Life with Father Divine

Schafer, Grace and Ruth Boaz

Published by Carlton Press Inc, New York, 1971

About this Item

215p, octavo. A very good + copy in a good dust jacket. Jacket has wear along edges - small chips, creasing and rubbing. Back cover is stained, not affecting boards, spine darkened. Boards are clean, minor edgwear. Touch of light foxing. This copy is INSCRIBED by author Grace Schafer on the first free end paper. Additionally laid in is a postcard featuring Father and Mother Divine and their message of international peace. A very scarce book, even more so signed, that provides insight into the inner workings of Father Divine's cultlike religious movement and daily life from his former secretary Ruth Boaz who tells of her life as a "divinite" along with providing an account of Father Divine's mysterious beginnings in the deep South, racial integration, and the Peace Mission Movement.

Father Divine (1876-1965) was an African American spiritual leader and founder of the International Peace Mission Movement - where he preached against sexism and racism - strongly advocating for desegregation. Considered by many to be a cult leader, he claimed to BE God. His origins in the deep South are shrouded in mystery, but in the 1930's and 40's he resided in Harlem and he and the Peace Movement were at one point the largest property owners in Harlem. He bought several hotels, which he called "Heavens" where he offered members of his congregation work and living accomodations. He was a very controversial figure, whose actions got him arrested, imprisoned, and even institutionalized in a mental asylum - but his charismatic message of an interracial paradise garnered him tens of thousands of followers during his lifetime.

Seller Inventory # 1130

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Life with Father Divine
• Publisher: Carlton Press Inc, New York
• Publication Date: 1971
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • UTOPIAN
  • AFRICAN AMERICAN
  • THEOLOGY