Simpson, Mary Elizabeth (1865–1948)

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Simpson, Mary Elizabeth (1865–1948)

New Zealand religious teacher, healer, and writer. Name variations: Mary Elizabeth Gething. Born Mary Elizabeth Gething, June 10, 1865, at Christchurch, New Zealand; died Sept 19, 1948, at Christchurch; dau. of Joseph Brunt (innkeeper) and Hannah Gething; m. William Simpson (wood turner), 1884 (died 1943); children: 2 daughters, 1 son.

Considered the founder of Christian Science church in New Zealand, was active in social and political work; joined Canterbury Women's Institute (1895); began holding Christian Science meetings in her home (early 1900s); formed Christian Science Society (1907); trained in Sydney, Australia, as accredited practitioner (1910), and became 1st Christian Science practitioner from New Zealand listed in Christian Science Journal (1911); traveled to Boston to train as authorized teacher (1913); devoted time to religious healing and lecturing before leaving Christian Science church due to rift (1925); founded Divine Science Fellowship and became its leader, traveling to US to teach and lecture; published New Zealand Bellbird and wrote several books as forum for her beliefs, including Daily Doses of Mental Tonic (1940).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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