From The Nautilus to Science of Mind: How New Thought Periodicals Shaped a Movement

Introduction

From the pages of The Nautilus to the modern Science of Mind magazine, New Thought periodicals were the lifeblood of a movement that transformed American spirituality. These publications not only disseminated metaphysical ideas but also created a national community of seekers, healers, and entrepreneurs. This article traces the evolution of New Thought journalism, showing how editors like Elizabeth Towne, William Walker Atkinson, and Ernest Holmes used the printed word to shape a movement that would influence everything from positive thinking to the human potential movement.

Historical Context

The New Thought movement emerged in the late nineteenth century amid a ferment of religious experimentation. Transcendentalism, with its emphasis on the divine within, and Swedenborgianism’s correspondence between spiritual and material worlds laid groundwork. Mesmerism and Phineas Quimby’s mental healing practices introduced the idea that thought could affect health. Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science, though distinct, popularized the concept of mental healing. Emma Curtis Hopkins, a former student of Eddy, became a teacher and organizer, training a generation of New Thought leaders. This milieu of mind cure and idealism created fertile ground for periodicals that could spread these ideas beyond local circles.

Main Narrative

The Nautilus and Elizabeth Towne

Founded in 1898 by Elizabeth Towne, The Nautilus was the most long-lived and influential of all New Thought journals, publishing continuously until 1951. Initially based in Portland, Oregon, then Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and finally Holyoke, Massachusetts, the magazine described itself as the "Organ of no School, bound by no Creed." Towne’s editorial approach emphasized practical mental science and self-help, clearly marking the transition from the New England educated class’s intellectual view of New Thought to a more accessible, everyday application. The Nautilus reached subscribers for fifty cents to two dollars a year, offering 4 to 64 pages of text. Its longevity and reach made it a central organ for the movement, and Towne herself became a prominent figure in New Thought circles.

New Thought (Chicago) and William Walker Atkinson

Another key periodical was New Thought, published in Chicago from 1901 to 1910. It evolved from Sydney Blanshard Flower’s earlier magazines, including Hypnotic Magazine and Suggestive Therapeutics, reflecting the movement’s roots in mental healing and suggestion. In 1903, William Walker Atkinson took over as editor, later assisted by Ella Wheeler Wilcox and others. Atkinson, a prolific writer and popularizer, used the magazine to blend New Thought with elements of Eastern philosophy and practical psychology. The journal’s lineage continued through various titles—Neue Gedanken, Goldfield Gossip, Popular Therapeutics, and eventually The Yogi—demonstrating the fluidity and entrepreneurial spirit of New Thought publishing.

Unity and the Fillmores

Charles and Myrtle Fillmore founded Unity in 1889, and their magazine, initially called Modern Thought and later Unity, became one of the movement’s most enduring publications. Unity’s teachings emphasized practical Christianity, affirmative prayer, and the power of positive thinking. The Fillmores’ periodicals, including Daily Word, reached millions and established a model of devotional and instructional publishing that continues today. Unity’s success demonstrated how a periodical could build a cohesive spiritual community and institutional structure.

Science of Mind and Ernest Holmes

In 1927, Ernest Holmes launched Science of Mind magazine, which became the flagship publication of Religious Science. Holmes synthesized earlier New Thought ideas into a systematic philosophy, emphasizing the creative power of thought and the unity of all life. The magazine, still published today, provided a platform for Holmes’s teachings and helped establish Religious Science as a distinct denomination. Its format—combining practical articles, testimonials, and metaphysical instruction—influenced countless later self-help and positive-thinking publications.

Other Significant Periodicals

Beyond these major titles, many other New Thought periodicals flourished, including New Thought (Boston), Mind, and various regional journals. The International New Thought Alliance (INTA) also published bulletins and proceedings, further knitting the movement together. These periodicals often carried articles by leading figures like Emma Curtis Hopkins, Ralph Waldo Trine, and Nona Brooks, and they served as a primary means of spreading ideas and practices.

Why It Matters in New Thought History

Periodicals were crucial to the New Thought movement’s growth and cohesion. They allowed ideas to cross geographic boundaries, created a sense of belonging among scattered readers, and provided a platform for leaders to refine and promote their teachings. The magazines also contributed to the commercialization of spirituality, as editors sold subscriptions, books, and courses. By standardizing terminology and practices, they helped transform a loose collection of healers and teachers into a recognizable movement. Today, their legacy persists in the vast self-help literature and positive-thinking media that owe a direct debt to these pioneering journals.

Primary Sources

• The Nautilus (1898–1951), edited by Elizabeth Towne. A complete run is available in archives; it documents the evolution of practical mental science.
• New Thought (Chicago, 1901–1910), edited by Sydney Flower and William Walker Atkinson. Shows the transformation from suggestive therapeutics to broader New Thought.
• Unity Magazine (1889–present), founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. Essential for understanding Unity’s teachings and reach.
• Science of Mind magazine (1927–present), founded by Ernest Holmes. The primary source for Religious Science philosophy.
• Emma Curtis Hopkins’s writings and lesson series, available in various collections, reveal the teacher’s influence on many periodical editors.