UNITY’S FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS
By Dana Gatlin
A History of the Unity Movement
1889-1939
UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
1939
LOVINGLY DEDICATED
To the founders of Unity,
To Unity School of Christianity,
To those workers whose generous collaboration made this book possible,
To Truth workers and seekers everywhere,
And to the great, loving, omnipresent Spirit of truth, in whom all men are brothers.Dana Gatlin
FIFTY YEARS AGO THE UNITY MOVEMENT WAS FOUNDED BY THESE TWO PERSONS
CHARLES FILLMORE, cofounder and president of the Unity School of Christianity. At 84 his body is strong and his mind active and alert. He is called “Papa Charley” by many of the Unity workers, who love and admire him, and by his three grandchildren. His wit and keen sense of humor make him a welcome visitor and lecturer in the field and a favorite speaker at Unity headquarters.
MYRTLE FILLMORE, often called the “Mother of Unity”; for it was through her desire to help others find health and prosperity that the Unity work was started. Beloved by Unity workers and students all over the world for her loving ministry and her cheery, helpful letters. One of her great desires was to share Truth with children, much of her life to this phase of Unity work.
OFFICERS
LOWELL FILLMORE
Treasurer and manager of Unity School, editor of Weekly Unity.
CLARA MAY ROWLAND
Vice president of Unity School, director of Silent Unity.
RETTA M. CHILCOTT
Office manager and personnel director of Unity School.
RICKERT FILLMORE
Secretary of Unity School and general manager of Unity Farm.
Besides Charles Fillmore, who is president of Unity School, and Lowell Fillmore, Clara May Rowland, Retta M. Chilcott, and Rickert Fillmore, whose photographs and positions are given on the following page, there are a number of persons who directly supervise the various departments.
There are thirty-five departments organized for convenience in handling the different phases of the work of Unity School. Some of these are quite small, consisting of only two or three persons; others comprise many workers. Each department is under the supervision of one person who is responsible for its work. This person’s first responsibility is to see that the department is conducted in accordance with Truth principles and that all the work is handled in a Truth way.
Each week a luncheon is held at Unity Inn and those in charge of departments attend. On these occasions the work is discussed from all angles and its unification is assured.
Frequently the department heads are called together to pray for guidance in making decisions in regard to the work or for a leading when some new idea or plan has been suggested.
CONTENTS
Charles and Myrtle Fillmore........................................iv
Officers...............................-...........................vi
Confidentially, by Charles Fillmore.......................ix
The Purpose of Unity...............................................xv
1. Inception of the Unity Movement..................................1
2. Silent Unity: The Society of Prayer.............................13
3. Unity’s First Publication: Unity................................33
4. Contribution of H. Emilie Cady to the Unity Movement............45
5. Wee Wisdom: A Truth Magazine for Boys and Girls.................51
6. Unity School: Faith and Works...................................63
7. Further Works of Unity School...................................87
8. Later Unity Periodicals.........................................99
9. Unity Farm: Unity Community Center.............................109
10. Unity Centers World Over......................................121
