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 In the larger, established temples, the minister devotes his full time to NOI activity and receives his entire support from donations made by the members of his temple. Usually, his home or rented residence, his auto, and all personal necessities for himself and his family are paid for by the various funds collected at his temples Those ministers in smaller temples with few regular members frequently must obtain some outside employment to supplement the assistance they receive from the temple. Nearly all ministers do considerable travelling. They make guest appearances at other temples to conduct meetings, or they lead delegations from their temples to attend social affairs and rallies at other temples.

The most articulate and widely known minister, until his expulsion last year, was Malcolm X Little, of MM No. 7. in New York City. As chief spokesman and travelling representative of Elijah Muhammad and the NOI for nearly ten years, he had made numerous public appearances in lectures and debates before college forums, on radio and television, and through interviews given to the public press. A tall, well-dressed, 38-year-old former convict, he freely admitted having been a dope addict, numbers runner, and burglar before becoming "rehabilitated" by Elijah Muhammad. Since his entrance on the NOI scene in early 1953, his dynamic, magnetic personality had been instrumental in the recruitment of many of the present ministers.