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March 22nd, 1915.
Received by James Padgett.
Washington D.C.
I am here, Garfield. I am J. A. Garfield, your
old partner's friend.
I want to say that you are a very much favored man in having so
many spirits of such high degree of development interested in you
and your work as a medium. I have been with Mr. Riddle a great deal,
and he tells me of the wonderful powers you have received in taking
these communications, and the wonderful truths that have been communicated
to you; and what great faith you have in prayer to the Father. So
you see, I am interested also, and wish to say something regarding
this spirit life and my experiences as a spirit.
I am now in the Third (Spirit) Sphere where Riddle is, and he and
I frequently converse about these matters, and are seeking the truths
with all our minds and souls. Well, I only know this way as a believer
in the doctrines of my church, and what I have learned in addition
since coming over here. I am not a believer in all that the Bible
teaches, but only in the things that appeal to my reason. My faith
in prayer is not very strong, nor in the possibility of becoming
a spirit who may receive any great help from the operations of the
Holy Spirit, which, as Riddle says, is the only influence that can
surely redeem me from my sins or the result of them, and make me
one with the Father. I cannot comprehend this teaching, and unless
my reason can be convinced, I cannot be persuaded to accept the
teaching as true.
So you see, I am still in the position that I was on earth - that
is, unless my reason tells me that such a thing is true, I cannot
believe. That may be so, but how can I do that? I am not a child
who can believe everything that is told me, just because someone
else says that it is true. No, I must learn from my own investigations.
Yes, there seems to be some force in that, but how can I use the
instruments or faculties of the soul when I don't realize that they
exist? Or how can I attempt to investigate any truths when, as you
say, the means necessary to be used in such investigation I have
no knowledge of?
Well, you might be right, I may be wrong. I will ask Riddle about
these matters with an unbiased mind and listen to him attentively.
Well, I perceive that you have great faith in the existence of these
truths, and I promise you to devote my whole efforts to searching
for the truth.
I have met some of them (Mr. Padgett's band), and they are all
very beautiful and happy, especially your wife. She is a wonderfully
beautiful spirit and so very loving and kind. I have talked with
her a number of times, and she has told me of the wonderful love
of the Father, as she calls it; but I thought that she was only
an enthusiast, and a believer in some doctrine that the young could
easily believe, and make by their faith a reality.
Question and answer.
No, but I will. I will ask for an interview with your grandmother,
and I have no doubt that she will grant it. I will listen to her,
as you say.
I do not know who you mean. When on earth I considered Jesus such
a one as you describe, but I have not seen him here. Well, I am
surprised, I must say. I thought that he was a part of the Trinity,
and was away up in the heavens far from the sight of spirits. You
certainly astound me. I certainly will. You must be an exceedingly
good man to have such a relationship with the Master, God. Well,
let me think of this. I am confused, and not able to think what
it all means.
Well, when on earth I was a mere believer in the letter of the
Bible. I did not realize what its spiritual teachings meant, and
do not now. I was like thousands of others who profess to teach
the truths of the Bible.
So you see, I am nothing more than an intellectual Christian. I
do not yet see that this life is anything more than a mere continuance
of the earth life, with the possibilities of greater mental progression
and acquirements.
So you are my old instructor's late partner. Well, I am certainly
glad to have this opportunity to write; only forgive my intrusion.
I cannot express to you my appreciation of what you have told me.
I want you to pray for me, as I know that your prayers will benefit
me much. I did not know that I was causing you to violate the rules
of your band, and ask your pardon for doing so. I wish further to
say that your motives in permitting me to write have very much affected
me, and I commence to think that your love for not only Mr. Riddle
but for me must be more than usual among men. I will show you how
much I appreciate your interest and kindness in doing what you say.
So I will stop now.
Well, I had forgotten, but now that you recall it, I do remember,
and felt so grateful that the message was conveyed to Riddle. Well,
how strangely things happen. To think that your wife, whom I so
much admire here now for her beauty and goodness, was the messenger
for me on that occasion. It seems as if all things are working together
for my good. I am so glad that I came to you tonight.
So with all my respect and spirit love, I am your own true friend,
and searcher after the truth.
James A. Garfield
This message is a composite of two, being published
in Volume III on page 137 and Volume III on page 369. For more details
see this page.
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