Father Divine

It was published in The New Day from March 29th, 1952.

In Father’s private office of the Circle Mission Church, Home and training school of Pennsylvania.

764-772 Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Saturday Morning, March 22, 1952 A.D.F.D. at 9:40 a.m.

Father: Peace.

Mr. Star: Peace, Father dear.

Father: How are you?

Mr. Star: Father, this is brother Star in Oakland, California.

Father: Yes, Mr. Star, how are you?

Mr. Star: I mailed you a letter regarding that airplane trip advertised in The New Day.

Father: Yes, I just see it here in my mail. I haven’t had time to read it yet.

Mr. Star: Father, the company said they got an interview with you and I want to get your approval on it, that you said we could go on with them.

Father: On the airplane trip?

Mr. Star: They said they saw you and had a talk with you. I mailed the telegram to you and we want to get your approval to see if it is correct or not.

Father: No, I haven’t seen them personally.

Mr. Star: Well, we just wanted to find out if you approved of that ad and we wouldn’t want to travel on that plane unless we get your approval. Mr. Willing Heart said for us not to pay any attention to that ad in The New Day because that ad is nothing but a false. So we don’t know what to do, Father, whether we should make reservations with Mr. Willing Heart or with the company in The New Day?

Father: Well, I did not put the ad in.

Mr. Star: I see, Father.

Father: I just saw the ad the same as anybody else and I have not been personally interested in the ad. I haven’t been travelling by plane.

Mr. Star: I see Father dear.

Father: It is up to the individuals, whomsoever wants to travel that way. Of course, it must be authentic since it is in The New Day as a public advertisement.

Mr. Star: I see, Father dear. All right then, we want to co-operate with Mr. Willing Heart.

Father: Say what?

Mr. Star: Is it all right to go with Mr. Willing Heart?

Father: Well, it doesn’t make any difference to me.

Mr. Star: Well, myself, I want to do what you say, Father. I have your spirit, but then I want to know if the Sky Ticket is okay to travel with?

Father: It is up to the individuals to travel in any way they choose – in whatsoever way would be the most reasonable to go – whatsoever they would prefer.

Mr. Star: Yes, Father dear.

Father: I don’t bear record exactly which would be the most reasonable for them.

Mr. Star: I see, Father dear. All right; that is why I called because I wanted to get firsthand information from you, God Almighty. It is not because I am in doubt of myself to fly in the air, on land or anything, but I did not want to go against your spirit or your wishes.

Father: Sure.

Mr. Star: So that is why, Father dear, I wanted to hear from you.

Father: Well, so long as everybody is in harmony with my mind and spirit and will do the thing that is the most practical and profitable and the most constructive, it would be all right.

Mr. Star: All right, Father dear.

Father: Peace.

Mr. Star: Peace, Father dear.

Below are a few examples of numerous correspondence addressed to Father Divine personally and also his responses to them. Letters poured from virtually all over the world from people seeking Father’s blessings, advice, support or simply expressing their love for Father Divine and sharing their stories of faith and conviction. Father’s secretarial staff was sure kept busy sorting through all that mail given that he tried to reply to as many of the letters as possible.

Segregation in Florida

Miami Beach Florida

Feb. 24, 1952

Peace

Precious Father and Mother dear:

Thank you, dear God Almighty, for your sweet holy beautiful body that we love and adore.

Father dear, the buses started to run again. So, on Thursday you blessed  me to go to Fifth Place, Miami. When I got on the bus I sat down, not thinking. The bus driver did not say anything to me until a man got on and said something to him. Then he turned around and said something to him. Then he turned around and said, “You!” I did not know he was talking to me. He said, “I am talking to you! ‘So-and-so’ people are supposed to sit in the back of the bus.”

We thank you Father, for you presence here, for your presence has brought freedom from every angle to the world at large. Father, I told him, and all that were on the bus, “Such as this is the cause of all the disasters in these United States, because they are not united, but divided”. I moved after telling them what I did tell them. Some of the people nodded their heads and said, “You are right.”

The driver did not want me to sit up front. He told me he did not make the laws, that they were state laws. After that, I felt sad and had to thank you to keep me from crying. Father Dear, I am so glad that you are here, dealing in the affairs of men. They will not be able to do as they have done.

Thank you, Father dear, I got to the little mission. Outside, there is a sign, “Father Divine’s Peace Mission” – on the door, “Peace”. We thank you, Father Dear, for the day when “Peace” will not only be on every door, but in every heart all over this world. When I found the address, I was so glad to see the word “Peace”. I met some of the sisters and brothers from Philadelphia.  I was glad to see them there and they were glad to see me. I thank you Father. I got the letter you sent here. Thank you, sweet darling savior. for your great love. Thank you, Mother dear. Thank you, Father dear. I love you.

Your child,

Glorious Hope.

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