MOTHER DIVINE
with visitors at The Shrine to Life at
The Mount of the House of the Lord
MOTHER DIVINE:
Peace FATHER, Peace Everyone: Before I begin the Service I would like to introduce to you, those of you who do not know who our very esteemed visiting guest is this is Archbishop William Francis who has been with us on many occasions and knows FATHER Personally very well. Archbishop Francis is now pastoring his own little Church Christ Church On The Mountain, which is just outside of Woodstock, New York. And he brought with him a co-worker called Benji and also a reporter from the Scribner Publishing Company, Mr. Joseph O'Shaughnessy, who is writing the story of Father Francis' life. He is here with his guest. We are very happy to have you all with us here today.
Now as we are about to begin the Banquet Service I would like to say this is our Holy Communion Service, those of us who are of the faith of FATHER DIVINE. FATHER has invited all to come and dine at HIS Banquet Table and they may just take this Service as a communal meal. These meals are similar to those that I am sure that Jesus and His Disciples enjoyed together. They were Love Feasts, they were joyous occasions and they were as they are today, bespeaking the type of world we live in and that we desire all humanity to live in a world where GOD is recognized as the FATHER of us all and we are all brothers and sisters. This Consciousness of the FATHERHOOD of GOD and the Universal Brotherhood of man, just that alone solves so many problems. It eliminates the divisions caused by races, creeds and denominations. Truly FATHER DIVINE and the Peace Mission Movement is universal in its scope, interdenominational and interracial, representing the One Family of GOD, and this is certainly experienced by all who dine at FATHER DIVINE'S Table.
FATHER DIVINE has become synonymous with feeding the people, and this wonderful way in which HE feeds them, not just the material blessings but the mental and spiritual blessings as well HE feeds them in abundance therefore HE serves the abundance of all of the meats, vegetables, salads, beverages and desserts. You may serve yourselves generously of some of all that comes to you. FATHER has taught us, though, that with all of these Blessings of GOD we must use them righteously the right-use-ness of the Blessings of GOD then we will always have them. So whatsoever you take, be sure that you eat all you take, for "A wilful waste will cause a woeful want."
As we dine we sing and praise GOD and free everyone to speak according to the dictates of their own conscience and as the Spirit moves on the altar of their heart and the Spirit provides a way for them to speak. In this way we are all satisfied. We can listen to GOD as HE Speaks sometimes through the most humble and most insignificant one.
We also are privileged to hear FATHER DIVINE'S direct Words as HE Speaks to us from the tape recording, or either as HIS Sermons and Lectures are read from the pages of The New Day. Those who have had the privilege of hearing FATHER Speak, they know that HE never Spoke from a prepared text, HE was always inspired by either a song that was being sung or a testimony that was being given or by HIS own Thoughts. And it is wonderful that we can enjoy this freedom to speak and to praise GOD and to give thanks and to hear GOD Speak from HIS Own Personal Lips, as also we can hear HIM as HE Speaks through HIS disciples or HIS temples as HE Spoke through the Disciples and the Apostles as recorded in the Scripture.
We are living in a wonderful day! as FATHER says, the time is at hand when HE can behold the ingathering of the people, and truly this is the Church of the Firstborn where the spirits of Just men are made perfect. So it is wonderful to know that we are in the Presence of GOD wherever we are, and that whoever is of the same spirit and the same mind, we are one with them in this great Cause of the Coming of GOD'S Kingdom here on earth where we can eternally enjoy Peace and Love and Joy and Happiness!
So we thank FATHER to proceed with the Banquet at this time.
During the Banquet Service FATHER'S beautiful Sermon was played as given by HIM during the Fifth Anniversary Review celebration here in Kingston, New York, June 17th, 1951 A.D.F.D. In this Sermon FATHER Spoke of the transmission of GOD'S Virtues to all humanity and it was listened to intently by Followers and Guests alike.
Later in the Service MOTHER DIVINE arose to give the visiting guests an opportunity to speak if they so desired.
MOTHER DIVINE:
Peace FATHER Dear, Peace Everyone: We do appreciate the privilege that we all have to be in the Presence of GOD, and do not just know it in our minds but know it in our hearts and in our innermost being, and truly when we really are conscious of this fully, there is little that any of us can say. We just desire to be still and let GOD act. As it was in the beginning of Creation when we were with GOD and lost in HIS Love, it was the Spirit of HIS Presence that moved out upon the face of the earth and brought all things into visible expression, and so it is in this day of re-creation when GOD is redeeming HIS Creation back to HIM, that we have the privilege to once again be lost in HIM, lost in the Infinite Love of GOD, and as we are, then HIS Spirit solves every problem, adjust every situation and brings to fulfillment all of the hopes and desires of GOD for HIS Whole Creation. It is customary in all of our assemblies to give our visiting guests an opportunity to speak, but I know that Father Francis feels as I just have spoken I know that he did want to greet you just briefly.
Archbishop (Father) William H. Francis:
Peace Everybody! Many of you will remember me from long ago. I think I am one of FATHER'S oldest, in point of time, one of HIS oldest friends. Way back in 1922 I visited HIM. I can't tell you how thankful I am to MOTHER for inviting me here that I could come here tonight. Sunday is a busy day with me. But to see the Spirit, I can see the Spirit of FATHER DIVINE is Present with us more than ever, and if you want to take the advice from an old friend, keep at it! You have what this whole world needs to be happy, holy, smiling, laughing and loving. You have all that. And I want to thank YOU FATHER. It has been a great privilege!
I promised MOTHER to go back to the Headquarters some time in the very near future and then I shall speak and you will probably get a little message from me in The New Day. Thank you, one and all.
MOTHER DIVINE:
Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY, would you like to have a word to say?
Mr. Joseph P. O'Shaughnessy: I really don't know if you want to hear from me or not. It is a very rare privilege for me to be here. I was very honored to meet MOTHER DIVINE last Thursday, purely by accident. What I have seen here is really very impressive, mostly just the happiness in the people is something to cherish. You don't see a great deal around you in the every- day world. I hope everyone can keep that Spirit! Thank you very much.
MOTHER asked Benji if he desired to have a word to say, adding if you don't care to, it's all right. He replied:
"Well, I am glad to be here. It is nothing like I expected but it is a wonderful feeling. It is not what I expected to find but it is much better."
MOTHER DIVINE:
Peace FATHER, Peace Everyone: This seems very simple and very logical but it took FATHER to bring it to our attention as with so many things that were so obvious around us, and this is, as it says in the Scripture: "Out of one Blood GOD created all nations to dwell upon the face of the earth," so out of one Spirit GOD created all religions, and the Fundamental Principle of Life and Love is the basis for all true religion, is one, and that is what makes us all one, and of course it's so wonderful to know that GOD is Love. The creative Force of Nature is Love. This actual physical Law or Spirit that brought us into being is Love, and all creation responds to this Love, and when it is put into expression from the various angles of expression, the angles that are necessary for our existence in the physical world, this is what FATHER did, you see. HE just didn't say, "I love you," but HE showed it in Deeds and in Actions. And when we just let go and let this Love express as it prompts us, as FATHER says, intuitively you are led to do things in the Spirit of Love; then that same Creative Force of Nature has access for expression through us and this is what makes us One in GOD and makes us know that it is not us in reality but it is GOD. This is what we feel here today and this is what we are thankful for, because it is no goodness of any of us but it is just the Love of GOD our FATHER that this all IS! So we thank YOU FATHER.
After the song, "Together in One, Together in One, Sweet FATHER has brought us together in One," is sung, our Beloved MOTHER DIVINE arose to speak once more as follows:
MOTHER DIVINE:
Peace FATHER Dear, Peace Everyone: Thank FATHER at this time to conclude the Service. I would like to remind everyone that they may take the little place card along with them. The little place card has a few words from one of the Messages of FATHER DIVINE a few thoughts on Our Marriage and what it means. I am sure that it can be not only mental but inspirational thoughts that you can receive from reading and thinking on these Words.
I understand that the buses will be leaving shortly as the hour is approaching for their departure; so I am sure everyone will be on time and not delay the departure of the buses. We thank FATHER that those of us who have dined will arise and pass out and pass on. Thank YOU FATHER.
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