FATHER DIVINE'S Office Study at 128th Street, New York City
(The Secretary speaks firstly as follows:)
Peace, FATHER, this is Mr. M. Hermann.
FATHER: Peace, Mr. Hermann, take a seat for a few seconds
Mr. Hermann: This is my first time here and I was very anxious to see YOU to have a conversation with YOU. I was three times in New York; I could not see YOU. I am a builder by trade. I am old enough to do something better for better purposes. I want to do something for YOU, FATHER DIVINE.
I have a property on the west side from Albany, and I would like to see C- children from YOUR group, after finishing school, have recreation, and for adults too. And this is a marvelous recreation center— beautiful lake, natural lake, and I would give it away just like a present only I would not be able to give it as a present because I am not rich enough to give it away. I want to give at cost price and work for YOU for the rest of my life!
YOU will find I am a clean cut man, a navy officer— and why not have all kinds of people have pleasure, when C- children have to spend the summer in the New York heat! I have a place to place about two or three hundred youngsters.
FATHER: Maybe you do not know very much about MY Work, do you, and ME?
Mr. Hermann: No, not much. I would like to be informed and learn. If YOU will turn me to somebody who will give me instructions to work with YOUR Principles, why— (He pauses.)
FATHER: Yes. Well, I believe in Democracy one hundred percent.
Mr. Hermann: That is me too!
FATHER: I AM the inspiration of the Federal Civil Rights Law!
Mr. Hermann: Yes.
FATHER: Although it has not been nationally instituted in all states in the Union, but I AM working for Democracy, Brotherhood, Christianity, Americanism and Judaism as synonymous! I came to bring an abolition to all division. I came to unite the people together!
Mr. Hermann: That's right.
FATHER: I AM not what you said you would like to help. There is no such a race as a so-and-so race! You have been misinformed, as all other intelligent people have. But I declared Scripturally and also documentally,
"Out of one blood GOD created all nations of men for to dwell upon the face of the whole earth!"
Mr. Hermann: That's right.
FATHER: Therefore, I AM working to bring about a closer union with all people and to bring an end to all divisibility, so that there will no longer be a prospect of warfare and bloodshed and division and strife and uprisings, in the name of race riots and the like. I came to amalgamate all Nations, Languages, Tongues and all People! All division and the isms, they are all abominations in MY sight!
That is why people know Who I AM! Millions declare MY Deity and recognize MY Divinity, and by so doing they are blessed supernaturally mentally and spiritually for,
"I came as the poorest among men yet making many rich!"
Therefore, at this late date of our advanced civilization, to bring anything about race, creed or colors or having any special preference or consideration for anybody, only those that, I might say, whomsoever it may be that might be underprivileged and need assistance; but we eliminate all misery, disappointment and failure by amalgamation and by unification and by living our Constitution and by enacting the Bill of Rights; by living exactly according to the Declaration of Independence and by living our two religious documents, the Old and New Testaments; and by living our political documents; by standing up for the Constitution and its Amendments and the Declaration of Independence and by bring into being the promise of Abraham Lincoln, "that this whole nation might have a new birth of freedom under GOD"!
Mr. Hermann: That is wonderful!
FATHER: When this is done—
Mr. Hermann:(interposing) What I would appreciate— I wont take YOUR Time because I know YOU have a lot of people.
FATHER: It is true! I Know I said five seconds, but it was so impressive to have that privilege to convey that thought to you, so you can convey it to others, to let them know we are working for what we are working for, no doubt, in one sense of the word— but we are working for the good of all people!
Mr. Hermann: That's right, that is the reason. I am not young and I am not looking for riches. I want to see youngsters— as a navy officer I have seen so many thousands under my charge! Now it is just like I would like to see youngsters grown— and be happy! If YOU will be kind, FATHER, to turn me over to one of YOUR followers I will explain my point of view, what I have to do.
FATHER: You see, I do not allow MY Cars to go out— cars under MY jurisdiction and at MY Command to go out, unless they enact the Bill of Rights! Someone of your complexion and someone of a dark complexion– that is what I mean by Enact the Bill of Rights— to bring an end to all divisibility!
Mr. Hermann: That's right. That is the same. I like it very much. I have been with your people for so many years and . . .
FATHER: Who are MY people?
Mr. Hermann: (quickly) I mean brothers— we are all the same.
FATHER: MY people are the kind of people GOD made!
Mr. Hermann: That's right; it is created from GOD, that is true. In the Bible it says God creates all people alike, I know the Bible very good!
FATHER: Well, that is what I Am living by. That is what I AM doing— I AM building up a Democracy right here in this Country under the Constitution and its Amendments and in keeping with it and according to the Declaration of Independence!
Mr. Hermann: Yes, that is very nice. So when am I going to have a chance to come in touch with YOU, FATHER?
FATHER: Well, I would not be interested in creating warfare and bloodshed. As long as there is the prospect of creating restrictive neighborhoods and communities and localities divided from others, and not giving all the same rights, why, we are bringing a curse upon those who have to come after us!
Mr. Hermann: I know. It will be a chance to give anybody— to show them that— what I mean— to show them that place. I will be very happy to do it without any obligation and to show them what I mean to create for them!
FATHER: There are lots of charitable organizations maybe would jump at the opportunity or the privilege to get such an enterprise donated to them.
Mr. Hermann: (quickly) A donation alone I could not do it, because I am not so rich to give it away completely. I can help them to work it up for their purpose, for their future, and without anything from my own interest.
FATHER: Okay, well that will be all, Mr. Hermann.
Mr. Hermann: So will there be any chance to— ? (he pauses.)
FATHER: No, I don't know of anyone who would be interested.
Mr. Hermann: And for your own people?— I mean for nothing.
FATHER: I do not know of anyone who would be slightly interested.
Mr. Hermann: I know YOUR People bought the Riviera Hotel and some others.
FATHER: (smiling) That caused lots of people to think, did it not?
Mr. Hermann: So, any chance for me to see YOU, FATHER DIVINE?
FATHER: There were some people, there were about 500 of "MY People", it is true— the kind of people GOD made!— Some of the Jewish nationality, some of the Irish, some of the French, some of the Africans and an amalgamated body of American citizens bought the Riviera and not only the Riviera but more than half a million dollars worth of property just before that time!
Mr. Hermann: I was there three times and I was admiring the beautiful hotel.
FATHER: Yes, you are welcome to come, and if you comply with our rules and regulations you would be welcome to participate.
Mr. Hermann: I would like to participate and be YOUR follower and YOU would have good use of me because I have nothing else to do except to follow.
FATHER: Are you a retired gentleman?
Mr. Hermann: I am not completely retired. I have to look for something for myself and my wife— just look from day to day, YOU know.
FATHER: Yes. Keep the faith. All right Mr. Hermann, that will be all.
Mr Hermann: Is there any chance to see YOU again?
FATHER: It is your privilege, if you wish to attend the meetings. I haven't anything to give, I haven't anything to sell, I haven't anything to buy and I do not anticipate buying anything— but if anyone wishes to come to our public meetings and Banquets, or anything of that sort, and learn more of ME, MY Work and MY Mission, you are welcome to.
Mr. Hermann: I am glad to. I read a lot of YOUR Work and Mission and I have a lot of confidence in YOU.
FATHER: Yes, I have followers in all parts of the world.
Mr. Hermann: And it helped to bring me into YOU!
FATHER: All right. Peace!
Mr. Hermann: Goodbye, FATHER!
***************