The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-25

ana the sincerity -
Of Ills followers
was bublicly DEM Fssnee Divlne
onstrated during the Communist
Peace parade here when thousands Of
marchers carried banners proclaim
ing:
FATHER DIVINE Is GOD"
As they marched, they chanted end
lessly, He is God. he is God. God,
God"
The main branch Of the 'king-
dom Of God" Is at 20 w. l15th street,
just few steps off Fifth avenue. It
u housed In five-story building that
gains . churchly air from its gothic
trimmings.
Worshippers about the door greet
every newcomer: peace, Brother.
Peace" to which the devout reply
1ervtdly: 1T Is wonderful"
Hymns Arc Jazsed
In the vestibule Is bedlam. From
the dining halls below, where Father
Divine daily feeds his flocks free
unless they can afford to pay fifteen
cents for his fried chicken and turkey
banquets-comes the clatter Of table,
ware and enthusiastic shouts OF
hymners singing. The hymns are
such improvised songs as II Can't
Give You Anything But Love, Baby"
parodied to II Can't Give You ANY
thing But Love, Father" On the
main floor is an auditorium. On the
upper floors rooms are available In
the dormitories ut 800 q week.
The traffic on the four flights
leading to the office OF heaven tes-
titles that Father Divine IS having
busy day. On the way up ono
reads:
Father Divine has brought peace
70 the Nation. He ID God"
II you keep his sayings you win
never see DEATH"
An enblazoned banner proclaims:
Peace: Father Divine IS the light
Of the world. The tres Of life Isl
Notwithstanding for one and all
49,. Father Divine. thank you, Faith
er."
Appearance Surprising
The repeated evidence Of devotion
makes the appearance Of Father Di.
vine all the more surprising. Short
and stocky, his bland face holds at
tention only because Of the sad quality
Of his eyes. He Is almost bald. and
wears . scanty moustoche that Is
hardly noteworthy. His blue broad
cloth shirt Is wrinkled, his striped tie
much worn. and the Impressed state
Q: his gray suit. needing ! cleaning,
testifies that he doesn't lavish money
on his personal needs.
His office lacks the evidence Of
showmanship that distinguishes his
"banquets" and rallies-and his red
airplane appearance over Harlem on
Easter Sunday. It Is furnished with
worn parlor chairs and lounges and
hasn't even one window.
At first he makes the interview Diff
ficult, because he objects to answer.
ing questions answered many times
before, but Z question about his size
turns the tide.
Explains Deification
i've never been measured, because
I don't bear record" he says. but Il
feel that I'm 5 feet T." He looks
shorter than that, however.
A sign standing on the floor sug-
gests . question. It reads: Father
Divine Is God, lord Of lords, king Of |
kings and will live forever"
These followers call you God, Fa-
ther Divine. Do you feel that you are |
God7"
He Is visibly embarrassed and
hesitates before answering.
THE principle Of God Is incarnat-
able In another" he explains. MY
followers see In mo the personification
Of God. Il you mean Is my body
Gods, am not God. But the true
principle Of life Is not the person but
his ideal. And ! try to unity myself
with the infinite WHOLE"
Where does he get the money to
carry on the work.
THE spirit OF the consciousness OF
the principle Of God = the source Of
III supply and viii satisfy every de-
Sire" he explains evasively. Il have
the keys 70 the treasure Of the earth.
I have III the money ! need"
The facts prove the truth Of this
last statement. He either owns O.
leases more than ! dozen pieces Of
valuable New York City real estate.
For more than two years he had fed
thousands Of persons twice daily,
without cost 70 the diners.
Several times when he has rum afoul
Df the law because Of the vcciferous
enthusiasm q his services-once In
9ayvtlle, i. l.. and again In Newark,