J C F Grumbine

Jesse Charles Fremont Grumbine (1861–1938) was an American author, lecturer, and organizer prominent in the Spiritualist and New Thought movements. Initially a Universalist and later a Unitarian minister, Grumbine left the clergy in the 1890s to fully embrace Spiritualism. He became a significant figure through his extensive writings and lectures on topics such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and psychometry. Grumbine was dedicated to the study and teaching of psychic phenomena and spiritual growth, aiming to demystify occult subjects and promote practical spiritual development.

His work involved establishing key organizations like the Order of the White Rose and the College of Psychical Science and Unfoldment. These institutions were designed to provide instruction in metaphysics, psychic abilities, and spiritual philosophy, attracting notable figures in related fields. Grumbine sought to present Spiritualism as a rational system emphasizing personal growth and inner truth, differentiating it from what he perceived as excessive mysticism in contemporary occult literature. He advocated for a disciplined approach to spiritual understanding, grounded in mental and moral development.

In 1894, Grumbine established the College of Psychical Science and Unfoldment, which he described as a unique institution focused on a "System of Philosophy Concerning Divinity." This college offered instruction through mail, covering subjects like metaphysics, clairvoyance, psychometry, intuition, and telepathy. The institution later relocated to Chicago and operated under the name College of Divine Sciences and Realization. Grumbine also founded the Order of the White Rose in 1893, a Rosicrucian organization promoting "Universal Religion," which posited that divine truth is universal and accessible through inner spiritual development rather than external dogma. He believed spiritual figures like Jesus and Buddha represented a single, overarching truth.

Grumbine advocated for a scientific approach to understanding psychic phenomena, aiming to distinguish serious psychical research from what he considered excessive mysticism. He criticized the obscure language and symbology found in much occult literature of his time, preferring clear explanations and practical application. While he studied ancient traditions like Hermeticism and Hindu philosophy, he emphasized disciplined personal development and the mastery of mental and moral faculties over mystical speculation. Grumbine viewed consciousness as the medium for receiving divine impressions and proposed that the brain functions as a reflector of thought. He also explored the connection between physical phenomena, such as light and color, and spiritual laws, describing color as an aura reflecting an individual's psychic state.

After serving as a Universalist and Unitarian minister, Grumbine left the clergy in 1894, stating a change in his beliefs led him to embrace Spiritualism. He dedicated himself to teaching Spiritualist doctrines and phenomena, traveling and lecturing extensively. Grumbine presented Spiritualism as a system of truth and love, emphasizing gradual spiritual understanding through personal effort and moral development, rather than adherence to church authority or fixed creeds. He rejected the idea of "astral shells" in spirit communication, proposing instead that communication occurs through thought transference between spirits in the spirit realm and individuals.