Ernest Holmes was a prominent American writer, teacher, and leader of the New Thought movement. He founded the spiritual philosophy known as Religious Science, which teaches that the mind has the power to create reality through affirmative thought and prayer. He also authored many books, such as The Science of Mind, Creative Mind and Success, and This Thing Called You. His teachings have influenced millions of people around the world, and his legacy lives on through the Centers for Spiritual Living and the Science of Mind magazine.
But how did Ernest Holmes die? What was the cause of his death? And what were his last words and wishes? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Ernest Holmes, and how his message of love and harmony continues to inspire us today.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Ernest Holmes was born on January 21, 1887, in Lincoln, Maine. He was the sixth of nine children in a poor farming family. He had a natural curiosity and a love for reading, especially books on religion, philosophy, and metaphysics. He left school at the age of 15 and moved to Boston, where he worked as a grocery clerk and a bookkeeper. He also attended lectures and classes on various spiritual topics, such as Christian Science, New Thought, and Hinduism.
He was particularly drawn to the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Troward, and Phineas Quimby, who introduced him to the idea of the universal mind and the law of attraction. He began to practice mental healing and affirmative prayer, and experienced remarkable results in his own life and in the lives of others. He also developed his own system of spiritual thought, which he called Religious Science, or the Science of Mind.
In 1918, he moved to Los Angeles, where he met his future wife, Hazel Durkee Foster, a widow with two sons. He also started to teach classes and give lectures on his philosophy, attracting a large and loyal following. He founded the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy in 1927, and published his magnum opus, The Science of Mind, in 1926. He also launched the Science of Mind magazine in 1927, which is still in publication today.
Later Years and Death
Ernest Holmes continued to write, teach, and travel throughout his life, spreading his message of positive thinking, spiritual healing, and world peace. He also collaborated with other New Thought leaders, such as Emmet Fox, Charles Fillmore, and Norman Vincent Peale. He was widely respected and admired by his peers and his students, who regarded him as a gentle, humble, and wise teacher.
However, his health began to decline in the late 1950s, as he suffered from heart problems and diabetes. He also faced some financial and legal difficulties, as he had to deal with lawsuits and tax issues related to his organization and his publications. He tried to resolve these matters peacefully and gracefully, but they took a toll on his physical and mental well-being.
He died on April 7, 1960, at the age of 73, in Los Angeles, California. According to Wikipedia, the doctors declared that he had suffered from what they called a “heart ailment”. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean, as he had requested. His last words were reportedly “I love you all” .
Legacy and Influence
Ernest Holmes left behind a rich and lasting legacy of spiritual wisdom and practical guidance. His books and teachings have been translated into many languages and have reached millions of people around the world. His philosophy of Religious Science has evolved into a global movement, with hundreds of Centers for Spiritual Living and affiliated groups in various countries. His magazine, Science of Mind, continues to publish inspiring and uplifting articles and stories every month.
His influence can also be seen in the fields of psychology, education, business, and medicine, as many professionals and practitioners have adopted and applied his principles of positive thinking, creative visualization, and mental healing. His ideas have also inspired many popular authors and speakers, such as Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and Oprah Winfrey.
Ernest Holmes was a visionary and a pioneer of the New Thought movement. He taught us that we are all connected to the one mind, the one life, and the one love that is God. He showed us how to use our thoughts and words to create our reality and to express our true nature. He encouraged us to live with joy, gratitude, and compassion, and to share our gifts and talents with the world. He challenged us to think big, to dream big, and to be big.
He once said, “Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.” He also said, “There is a power for good in the universe greater than you are and you can use it.” He lived by these words, and he invited us to do the same. He was a man of faith, a man of love, and a man of science. He was Ernest Holmes, and he changed the world.
