Father Divine’s Interview with three ministers: Rev. Asbury Stromberg, N.Y. East Methodist Conference, Rev. J. E. Bell, Vancouver, B.C. Rev. J. S. Bonnell, Winnipeg, Manitoba at Father’s private office at 20 W. 115th Street, New York City, N. Y. on Sunday, May 31, 1936 at 9:00 p.m.
Among the thousands who pressed their way into FATHER’S New York City Headquarters, were visitors from many different parts of the world, including one from far-away Korea. One who came and waited long for a Personal interview with FATHER, was the Reverend Asbury Stromberg, of the New York East Methodist Conference. He sad the various branches of the Methodist Church, such as the M. E. and the A. M. E., and others, were attempting to come together and eradicate such divisions, but certain factions strongly opposed such action because of racial prejudice. This, he wanted to discuss with FATHER.
Before this interview was reached in the midst of FATHER’S many Personal Activities, however, two Ministers from Canada arrived, seeking to contact FATHER Personally. These were Rev. J. E. Bell of Vancouver, B. C., who said he had visited the Peace Mission in Vancouver, and Rev. J. S. Bonnell of Winnipeg, Manitoba. In order to save time it was agreed that the three Ministers should see FATHER together, and after Rev. Stromberg had discussed with FATHER briefly, the proposed unification of the Methodist Church, the following conversation took place:
FATHER: I cannot Say how others feel about it, but I feel it is a great step towards bringing about the Universal Brotherhood of man for which we all are contending.
Rev. Stromberg: People in YOUR Work have no race consciousness.
FATHER: Well, they have forgotten it, to go that far.
Rev. Stromberg: They must.
FATHER: I recalled just then, one of MY Followers testified last evening in one of our demonstrations — where, before he knew ME — he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and he said before he knew ME he would not even use a handkerchief like that. It was a white handkerchief, don’t you know. He said he had so much prejudice he did not want anything that was CALLED white. But since that time he has learned to love every man the same, and risen above races, creeds and colors and such mortal limited conceptions or expressions as that, and he can declare now his at-one-ment with his Maker because he recognizes the at-one-ment with his fellow brethren. We cannot be one with GOD unless we are willing to be one with our fellow brother.
Rev. Stromberg: FATHER, may I ask YOU one other question? What do YOU teach of evil, its nature, and the reality of it? Is it personal?
FATHER: It is impersonal. Yes, it is impersonal, but of course, such impersonal influences can be incarnated in individuals, and the impersonal influence can influence the persons that are brought into subjection to such influences — but it is impersonal.
Rev. Stromberg: Would YOU say that evil is what happens to us when we are away from GOD, or is it something more positive than that? When we go away from GOD do we come into something else that is real, that is evil, or is it just the separation from GOD? [Read more…]