The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-24
NESBITT in A new ROLE
HE AND A WOMAN FOUND A NEW
CHURCH IN KANSAS CITY.
y. Hill Nesbitt VIII Be Remembered
in This City as a Teacher of
French by ''NaturaI Method

Word has been received from Kansas
City that n. Hill Nesbitt well known in
this city as a French teacher, has founded
a new religion in that city, known as 1.-The
Church of the New Commandments" He
and a Mrs. Griswold are to be it's co-pas-
tors. Mrs. Griswold is not known in In
dianapolis, but Nesbitt came here about
eighteen months ago and sent out circulars
advertising that he would teach French by
the natural method" in six weeks He
rented the main auditorium of the Propy-
laeum, and, as it was only few months
previous to the Paris exposition, he re-
ceived a clientele from some of the citys
most cultured and wealthy citizens.
He was a man of extensive travel. and,
aside from teaching languages, he lectured
on a diversity of subjects, among others
1.-The Boer Question" He seemed to exert
a sort of hypnotic influence over his fol-
lowing, and as a token of their apprecia-
ton they extended him many favors and
presents. 1t was estimated that within
period of six months his classes yielded
him an income of over $500 per week. This
natural method of French teaching
proved to be too great a tax on his nerve"
and he retired for time into the seclusion
of his household. During the latter period
of his stay he took up mining scheme of
rather an indefinite character and under
took the sale of stock among his following
He finally migrated to parts unknown
abandoning his family. 1t is said that his
wife, being in destitute circumstances, ap-
piled to a well-known family here for serv-
ice as a domestic.
The new creed of which Nesbitt seems
to be the founder in Kansas City is ap-
parently sexless 1t will have, as Kansas
City paper states, "sermonettes" instead of
the regular discourses, and there will be
two of them at each service. 1t will, as it's
founders declare, not conflict with any
other church. One of the conditions of
membership is that they will not withdraw
from their present religious affiliations. Mr..
Nesbitt and Mrs. Griswold will teach "ad-
vanced IDEAS" comprehended largely under
the caption of new thought" They will
heal disease and make no charge for their
services. They will support themselves by
collections and aim only to secure collec-
lions which will be sufficient to live upon.
They will devote much time to charitable
work without ostentation. They will, so
they say, follow the footsteps of the Mas
ter, and they will teach the right way to
STATEMENT OF PLANS.
n. Hill Nesbitt and Mrs. Griswold issued
the following signed statement of their OBJ
jects which smacks of Brother and Sister
Soulsby in 1.-The Damnation of Theron
Ware
"'The Church of the New Commandment
means to its adherentS a combination OF all
that is good and true. The New Command
ment,' as given by the Master, is its plat
form from which We its pastors and serv-
ants. propose to gauge our thoughts and
| lives. The teachings are to be as broad as
10 r1niNnrCp aiming humanity
with it's source; TO promulgate sentiments
of equality based upon the principle of
divine lOve-love to God and the neighbor.
We shall teach of man as natural, spiritual
and celestial; of mind, personal and imper-
sonal; of the power of thought, and of a
Power greater than thoughts.
1T is our earnest wish that every at
tendant at the services shall become d self
constituted worker in the cause OF the good
and the true.
1--WE are ready to give service in healing
and personal instruction in the higher liv-
mo charge is to be made for any branch
of our work, the matter OF compensation
being left TO the receiver OF the good, and
we cordially extend our greetings to each
soul seeking to live in harmony with divine
law"
Norman Hill Nesbitt further states:
I'VE will not attempt to found a new
| sect; q Buddhist, a Confucian, a Presby-
terrain or a Catholic will be at home with
us just the same. We believe that men
have grown while the old church has no.
advanced with them. We do not believe
any one should limit our beliefs, whether
IL be a Pope, a Mrs. Eddy or a Wesley.
We believe that there is some good in every
creed; we want to get that good. and moth
ing else. If you have a beefsteak and a
part of ii is tough you eat the good part
and reject the rest; that is our Idea. l have
been teaching New Thought here for some
time now and many have advanced with
me- but New Thought tends to elevate the
mind and defy 1t. l do not believe that
mind is God. but there is a God VINO can
ne approached through mind. Our object is
TO teach the way TO Him. by training first
the natural man and then the spiritual.
We will show people how to advance to the
highest by beginning with the lowest. When
a man has control OF his lower faculties he
can approach the higher ones. We do not,
like the Christian Scientists, say there Is
no matter hence, no matter about matter.
On the contrary, We declare that matter
does exist. but we show how TO rise su-
n -