I. Spiritistic Origin of Plausible Fantasies.—Note Collier's first book.
Along with numerous helpful features, such as good health counsels and success pointers, this first volume is surcharged with occult teachings and alleged revelations from the astral world. He cites Worth Smith as saying that "immortality, the dream of man for ages will be a reality, here and now," and every soul is to become a "golden shrine for the Eternal Verities."' It sounds impressive. Reincarnation is likewise emphasized repeatedly. It is presented as "a way to reach God which man had now lost," 2 with assurance of daily directions from above. Such are some of its characteristic features.
The proportions and symbols of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh are dwelt upon at great length. The designers were ancient wise men who had a dependable "Knowledge of the past" and clear "vision of the future." The Great Pyramid is alleged to indicate the "Divitte Plan of the Ages," and to augur the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ.' Then Collier sets forth phantasms—such as the tale of "Atlantis,' the submerged "lost continent," and its "sunken cities" and their alleged "supermen" (the "Atlanteans"), assertedly revealed through occult revelations. This intriguing "continent" is supposed to have become submerged at the time of the Flood, as graphically told by Spiritualist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his fictional The Maracot Deep (1929), and by Cyrus Headley, and others.'
2. Tied in With the Occult and the East. —This is amplified by the fanciful Dweller on Two Planets (1952), a "metaphysical masterpiece," given through "automatic writing" to F. S. Oliver from the "spirit of Phylos," and leading up to the "Seventh Cycle"—that of "the spirit." Following this, come allusions to the "Masters of the Far East,"10 "New Thought and Metaphysics,' and the recitals of Baird T. Spalding (just surveyed). Then there is a long list—New Thought, Unity School of Christianity, Divine Science, Religious Science, Metaphysics, Psychiana," and Rosicrucianism." And along with these is the Psycho-Metaphysical Research Society, and the Aquarius School of the Masters, with branches of the various groups constantly being opened in the cities of America. The old and the new are thus blended, and East and West commingled. And be it remembered that the occult forms the undergirding for it all.
3. Personations Through Reincarnated "Agasha" Priest.—Then comes a play up of the "world-famous medium," Richard Zenor with his trances and messages from the "great spirit Agasha," claiming to disclose the metaphysical secrets of the universe.
One of the messages comes from Ravine Aum Tate, of Egypt, in the long ago, with whom Collier, according to the medium, had been associated during one of his "incarnations" as "one of the high priests of Agasha." Ravine Aum Tate is likewise declared to have formerly been "one of the builders of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh." He prophesied that Collier "would write books to . . . help spread the wisdom of Agasha, and the Agasham philosophy." 14
According to Collier, who attended Zenor's meetings in Agasha Temple in Los Angeles, not only was the "spirit" of Mary Baker Eddy heard but that of "Jesus," who allegedly spoke through Zenon Agasha constantly stresses "reincarnation," with mention of "materialization"; seance appearances from the "spirit world," with departed relatives "materialized"; trances under a "control";" and other "psychic phenomena."
Dilating on the "Psychic Age," Zenor claims that "flying discs" or "flying saucers," have "astral" significance, according to the Master Agasha, and are "Created by those who dwell in the etheric world."" Along with this is stressed "God-consciousness," and the forces of "occult science," with "souls" once living on "Atlantis" being "reborn (through reincarnation) into this country.' Then, according to James Crenshaw, tied in with all this are strangely familiar contentions that we are now living in time's "Latter Days," when "great changes" are to be "wrought,' with nature "on a rampage." This "Latter Days" point is, of course, patterned after the clear Biblical teaching that is widely held among Evangelical Christians. So error and truth are commingled. And all this is according to "Agasha, the Master Teacher." 20
4. New Discoveries to Augment Christ's Teachings.—Richard Zenor likewise predicts "strange things" to appear in the "heavens" and the "vast etheric worlds," along with "mysterious manifestations," " and "millions of truth seekers" "turning to the Occult." Referring again to "Agasha, the Master Teacher," and Richard Zenor, the prediction is repeated of "unprecedented phenomena" to appear in this new "Psychic Age." The arresting claim is then put forth that "more authentic Biblical records will be found," which will furnish supplemental evidence as to "the original statements of the Master Jesus." "His [Jesus'] own writings" will yet come to light.' And again there is stress on the "Psychic Age," wherein that special "sense" which "has been lying dormant for generations" will be "awakened" through "Occultism," which will "explain everything" —and is destined to come to the "attention of mankind." " Then again the claim is boldly made:
"Parchments will be found in Palestine that will clarify much that is in the Old and New Testaments, particularly in reference to Jesus. Writings by Jesus Himself will be found."'
These are the "wonders of the future." The significance of these statements must not be missed—"archeological" discoveries will be produced, allegedly giving the endorsement of Jesus Himself to these psychic claims, thus preparing the way for tremendous deceptions to follow, wherever such endorsements are accepted. Thus it is that the Occult East is progressively penetrating and influencing the susceptible West. They are building toward a climax.
This first Collier volume closes with more forecasts by the Master Agasha through Zenor. Allusions to the "return of the Atlanteans" are made, "Psychic force," the power of appearing and disappearing, "strange things"-and all in alleged "completion of the Cycle Seven," and the development of the "sixth sense." 26 But there is further evidence in the other Collier three-volume treatise, which we will trace shortly. But let us first advert to Collier's periodic reference to New Thought, and note its involvements. Here Eastern impulses are adapted to Western thought.
5. New Thought Stresses "Divinity of Man."-New Thought holds that the universe is spiritual, man is a spiritual being, and good is universal and everlasting. The group recognizes Phineas P. Quimby (d. 1866) as their founder, and in many ways New Thought is closely akin to Christian Science. Its adherents teach the "Divinity of Man" and his "Infinite possibilities" through the power of "creative thinking" and the voice of the "Indwelling Presence." The constitution of the International New Thought Alliance, adopted in 1916, states the purpose of the Alliance to be:
"To teach the infinitude of the Supreme One, the Divinity of Man and his Infinite possibilities through the creative power of constructive thinking and obedience to the voice of the Indwelling Presence, which is our source of Inspiration, Power, Health, and Prosperity." 28
The concept of being "as gods" is a constantly recurring thought in these kindred groups.
As stated, the New Thought movement sprang from the work of Phineas P. Quimby, who practiced mental and spiritual healing, and allegedly "healed" Mary Baker Eddy. Since Quimby created no organization, many splinter groups developed under such names as Divine Science,' Unity (noted later), Practical Christianity, Liveable Christianity, Home of Truth, Church of Higher Life. In 1908 the name National New Thought Alliance was adopted, and in 1914 it became the International New Thought Alliance." It is one of the milder adaptations of Eastern thought on Western soil.
FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES
1 Gordon Collier (1915- ), educated at Collins and Florida colleges, has for thirty years studied metaphysics, Yoga, Spiritualism, and the Occult. He is manager of the Robert Collier Publications. As noted, his Make Your Own World and Will You Be Alive in 1975? (Where Will You Be in The Coming Age?) have had extensive circulations for such literature.
2 Cited by Collier in Will You be Alive in 1975? (1961).
3 James "A" List, in Collier, op. cit., p. 108.
4 Collier, op. cit., p. 19.
5 Worth Smith, in Collier, op. cit., p. 92.
6 It is well to note that the legend of Atlantis is first referred to by none other than Plato, appearing both in his Timaeus and Critias, in the fifth century B.C. The tale concerned the world of remote antiquity and a vast island-continent to the West and a fabulous race who were its masters. It is a mythical story of primeval conflict, back when the earth was allegedly partitioned by the gods. Atlantis was supposedly inhabited by a royal race and a powerful dynasty of kings who were the offspring of Poseidon (Neptune), Greek god of the sea, and Cleito, the mortal woman of the original earthborn inhabitants, who bore him five pairs of twins. These multiplied until they filled the island. But at length the divine element in their nature was supposedly overpowered by the continual admixture of the human. So they sank into depravity, for which they were punished by Jove, god of the sky. Atlantis was then submerged, following great earthquakes and floods-swallowed up beneath the ocean. That is the gist of the legend.
There have been ingenious variations by later writers as to this "golden age," and the mythical "Islands of the Blest" and the supposed conflict of the Atlanteans with the peoples of the Old World. In modern times the story appeared in the Appendix of Christoph Cellarius (d. 1707)., in his work on ancient .geography, De Nova Orbe, and us Alexander von Humbolt's critical history of the geography of the New World (1834). (See William Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography [1834], vol. 1, pp. 314-316.)
7 Collier, op. cit., pp. 126-135.
8/bid., pp. 135-138.
9 Ibid., p. 139.
10 Ibid. p. 153.
11 Psychiana was founded in 1929 by Frank B. Robinson. It has been called a "mail order" faith, its members being recruited entirely by press and radio advertising. It is a form of New Thought, and was sparked by the catch phrase, "I talked with God." Within fifteen years it claimed a million adherents.
12 Rosicrucianism is an ancient mystic philosophy stressing a "sixth sense," which its adherents hold enables them to understand the secrets of nature and to investigate the realm of the superphysical where the dead dwell. They make much use of astrology, and believe in reincarnation. They stress the metaphysical mysteries of the ancient Egyptians, emphasize the Universal Soul, and hold that the mind can travel away from the body and witness events in far-off places.
13 Ibid., p. 157.
14Ibid., p. 158.
15 Ibid., p. 159.
16 Ibid., pp. 163-168.
17 Ibid., pp. 174, 180, 187, 193.
18 Ibid., pp. 181-184.
19 Ibid., pp. 182-184. 192.
20 Ibid., pp. 191, 193.
21 Ibid., p. 191.
22 Aid.
23 b id . , p. 194.
24 Ibid., pp. 202, 203.
25 Ibid ., p. 205.
26 Ibid., pp. 218, 219.
27 Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-66), founder of the cult of metaphysical healing, in 1840 became interested in mesmerism, mental phenomena and suggestion, which he used in treating his patients. He practiced mental and physical healing for a quarter of a century. In 1862 Mary Baker Patterson (later Mary Baker Eddy) went to Quimby for healing. This episode became the turning point in her life. Following this she too became a healer and teacher, organizing the Christian Science movement in 1875. Acrimonious dispute still continues as to how much Mrs. Eddy is indebted to Quimby for the ideas and techniques she incorporated into Christian Science. That she had access to his writings, and that he evidently supplied the theory, is seen from Horatio Dresser's The Quimby Manuscripts (p. 388), and other writers. There is vast literature on the question. And there is obviously a definite tie-in. (See Livingston Wright, Sibyl Wilbur, F. W. Peabody, E. F. Dakin, Ernest Homes, et cetera.)
28 Charles S. Braden, "New Thought Movement," in Virgilius Ferm An Encyclopedia of Religion (1945), p. 533. (Italics mine.)
29 Divine Science is a healing group, started by Mrs. Melinda E. Cramer in 1885. Its periodical is Aspire to Better Living. Religious Science and Philosophy was founded in 1927 by Ernest Homes, and is associated with New Thought.
30 See H. W. Dresser. History of the New Thought Movement (1919). Also S. Braden, op. cit.