The New Thought

THOUSANDS of people are constantly asking three questions:

What is New Thought? Wherein does it differ from the orthodox

religions? What is the line of divergence between New Thought

and Christian Science? The purpose of this volume is to answer

these inquiries. To that end it has been my endeavor, not only to

set forth the basic ideas of New Thought, but also to compare its

principles and teachings with those of the orthodox religions and

Christian Science.

This course has been adopted for several reasons. So many cults

are springing into existence whose teachings differ widely from

those of New Thought, yet are parading under its banner, that it is

thought desirable to state its principles and philosophy with such

certainty and clearness that its real message may hereafter be

understood and that its name may be rescued from those seeking to

appropriate it without warrant. Great efforts have also been made

to blend and combine the philosophy of New Thought with the

teachings of the recognized creeds. I leave it to the reader to judge

whether such a result is possible or not, when he has finished

reading this volume.

The hope and belief are freely entertained that the fundamental

distinctions between New Thought and Christian Science have

been stated in such a manner that they may be readily understood.

The ethical values of the teachings of New Thought as compared

with those of the orthodox religions are duly set forth and

emphasized, that each may be carefully studied and weighed.

New Thought is largely a restatement of old thought, vitalized with

new life and meaning from the discoveries of modern psychology

and the latest deductions of science. The reader must bear in mind,

however, that the Old Thought was suppressed in the Western

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Hemisphere for nearly two thousand years; for the first time it is

sending its illuminating rays to gladden the Western world.

The effort has been made to set forth the essential teachings of

New Thought in a concrete form in one convenient volume, and to

that end I have drawn with considerable freedom from modern

science, philosophy, and the leading writers on New Thought. The

quotations employed embrace some of the best thought of modern

times. It is my earnest hope that this volume may arouse and

animate a general interest in the study of New Thought, and

awaken a responsive chord to the beauty and sublimity of its

teachings.