John Todd Ferrier

John Todd Ferrier (7 November 1855 — 31 August 1943) was the founder of the Christian theosophical group the Order of the Cross. The Order's aims and ideals state that it is an informal spiritual fellowship for "the cultivation of the Spirit of Love towards All Souls: helping the weak and defending the defenseless and oppressed: abstaining from hurting the creatures, eschewing bloodshed and flesh eating and living upon the pure foods so abundantly provided by Nature..." and for "sending forth the Mystic Teachings unto all who may be able to receive them".

Biography Although biographical details are sparse, in 1947, E. Mary Gordon Kemmis wrote a biography and her memoirs of Ferrier: Shepherd of Souls: Some Impressions of the Life and Ministry of John Todd Ferrier. He was minister at Wigton from 1882 to 1883, then at Grimshaw Street, Preston, from 1884 to 1891;

In 1903 Ferrier authored a book, Concerning Human Carnivorism. It was reprinted as On Behalf of the Creatures in 1968. Ferrier argued that Jesus was a vegetarian who espoused Essene-like asceticism.

Founding of the Order of the Cross Ferrier became increasingly dissatisfied with the traditional Christian attitude toward animals. For this and other reasons he left the church, and, via the Order of the Golden Age, in 1904 (1907 according to another source)

Selected list of Ferrier's works

The Mystery of the Light Within Us Life's Mysteries Unveiled The Master, Known Unto the World As Jesus the Christ: His Life & Teachings Spiritual Healing Isaiah: A Cosmic and Messianic Drama The Minor Prophets Ezekiel: A Cosmic Drama Logia: or Sayings of the Master (4th Revised edition)

Divine Renaissance The Pathway to Peace The Message and the Work The Prophecy of Daniel The Christ Festival On Behalf of the Creatures: a plea historical, scientific, economic, dynamic, humane, religious What is a Christian Sublime Affirmations