Peace
FATHER DIVINE'S Christmas Greeting
764-772 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia 46,
Pennsylvania, December 20, 1945 A.D.F.D.
To Whom it May Concern:
This is an open letter of information for the general public and to those who are concerned, especially to those of the general public, some of whom do not know why MY followers, adherents to MY Teaching, and members of our Churches under the Peace Mission Movement, do not take tips or receive gifts or presents of any kind.
A true follower of MINE does not want or desire to receive a gift or present or anything of that type for Christmas or any holiday, and considers it to be unevangelical, unconstitutional, and not according to the Scripture otherwise; especially so long as they are earning an independent living and expressing a real citizenry of independence individually, even as our country declared her independence as a nation. When a person earns a salary sufficient to meet the high cost of living and pays all of their obligations such as may be imposed upon them, they would not and will not seek tips or presents, for the system of tip taking is trying to get something for nothing that is not justly due them.
For this cause, MY true followers, as long as they receive just compensation for their labor, business, service and trade and their merchandise, will not accept of tips, gifts or presents, for such is in violation to the teaching of the Scripture and they feel and are sure they are not living evangelical if they break any of the rules and regulations, especially when they are receiving just compensation for the service they are giving.
Many commands of GOD, laws, rules and regulations of men have been violated for the lack of understanding and for the lack of receiving just compensation for the service, labor and merchandise and personal help they are giving.
At times such has been forced upon them by panics, famines and depressions through the different political administrations which are responsible, but yet MY true followers have been for many years making good for that which they received through the depressions when they were not allowed to earn a livelihood. But since they can earn a livelihood now, they will abstain from the violations of tip taking, receiving gifts and presents, donations, love offerings or any such things that are in violation to the Declaration of Independence, for individuals should express their independence individually even as our country declared it as a nation.
The following quotations of the Scripture I add for your consideration and for the consideration of all humanity:
Exodus 23:8.And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous
Deuteronomy 16:19.Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:27.He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Ecclesiastes 7:7. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Isaiah 1:23. Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
II Chronicles 19:7. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Proverbs 17:23.A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Proverbs 29:4. The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
The above I wrote so that you and all may see and know the foundation upon which we are standing and why we do not want any gifts, tips or presents from any person or persons un obligated, that they and all who are concerned might be even as I AM, for this leaves ME Well, Healthy, Joyful, Peaceful, Lively, loving, Successful, Prosperous and Happy in Spirit, Body and Mind and in every organ, muscle, sinew, joint, limb, vein and bone and even in every ATOM, fibre and cell of MY BODILY FORM.
Respectfully and Sincere
I AM s/ REV. M .J. DIVINE
(Better known as FATHER DIVINE).
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