A Day Surrounded by Dr. Ernest Holmes

 

Yesterday I had the privilege of being at Founder’s Church. THE Founder’s Church where Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of Science of Mind, blessed the church at its dedication, ministered in it for four short months and then was the focus of the first memorial service.

Dr. Holmes’ writings have been influential to my spiritual growth and unfoldment. Here is a taste of his early writing from Creative Mind and Success (1919):

From selfish motives alone, if from no loftier reason, we cannot afford to find fault or to hate or even to hold in mind anything against any living soul. The God who is out of love cannot hear the prayer of the man who is not love. Love and co-operation will yet be found to be the greatest business principle on earth. “God is Love.”

I re-read this passage yesterday out of a book signed by Dr. Holmes and it along with several others passages felt as though it entered directly into my bloodstream.

Within Founder’s Church is a museum of articles from Dr. Holmes as well as Dr. Hornaday; the beloved minister who co-lead Founder’s with Dr. Holmes and continued on as leader after Holmes death. I chose three of the items from the museum to feature in this blog:.

Dr. Ernest Holmes’ ministerial robe. Okay, I touched it. I felt the silky texture of the robe and gave thanks. This can sound a bit creepy, yet the gesture came from a pure place within. I did the same thing with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s robe when I visited his home.

My favorite was this little plastic box framed photo of The Metaphysical Library, LA, where Ernest Holmes gave his first talk. It is also where Dr. Holmes and his brother Fenwicke prayed for people in the 1917 influenza breakout. This breakout was a big deal. In this “pandemic,” more than 115,000 Americans died. More died from the flu than from World War I. According to the write up; everyone whom the Holmes brothers prayed for; recovered. Reinforcing the power of prayer.

Lastly, I found this framed declaration hilarious. I’m guessing it was given to Reginald Armor, head of education, Founder’s Church as a humorous gesture. The official document is from Chief U.S. Supreme Judge Warren Earl Burger on Supreme Court letterhead and notarized -. It is dated June 19, 1969 and reads:

My dear Dr. Armor:

We have received word that the Final Examination of the Institute of Religious Science contains a “True-False” question, number “100”, which poses this question: –

“No one judges us but ourself.”

Now your Institute alleges the answer to this question to be “True.”

We must admonish you that unless you can reverse this decision, all of the honorable justices of this court will have no choice but to resign our posts and allow each citizen of our fair country to establish his own chamber of jurisprudence, and dispense justice to himself in a manner to emulate our envious record.

I sat in Holmes’ office, walked to the grand church auditorium as he did, and stood behind his podium. I felt his presence all day and had several mental break-throughs which I may feature in another blog. It is nice to give reverence to someone’s life work and to experience deep appreciation for someone who has gone before me.

A Virtual Hug from Me to You,