Los Angeles herald., 1908-09-06
FELLOWSHIP IS
FORGING AHEAD
GREATER ORGANIZATION NOW
FAIRLY LAUNCHED
NEW RELIGION SPRINGS UP IN
CITY OF ANGELS
Has No Dogma, Greed or Hierarchy,
and Lays No Obligation of
Belief on Those Who
Join II

The Organization and development of
the Los Angeles Fellowship, which is
being extended over various parts of
the country under the guidance of the
Greater Fellowship, is attracting much
attention. Benjamin Fay Mills and
his wife, Mary Russell Mills, organ
izers and ministers of the Fellowship,
have Travelled far and wide In the work
of the organization. and are now plan
ming an active years work.
In regard to the aims and purposes
of the Fellowship, Rev. Reynold e.
Blight, the assistant minister, and Ben
jamin Fay Mills, minister of the Great
er Fellowship, expressed themselves
with much enthusiasm yesterday.
Mr.. Blight said:
"A new religion has been born in
Los Angeles. There Is a sense in which
there can be no such thing as new
religion. We have new astrononies.
but the stars shine on undimmed. We
have new statements of religious be-
lief, but religion in essence has been
ever the same, and will remain so as
long as an earnest mind seeks to read
the riddle of existence, or a devout
soul lifts prayer OF aspiration, or q
human heart throbs to a sympathetic
impulse.
''This newly born religion differs from
all others in that it has no dogma, no
creed, no hierarchy, and lays no obli-
cation Of belief upon its followers. Yet
1t has clearly defined principles, q
tersely stated purpose. profound
philosophy and scientific ethical
teaching. It does not call itself a
church, and yet it is animated by a
deeply religious spirit. 1t is not and
never has been affiliated with any 9TH
er religious institution, yet 1t antog-
onizes none. 1t seeks not to proselyte,
but it possesses a fine missionary
fervor. 1t differs from all existing re-
ligions, and yet its simple principles
underlie them all.
"This unique religious organization
is the Los Angeles Fellowship, founded
by Benjamin Fay Mills and Mary Rus
sell Mills. It's constitution declares
that 1t is an association for the en-
couragement of trustful and unselfish
living and any one who believes in
trust and unself1shness as the guiding
principles of life is welcomed to this
fellowship. No theological tests of any
kind are imposed. Its motto is: What
is the loving thing to dor It's ethics,
program and philosophy are concisely
set forth by the founder as follows:
AS Outlined by Founder
"The scientific basis-The reign Of
law, evolution the unity of substance
as standing ground for the cultivation
of trust and confidence and unselfish-
ness.
'.The philosophy-The one life. There
Is but one, and that one Is everywhere
"The psychology-The spiritual or in
telligent constitution of the universe,
coupled with the infinitude Of the pri-
vate man.
"The rule of life--Absolute trust as
the fixed attitude of the mind, and
perfect love as the unvarying practice
of the life.
"The eospel--The results:
81. Individual: knowledge, wisdom,
character, serenity, joy and power.
49, Social; The dawn of the new
spiritual era.
1.-THE social program:
II. Individual conservation to the
general welfare.
"2. The practice of patient and per-
sistent unselfishness in domestic life.
'3. Education as the development of
character, through the appeal to the
soul.
"a. Social equality.
"5. The making and administering of
civil and criminal law on the fraternal
basis.
~. The abolition OF institutionalized
immortality, such as the saloon and all
forms of gambling.
'8. The equitable use of land and
natural resources for the benefit Of all
the people.
49, Economic cooperation.
40. Political democracy.
III. International arbitration and
mutual service. The cultivation of a
worldwide peace by peaceful methods.
''12 Interracial brotherhood.
'13. Universal sympathy. including
the animals.
destroy, but to fulfill
''The dynamic-'Ye shall receive