The Living Christ

In July, 1914, Mr. Paul Tyner, who acquired his interest in the New Thought from the publications of Helen Wilmans, in 1893, became the leader of the New Thought Centre, 85 Hanover Street, Edinburgh. Mr. Tyner, author of The Living Christ, editor of The Temple, Denver, Colorado, and in 1898-99 editor of The Arena, was associated with Mr. Patterson in the Alliance School of Applied Metaphysics, in New York; and, in cooperation with Mr. Eugene Del Mar, author of Spiritual and Mental Attraction, and The Divinity of Desire, organized the first Mental Science Temple in New York. He was minister of the New Thought Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1909-10, and of the Dayton, Ohio, Truth Centre, 1910-11. Later, while in New York, Mr. Tyner organized in connection with the New Thought Magazine, edited by W. W. Atkinson, Chicago, Illinois., 140 New Thought reading rooms in different parts of the country.  A History of the New Thought Movement By Horatio W. Dresser - Page 118

He wrote facts, which he had proven by practice.

James Allen ( 1864 – 1912) was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best known work, As a Man Thinketh, has been mass produced since its publication in 1903. It has been a source of inspiration to motivational and self-help authors.

Born in Leicester, England, into a working-class family, Allen was the elder of three brothers. His mother, Martha (whose surname was Whalton or Whotton), could neither read nor write while his father, William, was a factory Framework Knitter. In 1879, following a downturn in the textile trade of central England, Allen's father traveled alone to America to find work and establish a new home for the family. Within two days of arriving his father was pronounced dead at New York City Hospital, believed to be a case of robbery and murder. At age 15, with the family now facing economic disaster, Allen was forced to leave school and find work.

The murder of his father caused Allen to leave school and begin work. James worked as framework knitter as his father did. At this time they lived at 75 Charnwood Street in Leicester.

Although working many hours, Allen continued to read and study. It was around this time that he began reading Shakespeare and at about age 24 he read The Light of Asia. The Light of Asia.acted as spiritual awakener for Allen and started him on his path toward “perfect peace”. Allen’s parents are thought to be Methodists. It is clear that Allen strayed from his parent’s religion, drawing inspiration from many religions and committing to no denomination.  

Lily Louisa Oram was born on December 30^th, 1867 at Burrishoole, Eire to John and Jane Oram (nee Talbot). Allen met Lily in 1893 when he was 29. They married on May 22^nd, 1895 at the Holy Cross Church in Bampfylde, Somerset, England, witnessed by Lily’s parents. They were both devout vegetarians.

Allen began to work for Sidney H. Beard as a private secretary during this time. Allen’s daughter Nora was born on September 10^th 1896 at 21 Littlefield Villas, Weymouth, Dorset. Around this time, Allen was living in Bath, England with his wife Lily and daughter Nora.
In 1901, when Allen was 37, he wrote his first book, From Poverty to Power. In 1902 he wrote his second book, As a Man Thinketh. Although this would be Allen’s most successful book, it is said that he felt it to be unsatisfactory and not worthy of print. It was his wife Lily who convinced him to publish it. Allen wrote 19 books in all.

Allen learned about publishing and running a magazine from his time working for Sidney Beard[1] on Beard’s magazine The Herald of the Golden Age and in 1902, Allen started his own magazine titled The Light of Reason. Each issue of Allen’s magazine contained announcements, an editorial written by Allen on a different subject each month, and many articles, poems, and quotes written by popular authors of the day and even local, unheard of authors. In 1905, Allen organized his magazine subscribers into groups (called “The Brotherhood”) that would meet regularly and reported on their meetings each month in his magazine under the heading “Our Groups and Their Work”. Allen and his wife would often travel to the group meetings to give speeches and read articles. The name of the magazine was later changed to “The Epoch”. Authors such as Ralph Waldo Trine, Charles Brodie Patterson, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and Orison Swett Marden were included.
[1] The Order of the Golden Age was conceptualised in 1881 by Rev. H.J. Williams (1838 -1919) and constituted a year later. However, a lack of funds precluded the development of a society until 1895. Sidney H. Beard (1862 - 1938) was one of several campaigners to meet with Rev. Williams in order to actualise the concept of a religious food reform organisation. Over a thirty year period, Beard was to become the chief toiler and an inspirational force within The Order whilst editing The Herald of the Golden Age almost entirely, throughout its period of publication between January 1896 and October 1918.

Allen moved his family to 33 Broad Park Avenue, Ilfracombe, England to a house they called “Bryngoleu”, or “Hill of Light.” Allen eventually took over full editorial control of his magazine and moved its operation to his house. It was also here where Allen penned most of his works. They also ran their home as a bed and breakfast and often invited subscribers to their magazine to stay at their home.
Some of Allen's favorite writings, and those he quoted often, include the works of Shakespeare, Milton, Emerson, the Bible, Buddha, Whitman, Trine, and Lao-Tze.

Each morning Allen would climb The Cairn in Ilfracombe where he would go to reflect and meditate. He would then return home and write and until midday. In the afternoons, he enjoyed gardening and playing croquet. The James Allen Library

"He never wrote theories, or for the sake of writing; but he wrote when he had a message, and it became a message only when he had lived it out in his own life, and knew that it was good. Thus he wrote facts, which he had proven by practice."

About James Allen

" Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good."

THE Author of the following Chapters had no idea of publishing them in book form ; they were given Sunday evenings to a number of persons who were interested in all that would tend to make religion more spiritual. He was urged by some who had derived help, both spiritually and physically, from the talks, to put a number in book form. So he gives this little volume to the world, trusting that some soul may be helped thereby.

At a time when the world is more deeply agitated concerning spiritual matters, than it has been for many years ; when people are turning away, sick at heart, from a blind materialistic belief, which reaches no further than their mere physical bodies ; at such a time. whoever has a word of spiritual help or encouragement to give, let him not withhold it through any false pride. This is the only apology offered for the book.

By some it may be inferred that he is hostile to the churches ; he would like to be distinctly understood that in no way is he hostile to anything that teaches God and good. Why should any one, who is striving to follow in the footsteps of the Master, be hostile to any other of his followers, even if there is a difference of opinion regarding the non - essentials ?

All Christian churches, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Greek, are teaching that which is good and true ; neither would he except the Jew, Buddhist or Mohammedan, All are striving to teach truth according to their understanding. ALL HAVE SOME OF THE TRUTH; NONE HAVE ALL OF THE TRUTH.

His heart goes out to every soul who is seeking after a higher life, be they Christian or Pagan, “Behold all souls are mine,'' but it is the firm belief of the Author, that form and creed is the one thing above all others which prevents a union of all Christian denominations. If that union could be accomplished, the religion that Jesus taught would, without doubt, supersede all others. His earnest prayer is that the time may soon come, when such a union may be affected.

Hartford, Conn., October 16th, 1889.

Preface to SEEKING THE KINGDOM

"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke xvii, 20, 21.”

SUNDAY EVENING TALKS ON Spiritual Science,

GIVEN AT OUR HOME

(Mental Science Institute).

BY

CHARLES BRODIE PATTERSON.

1889.

For fifty years he had engaged in healing, counseling, and speaking.

Harley Bradley Jeffery(1872 - 1954) was born in Syracuse,New York, to George Adams Jeffery and Ellen Clapp Jeffery. His father worked in the printing trade, starting as compositor for the Syracuse Herald; his mother was a member of the Missionary Socie y of the Christian Church. Harley was followed by two brothers: Haswell Clark Jeffery, born in 1873, and James Clapp Jeffery, in 1876. The three boys were baptized into the Christian Church, which they attended regularly. H.B. Jeffery graduate from high school in Syracuse and then went to work wilth a leading architectural office in the city. Later he went into partnership with an architect and still later went into the construction business for himself. He specialized in building private homes and housing projects.

About 1903 Mr. Jeffery met Dr. Charles Brodie Patterson, a member of the Royal Society of Arts, Letters, and Sciences of Great Britain, who was doing healing work in New York City and giving a series of lectures on what then was the new subject of "metaphvsics." Dr. Patterson was so impressed by Mr. Jeffery that he asked him to join him in the work. As Dr. Patterson's lectures became more and more time consuming, the ministry fell more and more to Mr. Jeffery; and when Dr. Patterson returned to England Mr. Jeffery took over his healing ministry in New York and opened a second office in Philadelphia. Mr.Jeffery did specialized work in philosophy at Harvard University and Columbia; he also studied metaphysics with Dr. James Porter Mills of London. About 1905 he met Mrs. Emma Curtis Hopkins, the "teacher of teachers." He worked with her in producing her classic "High Mysticism"; and about 1910 and 1911 he gave a series of lectures in England and Europe on "High Mysticism." In England Mr. Jeffery became acquainted with Sir Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister, and with Judge Troward: for a time he helped Judge Troward in his spiritual work. When Mr. Jeffery returned to the United States, he resumed his healing practice, and he was more and more in demand as a lecturer throughout the country. He died in Santa Monica, California, where he was giving a series of talks. For fifty years he had engaged in healing, counseling, and speaking.

The Principles ofHealing (1939)
MysticalTeachings (1954)
The Spirit of Prayer (1938)
What Seek Ye? (1940)
Coordination of Spirit, Soul and Body (1948)

The Lord's Prayer by HB Jeffrey (1940)

The Christ Truth League was founded in 1938 by Alden Truesdell (d. 1985) and his wife, Nell Truesdell (d. 1971), as an independent ministry and fellowship of students seeking what they believed to be the right application of the law of life as taught and lived by Jesus Christ. The Truesdells were closely aligned with the teachings of Harley Bradley Jeffery. The League was a member of the INTA.

Promise Yourself.

Christian Daa Larson, Christian D. Larson, C.D. Larson (1874 – 1962) , beloved author of his now famous Optimist Creed[1], was born February 1, 1874. His parents were newly arrived Norwegian immigrants who settled in the prairie wilderness of North Winnebago County, Iowa.
In 1894, urged by his parents, Christian entered a Lutheran seminary. But on a train trip to the seminary in Minneapolis an event occurred that would change the course of Christians life. A book by a Unitarian minister was left on the seat next to him, and after reading it several times it became the catalyst for his break with orthodox theology. Larson completed the first year at the Lutheran seminary but knew he would enroll in a liberal theological school the following year. He attended Iowa State College and a Unitarian theological school in Meadville, Pennsylvania In his early twenties he became interested in the Mental Science teachings of Helen Wilmans, Henry Wood, Charles Brodie Patterson and others. These logical teachings suited his analytical mind and provided a point to him where theology and science could meet and combine to provide a practical and systematic philosophy of life.
He was an outstanding and highly influential early New Thought teacher and leader. A prolific writer of New Thought books, he believed that people have tremendous latent powers which can be put to use for success with the proper attitude. Christian first located in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1898. In January 1901 he organized the New Thought Temple[2] at his residence, 947 West 17th St. In September of the same year he began publishing Eternal Progress, which was for several years one of the leading New Thought periodicals with a circulation of over a quarter million. It was while he was acting as editor for Eternal Progress that his prolific writing career of over forty published books began. Among the best known are: Poise And Power(1907), The Great Within(1908), Mastery Of Fate(1910), The Ideal Made Real(1912), Thinking For Results(1912), The Hidden Secret(1912), Mastery Of Self, Your Forces And How To Use Them(1912), How To Stay Well(1912) and The Pathway of Roses(1912) which sold over over a million copies and was translated into eight languages.
[1] The Optimist Creed was authored in 1912 by Christian D. Larson, appearing in his book Your Forces and. How to Use Them. It was adopted as the Optimist Internationals Creed in 1922.

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

He was a one time honorary president of the International New Thought Alliance(INTA), along with such stalwarts as W.W. Atkinson, Horatio Dresser, Charles Brodie Patterson, and Annie Rix Militz, he was one who exercised considerable influence over Religious Science founder, Ernest Holmes. As early as 1928, C. D. Larson began to appear in Science of Mind Magazine and to be a part of the major teaching courses, becoming a member of the permanent staff.
It was the same Christian D. Larson whose book, The Ideal Made Real, nineteen years earlier introduced Ernest Holmes, founder of the Institute of Religious Science in Los Angeles, to the New Philosophy inspiring him to go forward in learning and practicing the art of mental treatment, i.e. expanding beyond physical healing to the Control of Conditions. Ernest Holmes and his brother, Fenwicke, took a correspondence course with Larson. According to Fenwicke, Ernest had been studying the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, but was so impressed with Christian Larson's New Thought writings that he abandoned the Christian Science textbook in favor of Larsons work “The Ideal Made Real”. In the biography of his brother, Ernest Holmes: His Life And Times, Fenwicke Holmes elaborates on the influence of Larson and Ralph Waldo Trine on that of his brother.
Christian D. Larson passed away at the age of 87 in 1962.
[2]The New-Thought movement in Cincinnati, Ohio, owes its origin to Christian D. Larson(Christian Dee Larson), (a great influence on Ernest Holmes), who in January, 1901, organized the New Thought Temple, at his residence, 947 West Seventeenth St. In September of that year Mr. Larson began to publish Eternal Progress, for several years one of the leading New Thought periodicals. In November, 1902, Sunday morning services were inaugurated. At this service fifteen minutes' silence was a leading feature, A little church building seating three hundred people was secured in 1904. Mr. Larson resigned in 1907, and was succeeded by Paul Tyner, in November, 1908. Harry Gaze was the next leader, and then Miss Leila Simon[1], in 1912.

The History of The Cincinnati Temple
Excerpted from A History of the New Thought Movement, 1919
Horatio W. Dresser
1919
Chapter 11
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

On January 27, 1963, the Unity Center of Practical Christianity located on Madison Road in Oakley and the New Thought Temple merged into the New Thought Unity Center.
During the late 1890’s, two groups of “pioneers in thought” who were interested in the new science of mental healing then sweeping the country, met together in thought, feeling, and effort. These groups were called “The Company” and “The Perfectionists.” They were members and friends of what is now called the New Thought Unity Center. In 1898, one of these groups found a teacher, Christian D(aa) Larson, who invited them to hold their meetings in his residence on West Seventh Street. In addition, some interested families opened their homes in the suburbs of Cincinnati and in Covington and Newport, Kentucky. The following year the group entered into a more definite organization and rented a space in the Odd Fellows Temple. It is this group that founded and built our present facility. From the documents of that time, we find the first purpose statement from the incorporation papers of the New Thought Temple:

The purpose of the New Thought Temple is

“to provide a universal church without fixed creed, dogma, or ritual, where all people may worship God, and where they may study the Principles and Fundamentals of New Thought in all of its phases, as a Philosophy, a religion, a science and the practice of sane, sensible and spiritual living.”

The first financial report of the fledgling Temple stated that it believed the “success, prosperity, and a splendid outlook for the coming year to the new financial methods put into practice….All contributions are voluntary, neither solicited nor urged. When money is needed for the many activities, an intelligent application of God’s law of supply is the means by which money has been forthcoming. Through the law of love, harmony and intelligent cooperation with God’s law of universal substance, the New Thought Temple has demonstrated adequate supply for all its needs, with good surplus."
Christian Larson was a teacher/lecturer of progressive ideas, who had come to Cincinnati in October of 1898. He traveled a circuit throughout Cincinnati and its suburbs, including Covington, Newport, and Dayton, Ohio. In a letter to the New Thought Temple in 1925 as they researched their own history for the dedication ceremonies in 1926, he explains,

“ …We aimed in all these lectures to cover the widest field possible, giving special emphasis to the high idealism, which at the time, was the inspiring note of the New Thought Movement. We gave special attention to healing; and that work at times was very extensive."

In the fall of 1907, Dr. Larson gave up the leadership to devote all his time to writing. Recalling the beginning of New Thought in Cincinnati, Dr. Larson stated,

"All pioneer work is well supplied with problems, difficulties, dark days, misunderstandings and criticism; we had our share and more. But everyone connected with the movement continued to hold to the high vision, and I am pleased to say that some marvelous results were attained, both in healing and spiritual development."

[1]

Because of the growth her leadership generated, the society moved to the Mansion on Gilbert Avenue. A storeroom in the Provident Bank Building near Peebles Corner served as an office, a library, a reading room, and a classroom. To understand the gift this woman gave those she led, read the following quote from Horatio Dresser’s book History of New Thought (published in 1919): "My first New Thought service brought out an audience of less than twenty-five people. Two years later I spoke constantly to from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred people. From the outset, I considered the work of the New Thought Temple entirely separate from personality. It was not mine, but impelled by the Spirit of God, and it is this conviction and consecration that is the moving Power of the New Thought Temple. My first thought from the beginning of my ministry and today is, “If you believe God’s power, prove it.If you teach health, harmony, and prosperity, furnish the actual proofs.
"My first move was to refuse to recognize the poverty-stricken consciousness of the New Thought Temple actually. I firmly set aside all gratuitous invitations from members who offered their homes for classes, etc., and also refused to house the activities in cheap rooms. As we had no money, this was a radical step. My first classes were held in my own apartment, situated in the best part of Cincinnati. The Sunday services in a hall seating one hundred people. In less than three months we had outgrown this hall, and my apartment classrooms. Before the end of the first year, we had audiences of five hundred and were finally crowded out of a large auditorium and were compelled to rent hundred to accommodate the people who wished to attend the Sunday services."
So for the Temple membership, as membership increased, the idea of a Temple Building began to assume more definite form. The Thursday evening class—an experience and healing meeting—included as part of its program a silence for building the temple, using the following affirmation:
I now build the Temple of the Lord God Almighty in perfect, visible form. It is a Divine Center through which higher Spiritual Forces of Love, Peace, Wisdom, Strength, Power, Faith, Fellowship, Health, Wealth, Companionship and Joy, now come forth into the world.
The idea began to manifest and on March 17, 1916 ground was broken for the new Temple.