Emma Curtis Hopkins, more than any other teacher, influenced the New Thought movement as we know it today. In December 1883, at age 30, Emma Curtis Hopkins entered one of Mary Baker Eddy's classes as a student. That she started as a student was not unusual as, up to this point in her life had been spent in seeking knowledge. She learned to speak and write Greek so that she could follow the philosophy and mysteries of the Greeks. She absorbed quickly the deep truths in all of the six great bibles of the world. She had unlimited knowledge of the histories of nations and people. Therefore, it was natural for her to have been aware of the Quimby teachings and to want to study the new Christian Science. Although she never entered any formal classes in Christian Science, in six months of study she rose to become editor of the Christian Science Journal.
    It was, however, a short lived association, between her and Mrs. Eddy. Although Mrs. Eddy recognized her genius, she was opposed to Mrs. Hopkins' writing in the Journal about other religions of the world and other metaphysical books. Mrs. Hopkins was and extremely able individual with ideas very much of her own and with the ability to communicate them to others. She was very independent and indisposed to bend to the will of Mrs. Eddy and could not accept the role that Mrs. Eddy assigned to her. She resigned as editor of the Journal in 1885.
    After she left Christian Science, she began a meteoric career of her own, moving into her great, unique and individual destiny, that of independent leader and teacher. With her teachings, she began to form the third faction which was evolving in religion in this country at that time. People who did not want orthodox religions or Christian Science began to be aware of and follow Mrs. Hopkins teachings' teachings. The teaching of Emma Curtis Hopkins are universal! They include all of the great truths in all of the Bibles of the world. Mrs. Hopkins united all major religions of the world and brought the Eastern teachings into harmony with the West. She was the first person in our Christian culture to do this.
    The teachings unite to include everyone in the whole universe. They do not separate or segregate. There is no "no-no" in these principles, only "yes-yes!" There is no opportunity for people to develop guilt complexes because of pre-conditioned thinking or beliefs. It is stated, "God is everywhere- equally present, being within all men and around all men."
    The study of the works of Emma Curtis Hopkins, is the study of Consciousness...the evolution of the individual soul from Mental Science, into Mystical Science and then into the Science of the Absolute.
    Each work is the unfoldment of a specific should depth and leads one in perfect order from human into God man or "The Christ."
    Important in this study is to know the history of how the New Thought Movement began and the person who influenced its star... Emma Curtis Hopkins. Her teachings ignited and inspired the souls of her students and each one went forth and did a great, unique, individual work! These teachings can do the same for you if you hear and apply the principles.
    Her importance to the New Thought Movement was the God consciousness that she was; a true channel to speak, teach and write the Absolute Truth, She had a genius for teaching. Her consciousness ignited and brought forth the genius in all she taught. Her students went out from her teachings to do great, individual work that could only be done by them. She, more than any other teacher, influenced New Thought as we know it today.

                                                                                                                                                   Rev. Marge Flotron