Malinda Elliott Cramer

(February 12, 1844-August 2, 1906)

About New Thought Author Malinda Elliott Cramer

Malinda Elliott Cramer was the main founder of the Church of Divine Science, a healer, and an important figure in the early New Thought movement.

Cramer was born in Greensboro, Indiana, and was the daughter of Obehiah and Mary Henshaw Elliott. Melinda had 10 siblings and her parents were Quakers. When Malinda was fifteen, she developed a disease which doctors declared was incurable. In 1870, Malinda and her family later moved to San Francisco hoping that the good weather would relieve Malinda of her persistant health problems. Soon afterwards she met Charles Lake Cramer, a photographer whom she married In 1872, and together they had 3 sons. Despite the move, Melinda continue to suffer from health problems and soon became invalid.

In 1885, Cramer had what she described as a divine revelation after spending an hour in earnest meditation and prayer over her condition. She later said that that hour was the beginning of her realization of the oneness of life. This illuminated realization of Omnipresence freed her from the belief that her medical condition controlled her, and within 2 years she was miraculously healed from her condition.

In 1887, she began taking classes with Emma Curtis Hopkins, an important teacher in the New Thought movement. She soon began to dedicate herself to the practice of faith-healing. In the process of sharing her healing experiences with others, she soon began to hold healing classes and became a teacher of the New Thought. In 1887, Cramer began her monthly journal titled Harmony, a magazine which is still considered one of the earliest and most signifcant New Thought publications. In 1888, she and her husband opened what would become the Divine Science Home School (Home College of Divine Science). The term "Divine Science" was not coined by Cramer, but had originally used by Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science.

In 1892, Malinda E. Cramer helped form the International Divine Science Association, a forerunner of the International New Thought Alliance, which would interconnect the various New Thought centers together. In 1893, she also helped open the second Divine Science College, in Oakland, and began traveling around the country on missionary trips.

In 1898, Cramer began training Nona L. Brooks and ordained her as a minister in the Church of Divine Science. Brooks returned to Denver, and along with her two sisters, Fannie Brooks James and Alethea Brooks Small, formed a church there; this church would eventually become the home church of the Divine Science denomination after Cramer's death.

Malinda Cramer passed away August 2, 1906 due to injuries she received in the great San Francisco earthquake. Malinda Cramer was an inspiration to many of the great early New Thought leaders whose ministries and books are still held in high esteem.

Published writings by Malinda E. Cramer:

Divine Science And Healing; a textbook for the study of divine science, its application in healing, and for the well-being of each individual (1902) [Read] [Audio/Video] [Borrow] [PURCHASE]

Lessons in Science of Infinite Spirit, and the Christ method of healing (1890) [Read] [Audio/Video] [Borrow] [PURCHASE]

Malinda Cramer's Hidden Harmony (1990) [pdf not available] [Borrow] [PURCHASE]

Basic Statements and Health Treatment of Truth: A System of Instruction in Divine Science and Its Application in Healing and for Class Training, Home and Private Use (1917) [Read] [Borrow] [PURCHASE]