MOTHER DIVINE
at the Circle Mission Church, Philadelphia
Secretary: Peace, FATHER DIVINE, this is Reverend Sullivan.
FATHER: Take a seat a few seconds.
Rev. Sullivan: Thank YOU, FATHER.
FATHER: This is MOTHER DIVINE.
REV. Sullivan: Peace.
MOTHER DIVINE: Peace, I Am very pleased to meet you.
FATHER : The others are a few of MY Secretarial staff.
REV. Sullivan: I see, I think several years ago I met YOU. I was an assistant at Abyssinian Baptist Church under Rev. Powell.
FATHER: Yes, I mentioned you the other day.
REV. Sullivan: And my wife was here. I think we had dinner here several years ago.
FATHER: Anyway, you made your acquaintance and was known to be Rev. Powell's Assistant.
REV. Sullivan: That's right; I knew YOU would recall. He has the highest regard for YOU. I am pastoring in Philadelphia now at the Zion Baptist Church at thirteenth and Wallace Streets.
FATHER: I see.
REV. Sullivan: I know YOU know something about the crime wave in our community and we are concerned. When I say we, I mean myself and several others have discussed about doing something to curb the criminal influence that is pervading our city, particularly midtown.
I was able to secure the mayor's reception room this evening for a meeting, to discuss the ways and means to counteract the situation. The persons I am concerned about— that I was concerned about being there, were P.T.A. presidents; in other words, FATHER, I am concerned about the people— the ones that can meet the problems— the persons that live in these vicinities. It would not be done by the higher-ups, but by the people. Because the meeting is being held tonight, YOU may think this is being far fetched, but I just wanted to come and let YOU know what we are trying to do and see if you could concur with us in what we are trying to do. I guess YOU wonder why I am coming, but that is all.
FATHER: It is perfectly all right. I consider any effort, not only a minister of the Gospel, but any citizen can make for moral betterment generally and eliminate vice and crime, if it is just to speak a good word or convey a thought, we would be happy to do so.
Rev. Sullivan: Whatever direction the meeting will take, I do not know, but I will make this clear tonight. As a preacher am not very— well, I guess I am adequate but that is about all. But it has to remain non-partisan. I don't want it to be partisan. I want it to be a move of the people. I want it to reach down to grass roots, down to the community level. I want it to be in cooperation with the police and the police in cooperation with the people. In many instances it hasn't been true; that we can wipe out the speakeasies as much as we possibly can, and get some sanity to our law in the State; and frankly that is the reason I want to know if YOU concur with it and if YOU will pray for the success of it.
FATHER: Well, you will have My best wishes and cooperation from a mental and spiritual point of view and so long as you, as one of the main representatives are sympathetic and harmonious to ME, as I often say, I can reach the condition through the people. It is not anything I do as a Person, but there are those who are thinking along those those lines, if it is for the benefit of salvation for a man in Europe, Asia, Australia or any place, if they direct their thoughts sympathetically to ME and harmoniously think along those lines, as the psychologists may consider or convey a thought by mental telepathy, we know the Spirit of GOD'S Omnipresence and Everpresence is transmitted from one to the other for the betterment of all concerned through and by the minds that are in one accord. So it is a wonderful thought. I believe and feel sure we can co-0perate together even if you do not see ME Personally.
I had an invitation from Congressman Powell last Sunday to a meeting that was in New York. Unfortunately, I could not get there in Person directly, but incidentally I did call MY Churches there to respond and they did respond and I have on wire recording Dr. Powell's speech from there at the time. So I believe a great work has been done. I AM fanatical enough and radical enough to believe that whatsoever a person desires can be accomplished, since prayer is the hearts sincere desire, unuttered and unexpressed.
Rev. Sullivan: (dynamically): It's wonderful! It's wonderful!
FATHER: It is wonderful! I AM very happy to see you again.
Rev. Sullivan: Happy to see YOU, too.
FATHER: Not only in this particular issue, but in anything that is for the welfare of humanity generally, we are happy to co-operate as well as in the work that you are endeavoring to do locally.
Rev. Sullivan: FATHER, may I say one more thing, because I know Your time is limited and I don't want to take up too much. I am wondering, would it be possible if I could state tonight— if I had a message of some kind stating that YOU are concerned about this thing?
FATHER: Oh, yes.
Rev. Sullivan: (enthusiastically): That will be wonderful then, and I can announce it! That will be wonderful!
FATHER DIVINE
at the Circle Mission Church, Philadelphia
FATHER: Yes, you are welcome to quote ME as saying I AM deeply interested in the welfare of the community and in your effort to bring an end to vice and crime locally as well as we are trying to combat it nationally and internationally.
Rev. Sullivan: (dynamically and volitionally): That is wonderful! Would it be possible for me to have a telegram? I will pay for it!
FATHER: That's all right.
Rev. Sullivan: I mean, I would, because if I have just a message . . . (Rev. Sullivan offers FATHER money to pay for the telegram and FATHER refuses, saying:)
FATHER: No, I wouldn't take it.
Rev. Sullivan: It costs money. The meeting is going to be at eight o'clock in the Mayor's Office in the reception room.
FATHER: If a telegram is sent there, it can reach you about eight thirty?
Rev. Sullivan: It could be sent to my home. I am leaving my home about seven thirty.
FATHER: What is your address?
(Rev. Sullivan gives FATHER his address.)
FATHER: All right Reverend.
Rev. Sullivan: Wonderful! Well, it is wonderful!
FATHER: Truly Wonderful!
Rev. Sullivan: It is good to see you looking so well, too.
FATHER: I AM feeling fine even though I haven't relaxed. I was up all night last night in Newark and I just arrived here about, I think it was a little after eleven o'clock.
MOTHER DIVINE: Yes, it was after eleven, FATHER Dear.
FATHER: Yes, it was between eleven and twelve o'clock. and I started right away. Quite a few were here to see ME and I stated interviewing right away; and as you were coming at the time, I tried to rush through that particular list I had called.
Rev. Sullivan: Thank YOU. Thank YOU. I hope to be able to come and see YOU again.
MOTHER DIVINE: Yes, whenever the spirit leads you to come.
Rev. Sullivan: Well, it did. I remember I came to 41st street and I spoke and I sat at FATHER'S left about five or six seats from HIM.
FATHER: Yes, we enjoyed your visit, and I just spoke about you a few days ago.
MOTHER DIVINE: YOU certainly did, FATHER, and I didn't recall Rev. Sullivan.
FATHER: What is the name of your organization?
Rev. Sullivan: It is going to be called the Citizens Committee Against Juvenile Crime, and I happened to be the . . . well I am starting it.
FATHER: Well, if you be persistent like your . . .
Rev. Sullivan: Like Adam? (Referring to Rev. Adam Clayton Powell)
FATHER: Yes, it will be wonderful!
Rev. Sullivan: Well, YOU are wonderful, FATHER.
FATHER: Be persist ant in your ambition and you have MY co-operation.
Rev. Sullivan: Thanks a lot.
FATHER: You are welcome: Peace.
Rev. Sullivan: Peace.
(Later on in the day a telegram was sent to Rev. Sullivan worded as follows:)
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Telegram
March sixth,1955 A.D.F.D.
Telegram to
Reverend Leon Sullivan
3731 North 18th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Be assured of MY wholehearted support
and best wishes in your righteous
endeavors for I AM deeply interested in
the welfare of the community
and in your effort to bring an end
to vice ands crime locally as well as
we are trying to combat it
nationally and internationally
Reverend M. J. DIVINE
Better known as FATHER DIVINE
Sent at 4:00 P. M.
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