SUPREME COURT: New York County
VERINDA BROWN, etc.,
Plaintiff, against FATHER DIVINE, et al, Defendants
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, SS:
CHARLES CALLOWAY, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
That in the fall of 1931 I became interested in FATHER DIVINE and went to HIS home at 72 Macon Street, Sayville, Long Island, where I participated in the meetings there on a number of occasions. I became deeply interested when I learned of the wonderful works of FATHER DIVINE. I heard many tell of how HE had fed, clothed and sheltered them when they were destitute, and saw hundreds healed, all without money and without price.
That as time went on I became more interested and felt that I wanted to help in this Work if possible, as FATHER was the only one I had found Who was working purely for an unselfish purpose, and accepting nothing for HIS Services.
That I was independent financially, having retired from active work on the Railroads in 1927, I offered FATHER a sum of money to be turned over to anyone HE might suggest, to help carry on this Work. This HE refused, saying that HE never solicited or accepted gifts or contributions in any form and had no connection with anyone who did, for HIS Work was absolutely independent, and HE told me to use the money for whatsoever I would desire to see HIM use it for, and HE would be satisfied.
For more than ten years I had a number of apartments under lease on 135th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, in one of which at 229 West 135th Street I made my home. In the late fall of 1931 and the winter of 1932, FATHER DIVINE was in such great demand at public meetings where HE had been invited to speak, that HE was making the trip from Sayville to New York City almost daily; and still desiring to be of service I invited HIM and HIS immediate family and guests to come and live in my home.
This invitation was accepted about March, 1932, and for about eight months my home became known as FATHER DIVINE'S New York City Headquarters, and was often referred to as the Peace Mission, a term which was rapidly growing in use among the followers.
In the late fall of 1932 I leased a house at 67 West 130th Street which was larger and more suitable for the purpose, and moved there. FATHER and a number of others who were with HIM, continued as my guests, and on account of FATHER'S Presence, my home continued to be known as FATHER DIVINE'S Peace Mission though it was merely a private home.
In the summer of 1933, one Lena Brinson, who also had a home to which she had frequently invited FATHER DIVINE, leased a building at 20 West 115th Street. This building of three stories she used for meeting rooms, restaurant, and dormitories, where she sold meals for ten and fifteen cents and sleeping accommodations at from one to two dollars per week. She came to my home several times and requested FATHER DIVINE to come and speak at some of her Meetings, and I believe HE did speak there two or three times during the following three months. She also repeatedly invited FATHER DIVINE to be her guest, and urged me on several occasions to allow her to share in the privilege of having HIM in her home Personally.
In November, 1933, after many urgent requests on her part FATHER DIVINE agreed to go, and she placed at HIS Personal disposal an office and an apartment on the top floor of the building. It was then agreed that Mrs. Calloway and I should close our home and cooperate with Mrs. Brinson in maintaining the 115th Street home, where there was room for all of us.
In this way, the 20 West 115th Street address became generally known as FATHER DIVINE'S PEACE MISSION HEADQUARTERS, and people were attracted there from all parts of the world because of FATHER'S Presence, but there is no organization, association, or organized group known as such. Those who gather there do so voluntarily; there is no list of their names and addresses, and they are absolutely unidentified. They pay no fees, make no donations, undertake no responsibilities, and there are no collections taken up at any time. FATHER DIVINE does not participate in the financing of the place, neither does HE or has HE ever received any of the returns from it. It is not connected with any other place known as FATHER DIVINE'S Peace Mission, and there is no group of individuals back of it, other than those who voluntarily devote their time and service cooperatively, in the operation of it. In fact the term FATHER DIVINE'S Peace Mission has no reference to any organized group, but refers rather to the Mission on Earth, as the apostrophe 's' signifies, than anything else.
All of the other meeting places, homes, or businesses, under the term FATHER DIVINE'S Peace Mission, referred to in the affidavit of William W. Lesselbaum, Esquire, are conducted the same as those already referred to in this affidavit. They are the personal homes, or businesses, or independent cooperative enterprises of FATHER DIVINE'S followers who live and work in them. They have no connection with FATHER DIVINE Personally, although it is true, those who maintain them seek HIS Advice and Cooperation as the recognized Spiritual Head of all those who are concerned.
The 'Heavens' or 'Extension Heavens' referred to in the affidavit of William W. Lesselbaum, Esquire, do not exist as such. These must be terms coined in his own imagination or taken from the prejudicial Press. FATHER DIVINE and HIS followers stand for the one and only Kingdom of Heaven, established in the hearts, and minds, and bodies of the children of men on earth.
I know these things of my own knowledge, because as one having experience in the handling of property and business affairs, and because my home was looked upon as a sample and an example on account of FATHER'S Presence there, I was consulted by many who now operate such places, as to financial matters having to do with the operation of them.
Sworn to before me, CHARLES CALLOWAY this 25th day of May, 1937 John W. Walker, Notary Public, New York County.
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