“Surely God would not have created a being as man...
to exist only for a day!
No, no, man was made for immortality.”
~Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln Funeral Procession, Harper's Weekly

Judge J.W. Edmonds, Famous Mediums, Part 4

“Surely God would not have created a being as man ...
to exist only for a day!
No, no, man was made for immortality.”
~Abraham Lincoln

Famous Mediums, Part 4

Judge John Worth Edmonds (1816-1874), a well-known lawyer, New York State Senator, Judge of the New York Supreme Court Judge and Court of Appeals, was a Spiritualist and a medium. His daughter, Laura, also had the gift of mediumship and spirit contact.

Apparently Judge Edmonds stood firm in his Spiritualist beliefs and research he did into the credibility of several other mediums, even while being attacked often in the press and in political and social circles for his beliefs . The chief communicators were alleged to be Emanuel Swedenborg and Francis Bacon. Judge Edmonds wrote the following: Letters and Tracts on Spiritualism; Spiritualism, Volume I (1853); Spiritualism, Volume II (1855); and Uncertainty of Spiritual Intercourse (1856).

Those of you who have read my blog for awhile and know of my books, will know that Dr. James Martin Peebles is my spirit guide and is the subject of two of my books, To Dance With Angels, written with my husband, Don Pendleton, and my later book, Three Principles of Angelic Wisdom.

This is an excerpt from my ebook: How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism, in which I quote Dr. Peebles in his earthly writings in regards to Abraham Lincoln and then Judge Edmonds.

* * * * * * *
Abraham Lincoln was regarded as a spiritualist by many and was said to have held séances in the White House and "frequently attended séances at the residence of the Lauries in Washington. The daughter was a medium." In his 1903 book, What is Spiritualism?, Dr. James Martin Peebles, M.D., recounts some of that history. "It was in this same family that Miss Nettie Colburn was entranced by spirits purporting to be Jefferson, and the fathers of our country, and who plead of President Lincoln to free those four million slaves in bondage. (See Mrs. Nettie Colburn-Maynard's work, entitled 'Abraham Lincoln, a Spiritualist.') Lincoln's emancipation message was an inspiration from the spirit world. Judge Edmonds, delivering an oration in Hope Chapel, N.Y., upon the life of Lincoln, gave the proofs of this. It is undeniable."

Though Dr. Peebles did not give us details of any of those proofs, he did give some background on Judge J. W. Edmonds. He served as an attorney in the law office of ex-President Martin Van Buren, became a New York State Senator in 1831, was appointed a Circuit Judge in 1845, was elected Judge of the (New York) Supreme Court and later, in 1851, took his seat upon the bench of the Court of Appeals. Peebles explained that Edmonds considered himself an agnostic until his wife's death in 1850 when he began experiencing her presence and on-going contact from the Other Side, until by 1851, he "became quite fully developed himself as a medium for visions, allegorical pictures, and direct communications from the spirit world written through his own hand. His daughter Laura also became a writing medium, and a trance medium with the gift of tongues. The Judge now openly avowed his Spiritualism, lectured upon it in public, wrote articles in the American and foreign press."

Peebles quotes the Judge as saying, "Spiritualism has deepened my faith in God, and the spiritual life and teachings of Christ. It has also inspired me with the most kindly Christian feelings toward all conscientious religionists of whatever name or party."

Continuing further, Dr. Peebles explains, "The pride, as he was of the New York bar for years, a jurist of unimpeachable integrity and keen discernment, as well as an authority on international law, Judge Edmonds was not only a Spiritualist, but a spiritual medium with fine clairvoyant gifts."

Judge Edmunds wrote of his daughter Laura’s mediumship and xenoglossy. On occasion, while in trance and contact with a spirit, she would bring messages forth in other languages, Greek, Spanish, and American Indian: Chippewa and Menomonie tongues.


To Read
Famous Mediums, Part One, Betty
Famous Mediums, Part Two, Lenore E. Piper
Famous Mediums, Part Three, Eileen J. Garrett



~Linda

Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist, Now on Amazon Kindle

Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist? This question has been asked time and again about our 16th President. This book profiles the mysterious and mystical side of Abraham Lincoln: his spiritual side. Lincoln’s interest in Spiritualism apparently separated him from many, but not all, as you will see in reading this Kindle book.

Medium Nettie Colburn was born in 1841 and in 1891 she published this book. It charts her experiences with President Lincoln during a difficult period of great upheaval in the United States. This book is a profound treasure, a spiritual profile of an intelligent man, a deep thinker, and a man dedicated to preserving the Union and inspiring greater humane treatment of all citizens.

Linda Pendleton has added an Introduction and Notes to this fascinating and credible story of how one young woman who had the gift to communicate with the Other Side, also had the good fortune to communicate with, and for, President Lincoln at a time when he greatly needed inspiration. It was during the 19th century when Spiritualism made an impact, not only in the United States, but around the world, and students of Civil War history should enjoy this look into life in the White House during Lincoln's time there.

Now at Kindle Amazon.

Abraham Lincoln, a Spiritualist...ebooks

I could hardly let Abraham Lincoln’s birthday go by without mention of my ebooks about him that I published for the 200th anniversary of his birth last year. I always found him to be so fascinating and in many ways one of my heroes from childhood. So I am delighted to have written about him.

Many people do not know that Lincoln was a spiritualist and did take part in séances and meetings with mediums. One medium in particular was a young woman named Nettie Colburn (Maynard). Not long before her death she wrote a book about her life and that included her time with Lincoln during the Civil War. Thankfully, Mrs. Maynard left us with this profound treasure, a spiritual profile of an intelligent man, a deep thinker, and a man dedicated to preserving our Union and with a goal toward humane treatment of all citizens of our country.

I wrote an Introduction to Nettie Colburn Maynard’s book, Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?. Her book profiles the less discussed side of Abraham Lincoln - his spiritual side. His interest in Spiritualism apparently separated him from many, but not all, as you will see in reading this book. Medium Nettie Colburn was born in 1841 and in 1891 she published this book. It charts her experiences with President Lincoln during a period of great upheaval in the United States. This book is a profound treasure, a spiritual profile of an intelligent man, a deep thinker, and a man dedicated to preserving the Union and inspiring greater humane treatment of all citizens. Illustrations included. We include a second book, Writings of and about Abraham Lincoln, Our Sixteenth President, compiled by me. These two books are offered as Free Gifts with the purchase of my ebook, How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism, along with three more free ebooks. They are Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe; Through the Mist: Light at the End of the Tunnel By Linda Pendleton; and Charting Your Intuitive Experiences: To Heal, Solve Problems, Make Spiritual Contact and More! By Linda Pendleton.

This week I received a beautiful review on How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism, and she previously had mentioned she was enjoying the ebook gifts, too.

Her review of How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism: “This ebook was fantastic.... Our family recently buried yet another member of the family (three in two years) and I was so overcome with grief when I started reading this book. I'm much better now and will absolutely recommend this book to anyone that has experienced a loss!” ~ Namaste', Susan S., Arizona

Read more about the books and free gifts here at healingebooks.com

Note: The bookcovers shown only for display. The books are ebooks, PDF Files for Download.

~Linda

A Prayer In His Watch Pocket: Abraham Lincoln

You never know what may be in your pocket. Did President Lincoln know what was in his? Nearly 150 years ago, in April of 1861, shortly following the attack of Fort Sumter, South Carolina by Confederate Rebels, a secret cursive inscription was etched into a metal plate under the watch face of Abraham Lincoln’s gold pocket watch.

Jonathan Dillon, a watchmaker for the M.W. Galt & Company on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. apparently was repairing Lincoln’s watch when he was told of the outbreak of the Civil War. Later claiming to be the only Union sympathizer working at the jewelry company, he stated he had added a Civil War message to the watch that day.

In 1906 at the age of 84, Dillon told a New York Times reporter about his engraving. For years the Dillon family and friends heard the “tale” of the engraving on Lincoln’s watch. Although his recollection in 1906 was not completely accurate as it has now turned out, the sentiment was there. He had said his engraved words were, “The first gun is fired. Slavery is dead. Thank God we have a president who at least will try.”

The gold pocket watch has been in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for a number of years. It may be the 200th anniversary celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, along with comments from relatives that lead Jonathan Dillon’s great-great grandson Doug Stiles, to do a Google search on the Internet and find the 1906 newspaper article about the engraving of the watch. He notified Smithsonian curators, who knew nothing of the engraving inside the pocket watch. This past Tuesday, a press conference was held as watchmaker George Thomas, a museum volunteer, carefully opened the watch before an audience of museum workers and reporters who watched on a video monitor. With a magnifying glass, Doug Stiles read his great-great grandfather’s words: “Jonathan Dillon April 13-1861 Fort Sumpter [sic] was attacked by the rebels on the above date. J Dillon” And then, “April 13-1861 Washington thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon.” The actual attack took place on the 12th of April, 1861.

So in a way, President Lincoln had in his pocket a prayer, words of gratitude, along with messages of wisdom and inspiration which he often received from his “friends from the upper country.” And as we know, angels work in mystical and mysterious ways, and maybe this Irish immigrant watchmaker was a “messenger” of the message to the man who was leading our government during a chaotic and terrible time in our history.

As part of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the Museum has brought together its unique Lincoln collection. Through a focused selection of nationally important Lincoln artifacts, visitors may explore the life and times of this extraordinary man. The museum website states, “Each highlighted object will be augmented with personal stories told by Lincoln and the people who knew him best. The exhibition will showcase more than 60 historical treasures associated with Lincoln's life from an iron wedge he used to split wood in the early 1830s in New Salem, Ill., to his iconic top hat he wore the night he was shot at Ford’s Theatre. The exhibition will tell a new and very intimate story of the life and legacy of this remarkable individual.”

See the Online Lincoln Exhibit.

I love the unfolding and revealing of all sides of our sixteenth President. As I have written in my latest ebooks I always have admired Lincoln’s spiritual side. And what better thing to be revealed now in this year of his birthday celebration than the message his pocket watch carried, and which he held often in his hand, possibly without ever knowing what was hidden away behind the dial of his pocket watch.

~Linda

Psychic Abilities, Abraham Lincoln and His Precognitive Dreams

Psychiatrist, and former Harvard professor, Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell was a guest on Coast to Coast AM Radio show this week. Her new book The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena, combines philosophy, physics, and examines paranormal traits like clairvoyance, precognition, telepathy, intuition.

She mentioned how scientists in the field of study of the paranormal often times put their careers on the line by pursuing topics out of the mainstream paradigm. She specifically mentioned the late Dr. John E. Mack, Harvard professor, and how he fought to keep his Harvard tenure while studying the UFO abduction phenomena and writing best-selling books on the subject. He was able to keep his position at Harvard. Dr. Powell was Director of Research at the John E. Mack Foundation.

Dr. Powell talked of how we all possess psychic ability but some are more psychic than others. Her studies go along with what I believe, that for many, it is genetic and runs in families. There is often a family history covering several generations. She believes there is an undiscovered “psychic” gene. She also mentioned psychic ability may show up after a head trauma. And we know others have had a traumatic event or a Near Death Experience and their psychic ability appears for the first time or is greatly enhanced. For instance, Dannion Brinkley, Dr. Dianne Morrissey both recovered from NDEs and discovered their new ability. The late Peter Hurkos apparently fell off a ladder, had a head injury resulting in his psychic ability. Dr. Powell also touched on animals' psychic abilities, noting Rupert Sheldrake's work on dogs and their owners. (Read my article, Animal Communication: Animal Smarts or the Gift of Intuition? By Linda Pendleton) People with autism also have a higher probability of psychic abilities, such a autistic savants, according to Dr. Powell.

In a recent online Time interview by M.J. Stephey, Dr. Powell spoke of Abraham Lincoln’s famous precognitive dream of his death, several days before his assassination.

“Lincoln had a very vivid dream of walking around the White House and hearing all these people mourning and asking, "What's going on?" and then having someone tell him, "The president's dead." Then he saw his own corpse. He had this dream literally ten days before he was assassinated. He didn't tell anybody about it at first, but a few days before [his assassination], he told his wife and some friends.”

I just wrote about Lincoln’s dream in my new ebook, How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism. He apparently often had meaningful and precognitive dreams.

Excerpt:
Dr. James Martin Peebles wrote about Abraham Lincoln’s dreams in his 1903 book, What is Spiritualism? and describes Lincoln's prophetic dream as told by Charles Dickens. "When Charles Dickens was in the United States in 1868, he wrote to his friend, John Forster, under date of February 4 of that year, that he had dined by invitation with Senator Charles Sumner, at Washington, on the previous Sunday, when Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War under Lincoln's administration, was the only other guest. The conversation having turned on the assassination of Lincoln, Dickens writes:

'He and Sumner having been the first two public men at the dying President's bedside, and having remained with him until he breathed his last, we fell into a very interesting conversation. ...Mr. Stanton told me a curious little story. On the afternoon of the day on which the President was shot, there was a Cabinet Council, at which he [Lincoln] presided. Mr. Stanton arrived rather late.

'He noticed that the President sat with an air of great dignity and was grave and calm. Mr. Stanton, on leaving the council with the Attorney-General, said to him: ‘What an extraordinary change in Mr. Lincoln!’

'The Attorney-General replied: We all saw it before you came in. While we were waiting for you, he said, with his chin down on his breast: Gentlemen, something very extraordinary is going to happen, and that very soon.

'To which the Attorney-General had observed: ‘Something good, sir, I hope?’

'When the President answered very gravely: ‘I don't know; I don't know. But it will happen, and shortly, too!’

'As they were all impressed by his manner, the Attorney-General took him up again. ‘Have you received information, sir, not yet disclosed to us?’

'No, answered the President, but I have had a dream, and I have now had that same dream three times. Once on the night preceding the battle of Bull Run; once on the night preceding such another,’ naming a battle also not favorable to the North. His chin sank on his breast again, and he sat reflecting.

'Might one ask the nature of this dream, sir?’ asked the Attorney-General.

'Well,’ replied the President, without lifting his head or changing his attitude: ‘I am on a great, broad, rolling river, and I am in a boat, and I drift and I drift...but, this is not business,’ suddenly raising his face and looking round the table as Mr. Stanton entered. ‘Let us proceed to business, gentlemen!’

'Mr. Stanton and the Attorney-General said, as they walked on together, [that] it would be curious to notice whether anything ensued on this, and they agreed to notice. That night Lincoln was shot by Wilkes Booth, at Ford's Theatre and died the following morning.'"

Another interesting story about Lincoln's spiritual awareness is given in Carl Sandburg's Abraham Lincoln, where he reports that Lincoln was often haunted by his dreams. Sandburg relates Lincoln's own words, "It seems strange how much there is in the Bible about dreams. There are, I think, some sixteen chapters in the Old Testament and four or five in the New in which dreams are mentioned; and there are many other passages scattered throughout the book which refer to visions. If we believe the Bible, we must accept the fact that in the old days God and His angels came to them in their sleep and made themselves known in dreams. Nowadays dreams are regarded as very foolish and are seldom told, except by old women and by young men and maidens in love."

Mrs. Lincoln, Mary, remarked that the President looked dreadfully solemn and asked him if he believed in dreams.

Whereupon Lincoln replied, "I can't say that I do, but I had one the other night which has haunted me ever since. After it occurred, the first time I opened the Bible, strange as it may appear, it was at the twenty-eighth chapter of Genesis, which related the wonderful dream Jacob had. I turned to other passages, and seemed to encounter a dream or a vision wherever I looked. I kept on turning the leaves of the old book, and everywhere my eyes fell upon passages recording matters strangely in keeping with my own thoughts,–supernatural visitations, dreams, visions, etc."

Responding to a complaint by Mrs. Lincoln that this kind of talk frightened her, the President apologized for upsetting her, explaining, "...the thing has got possession of me, and, like Banquo's ghost, it will not down."

This was President Lincoln's dream:

"About ten days ago, I retired very late. I had been up waiting for important dispatches from the front. I could not have been long in bed when I fell into a slumber, for I was weary. I soon began to dream. There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. Then I heard subdued sobs, as if a number of people were weeping. I thought I left my bed and wandered downstairs. There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but the mourners were invisible. I went from room to room; no living person was in sight, but the same mournful sounds of distress met me as I passed along. It was light in all the rooms; every object was familiar to me; but where were all the people who were grieving as if their hearts would break? I was puzzled and alarmed. What could be the meaning of all this? Determined to find the cause of a state of things so mysterious and so shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room, which I entered. There I met with a sickening surprise. Before me was a catafalque, on which rested a corpse wrapped in funeral vestments. Around it were stationed soldiers who were acting as guards; and there was a throng of people, some gazing mournfully upon the corpse, whose face was covered, others weeping pitifully. 'Who is dead in the White House?' I demanded of one of the soldiers. 'The President,' was the answer; 'he was killed by an assassin!' Then came a loud burst of grief from the crowd, which awoke me from my dream. I slept no more that night; and although it was only a dream, I have been strangely annoyed by it ever since."

This dream came to Lincoln just days before he was shot on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, and he died the following morning.

It is obvious that Lincoln was very strongly connected and often aware of that whispering presence from beyond the veil. And he referred to those spirits on the Other Side as "our friends from the upper country."

~Linda

New Ebook, How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism by Linda Pendleton

Linda Pendleton's new  E-book,
How Thin the Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism NDEe, Coincidences, Lincoln, Past Lives, Mediums, Spirit

Many of us are still searching for answers about life: Who are we? Why are we here? What happens when we leave here? Will we see our loved ones again? And for some, the questions may be broader such as: Have I been here before? Will I return at some future point? Why did I come back?

In about 1850, Spiritualism reached a high interest and continued for a number of years, not only in America, but world-wide. The poets, philosophers, artists, politicians of the time, along with the ordinary man and woman, in surprising numbers came to accept spirit communication as a comforting and fulfilling life experience.
Within my new ebook, How Thin The Veil! 150 Years of Spiritualism, you will read about the early days of Spiritualism and how it became a new era that brought with it a profound understanding of human destiny after death, and of the relationship between heaven and earth.

Many historical figures considered themselves Spiritualist, some more openly than others. One of our greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln communicated with spirit on the Other Side through mediums and referred to spirit as “our friends from the upper country.” It has often been said his writings and speeches were inspired by spirit, especially his Emancipation Proclamation.

The veil between worlds continues to grow thinner, communication is increasing, and part of the increase in communication may be a result of fear being released, and openness prevailing. Curiosity, yes, but probably more than that when intuition is allowed to have a role in everyday life.

Read about Abraham Lincoln in celebration of his February Bicentennial Birthday!
“I’ve always had a fascination with Abraham Lincoln and I very much enjoyed doing more research on him, discovering more about who he was, enjoying his wit and humor, learning more about what he believed, along with all he gave this country during his leadership, and the legacy he left.” ~Linda Pendleton 

 Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist? by Nettie Colburn Maynard, 1891. A Mediums' Memories of President Lincoln, Introduction by Linda Pendleton;

 

Writings Of and About Abraham Lincoln, Our Sixteenth President by Linda Pendleton; 







 








"Linda writes with a pure intent to inspire others through sharing what spirit inspires through her. That is the best kind of writing because it is so authentic." ~Athena Demetrios, Medium and Trance-Channel

“Linda’s really done her research. How Thin the Veil! is a very interesting study on the history of Spiritualism, and I feel I learned a great deal. This research shows the acceptance and growth, the intolerance and fear, of the many facets of Spiritualism throughout history and today. This book shows how some people time and time again will not be stopped on their search for Spirituality, and how this has affected all aspects of societies, including our American politics. The Spiritual journey is as unique and diverse as each and every one of us, and no matter how different, when all is said and done, we are truly all connected. A fascinating read.” ~Anne Boss, California

"The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it." ~Kahlil Gibran