, Padgett received over 2,500 messages from various spirits. He received messages from friends and loved ones he knew while alive as well as High Celestial spirits. Padgett was able to help spirits in lower dark spheres, and with the help of his wife Helen, and his grandmother Ann, and others, they were able to learn about Divine Love, transform their souls and become redeemed Children of God entitled to enter the Celestial Heavens.
Dr. Leslie Rippon Stone
The hand written messages of Padgett were given to Dr. Leslie Stone when Padgett died. Dr. Stone had as his mission to ensure that the messages were published. Today, there are four volumes of messages published by the Foundation Church of the New Birth, the entity founded by Dr. Stone. There are also many other internet sources (linked here) where you can read the published messages, as well as scanned copies of the original hand-written messages that still exist.
Whether you believe in the source of these messages or not, they teach one primary Truth – the gift of God’s Divine Love. But you can prove the existence of this Love yourself by taking “the test.” Say the prayer for Divine Love, and see for yourself as you can feel God’s Love as it comes into your soul.
We can all become redeemed children of the Father as we share in His Divine Essence through the gift of His Love. “This is the greatest miracle of the universe.”
To read more about the Padgett Messages, see our Links to Divine Love Ministries page for reference to many sites.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Padgett Speaks
Medium: Al FikeIntroduction: In my meditation this morning James Padgett came to me and asked if I would be willing to write a piece through dictation on his life 100 years ago. I think he wants to fill in some of the blanks for those curious about how he became the medium for the messages we all know and love. So here goes:
My friends and fellow travellers on the Divine Path, I send you greetings from our side of life and salutations towards your efforts to bring the truths of our beloved Father’s Love to the wider world. Each and every one of you who are involved in this endeavour to either pray for this Love and go out to spread the good word of its existence is my beloved brother and sister. You continue to carry on the work started by myself and my colleagues all those years back. Indeed the work started with our Master Jesus and was altogether lost years later but now we, meaning the array of spirits aligned with you on Earth and yourselves, are witnessing a renaissance of sorts to bring once more these truths to mankind. We are working together to turn back the tide of darkness and ignorance that most of humanity has suffered under for so long. We begin a new era. A time when all people will be given a choice to follow the truths of God or continue on with their wrong doing and error. God has put His breath upon this work to facilitate many miraculous and effective outcomes in the years ahead which will turn the heads of even the most skeptical individuals. You will all be a part of this work in time if you so choose. It is a Divine mandate that beckons each of you dear souls to come in alignment with this cause to bring to mankind the key to their salvation.
Many, many spirits and angels are praying for the success of our combined endeavours and you must feel the support proffered to you in your prayers and actions. And God’s hand is upon us all guiding and blessing with every moment and breath. You are truly blessed my friends and for those willing to take that leap of faith, the rewards will be great indeed.
Many of you are curious about my life whilst on your Earth. In many respects my history is similar to so many others. I lived in an exciting time in the development of our country of the United States of America. I too was caught up in the fervour of the time which had great potential but endured the ravages of our civil war. Ours was a building time where a great country was emerging from the strife of war. Many opportunities lay before all who wished to take up the tasks of formulating what was seen as a new and unique country built on high principles and a rich land base. The land was immense and needed populating, although my interest was not in being a pioneer and taming the land which was a popular romantic idea at the time. I was drawn to more academic ideals and prospects. I eventually settled to be a lawyer and worked towards those goals. A lawyer I became and was happy with my work. I eventually married and Helen and I had our three children whom we both adored. I certainly married up as they say with Helen, who was not only beautiful and full of life but also came from a respectable minister’s family. The door was opened for me in my career as in those days these sorts of connections were important if one was to be successful. This is not to say that I married ‘for money’ as they say but I was very fortunate to have met my dear Helen. She was a great support to me and a beautiful mother. We lived a somewhat prosperous life in Washington where I practiced but my ambitions often got the better of me. I was a bit of a risk taker in the realm of finances and often gambled our money on dubious ventures, hence some days we were well off but the future was never secured. I wanted to prove myself to my family and Helen’s family that I was a success and I certainly see now that this vain pursuit often got the better of me. Because of our financial inconsistencies, we were often forced to change our residences and that was a great embarrassment to Helen. One day we were on top and the next we hit close to bottom all because I was susceptible to the next scheme to become wealthy. I was, at heart, a gambler and this compulsion racked great havoc on my family and our marriage. I also worked a great deal in order to keep us afloat financially as it was very important to keep up appearances for both my career and our reputation around town. My lack of presence in the home did not please Helen very much as I was often either in the office or out with my lawyerly friends enjoying a drink and a smoke. Helen was always at heart a sweet soul who did not approve of my wicked ways. We often fought about my short comings and this was ongoing in our marriage. For the most part, we kept up appearances and sent our children to the best schools we could afford. We lived our lives putting more into appearances rather than building a relationship of love and harmony but we persisted as long as our children were at home.
As you can see, I was no saint; just a man whose limited perspective and withered soul had no idea of spirituality other than that fed to me by the preachers of the day. My spiritual life was one of belief by rote and blind acceptance. I had no reference point beyond what I was told to be true and I was a believer in this regard but not as devout as my dear Helen. In reality, I was lost and getting more so by the day. In time, Helen gave up on me, she had her own problems brought on by ill health and this did not bode well for our mutual happiness as she struggled greatly with emphysema and spent ever more time with her family, especially when the boys left to start their own lives. I spent more and more time away from our home as did Helen with her health complications and the difficulties between us. Our marriage was for all intensive purposes over. We began living separate lives and eventually this compelled Helen to file for divorce. This certainly forced me to take account of the life I was living and I made several attempts to woo her back to me. The intense demands of my business coupled with increasing age and Helen’s protracted illnesses detracted from my efforts which were not successful. When one is faced with the loss of something that is so much a blessing but unrecognized, the reality of loosing this precious gift can be devastating. I did indeed grieve over her departure from our home but it was too late to fix this unfortunate turn of events. I became more lost and alone and consequently buried myself in my work and a social life with my long standing friends.
You can imagine my grief and sense of guilt upon learning of my dear Helen’s death in the sanatorium. I was beyond comfort and felt responsible for so much of the pain that she endured over the years of her illness and those unfortunate years of our marriage. My longing for her became intense and the grief at times unbearable. I did take comfort in my church life but that only went so far. Its message assured me that Helen would be in Heaven, but went no further to assuage my grief. My loneliness and longing for Helen, whom I seemed to love more intensely through her absence brought me to the practice of spiritualism which I had heard about since it was widely known but harboured a great deal of skepticism regarding its credibility.
Although skeptical, I proceeded to make my enquiries and attend a few séances. Each visit intrigued me but did not entirely convince my intellect that what I was hearing were indeed the voices of the departed. Yet, I persisted and came upon Mrs. Maltby who seemed to describe Helen with such detail and conveyed so many personal bits of information that I was almost entirely convinced. My lawyerly mind tried in vain to discredit this experience but in the end, my heart told me of its truthfulness. I became a spiritualist at heart although I did not fully disclose this to friends and family. Spiritualism was considered an entertainment and did not have a high standing in society although many reputable people attended séances regularly. It remained my secret for most of my remaining days only shared amongst my confidants who were of like mind.
Mrs. Maltby explained to me that I too had a gift for spirit communication and that I should sit down with paper and pen. She instructed me on how to develop my gift and within time, I was communicating with my beloved Helen. We were together again so to speak but this time, I was paying more attention to what my dear wife had to tell me than I ever did while she was in the flesh. It seemed as if our love affair was started anew with my attentions focused on communicating with my dear departed wife. My grief was completely assuaged by this unexpected turn of events. A new and intriguing door had opened up in my life. One that was somewhat peculiar but also warmed my heart to a glow not felt in years. I became smitten with dear Helen all over again. She was my source of comfort and her stories about her life over there kept me in rapt attention each night as I set my pencil upon the foolscap and involuntarily began to write all the while feeling her presence and love for me. Eagerly I would separate the letters run together and incomprehensible until the words would emerge and the message complete. At times, I thought myself an old fool being so caught up in this world that did not exist except for the run on words that emerged from this unusual practice. My ambivalence only increased as I began to hear not only from Helen but from old friends since passed over and strangers curious as to what I was up to. If it was not for the comfort I derived from this practice I would have given it up as a chimera of my own thoughts not worth my attentions and time. This wonderment continued for some time and gained ever more of my attentions. It became a well worn routine as comfortable as going to the office or sitting down for my supper. Its familiarity and its potency gradually worked away at my own skepticism until it became a part of normalcy and routine. I became a full fledged communicator with the dead and accepted my plight with a sense of purpose and competency. At this point I brought in my friends, Dr Stone, Eugene Morgan and others who were sympathetic and encouraging towards my efforts. We became a cabal of sorts who were intent on sustaining the practice but did not altogether favour the idea of revealing these communications to the wider world.
My acceptance of my gift was challenged with an altogether new development introduced by Helen but startingly preposterous in its scope. I was invited to be an instrument of communication by Jesus Christ and his apostles. I must admit that this invitation threw me for a loop. I was dumfounded and very skeptical that what was, in my mind, the true son of God and part of the Godhead would in any way have an interest in communicating through me. I not only felt unworthy but completely unqualified for the task. My total confusion almost brought me to the point of throwing away my utensils and giving up this practice. For whom, but the devil, would tempt me with such nonsense. Helen begged me to persist and trust that Jesus is also a spirit although highly exalted but still humble and loving. She implored me to stay the course and try to comply with the wishes of the one who I both feared and adored. Thus began another chapter in my life which was just as surprising if not unexpected as all the other experiences with the spirits. I complied with reluctance and suspicion but my love and trust in Helen carried me beyond these misgivings. I was initially not pleased or comforted by the first results of this contact. The words written were in my mind both heretical and controversial. My skepticism only increased as this purported Jesus continued to share his story and message that so challenged beliefs long held. I became so ill with confusion and regret that I burned the first attempts of communication. I could not believe these words that contradicted so much of my own Christian beliefs. Surely these things written were not true, just ravings from a deluded spirit. Yet Helen and others including my beloved grandmother long passed on, insisted that what was being said was true and these words were from Jesus himself. My dilemma weighed so heavily upon me as I tried to sort through the facts of the situation as only a lawyer might do. I went over the teachings conveyed by this Jesus and confirmed by so many and reasoned with the information at hand. It eventually became apparent through much loving support and the reasonings of my own mind that if I attempt to follow this new concept of Divine Love, I might know for myself whether it is of merit or not. I began to ask God for this gift, not altogether convinced that God had any intention of listening to my prayer. It took some time and a number of prayers which were encouraged greatly by the spirits communicating to me but eventually I began to feel the Grace that is so familiar to me now, my life forever changed by the touch of God’s great Love. In this change, I began to accept what the angels would come to say and bring into my mind. I began to gain faith in the sure knowledge that God loved me and that His great Love was available to me whenever I asked with sincerity. The terrible regrets of my past and loneliness began to fade and a new hope and faith emerged with God’s increasing Love flowing within. I was on my way to being reborn in the Love and my passage was swift and sure with such angelic support.
I have been favored in so many ways because I overcame my fears and doubts and allowed these priceless truths to be written by my hand but most assuredly not by my being. I grew and learned as the words flowed and my understanding increased with each prayer and each word of truth conveyed in the passage of time. Almost one hundred years have passed in the interim. The world has changed dramatically but the erroneous ways of man persist as so many have no time to venture within and go to God. I understand the struggles of coming to these truths as I have tried to convey through the example of my life what difficulties may ensue through this search. Yet without brave and dedicated souls such as yourselves, the truth may once again become lost in the shuffle as many pursue the lure and pleasures of the material world. You are God’s messengers on Earth my brethren. I know that your struggles are every bit as difficult as was mine but in the end God’s Love conquered all. He brought me to the glory of His loving embrace and He will surely do as much for you. Do not give up or be lead astray. You have the truth firmly in your grasp and the world needs you my brothers and sisters and God will guide you to where you are meant to be. If He can rescue an old codger like myself and set me on the right course, then you should be easy pickings for His intended plans for you.
Thank you for hearing my story and although there are many more details, I believe that you have the gist of it here. You must see that every attempt to glean truth about the world and your place within it does not come readily or without its struggles but it will come with sincere prayer and effort. God’s Love will bring all that you require to see your way through. You are His beloved children and cared for in the most intricate and beautiful ways. You are also my friends and colleagues engaged in this holy work that will, in time, bring salvation for all who venture here with faith and trust. I love you all dearly and thank you for being willing to read my words and to read the words of truth laid out in the volumes so lovingly prepared by those who followed in my footsteps. May God bless you in Love, peace and joy. I am your friend and humble servant…..James Padgett.
Friday July 18, 2014
Helen speaks:
God bless you dear blessed souls of our Heavenly Father’s Love and Care. I too greet you from my side of life and convey my good wishes to you all. My dear Ned has conveyed to you much of the story that is relevant to your enquiries as to our lives together and how he came to be such a valued instrument to convey truth. So I will not belabour the story much further other than to tell you about my own perceptions of our lives.
I grew up very comfortably. My father, a minister, was a merchant who profited well even during the civil war. We had servants, not slaves, who were treated with respect and had their place in our family. My childhood was one that was far from the deprivation most suffered as a result of a country torn by war and strife. Indeed I was very sheltered and somewhat coddled in my formative years. I was well educated and brought up to be a lady. My disposition was sweet and very innocent. I saw the world through rosy colored glasses and was content to do so. I had my coming out in my eighteenth year and felt like I was ready for marriage and and imagined a grand life full of promise and elegance. I had my suitors but when I met James through mutual friends my heart was all a flutter. He was a handsome, tall man who carried himself well, if not a little too sure of himself. His eye fell upon me as well and a courtship began. Several months later, we were married. Ned was still articling and not altogether well off so we lived with my parents for a while until we got on our feet. My parents approved of Ned because of his confidence and prospects and they were happy about my choice in the beginning.
In time we settled down and raised our family. Ned was a bit of a dreamer and had grand plans of his own. His ability though to discern the right course to accomplish his goals was lacking. He also was quite stubborn and did not take to advice very well. My father tried to advise him on several occasions but Ned did not listen and insisted on his own course of actions. He was also very busy and in demand as he built his own law practice. He was a very good lawyer but unfortunately a poor business man. I tried to support him as best I could and be his loving wife by his side but my patience along with my health began to wane as the years flowed by and our prospects became less certain. We did argue from time to time with many of my expectations not met in our marriage. My dream of a romantic life of leisure was never realized and I must admit to some bitterness. In time the distance did become so great between us that I felt it best to move away and live my own life with our daughter. We were at the time living in a hotel of not good standing and my patience was running thin and I left burdened with sadness and resentment. We both grieved our losses but I had to move on for the sake of our daughter and for my own well being. These were difficult times which became more difficult as my health deteriorated. In those days, medications were limited and other than being offered laudanum for my breathing discomforts, the doctors could do very little to treat me effectively. I was forced to go to a sanatorium for rest and rejuvenation. My condition became worse and eventually I died.
My actual passing was not painful or traumatic. I went peacefully and awoke in the most wonderful place. I thought I was dreaming. I was in a hospital filled with light and lovely attendants. They treated me so well and what I thought was a dream seemed to not end. Eventually the true nature of my situation was revealed to me. My first reaction was a deep pang for my daughter and other family members whom I loved and who must be missing me. These anxieties soon abated and I began to adjust to my new life. I met with many dear relatives and friends who had gone before me and I was drawn to be with my dear Ned who was grieving so. His heart sickness kept me close for a long while as he tried in vain to let go of his loses. I prayed for his relief and healing and in doing so, some lovely souls suggested that I could communicate to him via a medium on earth. They taught me how to impress my thoughts upon him so as to compel him to go see the individual that they had in mind. Through my love and concern for him, I was able to get through enough into his mind in order to encourage him to seek out Mrs. Maltby, a delightful women who dedicated her life to give comfort to grieving relatives. Our efforts were successful and most of you are well aware of the story of our continued love affair from beyond the grave.
We are exaltedly happy in our present place well above the seventh sphere. Our life together as soul mates bring us joy unimaginable and all our troubles from long past are now a distant memory. We are also engaged in our work, concentrating on God’s great plan for the salvation of mankind. We derive great joy from this work and believe me when I say that vast numbers of angels are working in this way to bring truth to mankind. The earth is such a crucial place for the soul progression of each individual. Choices are made there which impact a soul’s journey for a very long while. For those of you who have made the choice for truth, it is your responsibility to keep this flame burning within and sharing your understandings with others, always with love. We are eager to support you and often do, bringing you our love and prayers and try to inspire you towards greater truths. Your choice to live in the light bring many rewards both seen and unseen. As Ned has told you, you are our brothers and sisters and part of our vast family of Divine Love followers, angels in the making. Together we will continue to work towards this goal of changing the world for the better and spreading God’s Holy Truth and Love to every dark nook and cranny. Please know that our hearts and souls are dedicated to this work and we require you to be with us in dedication and commitment. Without your partnership with God’s angels, our efforts are weakened and less effective. You are needed more than ever because of the spiraling conditions which permeate your world today. We implore you to double your efforts to pray for God’s Love and to live this truth in every way possible. You are God’s angels on Earth and are needed so deeply in order to fulfill God’s plan. Please pray for your guidance in order to be in position to fulfill your purpose within this plan. You are greatly needed.
Please be with us in our efforts and we will truly be with you so that the struggles that we have talked about in our lives will not be present in yours. As you follow the laws of Love, your lives will reflect that in every way. May God bless all who venture upon His path of Love and may you all be well enfolded in His loving arms. I am your friend in Love and in life…….Helen
Dennis Tormey and Susan Klein share an updated version of a presentation delivered in Washington, D.C., in 2014 in honour of the 100th Anniversary of James Padgett’s first published message.