History of The Seekers Trust
Over eighty years ago under the guidance of 'Dr Lascelles' through Charles Simpson, The Seekers' healing work began. Initially people came to consult the Doctor personally when they not only had a diagnosis and counselling, but were given healing. Due to the almost miraculous results, word spread and was also reported in the press. Crowds came to his clinics and very soon he was training people in his healing method.
When enquiries started to come from distant places, Mrs Simpson asked the Doctor what they could do to help them. His response was "Pray for them". He then devised the prayers that are still in use today.
The first prayer circles were held in a converted coal cellar in St George's Square, London, the home of Mr and Mrs Simpson and their family. After a very busy 3 years, larger premises were needed and eventually 29 Queen's Gate was found. It was about that time that 'Doctor Lascelles' gave 'The Seekers' its name. After another 3 years the 'Doctor' advised them to look for premises outside of London and Addington Park was acquired. In each case vast sums of money came at just the right time through the power of prayer (see 'Building on Faith').
One of the original ideas of using the big house as a nursing home sadly could not come to fruition as the house was requisitioned during the war and while awaiting restoration was subsequently burnt down.
Before the war was declared work had already been done on transforming the stables and grooms quarters into chapels and residential flats. Further accommodation was then built to house the Seekers transferring from London. (see Residency)
Building on Faith
As the healing work expanded with more and more people asking for help, it soon became necessary after three years to find bigger premises than St George's Square, Charles Simpson's home. After inspecting several properties, they found 29 Queen's Gate which 'Dr Lascelles' approved. Having no money themselves, they were told to pray and so they did! Shortly after, because of the healing received, a patient offered them a loan of £1000 as the deposit but the bank was reluctant to lend the remainder when only God was given as guarantor!! On the day of the auction, miraculously, another patient offered the rest of the funds. So for the next few years 29 Queen's Gate became the London home for The Seekers.
The next test of faith occurred three years later when 'Dr Lascelles' advised them to find somewhere in the country within easy reach of London and to pray for the right place.
Addington Park was found, which was on the site of one of St Augustine's early places of worship and teaching. This seems so very appropriate that a centre of healing and prayer should be established in a place of such powerful energy. But the asking price was £25,000. The estate agents laughed at Charles Simpson's offer of £10,000. However a few days later, being strongly prompted, contacted the agent with a new offer of £13,000 and to his astonishment it was accepted. After being turned down by a group of businessmen, two of his friends gave the initial help needed to secure the property.
Over time many people gave whatever they could afford to bring about the transformation of a country estate to a healing centre. However it was also necessary to sell some of the land in order to fulfil their vision.
We thank 'Dr Lascelles' and those early pioneers for their faith in making Our City of Prayer a reality, a true example of their 'Love and Service'(our motto) in action which continues to inspire us today.
Charles Simpson (1881-1958), Founder of The Seekers Trust.
Affectionately known as 'Simmie', Charles Simpson was the channel for 'Dr Lascelles', a doctor in spirit. As a boy he had little education, but was adventurous and in his teens ran away to sea. When he returned to England, Simmie met his first wife but soon went to New Zealand to make his fortune. His wife later joined him and they had 4 children. He worked in a laboratory on the South Island. Always interested in inventing, he designed a device which would detect dangerous gases in mines.
It was while working on North Island that his wife was unexpectedly taken ill and he was summoned to return at once. When he reached the hospital he was told his wife had inoperable cancer and was in great agony as morphine was of little help. For the first time in his life he turned to God praying for her pain to be taken away.
In the midst of his prayers he appeared to fall asleep. He awoke to find his wife quiet and smiling at him. The pain had gone and the room seemed full of light. He was quite awe stricken. He was questioned by the doctor on how long he had been 'doing this'. It seems that while he was in prayer another voice came through him, calling himself 'Dr Lascelles' and stating that his wife would live a further three months and would be pain free. He took his wife home and as predicted she did live completely pain free for three months and four days and died smiling.
Two years later he remarried, fulfilling his first wife's dying wish. In 1923 he returned to England to sell the patent rights to his invention. He found his mother in pain, the result of a stroke, but by gently touching her neck her pain eased. Shortly after he learnt that someone else had patented a similar device and his dream of returning to New Zealand to become a sheep farmer was dashed. When ill health and depression followed, his wife affectionately known as Brownie who until then had been against any contact with spirit, urged him to try and seek help from 'Dr Lascelles'. Eventually his prayers were answered and the 'Doctor' simply asked "When is he going to start healing the sick?"
Not knowing where to start, 'fate' took a hand and he was guided and directed to his first patient. Feeling inadequate and wondering how to proceed, he suddenly felt his hands move and found they were being controlled to direct healing to the woman. Within three months she was cured.
It was following the overwhelming successes of the direct healing from 'Dr Lascelles' and the appeals for help coming from so many places that the Harmony Prayer Circles came into being.
For 33 years, up to shortly before his death, Charles Simpson continued to be the channel for 'Dr Lascelles', not only for healing but also for giving addresses on various spiritual topics.
Dr Lascelles
He chose the pseudonym 'Lascelles' to protect the anonymity of his family descendants who were still on earth at that time. Born into a rich family, he was the youngest of seven children. The only career which would have been acceptable in his position was in the Church. However he always had an interest in medical science and chose instead to become a doctor. This alienated him from his parents as in those days it was considered well below their station. He studied in London where he soon discovered the extent of the suffering of those living in the slums. Whilst he was professional and did his best, the filth and the associated diseases horrified him and his upbringing prevented him from showing true compassion. Yet he discovered among the poor more love and help for each other than he could have ever found among his own class.
While still a young man he became engaged but his parents disapproved and forbade contact for two years. During that time sadly the young woman got into trouble and had a still born child. This turned him into a hard, callous and bitter man who hated the world and women in particular.
One day while working in a hospital a woman who was about to have a baby was brought in from the streets. He recognised her as his one time fiancée. Though he saved her life, he still hated her and through a private detective learnt one day that she had been taken out of the river full of disease.
Later in life he went to Yorkshire as a country doctor visiting his patients on horseback. He was still an embittered man who became more and more bad tempered till he finally died of apoplexy at the age of 85. As he did not believe in anything and still carried his bad temper, he was unable to move away from his grave and for eight years watched his body slowly deteriorate. One day within a multi coloured light he saw the face of Mary, the woman he had loved, holding out her arms to him and calling out his name, telling him she still loved him. As she moved away he asked of a guide who had then appeared what he could do to be with her and was told the only way was through 'Love and Service'.
There followed many years of learning and looking for opportunities to serve and use his medical skills with a love that was lacking in his work on earth. After some decades the link was made with Charles Simpson and their work began.
******(Dr Lascelles' photograph - ????) – The date of this unique spirit photograph of Dr Lascelles' is unknown but the story of how it came about is as follows:********
One day one of his patients came to him saying she had an appointment with a photographer who was famous for 'spirit extras' appearing on the plates. She had lost twin babies and sadly did not have a photograph of them. She asked 'Dr Lascelles' if he could help to ensure that the little ones' likenesses would be caught by the camera. 'Dr Lascelles' promised to do what he could, even remarking that he may also appear in the photo himself.
Sure enough, when the developing process was complete, there was the lady with one of the twins on either side of her and 'Dr Lascelles' above. This was the only occasion he would submit to this process.
Lady Mary
Other than the information already mentioned, there is no background of Lady Mary while on earth. However 'Dr Lascelles', in some of his addresses, had described her and her work. She is, to quote: 'Very beautiful, not only in figure and face, but also beautiful in character, beautiful in understanding, beautiful in her power of love, beautiful in her personality. A little taller than I, with blue eyes and long golden hair which reaches below her knees. Features are clearly cut and she has what I can only describe as a kind mouth that expresses love.'
Her work is with children often teaching thousands at a time. She never tires of playing with them or the sound of their musical laughter.
During the ceremony when Addington Park was first dedicated in the name of God to a service of prayer, hope and peace, it was also offered as a gift to Lady Mary. One of the chapels devoted to the Harmony Prayer Circles is named 'Mary' in her honour while the other is 'James' which is Dr Lascelles' actual Christian name.
And what are The Seekers doing today?
Of course the Harmony Prayer Circles remain the core of our healing work. Apart from a few necessary changes, we carry on in the way prescribed by 'Dr Lascelles'. Every day of the year our prayers go out to help those in need, the power of prayer is as strong today as it was in the beginning as testified by the letters we receive. (See 'Testimonials').
Although there has not been great public acclaim, nonetheless our healing has faithfully continued through the years. At first the focus was on contact healing but once the prayer circles were started it was realised how many more people could be helped by this method. However for those who are able to visit, we continue to offer contact healing, when people have the opportunity for individual attention from our trained healers.
All this is possible through the dedication and commitment of the resident community and friends who faithfully help with the prayer circles and healing.
Nowadays we make more and more use of modern technology for administrative work. For the all important and regular contact with those who link with our prayer circles, we continue to follow 'Dr Lascelles' instructions to 'hand-write' such letters, as this sends a more powerful love vibration. Every phone call receives our personal attention, and no matter how busy, time is always found for anyone in distress.
No one who visits fails to notice the special atmosphere of peace and tranquillity found in our beautiful grounds. Many come to stay in our Guest flats for a quiet holiday or retreat, to relax and unwind and those who use our Halls go away recharged.
Browsing through the books in our well stocked library you may find rare treasures of spiritual truths written long ago but which still appeal to the seeker of today.
Vision
The future is not for us to know but we have faith that The Seekers will continue the healing work guided as always by God, His ministering angels and of course 'Dr Lascelles' and Charles Simpson.
Our own visions may not be what will ultimately come to pass but can be blueprints that may evolve and grow in accordance with the divine plan of Love and Service.