The document provides an overview of the New Thought movement in Australia. It discusses key figures who helped introduce and spread New Thought ideas in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Dr James Porter Mills, Anna W Mills, Veni Cooper-Mathieson, Grace Aguilar, and Henry E Aguilar. These individuals established various New Thought organizations, published literature, and helped popularize concepts of mental and spiritual healing. The movement offered new religious and philosophical perspectives that were particularly embraced by women.

1. NEW THOUGHT
IN AUSTRALIA
Presented by
Dr Ian Ellis-Jones
Wellness Instructor and Practitioner
Legal Practitioner, Educator and Trainer
Minister of Religion, Consultant and Author

3. Introduction

5. 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
Thought Day, 23 August 1915.
New

6. The „movement of the mind‟ …
‘If there is only one
Law, one Power, one
Good, Omnipresent, Omni
scient and Omnipotent allloving Father, then we
shall step into the new
day, and so a New Era Is
Born.’
– Grace M Aguilar.

7. The „movement of the mind‟ …
The roots of New
Thought go way back to
persons such as …
Buddha, Pythagoras,
Socrates, Plato, Philo
, Epictetus, Origen
and Athanasius.

8. The „movement of the mind‟ …
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.

9. The „movement of the mind‟ …
Late 19th century ...
the 'movement of the mind'
… an increased interest in
alternative beliefs such as …

10. The „movement of the mind‟ …
Unitarianism
and
Universalism
Theosophy
Spiritualism
Christian Science
New Thought

11. The „movement of the mind‟ …
… as an antidote to
‘the maddening
effect of
Protestantism
[especially Calvinism]’
(H P Blavatsky).

12. The „movement of the mind‟ …
The
movement was particularly
embraced by women, who were
presented with new thoughts
about …
religion
sexuality
philosophy.

13. The „movement of the mind‟ …
The
new
organisations and
ideas offered
opportunities for
women to preach
… and even lead
congregations.

14. 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.

15. What is „New Thought‟?
‘… a movement of philosophicalreligious thought and action
originating in the nineteenthcentury 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.

16. What is „New Thought‟?
‘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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. New Thought
‘The name New Thought has been adopted by an everincreasing 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.

21. New Thought
'the religion
of healthymindedness'
- William James,
The Varieties
of Religious Experience.

22. New Thought
The greatest discovery
of my generation is
that man can alter his
life simply by altering
his attitude of mind.
- William James.

23. 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.

24. New Thought
New Thought
is essentially a diverse
and non-creedal
mind-healing
spiritual and
metaphysical
philosophy and
movement … as well
as a way of life …

25. New Thought Down Under

26. New Thought
Agnes
Nesbit Benham (1850-1932)
 South
Australian socialist, radical and
feminist
 published 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

27. New Thought
Dr James Porter Mills MD (1847-1926)
[left] … Chicago physician … gave up his medical
practice to promote Christian metaphysics
and his wife
Mrs 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

28. 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

30. 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)

32. 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 Perth
 By 1902: ‘Science of Life Society’ meetings:
Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, New Zealand

33. 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

34. New Thought
Veni Cooper-Mathieson
 the
… cont’d
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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

43. 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.’

44. 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 firstbegotten, 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. …’

45. New Thought
 Grace M Aguilar (Paul)
[1881-1964]

influential
Australian
New
leader, writer and self-publisher …




Thought
„[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

47. 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

48. 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

50. 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

51. New Thought
Grace M Aguilar
… cont’d
 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

52. 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

53. New Thought
Grace M Aguilar
… cont’d
 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.

56. New Thought
A „PROTECTIVE MEDITATION‟
„There is only God good everywhere,
and Divine protection is in and
around each and all.‟
- Grace M Aguilar.
~
„The positive thinker repels disease:
the negative thinker invites infection.‟
- Veni Cooper-Mathieson,
The Universal Health Restorer (1929).

57. New Thought
„As the child of God, I here and now declare my birthright
through 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.

61. 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

63. 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 Melbourne
 radio broadcaster, CBA-FM, 30 years
 author 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.

64. 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.

65. 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)

66. New Thought
Dr Julia Seton
Sears
(1862-1950)
Influential
New Thought
Leader, Lecture
r 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 Science
Minister …
„People do not
grow old; they
become old by
not growing.‟
– Harry Gaze.

67. New Thought
Dr Joseph
Murphy
(1898-1981)
Bro Mandus
(1907-1988)
Influential
New Thought
Leader, Lectu
rer and
Spiritual
Healer
Influential
New Thought
Lecturer,
Writer and
Divine Science
Minister

68. New Thought
Australia
I seem to hear Australia calling me;
I seem to see its sunny lands so free,
And from its gleaning heights
I often see the lights
Of 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 eyes
Its wide opalescent skies.
Australia I’m coming back again!
- Julia Seton MD.
Written c1925.
Adapted to the tune of ‘Honolulu, I’m Coming
Back Again’ (music by David S Lindeman).

69. New Thought
NEW THOUGHT IN AUSTRALIA
Known Current New Thought Centres …
NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney (Gordon) - Dr Laurie Levine - Positive Living Spiritual Centre
QUEENSLAND
Gold Coast (Mudgeeraba) - Dr Barry Pierce - New Thought Centre
for Spiritual Living/New Thought Institute of Australia Inc
Brisbane - Unity Reflections of Truth
VICTORIA:
Melbourne (Malvern) - New Thought Study Group
Melbourne (Burwood) - Unity of Melbourne
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth (Balcatta) – Divine Science Centre Perth
Perth (Innaloo) - Joan Stam

81. 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

82. New Thought
'The mind exercises a powerful
influence over the body. From the
beginning of time, the sorcerer, the
interpreter of dreams, the fortuneteller, 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.

84. New Thought
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