The twentieth century has brought with it an era of scientific development, educational advancement and a desire for Christian unity such as none other has. Yet, even as mankind comes closer to conquering poverty, disease and crime than ever before in the history of the world, he lacks the solution to the moral problem and a better understanding between man and man. He still has not found his Utopia, his Shangri-La, his Heaven on Earth. While he gets nearer perfection scientifically, he falls away from it morally and spiritually. Where is the missing link?
A look toward the Peace Mission Movement could answer this question. Father Divine, in His establishment of heaven on earth, has answered every problem which confronts man today, not theoretically, but in practice.
How much unnecessary trouble is created in the search when the truth is so simple.
'Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so the them...'
It is this exemplification of the Golden Rule that fills the very atmosphere
wherever a follower of Father Divine is found and that creates that wonderful
feeling of peace and security among them.
Speaking on bringing the presence of God closer to man, which should be the aim of religion today, Father Divine said:
'It is a privilege to realize, the very Mission of Christ, yea the Mission of Christ as a Person in the name of Jesus, was to bring about a close relationship between God and man; that relationship that had been severed from the time Adam was driven from the Garden of Eden. By his disobedience and by his ignorance, humanly speaking, he went away from God's Presence, according to his version. He did not actually go away from God's Presence in reality, for God is present everywhere, but he merely went away from God's Presence according to his version. He thought he would hide himself in among the trees of the Garden, that he could not nor would not be seen. Because his version was that he had gone away from Him, God verified his version and made it real, for God confirmed the same by driving him from His Presence.
Father Divine said:
'Since that time, man in mortal consciousness has been far away from God, but the Mission of Christ in the name of Jesus was to bring man back to the conscious realization and the recognition of the Presence of God, and to make them whichever, to be one with their Maker and closely related by nature and other expressions; becoming to be spiritual while they are physical and causing God to become to be physical while He was Spiritual.'
The work and mission of Father Divine and its effect upon the world is more far-reaching than the average person realizes. It is true Christianity, brotherhood and Americanism put into action. Churches speak of these things, Father Divine is and always has been doing them; sacrificing His Life for this Cause and to this end. An educator caught a glimpse of the work of Father Divine when he said,
'Father Divine is doing the work of God and no man in America can do this work He is doing. Father Divine is the Lighthouse of Christian civilization.'
The fact that millions declare Father Divine to be God by revelation of the spirit within and that heaven is a state of consciousness to be enjoyed here on earth, is a statement which certainly stirs the curiosity of people to the extent that they desire to become better acquainted with the Movement. Father extending Himself to all mankind, said:
'I was just thinking about this wonderful truth, how thousands and thousands of people, if they partially knew, could make their mental and spiritual contact and be abundantly blessed. As any place where you are helped by the hand of nature, from a natural physical point of view even, you do not ask the conditions, you just partake of them. You can partake of Me, I Am Life. I Am Health. I Am Wealth.'
These are the basic needs sectarian congregations are beginning to demand. They want salvation now.
Infinitely impersonal in His outlook, Father Divine again expressed His determination to accomplish His endeavors .
"They can prosecute Me or persecute Me," He said, "or even send Me to the electric chair, but they can never keep Me from you or stop Me from doing good."
The impact of this remark has become stronger during the years and greater and greater has been this powerful force for good, for integration, for abundance and for true religion.
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