NEW THOUGHT IN AUSTRALIA

NEW THOUGHTIN AUSTRALIAPresented by

Dr Ian Ellis-JonesWellness Instructor and Practitioner

Legal Practitioner, Educator and TrainerMinister of Religion, Consultant and

Author

Introduction

The ‘movement of the mind’ …

‘The truth, once announced, has the power not only to renew but to extend itself. New Thought is universal in its ideals and therefore should be universal in its appeal. Under the guidance of the spirit, it should grow in good works until it embraces many lands and eventually the whole world.’- James A Edgerton on New Thought Day, 23 August 1915.


‘If there is only one Law, one Power, one Good, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent all-loving Father, then we shall step into the new day, and so a New Era Is Born.’

– Grace M Aguilar.


The roots of New Thought go way back to persons such as …

Buddha, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Philo, Epictetus, Origen and

Athanasius.


However … there is nothing ‘new’ about New Thought, which is as old as humanity …

‘This is the 'new' religion; yet it is older than the universe. It is God's own thought put into practical form.’

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox.


Late 19th century ...the 'movement of the

mind' … an increased interest in alternative beliefs such as

…


Unitarianism and Universalism

Theosophy SpiritualismChristian ScienceNew Thought


… as an antidote to‘the maddening

effect of Protestantism

[especially Calvinism]’

(H P Blavatsky).


The movement was particularly embraced by women, who were presented with new thoughts about …

religion sexuality philosophy.


The new organisations and

ideas offered opportunities for

women to preach… and even lead congregations.

What is ‘New Thought’?

A system of thought which affirms the unity of God with man, the

perfection of all life, and the immortality and

eternity of the individual soul forever expanding.

- Dr Ernest Holmes.


‘… a movement of philosophical-religious thought and action originating in the nineteenth-

century United States and emphasizing the attainment of health, wealth, and happiness through the control of one’s conscious and non-conscious

beliefs, attitudes, and expectations by means of deliberately

practising the presence of a wholly benevolent deity’ – Alan

Anderson.


‘New Thought is a basic attempt to reinterpret the conventional dogmas of historic religion.’– Martin A Larson, New Thought Religion.‘What we call New Thought is, of course, only

the primitive New Testament teaching restated in modern form. It is essentially a Back-to-Jesus

movement.’– Emmet Fox.

‘… a mental system that holds man as being one with God (good) through the power of

constructive thinking.’ – Charles Fillmore.

New Thought

'New Thought is an idealism, as are all esoteric philosophies and religions - all religions that do not separate man from God. It is also progressive, because it recognizes by its fundamental principles and teachings that all healthful and normal ideals must change, expand and develop, as the individual gains more light and truth, as he expands and grows.' - Abel Leighton Allen.

New Thought

'New Thought is not, as many believe, a name or expression employed to define any fixed system of thought, philosophy, or religion, but is a term used to convey the idea of growing or developing thought. In considering this subject, the word 'New' should be duly and freely emphasized, because the expression 'New Thought' relates only to what is new and progressive.'

- Abel Leighton Allen.

New Thought

'New Thought is a product of the twentieth century thought and need; it had its birth in human experiences and human unfoldment; it is God’s answer to the now.' - Julia Seton MD.

New Thought

‘The name New Thought has been adopted by an ever-increasing body of advanced minds throughout the world as being the most appropriate name for that progressive, ever-advancing spiritual evolution going on among all classes of religious and ethical thinkers to-day, and while it is not a sect or even an organisation in the strict sense of those terms, it is a mighty and growing movement among the most thoughtful, both inside and outside the churches.’

– Program Note, New Thought Conference,Adelaide, South Australia, August 1915.

New Thought

'the religion of healthy-

mindedness'- William James,

The Varietiesof Religious Experience.

New Thought

The greatest discovery of my generation is

that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.- William James.

New Thought

‘New Thought … is not so much an organization as it is a point of view.’ – C S Braden, These Also Believe (New York: Macmillan, 1949), p 143.

New Thought

New Thoughtis essentially a diverse

and non-creedal mind-healing spiritual and

metaphysical philosophy and

movement … as well as a way of life …

New Thought Down Under

New Thought

Agnes Nesbit Benham (1850-1932)South Australian socialist, radical

and feministpublished booklet First Steps in

Mental Science, 1895

• 'Our souls are individualised portions of Spirit-rays (from the Great Sun of Spirit we call God) projected far into matter'

- Morning 17 October 1900

New Thought

Dr James Porter Mills MD (1847-1926) [left] … Chicago physician … gave up his medical practice to promote Christian metaphysics

and his wifeMrs Anna W Mills …… from Chicago USA … later based in New York and London …… in Australia: 1896-98 … system of thinking called

'the Teaching' each wrote many excellent

metaphysical books

New Thought

Dr James P Mills and Mrs Anna W Mills …• founded Brisbane Christian

Metaphysical Association …• 1st edn of Practical

Metaphysics (1896) completed in Brisbane home of Mr Henry E Aguilar [left] and his family

• visited Adelaide, Aug 1897 …• Christian Metaphysical

Association formed …• Joachim M Wendt [right] first

president … formerly a Unitarian

http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=1994&mode=singleImage

New Thought

Anna W Mills- called herself 'Healer'- among the first to come into prominence in New Thought Movement- New Thought writer … also dabbled in Christian Science- founded ‘The Truth Students’ Association’- author of Practical Metaphysics for Healing and Self Culture (1896)

New Thought

Henry Cardew, Sydney (Metaphysical Book Company, Jan 1898 onwards: The Metaphysician (later titled Progressive Thought)

By 1899: Mary E Prescott, Sydney (Divine Science practitioner)

By 1901: Sydney: ‘Sydney Metaphysical Association,’ ‘Students of Truth Association,’ and monthly jrnl Thought Waves (Hobart Caunter [ed], Enmore NSW) …

also metaphysical healers in Melbourne and PerthBy 1902: ‘Science of Life Society’ meetings: Sydney,

Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, New Zealand

New Thought

Sr [aka Rev/Rev Sr] Veni Cooper-Mathieson([Mrs] Amanda Malvina Thorley-Gibson)

[b. Amanda Melvina Cooper]

(1867-1943) born Maitland NSW Australia father, Thomas H. Cooper eccentric but influential

metaphysician/‘healer’ and writer/self-publisher

formerly engaged in newspaper work … cont’d

New Thought

Veni Cooper-Mathieson … cont’d

the classic, archetypal New Thought expositor: itinerant speaker, teacher and writer self-publisher self-proclaimed ‘healer’ self-promoter extraordinaire

3 years (1906-09) in Great Britain & USA, studying metaphysics

married (1) Samuel Matthews Jr (29 Feb 1884), (2) Earlam Joshua Gibson (1902) … … cont’d

New Thought

Veni Cooper-Mathieson … cont’d pioneer work in Australia began in 1903 … Women’s White Cross Moral Reform Crusade … a society to promote celibacy among young women ... met weekly in the Sydney

Domain there was also a companion group for young men---not-so-successful!

The Universal Truth Healing Fellowship The Truth Centre … 3 years' lecture course in Sydney on ‘The Truth Seekers’ later, The Church Universal …• founded Perth, 4 Oct 1911 (cf Dresser: Apr 1909)• relocated to Sydney, Dec 1914]

and Metaphysical College … cont’d

New Thought

Veni Cooper-Mathieson … cont’d founded – among several other orders & institutions – The Esoteric College and Home of Truth The Church of Truth Universal The Truth-Seeker Publishing Company The Universal Truth Publishing Co (of Australasia) [1915] The Order of the Prince of Peace taught that Australia was the ‘land of the dawning’ and

advocated female emancipation supported Frank Bennett in his attempt to found a lodge of the Ordo

Templi Orientis (cf Aleister Crowley) in Sydney NSW, 1915 cofounded Australian New Thought Alliance (conferences 1916, 1928)

… Australia’s 1st ‘New Thought Day’ held on 7 Oct 1916

… cont’d

New Thought

Veni Cooper-Mathieson … cont’d wrote … Woman's Emancipation: Thoughts on the Marriage Question

(1904) Australia! Land of the Dawning (c1904) A Marriage of Souls (1914) The Soul’s Immaculate Conception (c1923) The Universal Health Restorer (1929) The Heart of God ; and Mirrors of the Infinite : (Higher

Thought Essays) … as well as short stories, etc also published/edited the Australian New Thought journals … The Truth Seeker [first published Sydney, Jan 1905 [1905-13]] The Healer [1911-13] The Revealer [1915-18]

… cont’d

New Thought

Veni Cooper-Mathieson … cont’d assisted by Bro Ariel [Ariel Herman Adam] (died 1952) fined for practising as a physician, Hobart Police Court,

Hobart, May 1934 … claimed she had Divine powers of healing through breathing on patients and

could detect inward physical growths that X-rays wouldn’t reveal (dubbed the ‘Living X-Ray’) …

as at 1943: was still listed as an INTA District President …

died 6 Jun 1943, aged 75 years; buried Lunawanna Cemetery, Bruny Island, Tasmania, 10

Jun 1943 Truth Centres: Sydney NSW, Perth WA, Blue Mountains NSW,

and (lastly) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.… cont’d

NEW THOUGHT CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM… from A Marriage of Souls: A Metaphysical Novel (1914)

by Veni Cooper-Mathieson

‘… But, remember if you are not prepared to go through the entire process within your own souls, then the crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection of Christ has no real meaning for you. Its sacred symbolism is lost, and the whole tragedy is seen but as the harrowing spectacle of the cruel murder of a good man; while the last act of the drama reveals the overcoming of the world's greatest enemy, the last one to the progress of the race—Death. And that, too, through this chief actor, Jesus, who triumphed over all His foes and showed forth Man's dominion and God's glory: He made it possible to conquer even death, and when we can believe a thing possible for one, the more likely we are to accept it as probable for others and eventually for ourselves, even though this recognition on the part of humanity is necessarily slow. Yet what Jesus did we can also do, if we will. But even this great moral lesson is of no avail if we see it only with the eyes of sense. We must behold it with our inward spiritual vision, and there see the chief actor in that drama as ourself. Each one of us must go through every scene in that life tragedy as the Master did, till we attain to the final overcoming of the Christ-Man, Who is the model for our guidance.’

NEW THOUGHT CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM… from A Marriage of Souls: A Metaphysical Novel (1914)

by Veni Cooper-Mathieson

‘Then, of course, all things are possible to us if we will but believe it. We shall have dominion and power over all things; indeed, the power is now latent within us, just as the full-grown man is lying hidden within the babe, only waiting to be developed and hence revealed. When we come to this stage of consciousness we naturally are able to do the works of a Son of God, just as His first-begotten, or eldest son, Jesus, did. He said we were His brethren, and that His Father was our Father, and that Truth is for all eternity and for all Humanity: not only for one people or one age; for God is no respecter of generations or nations any more than He is of persons, He is God of all the earth. This was so … for it came from the Source of all truth, the Spirit within every man that giveth understanding. …’

New Thought

Grace M Aguilar (Paul) [1881-1964]

influential Australian New Thought leader, writer and self-publisher …

‘[her] work has claimed the attention of the world’ (The Brisbane Courier, 15 July 1926) …

introduced Unity literature to Australia advocated female empowerment

father, Henry Elias Aguilar [1857-1940], also an exponent of New Thought & writer (assoc w/Dr & Mrs J P Mills) …

… cont’d

H E Aguilar

New Thought

Grace M Aguilar … cont’d

mother’s uncle Sir George Williams (1821-1905) …

English merchant & YMCA founder

grandniece of author Grace Aguilar (1816-1847) …

The Women of Israel, Records of Israel, Spirit of Judaism, etc

… cont’d

New Thought

Grace M Aguilar … cont’d attended one of Dr James P Mills’

Brisbane public addresses on metaphysics … later experienced a dramatic healing

(from rheumatic fever) hon. treasurer, Brisbane Christian

Metaphysical Association later studied with Willoughby

Connor (Hobart Metaphysical Scty) … while working for soft goods emporium G P Fitzgerald & Co Hobart 1909-10

opened her first Truth Centre Hobart c1910 … cont’d

http://www.auspostalhistory.com/151_IMAGE1.jpg

http://www.auspostalhistory.com/151_IMAGE3.jpg

New Thought

Grace M Aguilar … cont’d founded ‘Adelaide Truth

Centre’ in 1911 … paid her tram fare to Adelaide City

with a borrowed 6 pence … rented a room … opened the Centre

relocated to Brisbane & then Sydney … opened New Thought Centre NSW (later New Thought Centre[s] of Australia, still later New Thought Centres, (E) Australia)

… cont’d

New Thought


served as leader longer than any other in the movement in Australia …

long-serving District President, International New Thought Alliance (INTA)

married dental technician H George Paul (1902-2002), who also became a prominent Australian New Thought leader

… cont’d

New Thought

Grace M Aguilar … cont’d wrote: New Thoughts: or Light in Our Darkness (1917) the play Woman’s Power [2 versions: children’s play in

2 Acts/adult play in 3 Acts] (1917) … 1st prodn, INTA Congress, St Louis MO, 4 Aug 1917

(‘New Thought Day’) the children’s story Who is Our Fairy Godmother?

(1932) the historic novel The Great Untouched Future

(1938) poems, tracts, pamphlets, booklets and other misc.

writings compiled the booklet Thoughts published and edited leading Australian New Thought

journal The Affirmer … in publication for several decades.

… cont’d

New Thought


cofounded Australian New Thought Alliance (conferences 1916, 1928) …

Australia’s 1st ‘New Thought Day’ held on 7 October 1916

New Thought Centres: Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney [CBD & Mtrpltn*], Newcastle, Cowra [WWII] and Blue Mountains NSW …

also lectured and taught in Perth and Hobart. … cont’d

* including, at various times and periods, Manly, Chatswood, Burwood, Parramatta, Hornsby, Eastwood and Dee Why.

New Thought

A ‘PROTECTIVE MEDITATION’‘There is only God good everywhere,

and Divine protection is in andaround each and all.’

- Grace M Aguilar.~

‘The positive thinker repels disease:the negative thinker invites infection.’

- Veni Cooper-Mathieson,The Universal Health Restorer (1929).

New Thought

‘As the child of God, I here and now declare my birthrightthrough the living Christ, in love.’ – Grace M Aguilar.

~‘You have the Majesty of God’s life, and the creation

of your own thoughts.’ – Grace M Aguilar.~

‘The supreme test of any spiritual understanding is, I think,Does it work? Can it be applied to everyday life experience.’

– A S Webb.~

‘Man is the offspring of God, and as such, is Lord of the planet. Jesus said, “Ye are gods, children of the Most High.” And he knew

what he spoke was Truth. He claimed this for all mankind, recognising himself as a God; and acknowledging his Sonship

with God; and also affirmed that his God was our God, his Father our Father!’

– Veni Cooper-Mathieson.

http://threekingsgiftshop.com/viewitem.php?productid=316

New Thought

Other New Thought Practitioners and Teachers … Emilie A Hulett, Melbourne (‘Melbourne New Thought Centre’, Good Will magazine) Madame Emilie Sawes, Melbourne ('Science of Thought Centre’) Christine Laurenson, Melbourne (‘Divine Science Centre’) A S Webb, Perth (‘Seekers Christian Fellowship’) Madam Spontini, Sydney (‘Metaphysical Scty of NSW’/‘Unity

Success Club’) and Charles Randall, Perth (‘Science of Mind Church and College’)

Willoughby Connor, Hobart (‘Hobart Metaphysical Society’) H T Glover (‘The Progressive Thought Society’)

and P H Nicholls, Adelaide E E S Earle, Florence Lockyer, Lee Marshall, David W McClure, Elva Holcombe, Midge Berkman, Grace Merrick, and others … Unity

New Thought

Rev Dr Gordon Powell AM(1911-2005)much-loved minister of …

Collins Street Independent Church, Melbourne St Stephens, Macquarie Street, Sydney Scots Church, Collins Street, Melbourne Christ Church, Quaker Hill, Pawling, New York

instrumental in forming AA in Melbourneradio broadcaster, CBA-FM, 30 yearsauthor of many successful books including ..

Personal Peace and Power, Happiness is a Habit, The Blessing of Belief, The Secret of Serenity, Freedom from Fear, Famous Birthdays, etc.

New Thought

‘If God is at the centre of our thinking, if we believe that God is good, what a foundation that is! It means that however dark the present may be, ultimately things must work together for good---if we love God.’

- Gordon Powell.

New Thought

Prominent overseas visiting lecturers have included … Dr James P and Mrs Anna W Mills 1903 [rtn visit] J W Colville (The Spiritual Science of Health and Healing) Annie Rix Militz (Master Mind magazine) 1913-14 Dr Julia Seton (Sears) (‘Church of the New Civilization’)

3 lecture tours incl 1916 and 1926 … also established a New Thought centre in Perth

W G Hooper (field secty, British Section, INTA) 1927 Dr Harry Gaze (How to Live Forever) 3 lecture tours 1914, 1934 & 1937 Dr Nona L Brooks (cofounder, Divine Science) 1930 Prof James R Adams 1936 Dr Joseph Murphy (The Power of Your Subconscious Mind) 1955 and 1962 Bro Mandus [1963] and Bro Conrad [1965] (‘World Healing

Crusade’, Blackpool UK)

New Thought

Dr Julia Seton Sears(1862-1950)Influential New Thought Leader, Lecturer and Writer

‘We have no more right to put our discordant states of mind into the lives of those around us and rob them of their sunshine and brightness than we have to enter their houses and steal their silverware.’ – Julia Seton Sears.

Dr Harry Gaze(1878-1959)

Influential New Thought Lecturer,Writer and Divine ScienceMinister …

‘People do not grow old; they become old by not growing.’ – Harry Gaze.

New Thought

Bro Mandus(1907-1988)

Influential New Thought

Leader, Lecturer and Spiritual Healer

Dr Joseph Murphy(1898-1981)

Influential New Thought Lecturer,Writer and Divine ScienceMinister

New Thought

AustraliaI seem to hear Australia calling me;I seem to see its sunny lands so free,And from its gleaning heightsI often see the lightsOf a country that is very dear to me.

I seem to see its fields of waving grain,Its wattle bloom all dripping in the rain,And I see with longing eyesIts wide opalescent skies.Australia I’m coming back again!

- Julia Seton MD. Written c1925. Adapted to the tune of ‘Honolulu, I’m ComingBack Again’ (music by David S Lindeman).

New Thought

NEW THOUGHT IN AUSTRALIAKnown Current New Thought Centres …

NEW SOUTH WALESSydney (Gordon) - Dr Laurie Levine - Positive Living Spiritual Centre

QUEENSLANDGold Coast (Mudgeeraba) - Dr Barry Pierce - New Thought Centrefor Spiritual Living/New Thought Institute of Australia IncBrisbane - Unity Reflections of Truth

VICTORIA: Melbourne (Malvern) - New Thought Study GroupMelbourne (Burwood) - Unity of Melbourne

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Perth (Balcatta) – Divine Science Centre PerthPerth (Innaloo) - Joan Stam

http://photosau.com.au/Cos/scripts/Navigate.asp?mode=half&start=1&pDocs=1&pSrch=1

New Thought

NEW THOUGHT IN AUSTRALIA

Christian Science first introduced into Australia by a

visitor from the USA to Melbourne, 1891 copy of Science and Health with Key

to the Scriptures presented to a Melbourne commercial library

first regular Christian Science Sunday services, Melbourne, 1898

New Thought

'The mind exercises a powerful influence over the body. From the beginning of time, the sorcerer, the interpreter of dreams, the fortune-teller, the charlatan, the quack, the wild medicine-man, the educated physician, the mesmerist, and the hypnotist have made use of the client's imagination to help them in their work. They have all recognized the potency and availability of that force.' - Mark Twain, Christian Science.

New Thought

Copyright © 2012Ellis-Jones Enterprises

Pty Limited(ABN 38 088 534 141).

All Rights Reserved. The information contained in this PowerPoint presentation is for educational purposes only.

The informationis not medical advice, is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical advice,

and is not to be used to treat or diagnose any medical condition. If needed, such advice should be obtained from the services of a competent health care professional. No liability is

accepted for any loss or damage that may arise from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this PowerPoint presentation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FirstChurchDivineScienceBookplate.jpg

NEW THOUGHT IN AUSTRALIA

Spiritual

Transcript of NEW THOUGHT IN AUSTRALIA