Father Divine’s Interview with three ministers: Rev. Asbury Stromberg, N.Y. East Methodist Conference, Rev. J. E. Bell, Vancouver, B.C. Rev. J. S. Bonnell, Winnipeg, Manitoba at Father’s private office at 20 W. 115^th Street, New York City, N. Y. on Sunday, May 31, 1936 at 9:00 p.m.

Among the thousands who pressed their way into FATHER’S New York City Headquarters, were visitors from many different parts of the world, including one from far-away Korea.  One who came and waited long for a Personal interview with FATHER, was the Reverend Asbury Stromberg, of the New York East Methodist Conference.  He sad the various branches of the Methodist Church, such as the M. E. and the A. M. E., and others, were attempting to come together and eradicate such divisions, but certain factions strongly opposed such action because of racial prejudice.  This, he wanted to discuss with FATHER.

Before this interview was reached in the midst of FATHER’S many Personal Activities, however, two Ministers from Canada arrived, seeking to contact FATHER Personally.  These were Rev. J. E. Bell of Vancouver, B. C., who said he had visited the Peace Mission in Vancouver, and Rev. J. S. Bonnell of Winnipeg, Manitoba.  In order to save time it was agreed that the three Ministers should see FATHER together, and after Rev. Stromberg had discussed with FATHER briefly, the proposed unification of the Methodist Church, the following conversation took place:

FATHER:  I cannot Say how others feel about it, but I feel it is a great step towards bringing about the Universal Brotherhood of man for which we all are contending.

Rev. Stromberg:  People in YOUR Work have no race consciousness.

FATHER:  Well, they have forgotten it, to go that far.

Rev. Stromberg:  They must.

FATHER:  I recalled just then, one of MY Followers testified last evening in one of our demonstrations — where, before he knew ME — he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and he said before he knew ME he would not even use a handkerchief like that.  It was a white handkerchief, don’t you know.  He said he had so much prejudice he did not want anything that was CALLED white.  But since that time he has learned to love every man the same, and risen above races, creeds and colors and such mortal limited conceptions or expressions as that, and he can declare now his at-one-ment with his Maker because he recognizes the at-one-ment with his fellow brethren.  We cannot be one with GOD unless we are willing to be one with our fellow brother.

Rev. Stromberg:  FATHER, may I ask YOU one other question?  What do YOU teach of evil, its nature, and the reality of it?  Is it personal?

FATHER:  It is impersonal.  Yes, it is impersonal, but of course, such impersonal influences can be incarnated in individuals, and the impersonal influence can influence the persons that are brought into subjection to such influences — but it is impersonal.

Rev. Stromberg:  Would YOU say that evil is what happens to us when we are away from GOD, or is it something more positive than that?  When we go away from GOD do we come into something else that is real, that is evil, or is it just the separation from GOD? [Read more…]

FATHER DIVINE’S MESSAGE
GIVEN WHILE AT THE BANQUET TABLE
1887-1889 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11th, 1941 A.D.F.D
TIME ─ 5:17 P.M.

The real emancipation that only the Emancipator HIMSELF, FATHER DIVINE, can bring, is most noticeable when one looks back into his own past and sees how he was bound in chains of darkness through traditions and doctrines of men, or observes the gradual emancipation which the freedom of expression brings another.

A very inspiring testimony of praise and thanksgiving from a nurse who lives in the South, held the interest of the assembly on this occasion as she told of several experiences, the last of which was the miraculous healing of a friend whom she expected to find dead, but Who, to the contrary, through contacting FATHER had been resurrected and had resumed activity. Among other things she related, she told of her happiness in FATHER’S Principle of equality, or words to that effect, as she had been made to feel a superiority over other children in her infancy, and added that she now realized she was no better than anyone else.

As equality has such a great bearing on the Brotherhood of Man advocated by FATHER, in this beautiful Message which followed her remarks HE speaks of the Bill of Rights and HIS appeal to all American citizens through their representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives, which is made in the patriotic songs with which HE has inspired the youth of the Peace Mission Movement. [Read more…]

Father Divine’s message given whilst at the Holy communion table at Circle Mission Church, Home & Training School of Pennsylvania, 764-772 Broad St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday night & Friday morning, June 22nd and 23rd, 1944 at 5:15 a.m.

This beautiful and spiritually scientific Message came forth from the great Love Master directly after the sincere testimony of one who frequents the meetings of late. In her testimony she said it was wonderful to be able to thank GOD for the little blessings of life that are at times unheeded by us and taken for granted. She also spoke of how the Spirit revealed to her that FATHER DIVINE is GOD and a Living Reality in the midst of us. She said, it has been said the average man really thinks about fifteen minutes in his whole lifetime, and how wonderful it would be if we would really think about what we are thinking about and see whether or not our thoughts were of real value to our lives and our spiritual and material welfare, or words to that effect.

It was after this testimony that our LORD arose and revealed, not only to the ones present but to the universe at large, the scientific mystery of autosuggestion and counter-suggestion and how important a part this principle plays in governing our lives. Read HIS Words and become enlightened on this vital subject.
Thank you, Father Dear!

(The foregoing statements are those of the transcriber, and the following is the inspirational composition sung by FATHER and the audience shortly before HE arose to speak:)
Many Blessings for tomorrow,
Many Blessings for today,
Many Blessings throughout Eternity
If we trust HIM and obey.
There is no end to FATHER’S Blessings;
They are limitless, can’t you see?
Many Blessings, many Blessings
For you and for me!

(FATHER speaks as follows:)

PEACE, EVERYONE! While the last speaker was speaking and while the last song was being sung, I thought of how marvelous it is to just believe. There are those who think believing in ME, in MY consideration as in theirs, would be a Blessing to ME; but oh, how glorious it is to realize that little composition, limitless blessings, limitless Blessings for you and all who believe implicitly, whole-heartedly, conscientiously and sincerely in GOD; the Allness of GOD in one’s conviction will bring about the all-desirable results and the all-desirable conditions resulting from your recognition of the ALLNESS of GOD and the nothingness of matter.

Then, by realizing GOD as Tangible, Real and Practical, GOD to you is made a Living Factor and matters are adjusted satisfactorily. Harmonious conditions result from the recognition of GOD’S Actual Presence! I cannot stress that thought too vividly, for it is a true saying; harmonious conditions result in these audiences when you are assembled together harmoniously, touching and agreeing upon the one thing.

A harmonious atmosphere is lifted and harmonious environments are created. And through harmoniously living in Unison, thinking and talking in accordance with the same, the very inspiration from the invisible realm will bring harmonious results in the very physical system and inspire you and awaken you with the recognition of GOD’S Actual Presence.

Then I say, it is a privilege to live in such a recognition, realizing there are limitless Blessings, and because you realize it or believe it, to you it is a reality! Some may say it, and do not realize it and do not even conscientiously believe it; therefore, to them it may not be a reality; but when it gets in the hearts by conviction and into your recognition, GOD is with you, made Real, Tangible and Practical and things work satisfactorily automatically. [Read more…]

“The Time Cometh and Now Is, You may hear a Great Explosion when the minds of men run in contact conflictingly with ME.”

Father Divine’s lecture at the banquet table at Olive Bridge (Promised Land, New York) on Thursday, April 8, 1937 at 10:30 a.m.

It is true, “The lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” ─ but when we, the followers and believers, continue to err in divers ways, it causes HIS Holy Spirit to resent such and HE is obliged to give at different times, Messages such as this particular one─ for the benefit of one and all, that we may no longer walk erroneously, but that we may walk in the way that HE would have us to go.
During the course of the Holy Communion Service on this occasion, several testified, and one of the angels sang a sweet little song to which FATHER added several verses. The song preceded the Message. But, after this song was sung, one of the angels from the household testified, after which FATHER immediately arose to HIS Feet and delivered this mighty dynamic soul-searching Message.

THANK YOU, FATHER DEAR!

“The life you live for your Saviour, you should be consecrated to HIM ─ You should not doubt HIS Spirit, but you should follow on, lay down the world, take up your cross, and come and follow, and walk in HIS Footsteps.”

“You should never be doubtful, you should never fret, you should give GOD all the praises, for the work you know HE has done – How HE has striven to work and save you, bringing you all in One, that you all should deny yourself and take up your cross and follow ME, that is the only way
to have the victory.”

“The Victory comes by denying yourselves on every hand, by giving GOD all the praises for what HE has done – Seeing each and all the people, joined together in One, See what HE has done for others, for YOU HE had done ─ HE did the same for others, as what HE has done for you ─ HE
has done for you and others too, Then you should give GOD the praises, no matter what the people say, the praises should go directly in that way all the time.”

FATHER DIVINE speaks as follows:

PEACE, EVERYONE!

When I brought those little verses in the melody and to the tune of the song we had before been singing, I thought of the significance of being self-denied completely. The majority of you, the followers, are still living in a selfish state of expression, especially when I raise the vibrations high, MY Spirit opposes it, MY Spirit resents it apparently. Selfish tendencies can be in the Spirit as well as that of the mortal, I mean among those who are living in the Spirit, as well as those who are living in mortal consciousness, I mention this because I have reiterated MY statement of years and years ago, MY often rehearsed statement of what I would say when I would go in the different meetings. The different individuals would be testifying of what GOD had done for them, and thanking and praising GOD for what HE had done for them. I would say, “Well, I thank GOD for what HE did for that brother, I thank GOD for what HE did for that sister.” Until you rise above selfish tendencies, fancies and pleasures, even spiritually and individually concerning spiritual things, you are not with ME in reality where I AM.

Selfishness Has to Die

You thank ME because I stayed here last night, why not thank ME equivalently the same because I stayed over across the hill the other or one time, or over in Samsonville? If there is no selfishness in you, it would be equivalently the same, and all of your praise and thanksgiving would be to GOD and not to and for man─would not be for yourselves. Now the brother as others, also said he thanks ME for what I had done for him. I want you to thank ME for what I did for someone else. Some of you feel bad or feel sad if I do not go where you are. Well, that is why selfishness has got to die, so I can go where the Spirit is and be where the Spirit is all the time. I cannot be where the Body is all the time, and if you are going to define yourself and ME as YOUR pleasure to YOU as a person, it is a matter of impossibility for ME, Personally to be with you at all times. Therefore it would be essential and absolutely necessary for you to go in the invisible realm, so I could be with you at all times. That is the Mystery! And this is the experience of which I reflect an expression of resentment, to the act and expression of those you, MY followers, when I stop at one place ─ you apparently reflect jealously, mortal jealousy, a mortal tendency of selfishness, because I at that time, stopped at that place.

[Read more…]