Before women had the legal right to vote, Malinda Cramer was changing the world. Probably the most understated and overlooked early leaded of the New Thought Movement. Malinda Cramer, founder of Divine Science was indeed ahead of her time. Over 113 years ago her stunning career began at the age of 40, but was cut short by age 62. She incurred an injruy during the San Francisco earthquake and died a few months after on August 2, 1906. Truly a pioneer, her phenomenal accomplishment include:
Divine Science Home School founded May 4, 1888.
Harmony Magazine first published August 1888.
International Divine Science Association Founded May 17, 1892.
The seventh of eleven children, Malinda was born June 12, 1844, in Greensboro, Indiana to Obediah and Mary Henshaw Elliott. The Elliotts were Quakers who had migrated to the farming country of Southeastern Indiana from North Carolina.
Malinda moved to San Franciso California in 1870 hoping that the climate to find a cure for her chronic ill health that had plagued her from age 15. In 1872 she married Charles Lake Cramer, also a Quaker and prominent photographer. The Cramers had three sons.
Despite nearly 25 years of medical treatment, Malinda remained an invalid. After so many years of life as an invalid, one morning in early 1885, she simply asked, during prayer, if there was a way out of her condition. Was their a Power in the Universe that could heal her? Her answer came intuitively. The illuminated realzation of Omnipresent Spirit freed her from the belief that her condition controlled her. As she let go of old habits of belief, she became healed. Classes and healing treatments developed as a result of sharing her experience with others.
Malinda was raised a Quaker, and it was her practice to meditate and pray on a regular basis. In Malinda's own words "What I heard of Spirit...from early child hood became an actual reality, a comscious living presence.
There was a center of light, pure and clear as diamond light; its center was calm and as transparent as pure crystal. That day having "seen the light," Malinda was healed first in belief then in body after 25 years as an invalid, Malinda began to share her understanding in publishing the Harmony magazine, teaching and healing. Within three years, she incorporated the Divine Science Home College, offering Primary, Theological and Normal classes.
For more than 18 years, Mrs. Cramer made a strong and positive contribution to New Thought Movement, with her ministry, monthly publication, and nationwide tours teaching and healing. Notably, Malinda's tours took her to Unity Village and Hopkins College.
Malinda had a grander vision, which unfolded in 1892 as the International Divine Science Association (ISDA); the early prototype of today's International New Thought Alliance (INTA). Malinda held conferences uniting some of the great thinkers of the day.
April 1906, came the end to Malinda Cramer;s works. The Home College burned to the ground following the earthquake of 1906. She made her transition just a few months later. Her last Harmony publication was volume 18, issue 7. The movement carried on by its center of activity moving to Denver, Colorado, then San Antonio with Dr. Anne Kunath, Texas and now to Largo Maryland and the Reverend Dr. Christopher L. Bazemore.
