FATHER and MOTHER DIVINE
at a Holy Communion Service
The Holy Communion Table
at the Nazareth Mission Church, Philadelphia, PA.
The Annual Joint Business Meeting of the Nazareth Mission Church, Home and Training School of Pennsylvania and the Peace Center and Nazareth Missions' Home for the Aged, Church and TRaining School of New York City was called to order by the President, Miss Emily McConnell, by the singing of a beautiful inspirational composition. After the enthusiastic singing had subsided, Miss McConnell spoke as follows:
Miss McConnell; Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! According to the By Laws of this Church, we are required to read the Constitution, Discipline and By Laws in their entirety at every Annual Meeting. We will call on some of our officers to do this for us. Mr. Samuel has agreed to read the first section. Mr. Samuel will you come forward?
(Mr. Samuel comes forward accordingly and reads a section of the Church Constitution, Discipline and By Laws, followed by three other officers who read consecutively until the By-Laws were read in their entirety, after which the President spoke again as follows:)
Miss McConnell: That ends the reading of the Constitution, Discipline and By Laws of this Church, but before going on to a change of subject, I wanted to read and stress two particular By Laws that it seems to me lately we have been a little inclined to forget; that is due to members of the church not being familiar with the By-Laws. Now one comes under nominations. Of course, we know that if we have the unspeakable privilege of the Presence of the Personal Body; that Presence of the Personal Body of GOD transcends all By-Laws and Constitutions and everything else because FATHER DIVINE is GOD! And if HE calls upon us to do anything, whether it is in line with the Constitution or not, it does not make a bit of difference! We are privileged to do it! But sometimes we don't have that privilege or perhaps the day will come when we see that FATHER is always giving us the privilege whether we know it or not, but the fact remains that sometimes the Body is not always present and in that case we are absolutely dependent on our By-Laws, Constitution and Discipline of our Church just as the government of the United States depends on its Constitution.
And we, particularly the officers of the church, must be very careful that they are absolutely in line with this little book which seems to me very wonderful. This little book, it certainly was written by the Spirit of FATHER DIVINE! Well now, here is a By-Law. I am not here to interpret anything, but I want to read this to you. This is the first one which we seem to be — last year we seemed to be in danger of forgetting, if you cast your mind down to some of the meetings last year.
"These By-Laws are not to be considered fixed or final but may b repealed or amended at any time as the unfoldment of the Christ in us dictates. However, any amendment shall be first submitted to the Pastor for approval, after which it may be placed before any regular or specially called corporate meeting of the Members."
I am sure you all get the point of that. We are all free to suggest amendments to the Constitution with the condition that we have first consulted our Founder, Bishop and Pastor. And we all feel that it is a privilege that we would never neglect, a great privilege to consult with FAATHER on any subject. Of course nobody will fall short of that if they know that that is one of the By-Laws. Now there is another one, in speaking of nominations for officers and it also has the same condition, that any step out into the fresh fields, naturally would be a step taken after consulting our Lord and Savior!
Now we are blessed here in America for having Him with us! I don't know how foreign churches would endure a thing like this. Now they have the cable and they even have the telephone, so it could be done; and as long as it is in the By-Laws, we, as members must fulfill it! But as I say, if FATHER DIVINE walks in, then HE has charge of everything and according to His Infinite Wisdom HE can walk right over the By-Laws if HE wants to, as far as we are concerned. We love HIM to walk over everything!
Now this is the next By-Law. It takes up two pages and it is under nominations. It speaks . . . I won't read it all, but it speaks of bringing it up to FATHER'S attention and it says:
"Should FATHER DIVINE choose to make no comment on any nomination (that is when it is brought before HIM Personally, before the meeting) it shall be placed before the meeting with such fact noted on the nomination paper and distinctly announced every time the Candidate is named. It shall then be the duty of the members to follow there highest intuition as to the election of such a candidate."
Then it goes on.
"Should FATHER DIVINE make some comment, such comment shall be recorded on the paper bearing the nomination and it shall then be place before the Meeting for action with such comment distinctly announced every time the nominee is announced."
Now fellow members, you can see the great protection in that By-Law, can't you? I don't think there is a dishonest person within the sound of my voice. I fact, I know there isn't! But one might come in sometime and they might carry a thing before the Meeting in a rush and before we knew where we were, the thing might be carried. That is why we must stick to our Constitution and our By-Laws if we want the protection of our Constitution and our By-Laws, you see, and we need the protection if we haven't the Presence of the Personal BODY of GOD! But if we have the Presence of the Personal BODY OF GOD, we don't have to worry! HE will take care of it all! Now this is the part I want to stress:
"Nominations for the office of President shall be in the same manner as prescribed for the nomination of Trustees, and shall be submitted to FATHER DIVINE for comment in the same manner."
That would
be for all meetings. Go and talk it over with FATHER and see if HE likes the idea. If HE does, bring it before the meeting. If HE doesn't like the idea, you are still able to bring it before the meeting if you want to, but I am sure you wouldn't want to. That's all that touches that point, children. I think it is wise to stress that. Every time that anything happens, that looks to me, officers, if we were going a little bit off the track, well then we all know is is easier to get back on the track before we have gone very far. Now that ends the reading of the Discipline, Constitution and By-Laws of the church. May we have a song of praise now? We will have a song of Praise to GOD ALMIGHTY, FATHER DIVINE. Thank YOU, FATHER and Thank YOU, MOTHER.
(As Miss McConnell took her seat, the congregation sang the following composition:)
Behold, behold, behold, the people is One,
The People is One!
And they have all one language,
And they have all one language
And this they begin to do.
Now nothing, nothing, nothing will be restrained from them
Which they have imagined to do!
The LORD said that nothing, nothing,
Nothing will be restrained from them,
Nothing will be restrained from them,
Which they have imagined to do!
(At the conclusion of same, Miss McConnell continues as follows;)
Miss McConnell: We will open our regular business meeting, having fulfilled our obligation to read the Discipline, Constitution and By-Laws of the church in their entirety. And we shall now open the business part of our meeting by reading the forty-sixth Psalm. It is in Roman numbers, that is why I am taking so long. Psalm forty-six:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
"Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of GOD, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
"GOD is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: GOD shall help her, and that right early.
"The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
"The Lord of hosts is with us, the GOD of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
"Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He hath made in the earth.
"He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. "Be still, and know that I AM GOD: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
( The meeting continues as follows:)
President: Could we sing another song? (At this point, the audience enthusiastically sang the following inspirational composition titled: "It s blessing to be here with the Lamb and the Bride! So glad, so glad, so glad!" followed by remarks from the President as follows:)
President: I'll go on to the business part of our meeting according to our agenda. The first on the agenda is the reading of the Minutes of the last meeting and it is to be read by a secretary. Miss S. Child not being here at the moment, I am going to ask one of the secretaries to read the Minutes for us.
(At this point one of the secretaries did so accordingly, and the business part of the meeting got under way.)
President: You have heard the Minutes read of the last meeting. A motion is in order that we accept those Minutes as read if anybody would care to make a motion.
A Member: I make a motion that the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting be accepted as read.
Another Member: I second the motion.
President: It has been moved and seconded that we accept the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting as read. All those in favor, will you signify in the usual way by saying Aye?
Members: Aye.
President: And by the raising of hands?
(All hands are raised unanimously as the President continues:)
The Minutes of the last Annual Meeting have been accepted unanimously. Next on the agenda is the Presidents report. I shall ask Miss Ruth Love, one of the secretaries, to read the Presidents report.
(The secretary reads accordingly but speaks firstly as follows:)
Secretary: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! Thank FATHER to read the Presidents report as follows:
Peace!
Annual Report of the President, Nazareth Mission Church, Home and Training School Inc., of Pennsylvania, 1600-1614 West Oxford Street, Philadelphia, PA. and of 13-17 West 128th Street, New York City.
Nazareth Mission Church cooperates with Peace Center Church and Home of Newark, New Jersey and of New York City in maintaining Peace Center and Nazareth Missions Home for the Aged, Church and Training School, Inc. at 13-17 w. 128th Street, New York City.
Nazareth Mission Church has also two subsidiary foreign churches, one in Sydney, Australia and the other in Vienna, Austria. Both of these churches were dedicated by our beloved Bishop, Pastor and Founder, Rev. M. J. DIVINE, Ms. D., D. D. several years ago. Like all churches under the Peace Mission Movement, these churches celebrated the Seventh Anniversary of the Sacred Marriage of the Lamb and the Bride, spoken of by Saint John in the Book of Revelation.
The officers, trustees, co-workers and members of this church give endless praise and adoration to FATHER DIVINE, GOD Almighty, for presenting Himself on this earth plane, in His beautiful Holy Body and for presenting Himself in the beautiful Holy Body of MOTHER DIVINE, our beloved Virgin MOTHER and His Spotless Virgin Rosebud Bride. This was done to awaken from the dream of mortality and false versions into the recognition and experience of GOD'S true versions that all personalities may be swallowed up in Principle.
FATHER, we realize that your part is done and it is for us to let go and let YOU have YOUR Way to keep us within YOUR Holy Will, living exactly according to the Sermon on the Mount.
Dear GOD, put YOUR Spirit within us as individual members of this church because we know that it is only Your Spirit that can do anything. Your Spirit, in the degree that we have lived the Life and kept the Faith, has blessed this church to conclude another year in happiness and prosperity, free from debt, all bills paid and all work carried out on a cash basis, although no gifts, donations nor love offerings have been accepted. Donations are accepted only from members of this individual church and although the congregations are large in our Church Services, no collections have ever been taken.
The vibrations are high in our church services and many healings have taken place.
The Holy Communion Services, where the best food available is served and where your healing and saving Messages are read and heard by transcription through wire recordings, are served regularly throughout the day and the church has fed, clothed and sheltered many.
Regular Righteous Government Meetings are held every Friday evening in the church auditorium where various phases of righteousness in government are discussed.
No salaries are paid to co-workers or church officers. They realize the healing and regenerating power of being allowed to be co-workers with the Lamb and the Bride, Who serve humanity day and night and have never accepted a penny for Their tireless labor for all humanity. Because of this policy in Your Churches, we can truthfully say, that churches of the Peace Mission Movement of FATHER DIVINE are the only one hundred percent charity on earth. We understand that it was predestined to be,
"The LORD is my Shepherd. I shall not want"
Surely every word of the Shepherds' Psalm is being fulfilled daily by the Body of GOD, FATHER DIVINE, GOD Almighty.
The building is being heated generously, for the comfort and convenience of those living here and for the public whom we consider are our brothers and sisters.
Much work has been done on the building during the past year, necessary repairs and new pipes supplied where needed and much painting done.
It is a marvel to those who manage the financial affairs of the Church, how all this is done, if they try to figure it out materially. But we know that the LORD is our Shepherd and YOU work through Spiritual Law to supply all our needs according to the abundance of the fullness of all good things at Your disposal.
FATHER. we realize that we are worshiping Perfection, Perfect GOD, including Perfect Creation, just one unit, the Lamb and the Bride, Good and very Good. Virgin Holiness and Holy Virginity expressed on the earth plane as the Lamb and the Bride; Perfection, filling all space and instantly available to destroy any false version of its absence. Surely that is love beyond comprehension of personalities. FATHER DIVINE, MOTHER DIVINE, just being, resting within Your Own Omnipresence and infinitude and responding to every call made upon You by those who recognize You as a unit that is Perfection.
We, the members of Nazareth Mission Church, love You FATHER and MOTHER, and praise Your Holy Name— GOD.
Lovingly and reverently submitted, Emily McConnell, President.
President: You have heard the reading of the President's Report.
A Member: I make a motion that the President's Report be accepted as read with any necessary corrections if there be any.
Another Member: I second the motion.
President: It has been moved and seconded that the President's Report be accepted as read with any necessary corrections. All those in favor may signify in the usual way by saying Aye and by the raising of your hands.
(Aye resounded throughout as a sea of hands filled the auditorium.)
President: The President's Report has been accepted. We thank FATHER. And now, next on the agenda, we come to the Annual Report of the Treasurer. Miss Ann Sterrett is not here at the moment and we will ask the Assistant Treasurer to read the Report for us. ( The Assistant Treasurer comes forth to read speaking as follows:)
Asst. Treasurer: Peace FATHER: Peace MOTHER and Peace Everyone! I thank FATHER at this time to read the Treasurer's Report.
Peace! - Nazareth Mission Church, Home and Training School, Inc., 1600-1614 W. Oxford Street, Philadelphia, Pa., for the fiscal year ending February 12, 1954 A.D.F.D.
The Nazareth Mission Church, Home and Training School is engaged in both religious and charitable activities. One of its chief concerns being the sheltering of the aged and the infirm.
All of the affairs of the above church are conducted on a non-profit basis. Yet no collections, no begging, no borrowing nor soliciting whatsoever is done by the above church at any time. The upkeep of the building and the support of the aged are provided for solely from voluntary contributions from immediate members. The church accepts of no donations from the public, except for material services rendered, such as meals, lodging, use of church cars, etc.
The church is free and clear of all debt. All taxes have been paid up to date. Cash is paid in all monetary business transactions and for all items purchased. There are sufficient funds on hand to meet present expenses.
Although, the church in the past, has not discriminated against merchants and mercantile establishments, they have of recent date, adopted a policy of not trading with those merchants and establishments that print, advertise or sell the book known as "FATHER DIVINE: Holy Husband". The officers of the church realize the above mentioned book was written for the purpose of hindering and bringing to an end the humane work carried on by the Peace Mission Movement. Yet even the general public has conceded social upliftment, as carried on by the Peace Mission Movement, is a necessary work in these times.
The Church gives its sincere thanks and gratitude to FATHER DIVINE, our Pastor and leader and to MOTHER DIVINE, His Spotless Virgin Bride, for their help and guidance in furthering the humane work of the Peace Mission. May we continue to be worthy of YOUR consideration.
Respectfully Submitted, Ann Sterrett, Treasurer
President: You have heard the Treasurers Report. A motion is in order to accept the Treasurer's Report if that be your desire. Will someone make the motion?
A Member: I make a motion that the Treasurers Report be accepted as read with any necessary corrections.
Another Member: I second the motion.
President: It has been moved and seconded that the treasurer's Report be accepted as read, with any necessary corrections. All those in favor of accepting the Treasurer's Report will you please signify in the usual way by saying Aye?
Congregation: Aye.
President: And by the raising of your hands? (Hands were unanimously raised.)
President: It has been unanimously carried, as all of our motions have been, up to this moment. It is a good time to thank FATHER for Unity, children, isn't it? Sometimes it seems as though we are not accomplishing so much if we unify, because it doesn't take so long, but we are accomplishing much more, aren't we, because we have HIS Promise to come to the rescue if we slip if we are trying to unify!
Next we have the Report of the Branch Church which in on 128the Street in New York, as you know. Now if there is a secretary of the Branch Church present, will she read the Report? And if not, we will have one of the regular secretaries read it. I think we will call one of the regular secretaries to read it. I think we will call upon one of our secretaries to read it— Miss Perfect Love.
(Miss love stepped forward to read the Report, speaking as follows:)
Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! I thank YOU, FATHER to read the Report of the Branch Church of New York City.
Peace! Annual Report of the Peace Center and Nazareth Missions Home for the Aged, Church and Training School, Inc., 13-17 W. 128th Street, New York City.
For this past year this Church under the Spiritual guidance of our Founder, Bishop and Pastor, FATHER DIVINE, has endeavored to rescue the perishing and care for the dying by the thousands through the service of our Holy Communion banquet tables. Our doors are open to whomsoever will, that they may come in and break bread with us. There is no compulsion that one must become a believer of this faith to dine at the Holy Communion tables. All that is required of anyone who enters our Holy Communion Halls is to exercise FATHER DIVINE'S International Modest Code which quotes,
We also have what is known as the Buffet Nook that those who cannot attend our regular banquet services at the scheduled times, may go there and feast lightly until the banquet service time. It is our conviction that through the recognition of the Fatherhood of GOD that the brotherhood of man is established, and this has brought us together in the unity of spirit, of mind, of aim and of purpose. We find that as we dine together as one big happy family without regard to race, creed or color, the spirit of real true Americanism, Democracy, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism synonymously are in evidence.
The Church also maintains a home for the aged for both sisters and brothers with separate housing accommodations. They are fed, clothed and sheltered through the love and kindness of those who have endeavored to be helpmates to our FATHER in HIS great work and mission.
This Church considers it a great blessing and privilege to be able to give to the general public Father's and Mother's words of Spirit and Life by way of the wire recording machine. These words are given to us by Father gratis and as freely as we receive them so freely do we desire to give them to others. Thus we are truly grateful to You , our Redeemer and Maker, for the mental and Spiritual food for our minds as well as the material food for our bodies.
On Monday evenings at 9 P. M. a Bible Class is conducted for those who desire to study the Bible. Then on Tuesday evenings at 10 P. M, there is held in the Chapel the Rosebuds Devotional Service. On Friday evenings at 8 P. M. we have our regular Righteous Government meetings where we discuss topics of interest in our government as well as other governments. We also have educational movies for children and adults without charge for all those who may be interested.
Through Father's blessing, this Church provides free schooling for all those who may desire an education. It is free to the followers as well as to the general public. There is also a Commercial class that gives a complete course in secretarial training to those who are interested in securing a business career without any fee.
The Church provides a free Employment Courtesy Service to the employer as well as to the employee, without charge. This service is not confined to the followers of this Movement alone, but to the general public as well. Everyone is required to give references that are in good standing. The employment office provides a Nurses Registry which is available for service at any time, day or night, for those who may be in urgent need of help. This employment service is open from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M., Monday through Friday.
The services of the teachers, employment staff and co-workers are given gratis, and no charge is made for the use of school rooms, heat or light. The Church undergoes continuous repairs and modern conveniences are installed that the Church might be kept in first-class condition.
We also thank You, for Your Rosebud Choir, who by the transmission of Your Holy Spirit, provide the music and inspirational compositions which depict so explicitly Your Work and Mission here on earth among the children of men.
We, Your children, in humble submission do thank You for the Personification of Perfection that You have put before our minds eye, Your Spotless Virgin Bride, MOTHER DIVINE. We are so happy to see that in Her deeds and actions She produces what is true service to GOD. We thank You for as Perfect as She walks before You, Her Maker and Redeemer, even so perfect do we, Your children , desire to be the same. We thank You and appreciate the living sacrifice of Your Holy Body to emancipate the children of men all over the world, that we may live an abundant life of peace and prosperity.
Humbly submitted, Your Co-workers at 128th street, New York City.
President: You have heard the Report of the Branch Church, the Peace Center and Nazareth Missions' Home for the Aged, Church and Training School, Inc., of New York City; a motion is in order to accept this Report. If anyone cares to make a motion, it is in order.
A Member: I make a motion that the Report of the Branch Church be accepted as read with any necessary corrections.
Another Member: I second the motion.
President: It has been moved and seconded that the Report of the Branch Church be accepted as read, with any necessary corrections. All those in favor will signify it in the usual way by saying aye?
Members: Aye.
President: And by the raising of your hands.
(All hands were raised in unison)
President: The Report has been unanimously accepted. Next on the agenda is the election of Officers and it would seem fitting now to have a little break for praise of our Lord and Savior FATHER DIVINE. Will someone play for us? Thank You FATHER and MOTHER Dear.
(In the midst of the beautiful praise service the King and Queen of Virginity and Holiness Personally arrived with a part of the staff and entered the auditorium. As the audience thunderously cheered and applauded, they took their seats on the rostrum. And when the cheers finally subsided, the President came forward and spoke as follows:)
President: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! FATHER , we have finished reading the reports but we haven't embarked on the election of officers yet. FATHER, we always want YOU to conduct the meeting. Everybody on earth would want YOU to conduct the meeting if they had a chance to have YOU. It is just a question whether FATHER in His Infinite Wisdom wants to do it or not. FATHER is obedient to His Spirit and we want just what His Spirit dictates, no matter what it may be. So, FATHER, I will sit down for a few moments, hoping that YOU will get up. (Amid loud applause, FATHER still sitting, sweetly says:)
FATHER: We will have a selection. (The Choir, with the audience joining in, vigorously sang, "FATHER DIVINE, YOUR Works We Crown" after which FATHER arose to speak as follows, to the delight of one and all.)
Peace Everyone! At this instance I have arisen to say, as usual and at all times, I have been called upon to conduct the meeting. I AM happy to know I have taught you in the way of wisdom and led you into the right path! Therefore, the conduction of the meeting as has been, should be by the ONE Whom you have requested to conduct it. But I AM sure you have not drifted away from the Universality of that ONE and the Impersonality of that ONE! Therefore, if all be true and are living accordingly, I will conduct the meeting not only this evening, but at all times. I have heard you say "Let the Holy Ghost have its way!" And if you be true, self denied and a living sacrifice to GOD, since GOD is without and within, Impersonal, Incorruptible and Undefiled, I may conduct the meeting through you! Aren't you glad! ("So glad Almighty GOD!" shouted the vast assembly.)
The time cometh and now is. personality and individuality will no longer be in the consideration, but Impersonality and Unindividuality of the Reality of GOD to the children of men will be in evidence in all places and in all spaces, especially under the jurisdiction of the Peace Mission Movement! I mean the FATHER DIVINE Peace Mission Movement. Then if you desire to give ME the honors. as you seemingly do; but from a Personal point of view, I have been called into consideration, I wish to say, the Personal point of view is not the great essential, but keep personality and individuality out of existence and give vent, access and expression and privilege for the Spirit to operate, to act and to react and unfold Itself as it was predestined to do! Since the meeting has been called to order and the Church Discipline and By-Laws have been read, it is still in order that you make the election of new officers, if any, or replace those whose term expires at this meeting. We customarily make the election, as you know, as a blanket election or as an election individually. Those whose term has expired at this meeting, I desire to put them before you and you before them, to decide definitely if you desire to have them themselves or would you desire to have others elected to replace those whose term expires.
If you have any nominees, when you have heard the minuets— in other words, the roll call of those whose term expires— it is your privilege to make your selection if you have any and present them and we will pass on them according to the parliamentary laws of the Church. We are going to ask the secretary to read those whose names are on the record as having terminated at this meeting— for their services as officers and trustees of this Church.
We do not want you to feel bound nor obligated to any person,especially, not to your Humble Servant, but I do desire to have you feel free! If you desire to make any election of any other person to fill this office I AM filling, it is your privilege to do so. And not only so, but if you desire to elect any other officer or any other trustee to fill the place, or places of those elected, those whose term expires at this Annual Service, you have the right and the privilege to present your nominee and especially if you feel as if though you have someone more suitable, more eligible and more qualified otherwise to fill the office of whatsoever office they may be filling, we will hear from the Minutes and the record of the names of those whose term expires at this meeting.
Secretary: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! Thank FATHER for the officers to come forward as their names are called so you may know who they are.
Officers:
President - Miss Emily McConnell, Vice President - Miss Love J. Gold, 2nd Asst. Vice President - Miss Faithful Love (Spruce Street), Secretary - Miss S. Child, Asst. Secretary - Miss Perfect Love, 2nd Asst. Secretary - Miss Ruth Love, Treasurer - Miss Ann Sterrett, Asst. Treasurer - Miss Faith Endurance, 2nd Asst. Treasurer - Mr Righteous Determination.
Trustees:
Miss Philip Love, Mr. Little David, Mr. Peter Lamb, Mr. David S. Heart, Mr. FAith Victory, Mr Peter King stone.
(Miss Child concludes by saying,"Thank YOU, FATHER.")
FATHER: Do you have any nominees you would desire to have elected to replace these, the officers whose term expires at this meeting? If you do please present your nominees. (As there was no response, FATHER continues speaking.) Speak now or hereafter hold your peace. Officers, trustees and members alike, you all have the privilege to present any nominee you desire to fill office in this Church. If you desire to have anyone replaced, it is your privilege to move to that effect.
A Member: Peace FATHER Dear! Peace MOTHER Dear! FATHER Dear I would like to make a motion that our beloved MOTHER DIVINE be elected President over this and all Churches under the Peace Mission Movement.
MOTHER DIVINE: (rising on Her feet immediately thereafter): Peace FATHER Dear! Peace Everyone! I thank FATHER at this time to decline that nomination, because the position, I feel, that I hold in relation to the Churches under the Peace Mission Movement, is that of a spiritual nature and not of a temporal nature. Thank YOU, FATHER. (As loud applause resounded, another member arose to speak as follows:)
A Member: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! I move at this time, if no one else has any nominee, that all the officers and trustees be re-elected.
Another Member: I second the motion.
FATHER: Peace Everyone! It has been moved and seconded that all the Officers and Trustees whose term expires today, be re-elected to replace themselves. All in favor of it, let it be known by the usual saying, Aye.
Members: Aye.
FATHER: And by the raising of your hand. ( as all hands were raised unanimously, FATHER says:) Members and trustees and Churches all combined, all hands carried it and I had it. I thank you.
President: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! May I make a motion , FATHER,before adjourning the business part of our meeting? The most important of all elections must be spoken of, children, that election was made before the Foundation of the world. Our Beloved Founder, Bishop and Pastor, the Rev. M. J. DIVINE, Ms. D., D. D., has been selected and elected to Rule and Reign on the throne of our hearts and minds and over every thought, word and deed forever and ever! We know HE is GOD! We love and adore HIM as the LAMB and we love and adore the Church Triumphant, Personified, His Spotless Virgin Rosebud Bride, that sits by His side! Let us stand on our feet and express our unanimous vote of love and unshakable confidence in HIM, our Founder, Bishop and Pastor, who with HIS Spotless Virgin Bride . . .
Before the President could finish her speech the audience jumped to their feet and began cheering and applauding and shouting to the top of their voices with adoration and praise! When it finally subsided, the President continues speaking.)
President: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! I didn't quite finish. Just something I was reading. "Let us stand on our feet and give unanimous vote of love and unspeakable confidence in HIM, our Founder, Bishop and Pastor, who with His Spotless Virgin Bride, serves this Church and all the world day and night with never a penny of remuneration of any kind." We thank YOU, FATHER, and thank YOU, MOTHER.
(As the President resumes her seat, the congregation sang the following inspirational composition:)
We are happy now! Happy now.
Since we found our Holy Loving FATHER!
We are happy now! Happy now!
We love HIM, come what may, praise GOD!
We are happy now! Happy now!
We are happy now!
The "Other fellow's" forsaken,
Our hearts are awakened
And we are happy, happy, happy now!
(The Officers and Trustees as they stand now, are:)
Officers:
President - Miss Emily McConnell, Vice President - Miss Love J. Gold, 2nd Asst. Vice President - Miss Faithful Love (Spruce Street), Secretary - Miss S. Child, Asst. Secretary - Miss Perfect Love, 2nd Asst. Secretary - Miss Ruth Love, Treasurer - Miss Ann Sterrett, Asst. Treasurer - Miss Faith Endurance. 2nd Asst. Treasurer - Mr Righteous Determination.
Trustees:
Miss Philip Love, Mr. Little David, Mr. Peter Lamb, Mr. David S. Heart, Mr. FAith Victory, Mr Peter King stone.
Additional trustees (not to be elected)
One Years Service:
Miss S Child, Mrs. Love J. Gold, Mr. Daniel Lucy Star, Miss Ruth Love, Mr. Righteous Determination, Miss Faithful Love.
Two Years Service:
Miss FAith Endurance, M. Peaceful Samuel, Miss Truthful Martha, Mr. LaVe re Bestir, Miss Faithful Truth.
(MOTHER DIVINE speaks as follows:)
Peace, FATHER Dear! Peace, Everyone! I thank YOU, FATHER DEAR, that we appreciate YOU for being just WHO YOU are, GOD Almighty! And being just WHO YOU are, YOU are not confined to the Pastor ship of this Church alone and not only the Churches under the Peace Mission Movement, but we know that YOU are the Guiding Light and Inspiration to all religion! But at this particular moment FATHER Dear, I want to thank YOU for the Nazareth Mission Church that has branches in various countries throughout the world! And tonight we are privileged to have with us Miss Roma Graver, who is an active member of the Nazareth Mission Church, Home and Training School, Inc., of Sydney, Australia; and we thank FATHER if she so feels moved to give us a volitional report on the activities of the Nazareth Mission Church in Australia, we would be very glad to hear from her.
(As Miss Roma was sitting in the balcony, MOTHER sweetly says:)
While she is making her way to the rostrum, I thank FATHER that the Choir sing, "Old Glory Is Flying In All The Nations, Just As It's Flying Here!" Thank YOU, FATHER Dear.
A few of the Australian Rosebud Choir.
Miss Roma is second from the left.
(The Rosebud Choir in accordance sang the inspirational composition as follows:)
Old Glory is flying in all the nations,
Just as it's flying here!
In Australia, New Zealand, Africa and England
In Panama, Germany and Switzerland!
Americanism is being practiced
In our daily lives,
We're living a Democracy true;
By the Spirit of the Consciousness of the Presence of GOD,
All Nations fly the Red , the White, the Blue!
(Miss Roma, who is presently visiting the Unite States, speaks as follows:)
Peace, FATHER! Peace MOTHER and Peace Everybody! FATHER, I know everyone of us back home in Australia do realize that this is really a remarkable, a miraculous privilege that we can be represented here tonight, just to thank YOU for Your Spirit that is Everpresent with us in the Church. Not just sometimes but always! And not just in a misty kind of fashion, but so very tangible that it acts for us and it spreads right around the building and all around about us there!
FATHER, YOUR Church in Australia is active and the love in it for YOU and for MOTHER and for this Life is truly active! We seemingly haven 't many people there in numbers, although, when we have Wedding Anniversaries there, we seem to come from all over. We have such a lot of people there. But those who come are devoted to YOUR Purpose and active in it.
We have a banquet every Sunday. We meet in the afternoon about 4 o'clock and we praise and then we have banquet at 6 o'clock and we go right through until ten in the night. And the tables are just like the tables, as you know them. It is just another arm of it all, and it is always set up like that. All through the week it is always set up and we Rosebuds look after the table and nobody else! It is just kind of our personal property, as it were, for our care and attention. And on the Saturday nights, as you all know, we have been blessed through the last year. We were blessed to have the Devotional Hours every Saturday night. And just as one of YOUR Nazareth Mission Rosebuds, FATHER, we could never thank YOU enough for YOUR Spirit and for MOTHERS Spirit that came through on those Devotional Hours. Not only for our personal pleasure, but for all those in the Church. Everybody there was really and truly thankful to FATHER and MOTHER for all the Devotional Hour Services.
But just as far as the activities are concerned there is also a Bible class every Tuesday afternoon and that is followed on Tuesday night by a meeting, where people will stay on and have a banquet and praise; then we have the Wedding Anniversaries always in an outside hall; and last time we had it nearer to the Church. And then on Christmas and holidays, we keep them up, all American holidays, we try to have something special just to make us feel we are true Americans. (Loud applause resounded from the congregation.) So we have been trying to get closer and closer to what has been going on here around FATHER'S Body! And I don't think I can say more about the activities.
Last year we were privileged to go to Melbourne, with the Rosebuds Banner, in our suits; and the people in Melbourne saw our suits for the first time. We visited all the Churches. and also in Melbourne the hall in the City where they had weekly meetings in the City. And so that was our excursion abroad. And so it goes on, and people drop into the Church which is about half an hour from the City, from the heart of the City, and they have been blessed thereby; and it is also a blessing for the people who come over from Melbourne on their holidays because it is difficult in Sydney with those two million people to get accommodation, and particularly the kind of accommodation that FATHER'S people like to have. So FATHER, I think that's about all I can say about the activities.
I just want to thank YOU for YOUR Spirit that has kept us the way It has; and just for the example that YOU might see in me, I want to thank YOU for it— just however little it is; and truly, so it is with us all. We just Love YOU and are trying to do it, although sometimes we would give an awful lot for YOU and MOTHER to walk in, and we never kind of give up hope about that! We know we have read YOUR Words where YOU say these things, but we still know the power of Love is pretty big, and so, we are trying. We always can try and love and praise YOU! We truly do praise in Sydney and I kind of know how, I feel. And more than all that, I want to thank YOU for YOUR Spirit that has kept us wanting to live this LIFE, because it isn't so easy away from FATHER'S Body, but it is just that HIS Spirit is so great, that IT gets you and IT keeps you in IT, it doesn't matter what you might think you might do! We haven't activities every night in the week like you have here and we can't have an occasional peep at FATHER even in a passing car, but we have HIS Spirit that keeps us in this LIFE! And so, I want to thank YOU for that!
And FATHER, while I am here, I want to thank YOU for every Church. Not just the Nazareth Mission Church but every Church; because truly, it is wonderful how I have been in these different places and been able to find shelter in them, proper shelter in them wherever it has been all over America and all over the world! So I want to thank YOU for YOUR Example, the Example of YOUR Spirit through the Churches and the way they are a sign of the Power of FATHER'S Spirit, these churches. Thank YOU FATHER. Thank YOU MOTHER.
(As Miss Roma concluded speaking, loud applause resounded and the congregation sang the following inspirational composition:)
On land, on the Land,
On the Sea, on the Sea,
In the Air, in the Air.
FATHER'S Spirit is Everywhere!
On the Land, on the Sea and in the Air
FATHER'S Spirit is Everywhere!
HE stays with you wherever you go,
A sweeter Companion you never will know!
On the Land , on the Land,
On the Sea, on the Sea,
In the Air, in the Air,
FATHER'S Spirit is Everywhere!
(At this point the Rosebuds gave a short demonstration, firstly by marching with the American Flag and the Rosebuds' Flag to the inspirational composition, "Our FATHER has accomplished the mission for which HE came", then they skipped down the aisles and up the aisles of the Church, then marching in position, then later came to a halt and stood at attention as they sang with the audience joining in, our "Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag", after which they marched again to the inspirational composition which is as follows:)
"We will keep the Flag of Liberty waving high,
By living our Constitution and our Bill of Rights"
By fearlessly standing for the rights of every man,
And establishing Justice and Truth as real Americans!
Through expressing our citizenry of a True Democracy,
We'll have the force of power that's International Victory;
Eventually the symbol of the flag of the free
Shall be seen in every land! Americanism! Christianity! Democracy!
(After a few more inspirational compositions were sung, the President stepped forward to speak once again as follows:)
President: Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! Peace Everyone! FATHER, we want to give YOU our wholehearted thanks for coming to us tonight in YOUR Beautiful Personal Body. FATHER, YOU talked to us about transcending YOUR Personality and it is my experience, FATHER, the more I transcend YOUR Personality, the more wonderful YOU become, because YOU fill all space, FATHER. Transcending YOUR Personality is simply changing our limited versions of HIM, changing our limited versions and dropping our limited versions and seeing HIM in all HIS Glory as filling all space! Then we will have no personality there, but I believe we always loved the Body because that Body is our personal SAVIOR.
But, FATHER, I don't think we are making the mistake of limiting HIM to HIS BODY! I don't think any of the followers make that mistake. Transcending personality means to come up over something and if you come up over something, you go into something wider and more wonderful and more beautiful, which is GOD ALMIGHTY, FATHER DIVINE! I want to say this:
YOU are the sum total of Perfection! Our King , our GOD— GOD ALMIGHTY! And YOU include YOUR SPOTLESS VIRGIN BRIDE— our beautiful and adored MOTHER! YOU fill all space! YOU fill all time! Eternity is YOUR dwelling place! From everlasting to everlasting YOU are GOD! YOU are not standing upon anything, but YOU are something to stand upon if there was anything that needed support! But there is nothing but YOU! YOU! YOU! As we transcend or come up over our limited versions of YOU, we will see more and more clearly YOUR ALLNESS and ONLYNESS, YOUR ONENESS and YOUR PERFECTION! Thank YOU, FATHER and MOYHER.
Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! PEACE Everyone! It is now in order to make a motion that the business part of the meeting be adjourned. If there is any second to that motion will someone make the motion and will someone seconded it if it has the approval of the meeting? Now it is in order to have the motion— a motion that we adjourn the business part of this meeting. Someone care to make the motion?
(As there was no immediate motion put before the meeting, the President said:) Nobody wants to go? (All laugh merrily, a member speaks as follows:)
Member:Peace FATHER! Peace MOTHER! I make a motion that the business part of the meeting be adjourned.
Another Member: I second the motion.
President:It has been moved and seconded that we adjourn the business part of this meeting. That doesn't mean that we can't stay here all night and praise GOD if we want to! That's up to FATHER , isn't it, children? So we adjourn this part of the meeting. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.
Congregation: Aye.
And by raising the hands. (As hands were being raised, FATHER raised HIS two beautiful hands, which brought a big laugh from the audience,)
President" The motion has been carried, very much been carried. We are adjourning the business part of the meeting. I thank YOU, FATHER! I thank YOU MOTHER!
(As the praise meeting got under way, FATHER arose and said:)
FATHER: Peace Everyone! Continue the meeting as long as the spirit within says.
(FATHER and MOTHER made Their departure from the auditorium.)
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