NOTED AUTHORS
ASSOCIATED WITH DIVINE SCIENCE
(NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)
Emmet Fox drew large crowds, drawing as many as 5,500 people per week, to the Divine Science church services held in New York City during the Great Depression. Emmet Fox became an electrical engineer. However, he early discovered that he had healing powers and from the time of his late teens studied New Thought. He came to know the prominent New Thought writer and lecturer, Thomas Troward.
Dr. Fox came to the United States and in 1931 was ordained in Divine Science by Rev. Nona Brooks and was subsequently selected to become the successor as minister to New York’s First Church of Divine Science, also known as the Church of the Healing Christ.
Fox’s secretary was the mother of one of the men who worked with Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder “Bill W.”, and partly as a result of this connection early AA groups often went to hear Fox. His writing, especially “The Sermon on the Mount,” became popular in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Joseph Murphy was born into the strict Catholic family of highly educated parents, in the south of Ireland. Like Emmet Fox, Joseph Murphy entered into a seminary to study for the priesthood, at the encouragement of his parents. Joseph Murphy was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest. In addition, he studied science and chemistry and earned a diploma as a pharmacist.
After a short period of time, he left the priesthood and worked as a pharmacist, studied under Abdullah, a well-known Ethiopian rabbi and professor, learning about the power of the sub-conscious mind, the kabbalah, the hidden meanings of the Bible, and the power of God within, Science of Mind and was ordained into Religious Science.
Dr. Murphy was greatly influenced by his friend Emmet Fox and was studying the teachings of Dr. Nona Brooks of Divine Science. He earned a degree in the Divine Science movement and became the west coast director of Divine Science. His ministry grew. His favorite motto was “Truth never changes.”
He penned thirty-six books. One of his best known books is “Power of the Subconscious Mind”. Joseph Murphy traveled and lectured many times around the world.
In 1943 Rev. Nona L. Brooks personally chose Dr. Gregg to succeed her at the helm of the Colorado College of Divine Science. For thirty years his leadership grew and flourished before his retirement in 1974.
He was among the Divine Science leaders that formed the current Divine Science Federation International in 1957. He was regarded as one of Divine Science’s great leaders.
Thomas Troward was a divisional Judge in British-administered India. His avocation was the study of comparative religion. After his retirement from the judiciary in 1896, Troward set out to apply logic and principles of truth in the study of matters of cause and effect.
The philosopher William James stated that Troward’s Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science was “far and away the ablest statement of philosophy I have met, beautiful in its sustained clearness of thought and style, a really classic statement.”
According to Alcoholics Anonymous archivist Nell Wing, early AA members were strongly encouraged to read Thomas Troward’s Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science. AA’s 4th step is completely based on “cause and effect” — “Made a Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory of Ourselves.”
In the opening of the 2006 film The Secret, introductory remarks credit Troward’s philosophy with inspiring the movie and its production.
Fannie Brooks James was the first of the Brooks sisters to attend a class by Malinda E. Cramer in February 1889, at the home of Mary D. Fisk in Denver.
The Truth and Light shined brilliantly through our loving and humble teacher. Fannie’s lessons and books that she authored in the early years of Divine Science remain a powerful and divine influence.
Long considered an outstanding leader in Divine Science, Dr. Max Ballard, the youngest man ever ordained by Dr. Nona L. Brooks (1941), was a deeply spiritual man. He shared his consciousness with Divine Scientists, not only in the pulpit; but in his writings as well. He shared lecture platforms with Emmet Fox, Nona Brooks, H.B. Jeffrey, Irwin Edwin Gregg and other metaphysical spiritual leaders.
Dr. Ballard founded the Divine Science Churches in Pueblo, CO and Crestwood, MO and served as Minister and Minister Emeritus of the Washington, D. C. Church until his transition. He was deeply loved by all with whom he came in contact.
STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF TRUTH
These dedicated men and women helped bring Divine Science to the world—teaching, writing, and living the Truth. Their wisdom continues to inspire and guide seekers on the path of spiritual realization.