Correspondence between Rev. M. J. Divine and Archbishop Wm. H. Francis in 1937

GOD'S INVITATION

The Shrine to Life at
The Mount of the House of the Lord

PEACE

June 30, 1937 A.D.F.D.
Most Reverend Archbishop W. H. Francis
2 Rutherford Place
New York, N. Y.

Honorable Reverend Sir:

We are having an Evangelical Demonstration and Opening in the Divine Greenkill Park, Kingston, New York, on July the 8th and 9th, and you are cordially invited to attend in cooperation with our Evangelical method of lifting a Standard of morality for the people in the way of True Evangelism, teaching them by practice how to abstain from all intoxicating liquors, smoking and other immodest habits.

We will appreciate the honor of your presence, in accord and in keeping with our method of evangelical living, in refraining from smoking, drinking, using profane and obscene language. By the honor of your presence in cooperation, we hope to establish same more distinctly in the sight of the people for moral betterment generally.

We will have an opening, a Banquet and Demonstration on the above said dates. May I expect the honor of your presence in cooperation with MY endeavors, and may I receive you as MY Personal Guest?

The boat is leaving New York at 7 A.M. arriving at Kingston about 12:30 or 1 P.M. on July 8th. We are anticipating serving the Banquet around 2 P.M. in the Divine Greenkill Park, remaining up there at the above said place and at other Extensions until Friday, July the 9th. At regular hours we will serve the Banquet, to which you are cordially invited to participate, whilst you are our Guest. The boat will return to New York around 1 P.M. on July the 9th.

If it is not possible for you to visit with us the full length of the time of the outing, we will appreciate your visit as much of that time as it is convenient for you and those of whom you may bring.

With best wishes, 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,

REV. M. J. DIVINE

(Better known as FATHER DIVINE)

P. S. Please kindly drop ME a card and let ME know whether we shall expect the honor of your presence. REV. M.J.D.

Archbishop Francis' Letter of Acceptance

Two Rutherford Place

New York City, N. Y.

July 4, 1937

Dear Father Divine:

Peace! Many thanks indeed for YOUR very kind invitation to be YOUR guest at the opening of the new Headquarters in The Promised Land. It is in YOUR characteristic kindliness to thus remember me. I shall be very happy to accept YOUR invitation.

Father Victor and I will be at the Boat at the scheduled time, and we anticipate the happy time that we always have when we are with YOU and the faithful followers.

With all good wishes, I am

Faithfully,
William H. Francis
Archbishop

(Note) Archbishop Wm. H. Francis, however, upon request of someone, absented himself from the Demonstration.

FATHER'S Reply

PEACE

July 12, 1937 A.D.F.D.

Archbishop Wm. H. Francis

2 Rutherford Place,

New York City

My dear Archbishop Francis:

I received your acknowledgment of the receipt of the invitation and was glad indeed to hear from you, and to hear of your acceptance of the invitation with the hope of the pleasure of having you as our Guest on the said date, but did not see you nor any representative of yours and could not say just what had caused your failure to attend.

However, I hope you are well, healthy and happy. Nevertheless, matters not what may have been the cause of your failure to attend, I would highly appreciate an explanation that we also to MY Co-workers and friends, might explain.

Thanking you in advance for any information along the above said line that I might make any correction of erroneous thoughts concerning your failure to attend if necessary.

We had a wonderful trip. One of the best outings we have had in New York City, and everything was in perfect order, and the general public seemed to be deeply impressed, to the extent, that there were two or three thousand or more out to see us make our departure on the following evening.

I hope this will find you 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
REV. M. J. DIVINE
(Better known as FATHER DIVINE)

M. J. DIVINE, r.

Archbishop's Reply

Two Rutherford Place

New York, N. Y.,

July 15, 1937

Dear Father Divine:

I had hoped to get to see YOU and explain in person my failure to be with YOU as YOUR guest at the outing to the Promised Land. Circumstances entirely beyond my control prevented me from being with YOU. This I will explain when I see YOU. I had YOU in mind all the time, however, and deeply regretted not being there. It was my loss! The "other-fellow," as YOU so delightfully style him, seems to have a conspiracy to keep me from visiting the Promised Land. But he will not succeed. I am more determined than ever to get there. Please tell anyone who might have noticed my absence that it was unavoidable--and that nothing whatever could alter my high esteem of YOU and my devotion to YOUR noble cause of Righteousness, Justice and Truth.

Again thanking YOU for YOUR hospitable invitation and kindly solicitation and with assurances of my great appreciation,

I am,

Faithfully,

William Henry Francis

Archbishop