BB-5-S-1
Letter to Prime Minister Forbes Burnham from Jean Brown, August 1977
[Editor’s note: This letter also appears at D-1-L-6 (5) – L-6 (6) at https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=129824.]
San Francisco, CA
August 9, 1977
Honorable Prime Minister L.F.S. Burnham
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Public Buildings
Brickdam
Georgetown, Guyana
Honorable Prime Minister:
Because I care for and believe very deeply in my Pastor, Bishop Jim Jones; because I care about our people both here and in Guyana; and because I wholeheartedly believe in socialism and respect the efforts of your government to create a just, co-operative society in Guyana, I feel responsible to convey to you the nature of the persecution our church is currently facing here in the United States.
In the midst of a terribly polarized society, Bishop Jones has shown, in the most personal and in the most profound terms, that as Americans we can live together as brothers, as sisters, as comrades. Despite all our differences of race and ethnic identity, economic stratification, or philosophic point of view, we have seen by virtue of Bishop Jones’ ministry that we can indeed work together for the common good. This example has had a tremendous impact on the communities where our congregations are located, and throughout the state and nation as a whole. The more successful we become and the more people we convince of the benefits of the co-operative point of view, the more opposition from conservative elements mounts as a consequence. The criticism being leveled against Bishop Jones here is superficial, trumped-up, and tailor made by conservative and reactionary elements to try to discredit his character and work and to prejudice the public against the viable socialist alternative Peoples Temple represents.
But I feel you should know, too, that the people here are not fooled by the McCarthy-like reaction which the media have become the vehicles for. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of support and encouragement from leaders, both political and religious, and the people who know and respect Bishop Jones for his sterling reputation as a champion of economic and social justice. Floods of letters, phone calls, and eloquent public statements have been coming in attesting to the good works he has been known for over many years and through many struggles. Just in the past two weeks leaders who have stood in defense of Bishop Jones include: California State Assemblyman Willie Brown; Rev. Cecil Williams; Civil rights activist and recent participant in the World Conference Against Apartheid, Racism, and Colonialism held in Lisbon, Yvonne Golden; California State Assemblyman Art Agnos; the Lieutenant Governor of California, Hon. Mervyn Dymally; American Indian Movement leader Dennis Banks; Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett, President of the American Newspaper Publishers’ Association; and many more. People who believe in and are struggling for progressive change in American society are unified in defense of Bishop Jones. The precedents for this kind of attack range from McCarthyism in the 1950’s to campaigns against Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960’s, to the systematic castration of
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the Black Panther Party in the early 1970’s. Viewed in this historical context, the present attacks on an eminent socialist leader come as no surprise.
There are no words to express the gratitude which we, as members of Peoples Temple, feel toward you and your cabinet of enlightened, progressive ministers, for the assistance you have given us. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana represents to us the chance to live life according to the principles of sharing and equality which we have come to treasure. Whatever tactics are used to try to “de-stabilize” our efforts, we will not be swayed from our purpose. We feel a deep solidarity with you and the Guyanese people in this struggle.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Jean F. Brown
Jean F. Brown
Peoples Temple
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BB-5-O
Letter to Fred Wills from Jean Brown, August 1975
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
August 20, 1975
Hon. Fred Wills
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justice
c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
95 Carmichael Street
Georgetown, Guyana
Honorable Mr. Wills:
On behalf of our Pastor, Rev. Jim Jones, and the many members of Peoples Temple Christian Church (Disciples of Christ denomination) both in the United States and Guyana, I would like to congratulate you upon your appointment to the office of Foreign Affairs and Justice Minister. Many of our co-workers and contacts in Guyana have expressed their admiration for you as a highly congenial and competent person, and with your brilliant background in law, as the best possible choice for this influential position.
Perhaps you are already aware of our congregation’s agricultural mission project in Guyana’s North West District. We feel it is both an honor and a challenge to have been awarded the use of this land in your country. It is Pastor Jones’ sincerest desire to work in complete conjunction with the F.C.H. Program, for our own human service ministry throughout the years has sought to assist people with emergency food and medical programs, college scholarships, care and convalescent homes for seniors, a large animal shelter and numerous other programs.
Pastor Jones has publicly praised you for your record of service and deep commitment to the people of Guyana. I must certainly concur with him that you are making an exceptional contribution. We wish you the very best for a continued career in distinguished statesmanship and service to your fellow man.
Pastor Jones sends his best personal regards.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jean F. Brown
Jean F. Brown, Secretary
P.S. I have enclosed a brief description of our ministry and its human service work, which I thought might be of some interest to you.
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BB-5-P
Letter to Frederick Talbot from Jean Brown, December 1975
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
December 12, 1975
His Excellency Mr. Frederick Talbot
c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Georgetown, Guyana
South America
Dear Mr. Talbot:
On behalf of Pastor Jim Jones and the many members of Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ in both Guyana and the United States, may I congratulate you on your appointment to the post of High Commissioner to Trinidad. We wish you the greatest success. Also, may we commend you for your years of dedicated and conscientious service as the United States Ambassador. We hate to see you leave, but we know your talents will be a credit to the people whom you will serve wherever you may relocate.
With highest personal regards from Pastor Jones and the very best hopes for your joyous Holiday Season, many Temple friends wish to be remembered to you. May health, happiness, and continued success be yours throughout the new year.
Very respectfully yours,
/s/Jean F. Brown
Jean F. Brown, Secretary
Members of Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ
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Letter to Laurence Mann from Jean Brown, December 1975
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
December 12, 1975
His Excellency Laurence Mann
Ambassador of Guyana to the United States
c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Carmichael Street
Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
May I extend to you greetings on behalf of the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ and our Pastor Jim Jones. Mrs. Paula Adams and Mr. and Mrs. Touchette from our Jonestown project have written to us of the enjoyable meeting they had with you.
They found it most inspirational to meet a person of your exceptional talent so devoted and concerned about the self-help programs and advancement of people through this means. Pastor Jones has taught us that viable Christianity today must address itself to the practical needs of people. We believe that the highest form of worship to Diety is in service to our fellow man.
By vocation I am an accountant, with extensive legal training. However, I have found the deepest personal satisfaction and most meaningful channels for service through my commitment as a member of Peoples Temple. Our mission site in Guyana represents the endeavor of people helping people, committed to the teachings of Christ as set forth in Matthew 25.
We have been deeply touched by your own dedication as well as that of so many Guyanese officials. Those of our members who have had the chance to participate in and visit our project in Guyana consider it a privilege to work hand-in-hand with the people of the Co-operative Republic.
Pastor Jones wishes to extend to you his personal greetings and congratulations. He is highly impressed with the record of service and the evident commitment you bring to your new post.
With our very best wishes for a joyous Holiday Season and continued success throughout the New Year, we remain
Respectfully yours,
/s/Jean F. Brown
Jean F. Brown
Secretary, Peoples Temple
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Letter from Laurence Mann to Jean Brown, January 1976
[Letterhead of Embassy Of Republic Of Guyana]
7th January, 1976.
Mrs. Jean F. Brown,
Secretary,
Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission,
P.O. Box 214,
Redwood Valley,
California 95470
Dear Mrs. Brown,
I received your very welcomed and touching letter of December 12, 1975, and regret I was not in a position to reply before now.
I thank you for your kind sentiments expressed in the letter, and would like to say that I too reciprocate those sentiments.
I have never had the opportunity and privilege of meeting Pastor Jones, but have heard a great deal about him, and would like you to know that his representatives in Guyana are well considered and are doing a very fine job. In particular, Mrs. Adams and Mr. & Mrs. Touchette whom I have had the pleasure to meet, have commended themselves to me and the Guyanese people as extremely dedicated to your Mission’s ideals and objectives.
I wish you and your Mission in Guyana every continued success.
Yours sincerely,
/s/ Laurence Mann
Laurence E. Mann
Ambassador
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BB-5-R is a duplicate of BB-5-N