Based on extracts from his speeches throughout his life
Earlier installments are available for reading.
Part 73
Expansion and the Beginnings of a Global Movement
Following True Parents’ Holy Wedding, True Parents’ built the movement together. From about that time, Father spoke less about his own course and more about the providential events surrounding him. His words to his disciples from these times in the early 1960s reveal many aspects of his outlook and heart.
Sunday service, August 11, 1963
The Unification Church headquarters is in Seoul, isn’t it? Those of you who live at the headquarters, do you think that you are eligible to stay there? Though I don’t tell you this, I shed tears many times each day. Those who are closest to me know how I spend my days. I am ready to weep at one word.
You should be aware that among those of our members who live on this peninsula, some hungry members are offering mournful prayers even as we speak. Others are suffering under severe oppression in restricted circumstances. You are the intermediaries whose mission is to convey a connection of heart to such members. Yet, how can you possibly fulfill your mission when you live the way you do now? Those who live at the headquarters will be chastised more severely than others, which is why I make a point of not speaking about something for the first time at the headquarters. Usually, I speak first in the rural regions, and then I speak about the topic again at the headquarters. Those who live at the headquarters do not pray much. The members living in the provincial areas are praying more. Can even one person living at the headquarters say he has nothing to be ashamed of in front of heaven and earth? I’m ashamed to be your teacher…
People from around the world will one day flock to this house. They will find their way here. Do you think that’s only a dream? Because I lived here and discovered God’s will here, people will cross nations in search of the philosophy I have taught. If I were of a mind to build a new house, I could do it right now, but historic events occurred here. Heaven and earth wept here. All types of people have cried their hearts out and shed blood, shaking in anguish and making appeals to God here. Behind this tearful place—a sacred altar stained with tears—are stories that will never be forgotten.
After Sunday service, August 11, 1963
If a church member’s husband tells her, “Hey, woman! Don’t go to the Unification Church,” she will definitely reply, “No! I’m going.” She’ll say that, not because I told her to but because she has learned what to do from the Divine Principle. I didn’t teach women this, so those in the spirit world did. Often, men whose wives have joined our church curse us: “May the Unification Church die!”
Yet, the church has not died. People go to great lengths to oppose us. People of all types oppose us. Yet it is a fact that the Unification Church will never perish.
Training young people, October 16, 1963
You are all young, aren’t you? Let me see your fists. Clasp your hands together. I used to clasp my hands so tightly when I prayed that they hurt when I opened them. Even when they became sweaty, I clasped them tightly and made a vow. Try clasping them tightly. In this way I am saying, let’s increase our seriousness one notch as we go forward. Where are we going? I’m saying, let’s go to Golgotha…
Have you become someone that if every one of the 30 million Koreans opposed you, you would have the conviction to never change? I don’t think you have become such people. I have prepared myself based on that conviction, and no enemy I have come across yet has pushed me out of my arena of work. Are you confident to do as well as that?
The early days of 1964
Numerically, 1964 is not a good year. You should have the attitude that if you must suffer this year, you will suffer to atone for history; if you are wretched, it will be wretchedness for history’s sake; if you are sad, it will be to atone for the past. We must be determined to resolve all this. 1964 is the year we must resolve to accomplish that in. You have to fulfill your responsibility in these four years and become those who successfully take dominion over the people of this nation.
Some recent news is that in Japan, high school students come to the church right after school lets out. They leave their schoolbags at the church and go out street witnessing; they go home only after each one of them has witnessed to one person. They are doing that now. What have you grown men and young people done so far? Even if you don’t move a step, remain still, God won’t stop to rest. If you don’t work, I will.
Visiting three places in Korea, March 23–26, 1964
Isn’t it true that people speak of me as the founder of a religion who takes off his clothes and dances naked? They might be saying, Wow! That’s a church where people dance naked. Well, good for them. I’ve lived for more than forty years and I’ve never had a chance to dance naked. [Laughter] What’s the big fuss?… I’ve come this far, and I’m determined to move forward swiftly.
These days, people talk about global or international matters. They claim that the Unification Church intimidates people; they have a mistaken view. You just wait and see if what we’ve been saying are threats. People also say that our church has a lot of money. I’m sure all of you have wallets filled with gold, right? Of course you do. You may not realize it, but I’m telling you that you do have money that is not like money.
A man named Anthony Brooke[1] came here recently, and a television reporter asked him why he had come. People wonder why he’s speaking well of us. Prominent people in Christian churches are saying that we must have paid him a lot of money for that!” [Laughter] It’s all so funny.
When I think about it, I realize it would have been terrible if God had not made it so that people curse me. God in the end is our God! The Unification Church developed while being at the receiving end of insults, which is why it survived. We prospered while being insulted and hounded, which is why the church will not perish. We grew even though we were unclothed and hungry. Yet, we did not have any problems finding food and clothing, and we have not disappeared. Isn’t that right? [Yes.]
Eighteen-day Divine Principle workshop, Daegu, April 1964
You should impress on your mind that as people working for Korea’s restoration, you represent True Parents. Because of you, we are having this revival meeting at great financial cost. So when you return to your areas, you have to rise again. You have come from all parts of South Korea, and the fate of Korea and that of the world depends on what happens here. Heaven and millions of saints are watching us, so we have to feel a grave sense of mission and convey the truth. While I am working with you, you have to regain the heart and resolve you had when you first came to understand God’s will.
Seven-day Divine Principle workshop, Suwon, May 1964
I began work with only my bare hands. Even if you don’t have anything, when you work in complete unity and with complete faith, God will help you. The three-year course seemed tedious at the time, but after it ended, our situation transformed. Similarly, it may feel as if the four-year course lasts an eternity, but it will pass by in a flash. Our path will become increasingly easier to follow.
More than a hundred important people have organized themselves to propagate the word in Washington DC. By sometime next year, people in all fifty US states will mobilize. Our members abroad are doing their best not to be outdone by Korea. So, the only issue is Korea.
You can be proud that you suffered through hardships without having anything. The members in the United States fast for a day or two every week; the American members that have come to Seoul are fasting every Thursday and Friday.
Ceremony for Christianity, July 15, 1964
A hundred and forty-four Unification Church members, representing all the members, must be loyal. We will thus be able to focus on doing everything that was to be done in Jesus’ day. You 144, who represent 144,000, might look like you have no value, but you are extremely significant…
We must start visiting other churches now. Christian ministers are saying that our church has been silent for three years. They are asking why we are now visiting them. Visit them, even if they oppose you. As Heaven has ordered, we have to clash with them until the end of this three-year course.
Mobilization for complete nationwide indemnity
My deep wish is to travel all over Korea this year. Now is the time for it. Our church members are exhausted after finishing the three-year course, which is why I held a revival meeting in Daegu and appointed new district leaders. Will you decide how you will grapple with what needs to be done this year and next? I am worried about this nowadays. I am going to mobilize more than two thousand people, but they will not be paid. On the contrary, you will have to pay a monthly fee to go out witnessing. We’ll use that money to revive our people…
To be continued…
[1] Anthony Brooke was related to the rajahs of Sarawak, and was himself Rajah Muda of Sarawak at times during his younger days. Throughout his life, he took a great interest in spiritual matters and in new religious movements including our own.