Ernest Holmes and the Founding of Religious Science

Introduction

Ernest Holmes (1887–1960) was an American New Thought writer, minister, and the founder of Religious Science, a spiritual movement also known as the Science of Mind. His 1926 book The Science of Mind became a foundational text, and his 1927 launch of Science of Mind magazine established a lasting platform for his teachings. Holmes synthesized elements of Christian Science, transcendentalism, and metaphysical healing into a practical philosophy that emphasized the power of positive thought and affirmative prayer. This article traces Holmes’s life, the intellectual currents that shaped his philosophy, and the enduring impact of his work on both the New Thought movement and modern self-help culture.

Historical Context

The New Thought movement emerged in the mid-19th century from a confluence of transcendentalism, mesmerism, and the healing practices of figures like Phineas Quimby. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendentalist emphasis on the individual’s connection to a divine spirit laid a philosophical groundwork. Quimby, a clockmaker and mental healer, developed a system of mind-cure that influenced Mary Baker Eddy, who founded Christian Science in 1879. Eddy’s Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875) articulated a theology of divine healing and the unreality of matter. By the early 20th century, a broader New Thought movement had coalesced around teachers such as Emma Curtis Hopkins, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore (co-founders of Unity), and Nona Brooks and Malinda Cramer (founders of Divine Science). These pioneers emphasized the power of the mind to shape reality and the presence of a Universal Mind or God within each person. This intellectual and spiritual milieu directly shaped Ernest Holmes’s thinking, providing him with a rich vocabulary of metaphysical concepts and practical techniques that he would later systematize.

Main Narrative

Early Life

Ernest Shurtleff Holmes was born on January 21, 1887, in Lincoln, Maine, to a poor family that offered little formal education (1). At age 15, he left home for Boston, where he pursued a course in public speaking. It was there that he encountered a Christian Science instructor who gave him a copy of Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health (4). This book, combined with his earlier reading of Emerson, sparked a lifelong interest in metaphysical healing and the relationship between mind and spirit.

Influences

In 1912, Holmes moved to Southern California, where his brother Fenwicke had become a Congregational pastor. Shortly after arriving, Holmes discovered the Metaphysical Library in Los Angeles, a hub for New Thought literature. He immersed himself in the works of Thomas Troward, William Walker Atkinson, and Christian Larsen, among others (4). He also studied Divine Science and was ordained as a Divine Science minister (1). These influences—Christian Science, Divine Science, transcendentalism, and the broader New Thought canon—provided the raw materials for his own synthesis.

Career and Founding of Religious Science

In 1916, Holmes gave his first public lecture at the Metaphysical Library, and the following year he and his brother opened a center in Los Angeles (4). Over the next decade, he refined his ideas and in 1926 published The Science of Mind, a comprehensive volume that laid out his system (2). In the book, Holmes stated:

“Religious Science is a correlation of laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion applied to human needs and the aspirations of man.” (2)

The following year, 1927, he founded Science of Mind magazine, which has been in continuous publication ever since (1). The movement established formal organizations, initially as the Institute of Religious Science and later as Religious Science International and United Centers for Spiritual Living (2). In 2012, these groups unified into the Centers for Spiritual Living, which now encompasses nearly 400 congregations worldwide (3).

Key Teachings

Holmes’s core teaching centered on the concept of a Universal Mind, synonymous with God, that permeates all reality. He argued that individuals, by aligning their thoughts with this Mind, could bring healing and fulfillment into their lives. The practice involved a structured form of affirmative prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment, which included a series of steps—recognition, unification, realization, and thanksgiving—to affirm spiritual truths and manifest desired outcomes (3). Holmes emphasized the interconnectedness of all people through the Universal Mind and taught that positive thoughts could directly influence physical health and material circumstances.

Major Books and Publications

In addition to The Science of Mind (1926), Holmes authored numerous other metaphysical books, including Creative Mind (1919) and This Thing Called You (1948). His writings remain in print and have inspired generations of students and teachers (1). The Science of Mind magazine, launched in 1927, became a primary vehicle for disseminating his ideas and continues to be published today.

Organizations and Institutions

The Religious Science movement grew rapidly after Holmes’s death in 1960. It formed several organizational bodies, including Religious Science International and the United Church of Religious Science, which later merged into the Centers for Spiritual Living (2). These organizations provide ministerial training, publish literature, and support local centers. The movement has also been active in the International New Thought Alliance, connecting it to the wider New Thought community (2). Today, the Centers for Spiritual Living remains the largest institutional expression of Holmes’s teachings.

Timeline

Why It Matters in New Thought History

Ernest Holmes’s founding of Religious Science significantly shaped the New Thought movement by providing a systematic, intellectually rigorous framework that integrated scientific language with spiritual practice. His emphasis on the “Science of Mind” resonated with a modern audience seeking a rational approach to spirituality. The movement’s institutional success—particularly its magazine and global network of centers—ensured the longevity of his ideas. Holmes’s influence extends beyond New Thought into the broader self-help movement; his teachings on positive thinking and the power of the subconscious anticipated later human potential movements such as Norman Vincent Peale’s positive thinking and the works of authors like Louise Hay. For students of New Thought history, Holmes represents a pivotal figure who synthesized earlier traditions and gave them a contemporary, practical expression that continues to inspire millions.

Primary Sources

• The Science of Mind (1926) by Ernest Holmes – The foundational text of Religious Science, outlining the philosophy and practice.
• Science of Mind magazine (1927–present) – The periodical founded by Holmes, containing articles, treatments, and teachings.
• Creative Mind (1919) by Ernest Holmes – An earlier work that anticipated his major synthesis.
• Letters and lectures by Ernest Holmes – Archival materials at the Centers for Spiritual Living headquarters.
• International New Thought Alliance proceedings – Records of Holmes’s participation in the broader movement.