The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1950-06-17
Acorns To Oak Trees

Nova
ment by man to obtain a religion that will aid him i
righteous struggle for livelihood, mbbing within
belief that the struggle for survival the of the Lord
These religious leaders or men OF letters that the
current search for new practical" religion stems
from our way of life which recognizes Supreme Being
They further cite that the complications and complexities
of our society intertwined the mind of to the
point that he seeks modern form of religion
Some Of the widely-known modern" form.
Of religion could be Christian Science Baha and Mos
lem The three generally propose that illness, feeble.
mindness and paralysis taboo If man leads Chris.
tan life.
On this premise the three carry terrific impact be-
their theories also directed at the basic needs
of mankind food. shelter and clothing. They also dis
courage the of medicine tobacco and alcoholic bev
Yet of these three only one fully consciously
seeks to directly purge segregation and discrimination
this is the Bahai fath-hoding that prejudice has
The Peace Mission Movement is another modem
form of religion that could be cited nonrestriced
more practical belief. 1t is headed by the self-hon
ored the Rev. M. J. Divine MsD., DID,, better known
as Father Divine.
The mission got national notice in the early years Of
the depression when its branches along the Eastern Sea-
board offered ul-course dinners at fifteen cents AL one
had to do to get his daily vtamns" to say Peace
It's Truly Wonderful. There undue preachment
or pressure to convert him into the fold.
Thousands that hungry for food well spirit.
ua thought joined the Mission with the conclusion that
such faith feed when in need then it must have
the sanction of God.
The Peace Mission grew a membership that mum.
bered into the of thousands until early in the past
decade when Father Divine was sought for "connvins
Fleeing several white women out Of estates totalng
several hundred thousands of dollars.
While the FBI could not bring formal charges against
Father Divre, the religious leader expelled from
operation in New York City During this time the Father
held headquarters in Philadelphia.
1t was through convincing the rich to donate to the
group that the Mission able to purchase fashionable
hotels and apartment houses in New York City, Phiade
pha and Atlantic City in which its members lodged
with separation of the and at below nominal
Four years ago, the leader again in the headlines
when he took unto himself white young Canadian bride
Much ado result of it. But recently the annversay
Of the wedding of the Lamb Gather Divne) and the
Bride was celebrated throughout the world
lin America but West far Zuerich Swtzand South
to Rio Abajo Panama; Southeast to Australia Father
Divine describes his mate "My Spotess Virgin BRIDE
Mean while, dinners at the Peace Mission branches
remain at the startling low pricethe average about fifty
cents The higher living costs partly betrayed
by the paying of what the diner feels is fair price Of
course those with small incomes pay only according
their means.
Many observers contend that Father Divine is opera-
ing his Peace movement business enterprise rather
than religious project Be that may thousands seem
to believe that the practical" religious that which
can offer food and shelter, besides spiritual guidance
is no small wonder then that Father Divine is spreading
all the Globe.
From these observations. could religious organ-
cations and ministers be falling short of the mark pro-
vidng modern methods and giving guidance to those in
their "hour of need?"