Julius Dresser
Encyclopedia
Julius A. Dresser was an early leader in the New Thought
movement. Along with his wife Annetta, Dresser was the first proponent of the "Quimby System of Mental Treatment of Diseases", named after Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. Julius and Annetta were also the parents of prolific New Thought author Horatio Dresser
, who, along with them, led a long-time dispute against Christian Science
founder Mary Baker Eddy
over whether she used Quimby's teaching unattributed in her writing.
. As a young person he entered Waterville College to become a minister in the Calvinistic Baptist Church. In 1860, while still in college, Dresser became sick and went to see Quimby for his reputed healing power. He was healed, and became an advocate of Quimby's practice, which he called the "Quimby System of Mental Treatment of Diseases".
In 1863, Dresser met Annetta Seabury at Quimby's office. They married in 1863. Their first son, Horatio, was born in 1866.
, where Dresser edited the Webster Times. That year Quimby died, too, and soon after Julius moved to California. In 1882 Dresser and his wife moved to Boston
, where they set up an office to practice Quimby's system of mental healing. In 1883 they began teaching classes, and they became successful through this work.
, went about forming the set of beliefs which eventually became the basis of Christian Science
. In 1882 Dresser studied Eddy's practice through the teaching of Edward J. Arens, a former Christian Scientist. He immediately and publicly accused her of stealing Quimby's ideas without crediting him. Dresser first refuted Eddy's claims in his 1887 book, The True History of Mental Science. The Dressers also laid claim to Quimby's teachings by formalizing the New Thought movement and promoting it nationally. In the 1890s Dresser took Eddy to court. While they lost, the family continued its protest against her with his wife continuing after his death in, The Philosophy of P.P. Quimby, which was published in 1895. In 1919, Dresser's son Horatio published the book, A History of the New Thought Movement, in which he also laid claim against Eddy's authenticity.
New Thought
New Thought promotes the ideas that "Infinite Intelligence" or "God" is ubiquitous, spirit is the totality of real things, true human selfhood is divine, divine thought is a force for good, sickness originates in the mind, and "right thinking" has a healing effect.Although New Thought is neither...
movement. Along with his wife Annetta, Dresser was the first proponent of the "Quimby System of Mental Treatment of Diseases", named after Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. Julius and Annetta were also the parents of prolific New Thought author Horatio Dresser
Horatio Dresser
Horatio Willis Dresser was a New Thought religious leader and author.-Early life:Dresser was born January 15, 1866 in Yarmouth, Maine to Julius and Annetta Seabury Dresser. His parents were involved in the early New Thought movement through their study with Phineas Parkhurst Quimby...
, who, along with them, led a long-time dispute against Christian Science
Christian Science
Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...
founder Mary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science , a Protestant American system of religious thought and practice religion adopted by the Church of Christ, Scientist, and others...
over whether she used Quimby's teaching unattributed in her writing.
Biography
Julius Dresser was born February 12, 1838, in Portland, MainePortland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. As a young person he entered Waterville College to become a minister in the Calvinistic Baptist Church. In 1860, while still in college, Dresser became sick and went to see Quimby for his reputed healing power. He was healed, and became an advocate of Quimby's practice, which he called the "Quimby System of Mental Treatment of Diseases".
In 1863, Dresser met Annetta Seabury at Quimby's office. They married in 1863. Their first son, Horatio, was born in 1866.
Profession
In 1866, at the age of 28, Dresser become editor of a Portland newspaper in 1866. Later that year the family moved to Webster, MassachusettsWebster, Massachusetts
-Media:* Worcester Telegram & Gazette * Webster Times, published every Friday* The Patriot, published every Wednesday* WGFP-AM 940, a country music station* Boston Globe* Boston Herald-Library:...
, where Dresser edited the Webster Times. That year Quimby died, too, and soon after Julius moved to California. In 1882 Dresser and his wife moved to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, where they set up an office to practice Quimby's system of mental healing. In 1883 they began teaching classes, and they became successful through this work.
Controversy
When Quimby died in 1866 another student of his wrote to Dresser and implored him to continue Quimby's practice by assuming leadership of the burgeoning movement. However, Dresser replied in a letter that he was disenchanted with Quimby's method, and soon after he moved away. In the meantime his petitioner, Mary Baker EddyMary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science , a Protestant American system of religious thought and practice religion adopted by the Church of Christ, Scientist, and others...
, went about forming the set of beliefs which eventually became the basis of Christian Science
Christian Science
Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...
. In 1882 Dresser studied Eddy's practice through the teaching of Edward J. Arens, a former Christian Scientist. He immediately and publicly accused her of stealing Quimby's ideas without crediting him. Dresser first refuted Eddy's claims in his 1887 book, The True History of Mental Science. The Dressers also laid claim to Quimby's teachings by formalizing the New Thought movement and promoting it nationally. In the 1890s Dresser took Eddy to court. While they lost, the family continued its protest against her with his wife continuing after his death in, The Philosophy of P.P. Quimby, which was published in 1895. In 1919, Dresser's son Horatio published the book, A History of the New Thought Movement, in which he also laid claim against Eddy's authenticity.