FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE
NOTE: In the 1960s, public awareness had been alerted to the Social and Economic ills related to the problem of Overpopulation. A Population Council was set up, and MOTHER DIVINE was requested to serve on the Committee formed to direct a Grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. MOTHER DIVINE cooperated by setting forth this Treatise , which is a compilation of FATHER DIVINE'S Words.
This Treatise was distributed to many private persons such as President Lyndon B. Johnson, His Holiness Pope Paul VI, as well as to public educational institutions, religious organizations and Government agencies.
Now in 2004, FATHER DIVINE'S Treatise on Overpopulation is being re-published on the Internet by the Divine A B Cs-- Americanism, Brotherhood, Christianity-- at The Mount Of The House Of The LORD in Woodmont, 1622 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, 19035-1021.
It is being published to focus attention on this world wide problem with its correlated Social and Economic disorders, such as war, hunger, crime, child abuse and ravaging diseases hitherto unknown. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness, that his people might look and live, this Treatise by FATHER DIVINE is being presented to the world, that all might take it into consideration, and by so doing, Life, Abundance, a Clean Bill of Health, and a High Standard of Morality and Decency will be guaranteed.
The following four letters of transmittal, presenting the thoughts of MOTHER DIVINE, precede an outline of the problem of overpopulation. The Treatise On Overpopulation is presented as Part1, Part 2 and Part 3.
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PEACE
Woodmont, Gladwyne, Pa. 19035
April 2, 1967, A.D.F.D
Austin Norris, Esq.
Attorney at Law
l5l0 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
My dear Mr. Norris:
Thank you for conveying the request of the Population Council that I serve on the Committee formed to direct the Grant from the Rockefeller Foundation in the most practical way.
Overpopulation is a problem which FATHER DIVINE recognized many years ago and solved with a positive and progressive approach toward a constructive solution, as I feel the gentlemen of the Committee are well aware, or they would not have asked you to approach ME in regard to serving on their Committee.
The problem is urgent of a solution and far too important to simply refuse without an effort to assist those concerned. This problem is one that FATHER Personally took a great amount of time to psychologically combat, for HE beheld that Overpopulation produced not only a breeding ground for crime, but strangled before maturity the brilliant minds and healthy bodies that could otherwise be fruitful for citizens.
Having closely observed through the years of My association with FATHER Personally, His marvelous approach to and wonderful achievement in solving the problem for all of His followers all over the world, I have selected a number of excerpts from Sermons and Interviews that HE has given that explain how FATHER achieved a self-controlled, independent, prosperous citizenry which regards and reveres the synonymous Principles of Americanism, Brotherhood, Christianity, Democracy and true Judaism.
As I see it, the problem of Overpopulation, although more basic to human nature, is similar to the problem imposed by militant communism. It is a threat to our economic existence as well as our physical lives. Yet, it is fundamentally a psychological problem rather than a physical one. Change the way of thinking and the effect will automatically disappear. Hence, any energy expended in endeavoring to contain the effect physically is only a temporary sedative that creates side effects as great or greater than the initial problem. People can be taken from the slums but if the "slummy" mind is not changed, the same people will create worse and more dangerous slums. A good example is in some of the housing projects of some of our major cities.
The minds that create Overpopulation and slums are not confined to those in the lower income bracket and among the illiterate, but also among the more economically secure and the more literate minds that use, promote, advertise and propagate for profit the sale of liquor, drugs, tobacco, gambling, sex, etc., which rob the poor and keep them in a mental and physical slum condition.
It is significant, I think, that it is considered unethical for doctors who are supposed to heal the people, to advertise. Yet products which are known to be destructive to life, health and happiness of the people are continuously advertised by all known communication media. The people are actually being brain washed with vice, sex and degeneracy, under the guise of Democratic Freedom.
Is this Freedom, or is it Ignorance? If we curtail such as we know to be destructive, would we be curtailing LIBERTY or would we not be promoting LIBERTY? We are confronted with a psychological illness.
There is an undermining, communistic ideology pervading the Nation that wants everything it can get for nothing, including the right to have more children than the individual or the Nation can support. It may not be politically connected with communism, but it is the same dishonest mind that will not seek honest work or perform honest labor to benefit all humanity.
It has invaded the institutions that are the very Foundation of America. It has invaded the Churches with bingo games and other devices of gambling. It has invaded the business world with gambling, lotteries and games of chance. It has invaded the Government that is actually subsidizing through relief, Overpopulation to such an extent that some of the teachers have told ME that some of their students do not expect to ever have to work. They expect to be on relief as their parents are. Relief has become a breeder of Overpopulation.
This is the same communistic ideology which wants dishonesty, crime, slums, immorality and degeneracy to so demoralize the Nation that America as a Democracy cannot stand. This is psychological warfare and perhaps the greatest war that America has ever had to face, and it cannot be won physically. It must be won psychologically to produce lasting physical results that are good and positive.
It is a ridiculous paradox that those things which make the people sick economically, morally, mentally and physically are given mass advertising while those ideas which could make a great Nation of FREE PEOPLE with PEACE ON EARTH are stagnated because of the graft and greed and dishonesty of those engaged in degenerative businesses. I mean businesses that destroy the moral, mental, physical and economic health of the people.
Although the greatest and most imminent problem is among the lower income group, yet it is not entirely in this category that the problem exists just as acutely. It is a universal problem and requires a Fundamental Solution. That is the reason I deeply urge the members of the Council to consider the problem from an impersonal point of view as FATHER DIVINE has done, in order to solve it positively for all generations, rather than waste funds trying to attack it from a physical approach that leads to degeneracy.
In this respect, as I aforesaid, I have set forth the following compilation of FATHER DIVINE'S Words as a Treatise which I have prefaced with a brief outline. Of course, this is just a fraction of what FATHER has said through the years on the subject.
If in ten years, more or less, working against the most severe oppositions, criticism and ridicule, FATHER was able to lift this Standard of Morality and Economic Independence as HE has done, it should be far easier to accomplish on a national scale with the acceptance and approval of authority such as the members of the Council represent. In l932 thousands were on relief right in New York City alone. By 1942, many of them who had been on the dole, were joint owners of such places as Krum Elbow, Artists' Colony, the Kingston Mansion and Brigantine Hotel.
There is no question about it, only self-denial and self-control can in reality solve the problem. JESUS CHRIST said,
'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matt. 16:24)
It is not easy to pick up the cross grained ideas of Truth in opposition to the
versions of men. However, to build a society of honest men, patterned after the "first
born among many brethren"
that can produce a Universal Utopian Democracy, it is essential to start in this
generation--today--teaching, preaching, educating, exemplifying and above all
idealizing the self-denial of which Jesus spoke and FATHER DIVINE has reproduced
in millions of His followers all over the world.
That is the reason I desired to write to you, Mr. Norris, that I might adequately convey My opinion, for I AM convinced the enclosed Treatise of FATHER'S PERSONAL WORDS on the subject will give the Population Council valuable aid if they will accept of His Advice with open minds and an unbiased attitude, for in FATHER'S WORDS is contained the Solution to the problem.
Thank you again for having transmitted their request to ME, and if in the future any of the Council would desire to contact ME, you may let them know I would be happy to hear from them. I would especially be happy to have their opinions and yours in reference to the enclosed Treatise.
Thus, wishing you Peace and Many Blessings, I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
MRS. S. A. DIVINE (Better known as MOTHER DIVINE)
SAD:e
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Peace
Circle Mission Church
764-772 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Tel. PE 5 3917 May 22, 1967, A.D.F.D.
The White House
My dear Mr. President:
Enclosed is a booklet which is being sent to many persons in private and public educational institutions and agencies. Therefore, I wish to present a copy to you.
I realize that many problems confront you. However, the problems of our President are the problems of the people and I feel that the people, themselves, should contribute toward the solution.
This booklet deals with Overpopulation with its correlative problems of social diseases, poverty and crime that necessarily produce taxation.
FATHER DIVINE has proven His ability to solve, with positive benefits to all, this most urgent problem. HE has done it independently without the expenditure of public funds or private grants, while at the same time producing American citizens worthy of the name. Therefore, I have compiled this Treatise as a contribution toward the preservation of Democracy for which FATHER DIVINE has sacrificed His all.
Thus wishing you Peace and Blessings, I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
MRS. S. A. DIVINE (Better known as MOTHER DIVINE)
SAD:e
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Peace
Circle Mission Church
764-772 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA.
Tel. PE 5 3917
May 22, 1967, A.D.F.D.
His Holiness
Pope Paul VI
Vatican City, Italy
Your Holiness:
It is with respect and reverence for your Office and deep Personal sympathy for the problems confronting you that I write to send the enclosed booklet to you.
I feel that you will find your commendable position regarding Overpopulation strengthened by FATHER DIVINE'S WORDS on the LIFE of CHRIST.
In this time of tremendous ecclesiastical change, when the mind of carnality is trying to destroy all faith in GOD, close adherence to the LIFE and TEACHING of JESUS the CHRIST is imperative.
This is a crucial time in history and Christianity must not stand still. It must not remain in a dormant state. It must take the LEAD! However, it can only take the lead as Christians are willing to be self-denied, living in CHRIST and allowing CHRIST to live in them.
If we, as Christians, believe that Jesus Was and Is the Exemplifier of every VIRTUE, of Honesty, Competence, Truth and Chastity--then we should follow His Example and be fit Temples in which His Spirit can abide.
Hence, I desired to send you this booklet that you may be encouraged to know that FATHER DIVINE and millions of His followers in all parts of the world are standing with you in upholding VIRTUE and rejecting self-indulgence.
Just as Virtue went out from Jesus to heal the woman who touched the Hem of His Garment and the multitude that sought to touch HIM, so in this day this same VIRTUE will heal the world of every ill and solve every problem, if the multitudes will seek to Touch HIM Mentally and Spiritually by the Purity of their personal lives. There is nothing impossible with GOD.
Thus, I wish you Peace and Blessings and may FATHER DIVINE'S Words comfort you and give you joy.
Yours very sincerely,
MRS. S. A. DIVINE (Better known as MOTHER DIVINE)
SAD:e
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Peace
Circle Mission Church
764-772 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Tel. PE 5 3917
May 22, 1967, A.D.F.D.
Dr. Gaylord P. Harnwell
University of Pennsylvania
Spruce at Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
My dear Dr. Harnwell:
Enclosed is a booklet which I consider would be very valuable to you in your position. It is a Treatise on a subject that is a major cause of social disease, poverty and international crime, Overpopulation.
The determined effort of many people to eradicate the cause of world conflict and division of society has pointed out the problem of Overpopulation as most urgent of solution.
Years in advance of current necessity FATHER DIVINE solved this problem with dispatch. In so doing HE eradicated divisions that have separated people of the human race and united them as real Americans. HE did it independently without government assistance or private grants. HE has made faith in GOD, respect for Democracy and love for the Constitution of the United States alive in millions of His followers throughout the world.
I feel that no other person on earth has accomplished what FATHER DIVINE has done in so few years. Therefore, I have endeavored to convey the Principles and the manner in which HE has brought this about in the hope that all people will benefit by copying after this fashion. It will produce the fruit of International Peace with Abundance for all Mankind just as effectively as FATHER DIVINE has done for millions of us. Hence I wish to give you this book as a contribution toward the Preservation of Democracy and the Solution of its problems.
Thus, wishing you Peace and Blessings, I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
MRS. S. A. DIVINE (Better known as MOTHER DIVINE)
SAD:e
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"As in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, the cry for the solution to violence and the misery and poverty of the people in the world, has come before the Throne of Grace. FATHER DIVINE explains in a practical way how HE met and conquered the psychological, social and economic problems of the people to produce peace on earth with abundance for humanity." --MOTHER DIVINE
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"Tradition has a limitation. It had a beginning and it has an end, but GOD has no beginning of life and no end of days; therefore, we must follow HIM to advance. If we take it scientifically and inventionally, we cannot advance by adhering to tradition and being bound by orthodoxy, even inventionally and scientifically, because someone would say, 'Why, we cannot do more or better than our own ancestors did,' you see. Such an erroneous and limited mind would cause the disintegration of our civilization, but the progressive and advanced mind of our civilization from a scientific and inventional point of view would be progressive and would launch out in fields unknown, and would be inspired with things unseen." --FATHER DIVINE
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