The Marriage Anniversary Celebration attracts people from near and far. They come for various and sundry reasons. They come to feel the stimulation of the Holy Communion Banquet. They come to Honor FATHER and MOTHER to congratulate Them on another year of fruitful Marriage. They come to laud Them for the Mountainous Work that they have done among the children of men. They come to signify their harmony with FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE to wish Them Godspeed in Their future Ministry.
Many are anxious to express themselves along these lines, and to tell of the experiences they have had which illustrate how the Spirit of FATHER and MOTHER is working in the Land.
At the eleven o'clock Service at the Unity Mission Bible Institute on April twenty ninth, followers of FATHER and MOTHER remarked that FATHER is establishing the Kingdom of Heaven amidst all the confusion in the world, and that HE has cleansed them, purified them, and taken the dross of sin from them. HE is reigning in their hearts. They praised FATHER for gathering them in the Holy Sanctuary of the Bible Institute to celebrate Holiness and Virtue, knowing that GOD is actually sitting there with them in His Chair at the Banquet Table.
There is no other life to live than the Life of the Peace Mission. Money, wife, husband, children, friends, a home none of these can bring true Happiness. Only GOD can bring real Satisfaction to heart, mind and soul!
Two thousand years ago, there was One so Holy and Virtuous that She could give Birth to the Son of GOD! SHE is among us today the Virgin Mary in the Body of MOTHER DIVINE. FATHER DIVINE was praised, praised for marrying MOTHER DIVINE so that the followers could have a MOTHER which they sorely needed. People have used the excuse that we are "just human beings" for not being perfect. But with MOTHER DIVINE demonstrating Perfection before our eyes, everyone knows now that it is possible to be Perfect.
Mrs. Mildred Hill exclaimed that it is Wonderful that we don't have to dial GOD on the telephone to get an answer to our problems. We always get an answer just by contacting GOD within. Even if we write a letter to GOD, we don't have to mail it to receive a reply. Mrs. Hill said: "The letters that I write I just put them under my pillow, and they are well taken care of." She continued: "If you only trust and surrender, and do whatever GOD has in store for you to do and obey HIM you will have success. You can't do what suits you you must obey!"
Ms. Doris Harris and Ms. Lydia Mackey recently moved from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Philadelphia, and are now "home" in the Divine Tracy Hotel. They are long time followers of FATHER DIVINE, having attended in Peace Mission Services both in New York City and Los Angeles in the early days. Miss Mackey said: "It is an Honor to sit at this Table with the Lamb and the Bride. Thank YOU, FATHER and MOTHER, from the bottom of my heart just to be here."
FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE
with Miss S. Child and Miss Peaceful Love in the office.
After several songs were sung at the opening of the six o'clock Service, MOTHER DIVINE welcomed the gathering to this Anniversary Celebration of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. SHE went on:
'JESUS CHRIST came, 2000 years ago, to show us the Way, the Truth and the Life. Just so, HE came again in the Bosom of His FATHER, in the Fathership Degree, to redeem the world, and to usher in the Millennium, the Thousand Year Reign of CHRIST. Millions have the Revelation that GOD has come again in the Body of FATHER DIVINE, and with that Revelation, they left all that they had to become followers, because they had been set free from their mortal versions, and set free into the Life of CHRIST.
'The Peace Mission is a phenomenon here on earth. It teaches and demonstrates the Abundance of the Fullness of every Good Thing in the conscious Recognition of the Fatherhood of GOD.
'We are rejoicing that these values have brought people together in the Peace Mission from all over the world and from every avenue of life values that will bring all Nations together, to make a Reality of Jesus' Prayer to let the Kingdom come and the will to be done. We are rejoicing because GOD is here. The Power of His Presence is in the earth. So let us be glad and rejoice, and give Honor to HIM, for the Marriage of GOD to His Creation has come. GOD is a Reality in this Day and in this Time!'
Rev. Carmine Di Biase arose to say that we never hear about a preacher being "lost for words." That would be a miracle! But he stands in awe at the display of Godliness that he perceives in the Banquet Hall. He reiterated the fact that we serve an awesome GOD. From the moment his foot touched the first step of the Bible Institute, and as he walked up the steps into the magnificent House, and then sensed the consciousness of GOD in the building, he knew GOD was there, because he felt GOD'S Presence. Rev. Di Biase went on to say:
'As I look around, and as I inhale the beautiful, Godly Spirit, I become invigorated, stimulated, and inspired to go on. How can you identify those who serve an awesome GOD? You can tell by their Godliness. You can tell by their Kindness. You can tell by their Love.'
Then he introduced his nephew, an itinerant preacher in Canada, who was next to speak.
Mr. Dino Cranflone said that what was most impressive was the Church that GOD is building. It is a living Church, and is peopled by the Saints who have been changed and transformed by Jesus, and who constitute the Body of CHRIST. He declared:
'All things are New, and we are a New Creation. I Glorify and Honor my FATHER in Heaven for the preciousness and wonder of that New Creation! I once was not happy with myself. I was empty and useless, but when GOD transformed me and put His Love in me Oh, what a Joy!'
Pastor Norman Robinson came with Mr. Earnest Johnson and Mr. Andrew Barrett from England to spend three weeks in Philadelphia, attending the events of the Celebration and exploring the vicinity. Pastor Robinson related some of his experiences, and then led the assembly in a song with the title,"My Shackles Are Gone; My Spirit Is Free!
"Dr. Leonard Norman Primiano is Professor of Religion and Folk Lore at Cabrini College in Radnor, which is a few miles west of Philadelphia. He introduced several people whom he brought with him to this occasion, and then remarked:
'I want to stop on this Day to thank MOTHER DIVINE for Personally preserving the Standard of the Peace Mission. The Standard of the Peace Mission involves the Honesty of its members, their Integrity, and the conception of Beauty that the Peace Mission has. We have only to look around the Table to see the Beauty! The Banquet Table is absolutely incredible! I believe that MOTHER is following FATHER'S 'aesthete' which is a fancy word for what is Beautiful. You can find GOD in Beautiful things, and whenever you come to the Peace Mission, you find GOD!'
Each of Dr. Primiano's guests spoke briefly. Ms. Shirley Dixon is on the Staff at Cabrini College. Miss Jessica Webb is one of Dr. Primiano's students. Dr. Joan Saverina is one of the foremost professors of Folk Lore in the Delaware Valley. She and Dr. Primiano earned their Ph.D. Degrees together at the University of Pennsylvania. Her husband is Dr. Alex Loeb, one of the eminent scientists in the Delaware Valley. Ms. Ann Iskramt teaches at Cabrini College. Her husband, John Iskramt, is a prominent attorney. Ms. Bady Calpvrina sang the song, "It's Good To Be Here, " with the joyous audience lustily and enthusiastically joining her.
A young man testified briefly that the words of the song, "FATHER'S Love Satisfies Every Good Desire," were true. He said that the song lifted him, and gave him strength to go on. To conclude the Service, the song, "This Is A Beautiful World," was sung by the assembly. Some of the other words of the song are, "You Are My Brother And You Are My Sister." Referring to the diversity of the complexions in the room are the very applicable words, "This Is A Garden Of Beautiful Flowers!"
On Sunday, April 30, another Holy Communion Banquet was held at the Unity Mission Bible Institute at 2 PM. During the Service, MOTHER DIVINE addressed the gathering. Here are excerpts from Her remarks.
'Peace, FATHER; Peace to our visiting guests and friends; Peace, Everyone! . . .
'We are a part of GOD'S Creation, and all of GOD'S Creation is very scientific. It is very much in order, according to a system, just like our physical bodies when they are perfectly healthy and when they are perfectly balanced. Collectively, Humanity must work the same way each one filling our place in a great scheme of things.
'It is all working in Harmony and in Unity together, giving GOD all the Glory and Honor, letting go of selfishness, self preservation, and all the things that divide us, which cut us off from the Infinite Supply that is for us. We see the Power of GOD in the earth, especially in the Springtime and we are a part of that wonderful Creative Power. . . .
'As we conform to the Laws of GOD however we see GOD we know that GOD is all that is Righteous, all that is Just, all that is Good and whatever can stimulate us and inspire us to be like our Creator well, that's fine! We're glad this afternoon that we have people of different Faiths with us. It's a gathering of people with fundamental Faith in the fundamental GOD.
'FATHER created many righteous people. I just love to look in the back issues of The New Day and see all of the facsimile letters from people who had received payment of old back bills from followers. Also, the United States Treasury received money from followers in instances where followers could not find the people to whom they owed a very old bill.
'As individuals, we thought it was not necessary to carry Honesty that far, but FATHER really put that Honesty in us. It's a case of bringing the body into subjection to the Righteous Spirit of GOD, and you know, it's these Righteous Principles that really bring us all together. . . .
'What I really want to say in this New Millennium, we must change from the old values to these New Values that FATHER DIVINE really established in the Peace Mission. That's why we thank HIM for coming fifty years ahead of time and establishing the Peace Mission, literally drawing people from all over the world, and literally from different walks of life, by His Magnetic Power by just being Who HE IS.
'As HE said, HE did not go Personally to any of these places in the world, but people were attracted and drawn to HIM supernaturally. FATHER created the Peace Mission with these Values, and I know these Values can be universalized these Values that we all admire. This is what generates Life and Youth. . . .
'Anyway, here we are, living in the year 2000. Truly, we can go on to see this world according to Jesus' Prayer to let the Kingdom come and the Will of GOD be done on earth. That's what I live for. That's what I like to see us all live for, so that we can all live on and enjoy the Abundance of the Fullness. . . .
'You know, as a Youngster, I believed that we are just what we were, and we couldn't change. We were told that we couldn't change human nature. But I AM so glad that human nature CAN be changed. We can be freed from our lower nature, and we can manifest the highest nature, which is the CHRIST in each and every one of us.
'I just think it's so wonderful that we all can be better people. We all can do everything that we thought we couldn't do not of ourselves, because of ourselves, we can do nothing. But through CHRIST, we can do all things!'
'I AM very happy to see the changes that have taken place since FATHER married ME in 1946. It's a great change! Most of all, I do enjoy the Consciousness that people are expressing today. It is so much more like GOD would have them to be expressing, and so much more like the way it should be here in America. We really should reverence this Holy Land. This IS a Holy Land!
'FATHER DIVINE is the most Noble American, because HE saw that this Country was predestined to be the Birthplace of the Kingdom of GOD I mean people coming together in Oneness. We are living to see it coming about. There is a big turmoil and many ups and downs.
'It's just like when you are going to put a new highway through. It looked better before you started than while it's being done. But after the work is completed, we see the results of whatever we had to go through the inconveniences and so forth to do it. I think this is what we are going through now. But I do know that we can certainly look forward to better times.'
A perennial visitor was next to speak. Mrs. Eve Thompson said that she was honored to be present. Before they were married, she and her husband were in England, and learned that interracial marriages were permitted in Washington DC, because FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE were married there. So they too, were married in Washington, fifty three years ago. She continued:
'FATHER and MOTHER go with us wherever we go. Our lives have been blessed. We thank you for the joy and the laughter that we share with you when we come here. It is such a Blessing, and so refreshing and I'm sure all of us feel that way.'
Rev. Ethel Boyd Williams is Pastor of the Celestial Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia. She and her husband, Rev. Handel Williams, were seated at the Banquet Table. She read the inscription on a Plaque which she presented to FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE. The inscription extolled FATHER and MOTHER for the force They have exerted on America. In her presentation remarks she said:
'I thought about all the beautiful expressions of love coming from FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE, the great and marvelous Work that has been done in the hearts of most of you who are in this room, and the impact FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE have made on this, the United States of America.
'I am honored and blessed to stand here among so many prominent people from all walks of life, who have come to celebrate the Anniversary of these two great, momentous Creatures of GOD, Who care for others. They are People of Faith and Strength and Dignity. I love people! People ignite me! I get turned on when I see a gathering like this. I have the Love of GOD in my heart. Therefore I can appreciate this evening. I am grateful for it!'
Her husband, Rev. Handel Williams, made these comments:
'This occasion tonight has shown us Unity and the thoughts of a great M-A- N, Who came before His time. We can see that what HE taught for fifty years Peace among the human race still stands. GOD called FATHER DIVINE for a particular Mission. And we can see the fruits of His Labor. Struggles will always be with those who are on the battlefield for CHRIST, who are willing to put their lives on the line for the Land, and we can tell from MOTHER DIVINE'S Message, that FATHER DIVINE went all out because of GOD'S Revelation to HIM.
'This evening, MOTHER DIVINE, we are here, not only to encourage YOU to go forward in the Name of Jesus, but to continue to stand upon the Principles that YOU have stood on for all these years. May GOD bless this Millennium, and continue to bring us together in Unity not by race or theology, but by the love of the beloved brothers and sisters in Jesus' precious Name.'
Mr. Kenneth Gamble and his wife, Fatima, were among the guests present at the two o'clock Service. He is a song writer, and his company, "International Records," has produced thousands of recordings of popular music. Now however, after living briefly in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, he has come back to South Philadelphia where his roots are, to revitalize the area, and has formed another company, "Universal Community Homes," which is doing the work.
In his remarks, Mr. Gamble expressed Anniversary Greetings to FATHER and MOTHER and went on to say that he has done several projects "Universal Courts" with 32 Apartments, The Charter School, the Buildings at Sixteenth and Catherine Streets, and the Martin Luther King development and there will likely be more. He said:
'With the help of Almighty GOD, we are going to create something that will institutionalize a way of thinking. Many people have done what we are doing, but one ingredient is missing in their work. We are putting this missing ingredient into our work which is Sacrifice. Sacrifice is a frame of mind and a state of thinking. You have got to sacrifice a little in order for humanity to progress, because that's the most important thing.'
Mr. Gamble greatly admires MOTHER DIVINE. He stated:
'MOTHER DIVINE has attended the openings of all our projects. SHE has been very supportive of everything that we are doing. I really appreciate that, and the kind words that YOU say about us and with us, and when we are not present. I could not have a better representative than MOTHER DIVINE.'
Mr. Gamble operates closely with GOD, as he said:
'It makes a difference when you put GOD into the equation or when you take GOD out of the equation. America has taken GOD out of everything, and when you take GOD out of everything, then the whole structure starts to fall down. GOD is working. HE'S working! HE'S working in people. HE pulls people together; HE pulls people apart. HE is maneuvering. HE is handling everything!'
Mr. Abdur Rohim Islam works with Mr. Kenny Gamble in his worthy endeavors to do a great job. He said:
'I have come to know YOU and Your Works through Kenny and the Institution YOU have built, and I know that the Peace Mission is a major part of what makes him 'tick.' So that I can be a better person, I need to know what it is that makes people do great things and continue to stay motivated to continue to do them. After I had been in MOTHER DIVINE'S Presence, I told my wife about it. She asked Who MOTHER DIVINE is. I told her that MOTHER DIVINE is the closest thing to Royalty that we have!'
Mario Bassetti and his father were seated at the Banquet Table. Mario is attending high school. He said that the Peace Mission is doing a good job of spreading the Word of GOD, and that Kenny Gamble was doing a good job also in fixing up South Philadelphia. He went on:
'We are all one Being, one family, and we touch, and we spread our love to each other. Our sole purpose on earth is to unite with GOD to restore our status as a Son of GOD. There are three things to go by Truth, Love, and Simplicity.'
The three brothers from England were in the congregation Mr. Earnest Johnson, Pastor Norman Robinson and Mr. Andrew Barrett. Mr. Johnson arose to say that FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE have grown on them, and that "the more we see YOU, the more we love YOU." He made the statement to Mr. Barrett after his first visit to Philadelphia that he would not make the trip again, but he and Pastor Robinson have come five or six times, and this is Mr. Barrett's eleventh visit.
At the end of the Banquet Service, MOTHER DIVINE said:
'The various Churches in the various Countries really know that they are a part of this Marriage. It was after the Marriage that we saw many more Crusaders and Rosebuds. I thank FATHER for the way His Name continues to go throughout the world. Transient guests come from all over the world to stay at the Divine Tracy Hotel. One night we checked and discovered that people from twenty seven Nations were there under one roof, under FATHER'S Jurisdiction!'
Then MOTHER read a letter from "Patty" Pataraporn Sirikanchana who is on the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, who always remembers the Anniversary on April 29. Dr. Kathy McKeehan is serving at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust at "Jolly Grant" in Dehra Dun, India. She sent an E-mail message from India as follows:
'My love is with you all on this Special Occasion. And I am there in spirit even though you do not see me physically. May the love and joy which each one of you brings forth reach all over the world today and every day. I woke this morning feeling the excitement that you all must be having. If I close my eyes and try real hard, I'm sure I can see the joy in your faces and in your feet as you dance through the day!'
MOTHER congratulated Mr. Gamble and Mr. Rohim on their work in the Community and continued:
'FATHER never considered HE was confined to the Peace Mission. HE came to lift the Consciousness of People. GOD is doing the Work that needs to be done. Philadelphia was a Holy Experiment. FATHER declared that it is the Country Seat of the World not only because of the two Fundamental, Official, United States of America Documents being drafted and signed here, but also because of the Freedom of Religion in Philadelphia!'
An ornamented Place Favor was placed at each setting at the Banquet Table. It contained the full text of MOTHER DIVINE'S Millennial Message that SHE delivered on January 2, 2000. Its concluding words are:
'GOD is concerned about His Own about all those that have His Mind, His Spirit the Righteous Seed that is scattered to the four corners of the earth, in all their different States of Consciousness. And they are of all Nations, all Languages, and all Tongues, and all Peoples! We thank YOU, FATHER!'
On Sunday, April 30, another Holy Communion Banquet was held at the Unity Mission Bible Institute at 2 PM. During the Service, MOTHER DIVINE addressed the gathering. Here are excerpts from Her remarks.
'Peace, FATHER; Peace to our visiting guests and friends; Peace, Every-one! . . .
'We are a part of GOD'S Creation, and all of GOD'S Creation is very scientific. It is very much in order, according to a system, just like our physical bodies when they are perfectly healthy and when they are perfectly balanced. Collectively, Humanity must work the same way each one filling our place in a great scheme of things.
'It is all working in Harmony and in Unity together, giving GOD all the Glory and Honor, letting go of selfishness, self preservation, and all the things that divide us, which cut us off from the Infinite Supply that is for us. We see the Power of GOD in the earth, especially in the Springtime and we are a part of that wonderful Creative Power. . . .
'As we conform to the Laws of GOD however we see GOD we know that GOD is all that is Righteous, all that is Just, all that is Good and whatever can stimulate us and inspire us to be like our Creator well, that's fine! We're glad this afternoon that we have people of different Faiths with us. It's a gathering of people with fundamental Faith in the fundamental GOD.
'FATHER created many righteous people. I just love to look in the back issues of The New Day and see all of the facsimile letters from people who had received payment of old back bills from followers. Also, the United States Treasury received money from followers in instances where followers could not find the people to whom they owed a very old bill.
'As individuals, we thought it was not necessary to carry Honesty that far, but FATHER really put that Honesty in us. It's a case of bringing the body into subjection to the Righteous Spirit of GOD, and you know, it's these Righteous Principles that really bring us all together. . . .'
'What I really want to say in this New Millennium, we must change from the old values to these New Values that FATHER DIVINE really established in the Peace Mission. That's why we thank HIM for coming fifty years ahead of time and establishing the Peace Mission, literally drawing people from all over the world, and literally from different walks of life, by His Magnetic Power by just being Who HE IS.
'As HE said, HE did not go Personally to any of these places in the world, but people were attracted and drawn to HIM supernaturally. FATHER created the Peace Mission with these Values, and I know these Values can be universalized these Values that we all admire. This is what generates Life and Youth. . . .
'Anyway, here we are, living in the year 2000. Truly, we can go on to see this world according to Jesus' Prayer to let the Kingdom come and the Will of GOD be done on earth. That's what I live for. That's what I like to see us all live for, so that we can all live on and enjoy the Abundance of the Fullness. . . .
'You know, as a Youngster, I believed that we are just what we were, and we couldn't change. We were told that we couldn't change human nature. But I AM so glad that human nature CAN be changed. We can be freed from our lower nature, and we can manifest the highest nature, which is the CHRIST in each and every one of us.
'I just think it's so wonderful that we all can be better people. We all can do everything that we thought we couldn't do not of ourselves, because of ourselves, we can do nothing. But through CHRIST, we can do all things!'
'I AM very happy to see the changes that have taken place since FATHER married ME in 1946. It's a great change! Most of all, I do enjoy the Consciousness that people are expressing today. It is so much more like GOD would have them to be expressing, and so much more like the way it should be here in America. We really should reverence this Holy Land. This IS a Holy Land!
'FATHER DIVINE is the most Noble American, because HE saw that this Country was predestined to be the Birthplace of the Kingdom of GOD I mean people coming together in Oneness. We are living to see it coming about. There is a big turmoil and many ups and downs.
'It's just like when you are going to put a new highway through. It looked better before you started than while it's being done. But after the work is completed, we see the results of whatever we had to go through the inconveniences and so forth to do it. I think this is what we are going through now. But I do know that we can certainly look forward to better times.'
A perennial visitor was next to speak. Mrs. Eve Thompson said that she was honored to be present. Before they were married, she and her husband were in England, and learned that interracial marriages were permitted in Washington DC, because FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE were married there. So they too, were married in Washington, fifty three years ago. She continued:
'FATHER and MOTHER go with us wherever we go. Our lives have been blessed. We thank you for the joy and the laughter that we share with you when we come here. It is such a Blessing, and so refreshing and I'm sure all of us feel that way.'
Rev. Ethel Boyd Williams is Pastor of the Celestial Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia. She and her husband, Rev. Williams, were seated at the Banquet Table. She read the inscription on a Plaque which she presented to FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE. The inscription extolled FATHER and MOTHER for the force They have exerted on America. In her presentation remarks she said:
'I thought about all the beautiful expressions of love coming from FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE, the great and marvelous Work that has been done in the hearts of most of you who are in this room, and the impact FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE have made on this, the United States of America.
'I am honored and blessed to stand here among so many prominent people from all walks of life, who have come to celebrate the Anniversary of these two great, momentous Creatures of GOD, Who care for others. They are People of Faith and Strength and Dignity. I love people! People ignite me! I get turned on when I see a gathering like this. I have the Love of GOD in my heart. Therefore I can appreciate this evening. I am grateful for it!'
Her husband,Rev. Williams, made these comments:
'This occasion tonight has shown us Unity and the thoughts of a great M-A-N, Who came before His time. We can see that what HE taught for fifty years Peace among the human race still stands. GOD called FATHER DIVINE for a particular Mission. And we can see the fruits of His Labor. Struggles will always be with those who are on the battlefield for CHRIST, who are willing to put their lives on the line for the Land, and we can tell from MOTHER DIVINE's Message, that FATHER DIVINE went all out because of GOD'S Revelation to HIM.
'This evening, MOTHER DIVINE, we are here, not only to encourage YOU to go forward in the Name of Jesus, but to continue to stand upon the Principles that YOU have stood on for all these years. May GOD bless this Millennium, and continue to bring us together in Unity not by race or theology, but by the love of the beloved brothers and sisters in Jesus' precious Name.'
Mr. Kenneth Gamble and his wife, Fatima, were among the guests present at the two o'clock Service. He is a song writer, and his company, "International Records," has produced thousands of recordings of popular music. Now however, after living briefly in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, he has come back to South Philadelphia where his roots are, to revitalize the area, and has formed another company, "Universal Community Homes," which is doing the work.
In his remarks, Mr. Gamble expressed Anniversary Greetings to FATHER and MOTHER and went on to say that he has done several projects "Universal Courts" with 32 Apartments, The Charter School, the Buildings at Sixteenth and Catherine Streets, and the Martin Luther King development and there will likely be more. He said:
'With the help of Almighty GOD, we are going to create something that will institutionalize a way of thinking. Many people have done what we are doing, but one ingredient is missing in their work. We are putting this missing ingredient into our work which is Sacrifice. Sacrifice is a frame of mind and a state of thinking. You have got to sacrifice a little in order for humanity to progress, because that's the most important thing.'
Mr. Gamble greatly admires MOTHER DIVINE. He stated:
'MOTHER DIVINE has attended the openings of all our projects. SHE has been very supportive of everything that we are doing. I really appreciate that, and the kind words that YOU say about us and with us, and when we are not present. I could not have a better representative than MOTHER DIVINE.'
Mr. Gamble, being of the Muslim Faith, operates closely with GOD, as he said:
'It makes a difference when you put GOD into the equation. When you take GOD out of the equation, America has taken GOD out of everything, and when you take GOD out of everything, then the whole structure starts to fall down. GOD is working. HE'S working! HE'S working in people. HE pulls people together; HE pulls people apart. HE is maneuvering. HE is handling everything!
Mr. Abdur Rohim Islam works with Mr. Kenny Gamble in his worthy endeavors to do a great job. He said:
'I have come to know YOU and Your Works through Kenny and the Institution YOU have built, and I know that the Peace Mission is a major part of what makes him 'tick.' So that I can be a better person, I need to know what it is that makes people do great things and continue to stay motivated to continue to do them. After I had been in MOTHER DIVINE'S Presence, I told my wife about it. She asked Who MOTHER DIVINE is. I told her that MOTHER DIVINE is the closest thing to Royalty that we have!'
Mario Bassetti and his father were seated at the Banquet Table. Mario is attending high school. He said that the Peace Mission is doing a good job of spreading the Word of OD, and that Kenny Gamble was doing a good job also in fixing up South Philadelphia. He went on:
'We are all one Being, one family, and we touch, and we spread our love to each other. Our sole purpose on earth is to unite with GOD to restore our status as a Son of GOD. There are three things to go by Truth, Love, and Simplicity.'
The three brothers from England were in the congregation Mr. Earnest Johnson, Pastor Norman Robinson and Mr. Andrew Barrett. Mr. Johnson arose to say that FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE have grown on them, and that "the more we see YOU, the more we love YOU." He made the statement to Mr. Barrett after his first visit to Philadelphia that he would not make the trip again, but he and Pastor Robinson have come five or six times, and this is Mr. Barrett's eleventh visit.
At the end of the Banquet Service, MOTHER DIVINE said:
'The various Churches in the various Countries really know that they are a part of this Marriage. It was after the Marriage that we saw many more Crusaders and Rosebuds. I thank FATHER for the way His Name continues to go throughout the world. Transient guests come from all over the world to stay at the Divine Tracy Hotel. One night we checked and discovered that people from twenty seven Nations were there under one roof, under FATHER'S Jurisdiction!'
Then MOTHER read a letter from "Patty" Pataraporn Sirikanchana who is on the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, who always remembers the Anniversary on April 29. Dr. Kathy McKeehan is serving at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust at "Jolly Grant" in Dehra Dun, India. She sent an E-mail message from India as follows:
'My love is with you all on this Special Occasion. And I am there in spirit even though you do not see me physically. May the love and joy which each one of you brings forth reach all over the world today and every day. I woke this morning feeling the excitement that you all must be having. If I close my eyes and try real hard, I'm sure I can see the joy in your faces and in your feet as you dance through the day!'
MOTHER congratulated Mr. Gamble and Mr. Rohim on their work in the Community and continued:
'FATHER never considered HE was confined to the Peace Mission. HE came to lift the Consciousness of People. GOD is doing the Work that needs to be done. Philadelphia was a Holy Experiment. FATHER declared that it is the Country Seat of the World not only because of the two Fundamental, Official, United States of America Documents being drafted and signed here, but also because of the Freedom of Religion in Philadelphia!'
An ornamented Place Favor was placed at each setting at the Banquet Table. It contained the full text of MOTHER DIVINE' S Millennial Message that SHE delivered on January 2, 2000. Its concluding words are:
'GOD is concerned about His Own about all those that have His Mind, His Spirit the Righteous Seed that is scattered to the four corners of the earth, in all their different States of Consciousness. And they are of all Nations, all Languages, and all Tongues, and all Peoples! We thank YOU, FATHER!'
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