Transcript | Annotation | Source: 89-4286-HH-2-##(PDF) | Month Index
I woke about 6.30, stayed in bed until 7.30.
I took a shower, ending with cold water, the first time I have been able to take a cold shower rather than a bath.
Lorraine and Ryn were still sleeping. I went downstairs, made some Sanka.
I went over my bankbook again, found the error I had made yesterday. But I could not find any mistake which either the bank or I had made to account for the $5.00 discrepancy I’ve been looking for.
I looked over some books of folk songs on Lorraine’s shelves. I was trying to find American protest songs, but these books did not have such a category. The closest that any came to meeting that description were work songs and some Negro spirituals.
When Lorraine got up, she helped me recheck my bank balance. The only possible cause of the $5.00 discrepancy that she could find was a $2.51 bank charge which I might have recorded incorrectly in connection with a previous bank statement.
For breakfast we had orange juice, whole-wheat cereal and toast.
I left for Berkeley about 11.00. I needed gas and fortunately got some at a cut-rate station just before going on the freeway. It was 57.9¢, two cents less than I have usually been paying, and often gas costs me 60.9¢.
I listened to the last portion of the Temple broadcast on the car radio.
I shopped for groceries at both the Natural Foods Store and the Coop food store. I bought two doughnuts which I ate with Sanka in the car before starting home.
I arrived home at 3.00. I unloaded groceries, then quickly cleaned up the apartment, running the vacuum cleaner over the center of the room.
I ate some leftovers and washed dishes.
I had a nap of forty-five minutes.
I dressed and left for the Temple service at 7.15.
During the service the San Francisco girls presented an African dance and a recital of poems they had written, from last night’s youth program.
A tape from part of one of the Los Angeles services held this week was played. It was the question period. The first question concerned what would have been the effect if President Ford had been assassinated. Jim said it would have made no difference – the rich run the country and would have continued to do so. The second question was: what kind of mentality would put poisonous substances in the drinking water? Jim said it was white mentality. Whites have operated under the capitalist system, which worships money and will resort to any cruelty to maintain itself. He said, “I love socialism,” and would be willing to die to bring it about, but if he did he would take a thousand with him. He went on to castigate the white man’s religion and the Bible, saying that worse than poison in the drinking water is poison in the pulpit.
Jim continued in person in this vein. The question was often asked whether socialism would work. It was necessary to point out how capitalism works.
It causes widespread misery. The people must first of all have economic freedom. For the benefit of guests in the audience, he developed the theme that America is the anti-Christ. “Some believe all we need is a new Democrat in the presidency. We don’t need a new Democrat, we need a revolution.” Speaking to Aunt Janes and Uncle Toms and CIA informers, he said, “You want to start something? We’re ready.” We can’t get newspaper publicity for our beneficial activities. When we go into action, you won’t be able to open up a newspaper without seeing Peoples Temple on every page.
While the offering was being taken, Hugh Doswell was brought up. Be had complained of white leadership in the Temple. He shows a surly attitude.
He had also associated with Cleve Davis, against the advice of Temple counselors. He had to box. He was so hostile that three people had to fight him before one was capable of defeating him. He tried to evade punches, then bolted, striking everyone he encountered. After making two breaks, he was finally kayoed by his opponent.
There was a healing session.
When the church was opened to new members, Jim called out the names of scores of visitors, who came down front to join the church.
The congregation filed past the altar.
The meeting was over at 1.00.
Housing was arranged. Zelline O’Bryant was again assigned to me. I told her I had to attend the sisterhood meeting, and she waited for me.
The sisterhood meeting, under the direction of Sharon Amos, started with a discussion about women entering jobs traditionally closed to the female sex. Some of those holding such jobs or taking courses in the trades related their experiences with men on the job. Patricia Cartmell is working on highway construction, has succeeded, and got a promotion. She is making more money than Sharon Amos made when she started as a social worker. One of the Mertle girls is working in electronics. Discussion then veered to the way in which men are spoiled by women co-workers, such as nurses, and by their mothers, and how to counteract this situation.
At 2.30 after the meeting had been in progress an hour, there was no sign of its ending, and I thought Zelline and I should get home. I found Contonia downstairs with several children waiting for a ride home.
I gave Zelline a piece of cantaloupe and toast and jam. I had toast and peanut butter and toast and jam. We both had some Sanka.
We went to bed about 4.00.