The Mount of the House of the Lord
"Peace, FATHER and MOTHER; Peace, Everyone:
The presence of the distinguished guests from New York and the remarks of the last lady speaker have brought to my mind that many times insignificant events in themselves have far- reaching and great consequences! I am thinking of FATHER DIVINE'S transfer of HIS Headquarters, of HIS Activities, from New York to Philadelphia! As the lady has said, it has been due to an insignificant decision that was considered by everyone as UNJUST! (Referring to remarks of Miss Blessed Mary Love)
I can recall when FATHER DIVINE first came here in the early forties. The newspapers were derisive and the public was critical. And then I can recall now, when every daily newspaper speaks in veneration and praise, in high honor of FATHER DIVINE and HIS Work!
It was said almost two thousand years ago,'By your fruits ye shall be known!'and it is just as true today! This is a pragmatic world, and by your Fruits, FATHER DIVINE wants to be known!
I have said here and elsewhere that no creed, Protestant or Catholic, holds such High Moral Standard as that of FATHER DIVINE! Let it be challenged! I have said that no Church, just as one of the speakers from New York has pointed out, restricts its followers from smoking, restricts them from a thousand and one things that is outlawed by FATHER DIVINE! I say that a Divinite here, is one of the most respected citizens, a true Follower of FATHER DIVINE is one of the Most Respected Citizens that can be found in Philadelphia, any time you find one!
I am not going to enumerate the Blessings that HE has brought here. I know that this is just a central point of HIS Energies. Just as HE has pointed out, in places that HE has never been Personally that have been blessed by HIS SPIRIT, by HIS ACTIVITIES here~~that have been generated from here! But we in Philadelphia are GLAD that HE is HERE in PERSON, aren't we? We in Philadelphia are GLAD of that New York Official that committed the error, aren't we? And so are two million other Philadelphians! I thank you."