A History of the New Thought Movement

“Do not neglect the spiritual message that is coming to men everywhere. Woe be it to him that receives and does not heed. I am a busy man, as you have been told, but I have never been so busy that I could not find some time to devote to this work of my soul, work that my soul was called upon to do. Suppose Paul had neglected the heavenly vision—what a difference there would have been in civilization. Suppose Peter had turned back from Rome—think what that would have meant to all the western nations from that day to this! You cannot measure the possible effect of your failure to heed the still small voice. You do not know what seed you may sow, what work of reconstruction you can carry on. So my message to you tonight is very simple; it is this:

“The call is upon us, especially upon us, to carry forth Christ’s message to all peoples everywhere—one of us in one way and one in another, but to each of us in the way for which he or she is best fitted. There could be no nobler work in the world; there could be no work that would more appeal to the highest and best in us. There could be no work more fruitful in spiritual blessing and in happiness here and now and always. Are we ready? This war will not last always. I am not one of those who prophesy when it will end—I do not know. I think it will end when the forces of democracy get enough men to the front to end it. That may be next year, it may be later. I am only sure of one thing, and I am as sure of that as I am that there is a quick intelligence and a benevolent intelligence over all the affairs of men—I am sure it will end right. The world has seen dark days since the dawning of time, but it has never seen any great struggle in which moral principles were involved that right did not ultimately triumph, and right will ultimately triumph now and in all the affairs of men. I am sure of one other thing—that the general broad principles taught by Jesus of Nazareth, which have become the foundation of our civilization, are the cornerstone of democracy, good government, humanitarianism and of all the things for which we stand—I am sure that these principles will triumph over all lands, and it is for you and me, my friends, to assist in their triumph.

When this war is over, people will bring this new truth, which is the old truth of the Nazarene, to England, to France, to Belgium, to assist not alone in preaching—that is a small part of it ( Jesus spent very little time preaching—He spent most of His time doing good). But to heal, to reconstruct, to spread the message of brotherhood—to teach the Truth.

“I expect a response from Boston, which is the birthplace of this movement and other movements of kindred character. I expect that the people of Boston will lead in this work and that the International Alliance will take practical steps towards this goal that will not end in mere talk. I am not seeking to be eloquent tonight, but I am seeking to bring home to you the necessity, the crying necessity, when this war is over, to send our missionaries to every country and to start centres in all the world—to take the message to every land under the sun, to help the reconstruction and healing of the nations, to bring in the new age of which we have preached—the founding of God’s kingdom on earth.”