Does anyone remember Father Divine (1876-1965)? He was a small (five feet two) African-American man who claimed he was God. He attracted thousands of followers even though he preached celibacy and denounced alcohol, smoking and gambling. His movement had chapters throughout the United States (mostly African-American in the Northeast and white, middle class in other areas.) Divine’s glory years were 1932-1942. In 1932, Divine was living in Sayville, N.Y. and was charged with disturbing the peace. Judge Lewis J. Smith described Divine as “a menace” and sentenced him to a year in prison. Shortly after the trial, Judge Smith died of a heart attack. Divine’s followers characterized this as divine retribution and Father Divine’s popularity soared. Father Divine moved to Harlem in New York, bought hotels and other properties to house his followers and operated low cost clothing stores (Very popular during the years of The Great Depression). Father Divine gave great feasts and banquets for his followers and those interested in his movement (cult?). The food was carefully planned. First there were platters of beans. Then came potatoes. These were followed by courses of collard greens, string beans, lettuce salads, etc. When the banqueters were stuffed, some meager platters of chicken appeared. HG recalled this at dinner last night. HG/BSK’s guest was the distinguished (and hungry) educator/historian/ novelist David F. With St. Patrick’s Day in the offing, BSK prepared traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage. Earlier, HG bought a robust piece of corned beef (properly brined and spiced) at Whole Foods. BSK placed it in the slow cooker with water, onions, garlic, pepper corns, bay leaves. Let it cook on high for seven hours. BSK prepared BSK’s perfect boiled potatoes (in their skins) and crisp sautéed cabbage (This wasn’t the sodden boiled cabbage prepared in the Irish and English manner). The table was set with five varieties of mustard; dill pickles and cornichons. Ample chilled Guinness Stout and Sierra Nevada ale. The corned beef was plucked from the cooker. Alas. It had shrunk into a very small size. Tender and tasty, yes. But, very tiny. A big platter was brought to table. Massive mounds of cabbage and boiled potatoes. Hiding behind them were a few demure slices of corned beef. A true Father Divine dinner.
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