Mother Hurley, Happy Birthday!

Today is the 118th birthday of our Spiritual Mother, the Rev. Mother Cassie Bell Hurley (b. October 28, 1890). She was the devoted wife of Father Hurley. After his death, she carried on the Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church hand-in-hand with his adopted brother in Christ, Prince Thomas Surbadger of Chicago.

Mother Hurley was a multifaceted woman. She was a master seamstress, created the pattern for the Hagar robes and caps, served as Treasurer of U.H.S. Church, Successor to Father Hurley, Supreme Mother, Pastor of Headquarters Temple, and active in the community. The church still has several of the plagues she received from various community leaders.

Mother Hurley was a teacher and believed in education. She even went to Wayne State University, later in life, to take public speaking courses to enhance her leadership. She was already a dynamic speaker and the courses only made her better. The University even invited her back from time to time to give lectures.

We thank God for Mother Hurley’s peaceful, claim, and helpful spirit. She lives on in every true, loving, and caring mother. She is personified by all who uplift the fallen humanity. A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF GOD!

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight
Written October 28, 2008 at age 26

All Hail to the Christ Within,

On last month we celebrated the 85th anniversary of Father Hurley’s founding of the Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church. The most appropriate song declares, “This is a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle; and it’s washed in the blood of the lamb.” However, the Church was not Father Hurley’s only concern. He believed in helping the people through imagination, creativity, and innovation by applying God’s word to daily life. Three organizations or auxiliaries that have faded from memory but will be resurrected in due time are the U.H.S.A. Press, the Hagar’s Rescue and Orphan Home (later known as the Cassie Bell Hurley Rescue Home), and the Hagar’s Loan Association. In this article we will deal with the second organization

The Hagar’s Rescue and Orphan Home was established to help wayward girls claim a true foothold in society. In our day it is sadly and increasing less surprising to hear about a teenage girl getting pregnant. Even more disturbing, it is becoming commonplace for young men to have several children by several women. In past times a young lady having a baby out of wedlock was scandalous and some parents would put their children out of the home. These girls were often defenseless against the cruel world they were thrown into. This still, to be clear, happens today.

Under the direction of the Reverend Mother Cassie Bell Hurley, the Rescue Home took shape and helped these young ladies through the difficult periods in their lives. She taught them practical skills like cooking and sewing but also life skills like budgeting and instilled self-confidence through knowledge of self. The home was later renamed after Mother Hurley because of her dedication to it.

In the Constitution of the U.H.S. Church every state in the organization is mandated to have a Rescue Home. The State Mothers are to see to this and the Supreme Mother is to be an overseer and encourager of the efforts in each state. Honestly, most who hold these offices have no idea about this mandate. This is not a jab at any particular person, just a wakeup call to each saint and minister of God.

Modern day rescue homes will be reopened in Mother Hurley’s name. Young men and women are still in desperate need of direction and guidance. Some Hagars have revolutionary programs operating but not under the banner of this forgotten Hagar organization. It is my hope and prayer that the Rescue Home be resurrected in Detroit and spread abroad. There are many ways to approach the idea. Hopefully this article will touch someone’s heart and cause them to move! Even if I don’t lead the effort, I will stand behind the sincere leader who will.

Father Hurley cannot be underestimated. He was beyond his time. I hope we can catch up to the vision.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight
Written October 21, 2008 at age 26