New Civilization Church / THE INTERNATIONAL NEW THOUGHT ALLIANCE

New Civilization Church

Dr. Julia Seton (Sears) founded the Church and School of the New Civilization.
1st church was founded in Boston by Dr. Seton, in September, 1905, under the leadership of Miss Emma C. Poore.
2nd in New York in 1907, with Dr. Seton as minister;
3rd in Brooklyn, N. Y., May Cornell Stoiber, minister[1];
4th in London, England, Muriel Brown, minister.
Other churches were established in Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, N. Y.; Chicago; Denver, Colo.; and one in California. These churches were organized on the basis of twelve fundamental principles. The school was a regular part of the work, and has departments devoted to metaphysics, philosophy, mysticism and music.

The central statement is that the "New Civilization Church came because mankind built it with its desires. It is the deep of supply answering to the deep of need. It will remain because mankind can use it as sane, sensible, spiritual substance, with which he can pass his life into higher manifestation of health, wealth, love, service and worship. This church believes in all churches, all creeds and all people, without regard to class, creed or color, Anyone can come into the new church and learn its fundamentals and principles and return to his own church, his own country, his own class, his own people and better fulfill his life's destiny.


Dr. Julia Seton was elected fourth vice-president for "The League for the Larger Life, New York City" when it was incorporated and Orison Swett Marden was president. The League was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, and its purposes were,

"to spread a knowledge of the fundamental principles that underlie healthy and harmonious living, and which will prevent or alleviate human suffering--mental, moral, financial and social; to assist the individual in the solution of personal problems; to encourage self-reliance, self-mastery and efficiency through constructive thinking and correct psychological and physical methods."
"The League aims to provide a place where strangers as well as members may obtain reliable information about The Larger Life Movement--its centres, lectures, teachers and literature."

She was also:
The National New Thought Alliance, associate secretary 1908.
The National New Thought Alliance, associate secretary 1909.

THE INTERNATIONAL NEW THOUGHT ALLIANCE
The second international congress was held in St. Louis, September 17-24, 1916. The speakers included Elizabeth Towne, W. W. Atkinson, Dr. Julia Seton, Emma C. Poore, and Sidney A. Weltmer.
The honorary presidents included, W. W. Atkinson, Horatio W. Dresser, George Wharton James, C. D. Larson, Orison Swett Marden, Annie Rix Militz, C. B. Patterson, Elizabeth Towne, William E. Towne, Ralph Waldo Trine, and Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
Vice-presidents elected for each district, included:
Harriet Hale Rix, Northern California-Nevada;
Dr. Julia Seton, New York-New Jersey;
Judge T. Troward, England (Judge Thomas Troward);
Dr. T. W. Butler, West Canada[2];
Mrs. M. M. Hunter-Jones, Eastern Canada[3].

The third congress was held in Planters Hotel, St. Louis, September 16-23, 1917. Among the speakers were, Dr. Julia Seton, and Elizabeth Towne,

[1] Mrs. May Cornell Stoiber, 1929

[2] Around 1910, a visiting U.S. author and lecturer, Dr. T. W. Butler formed a group of interested persons who met in the old Congregational Church at the corner of Blanshard Street and Pandora Avenue in Victoria.
In 1915, the group became charter members of the International New Thought Alliance (INTA).
The congregation grew and in 1921, they purchased the property at 935 Pandora Avenue in Victoria and it was named the “New Thought Temple”.
The church subsequently merged with a Unity Church group and, in 1934, the Victoria Truth Centre was formed.

[3]
Unity Magazine: March 1914
Under Heading: "Notes from the Field"
"Mrs. Hunter Jones has established a Truth Center in Toronto with rooms at 61 College Street, where the metaphysical library is also conducted and where individual instruction & healing are given daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday morning services are at 11 o'clock and Tuesday evening lectures at 8 o'clock are held in Forester's Hall 22 College Street.( Mrs. Hunter-Jones is a native of Canada, but has spent many years in the Truth work on the Pacific coast for the past two years in Honolulu, H.I. )

Unity Magazine: May 1914
Under Heading: "Notes from the Field"
"The Truth Center and Metaphysical Library of Toronto, Canada, has moved from 61 College Street to 185 Carlton Street where Mrs. M. Hunter-Jones may be found ready to minister to the needs of pupils and patients who come for Christian healing and teaching."