Gestefeld, Ursula Newell (1845–1921)

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Gestefeld, Ursula Newell (1845–1921)

American religious writer and leader. Born April 22, 1845, in Augusta, Maine; died Oct 22, 1921, in Kenosha, Wisconsin; m. Theodore Gestefeld (editor and reporter); children: 4.

Inspired by Mary Baker Eddy's teaching and writing on Christian Science, published Ursula N. Gestefeld's Statement of Christian Science (1888); founded Exodus Club (1897), which grew into New Thought movement; published monthly magazine Exodus (1896–1904); served as vice president of New Thought Federation (now International New Thought Alliance). Writings include The Builder and the Plan: A Textbook of the Science of Being (1901), A Chicago Bible-Class (1891), How We Master Our Fate (1897), and The Breath of Life: A Series of Self-Treatments (1897).