The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-24
SOME STAUNCH
DOWIE CONVERTS.
City Of Akron Has a Little Col
Ony of Them.
HE Is A GREAT AND GOOD MAN.
So His Disciples ssy-Thsy Claim He Has
Been Misrepresented-EIder
Fockler Writes Dowie
Letter.


known that there is a branch Of the
Christian Catholic Church" in this
city, and the probabilities are that
there are not many people here who
know the teachings of the new church
which has sprung up much in the same
manner as the Mormon church did
years ago out in Utah.
Dowie has $4,000 followers in and
about Chicago, who firmly and sincere
ly believe in his powers. There are a
dozen members in the branch of his
church in this city and some of them
claim that they were saved from death
by this man. In a number Of cities
temples have been built and the Sunday
meetings are largely attended. Here,
at present the members Of the local
branch meet every Sunday afternoon
at the home of Mr. Spinler, corner of
Wooster avenue and Lincoln street.
The meetings are held at 3 o'clock on
Sundays. Meetings are also held every
Wednesday evening. At present there
Is no elder here, but an elder frequent
ly comes up from Cleveland. A reg
ular elder Is soon to be sent here. Miss
Cora Reninger is the leader of the
meetings now, and Miss Nellie Zealand
is the custodian. The services consist
of study of the bible and in praying.
LIFE OF THE NEW PROPHET.
Dowie was born in Scotland and he
came to America, landing in San Fran
cisco about IL years ago. Previous to
that he was in Australia. 1t was when
he was in Australia as a Congrega-
tional minister that he became con-
vinced that he had the power to heal
by the placing on of his hands. When
he came to America he soon made his
way to Chicago at which place he de-
cided to establish a foundation for his
new religious belief. During these few
years he has become very wealthy.
He runs bank, a college and a $4,000
hotel in Chicago and a short time ago
he purchased nearly 1000 acres of lake
front property about 60 miles from Chi
cago. On this new land he has pre-
pared plans for the building of a great
Zion city where all of his followers
may live in peace and love. In the new
city is to be mammoth lace factory,
and Dowie Is now floating 100000 worth
of bonds for that purpose.
SAYS DOWIE is MISREPRESENTED
A local believer in Dowie and who Is
a member of the Akron branch of his
church said recently:
"Dowie Is great and good man but
he is often misrepresented in the pa
pers. I know that he has the power
Of healing by his prayers and by the
laying on of his hands for he cured
me of an ailment which the best doc
tors of this city said would result in
my death inside of three years. That
was some time ago and I am now well.
had heard of him and went to Chi
cago and attended his services and he
sent me home well. Many people are
down on Mr.. Dowie because of his bold
speech and his war on secret societies.
We have been promised an elder for
this city and our branch is growing.
We now have about a dozen members
and some of them are among the best
people of the city,"
In referring to the recent attack by
mob on one of his elders in Mans
field, Dowie says in his Leaves of
Healing" II ordained Cyrus B. Flocker
last year and sent him to take charge
of the branch of the Christian Catholic
church in Zion at Mansfield. In the
exercises of his duties as an elder in
that church he prayed with the sick.
He was praying one day with a child
of one of our people when the neigh
bors went to the board of health at
Mansfield and gave the astonishing in
formation"
FLOCKER'S LETTER TO DOWIE.
After Elder Fockler had escaped
from the mob he wrote Dowie long
letter relating what he had passed
through. In closing his letter he wrote
these words: II am glad to say, Cen
eral Overseer (Which means Dowie),
that my body is speedily recovering.
Some time after you must have re-
ceived the telegram wherein / requested
prayer, l felt greatly eased in my left
lung, and have not been seriously
troubled since. My body Is covered
with many scratches and bruises and
bloat-shot spots, and l am quite sore,
but feel to praise God greatly for my
miraculous deliverance. Even some OF
my former enemies and my attorney
stated that Il could be nothing else
than a miracle that l was saved from
that mob. Thanking you for the past
love you have shown me, l still remain
your brother and servant Of the Lord
Jesus. l still desire the united prayers
of Zion"
MESSENGER OF GODS COVENANT.
Dowie believes himself to be the mes
senger Of Gods covenant, the prophet
Of whom Moses spoke. He says so in
his Leaves Of Healing"
THAT is a great deal to say" says
he, but l believe 1t. l have pro-
| claimed it and l proclaim 1t again.
say the King Is coming. l proclaim
| it, like the Greater King at Arms, that
| the old kings are all dead, and that the
kingdom of the world will soon disap-
pear and give way to the kingdom of
God. l proclaim the downfall OF all
monarchies; of all republics; OF all
churches"
I'm referring to secret societies the
Leaves of Healing" edited by Dowie,
contains these expressions: THE q.
A. r. school claims to be a patriotic
order, but 1t was designed as a prepar-
atory school in which the soldier boys
might be trained for, and as an ante