AMAZING SCENES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 April 1937, Page 5

AMAZING SCENES

RELIGIOUS HYSTERIA IN HARLEM CHARGE AGAINST FATHEB DIVINE RELEASED ON BAIL [United Press Association— By Eleetrio Telegraph—Copy right] NEW YORK, 23rd April, Scenes rarely viewed here occurred at Father Divine's arraignment and release on 500 dollars bail on a charge of stabbing a white man in his “kingdom.” Several hundred police were required to keep order in the streets adjoining the court. Many thousands of negroes crowded the neighbourhood, and the authorities feared a riot. Divine pleaded not guilty, and said he had no knowledge of the stabbing. His “saint,” Mary Bloom, provided the bail. Great cries of “Peace, God” arose when Divine appeared in the street. Harlem itself was swept by paroxysms of joy and religious hysteria at the news. Divine made a triumphal procession by car through the city. Several journalists attempting to enter his "heaven” were mobbed and rescued with difficulty by the people. Anyone seen with notepapCr making noetes was in danger of his life. Divine’s followers screamed, “Don't write lies.” A ten-cburse “vidtbi'y” dinner was served in the “heaven." Some female follotvsr of Divine spent the night before the Criminal Courts and crying, “Peace. Divine is God.” Later in the day Divine himself Was compelled to caution the crowds of negroes in the Harlem streets against excesses. The police were obliged to confess themselves powerless. LONDON, 24th April. The quality and condition of the Brisbane Star and Maloja fruit shipments is high, and the trade is optimistic of a successful season. The first arrivals of apples at Liverpool by the Domeneus and Australia Star met with an active demand. TThe Jonathans were short of colour, while Cox’s showed a fair amount of bitter pit. .