Religion: Diamonds on the Left

Compared to Prophet Jones himself, his custom-built beige Cadillac seemed drab and commonplace. Detroit’s James F. Jones. Dominion Ruler of the Church of the Universal Triumph, the Dominion of God. Inc., was wearing a $235 light brown suit, yellow checked vest, yellow shoes, red socks and red tie. Even more arresting were his gold-handled cane, the topaz earring on his left ear. the diamond, ruby and topaz rings on his left hand, the diamond and topaz bracelets and heavy gold chain on his left wrist. Prophet Jones always wears his jewelry on the left. He explains that God always approaches him from the right, so he likes to keep that flank unencumbered.

In his $100-a-day suite in the Waldorf-Astoria, the Prophet told newsmen why he had come to New York:

¶ “God told me to tell you He is sending His Son back to earth … He has already arrived. He is on American soil.”

¶ “God also told me there is going to be a great exposure of a large Communist spy ring here in this city.”

The Prophet added that men would “stop dying” in the year 2000.

It was not only to bring these messages that the Prophet had journeyed to New York, along with four valets, four bodyguards, three secretaries, cook, dietician, housekeeper, hairdresser, three musicians and 60 singers. He had also hired Manhattan’s Carnegie Hall for an evening service. Admission: $2 and up.