Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-05-25
THE DOWIE TROUBLE,

The Chicago authorities are having
great deal Of trouble with DR. Dowie.
For several years by means Of strong
language, he has gathered around him
a certain class Of followers. lie claims
the gift Of healing without the means
employed by ordinary physicians, and
also to have a special mission to per-
form, in the erection of an Illinois
Zion" which Is to be a yeritable
Utopia.
For long time 1t has been charged
that his work Is not entirely disinter-
ested. It is said that he has duped
persons out Of large sums of money
and that he now has In the neighbor-
hood Of a million dollars gathered by
peculiar transactions, But what is
causing most trouble is his practice as
a doctor"
II is charged that several patients
have died who, but for his teachings,
would have sought medical ala and
recovered. One Of these Is Mrs.
Judd, who died a few days ago. with
out medical attendance. It IS claimed
that her life could have been saved by
the most simple surgical operation,
and as a consequence Or" Dowle and
some of her friends were held 10 the
grand jury for criminal responsible
ity" for her death,
Chicago papers are calling loudly for
the suppression Of the Dowe nuisance,
perhaps Justly So But they also real
lie that there is no law to reach the
case squarely. Some Of them argue
that everyone has a right TO believe
whatever he pleases in this country,
but not TO teach or practice 1t. II
that is correct, American liberty is not
different from Russian or Turkish lib
erty, or from the liberty enjoyed in
the most glorious days Of the lnqulsi-
ton and the auto da fe. For there
never was a time in any country, when
a human being was denied the right Of
believing, as long as he did not open
his mouth about 1t, In public or in prl-
vate. The most oppressive law ever
formed was not directed against mere
opinion, put against the expression Of
opinion in word or act. The case Of
DR." Dowie should be reached in some
other way, than by curtalling the con-
stitutlunal right Of every American
citizen to free speech and the free ex-
ercise Of religion
II is true that the doctor has been
/ obtaining money under the false pro
ten5e mat he has the gift of healing
ana other spiritual gifts he Is not out
/ vide the reach OF the law Divine Sits
ia not preclude the employment OF
skilled Qid, any more than faith in
Divine protection does away with the
necessity Of dillgcnt labor. He who
prays Tor divine aid In storm-tossed
vessel does not mean that the com
| pass should be thrown overheard. the
ruddcr destroyed. and the fire under
the boilers be put out. He who daily
prays for food and raiment does moi
think that he need not 90 to work and
plan for the provision of himself and
| family. II r. the same IN cases OF sick
ness The great Apostle who possessed
the gift Of healing in very high de-
gree, did not neglect 70 prescribe for his
oo-laborer "a little wine, on account OF
his constant ailments. The one that
takes an opposite course stamps him
self as a charlatan, a fanatic, or a
| fraud
Besides divine spiritual gifts are not
sold FOR money, They are given freely.
IN answer TO prayer offered in faith. lie
who has them. knows that they are not
his property They are not an asset. "
They are given for the benefit OF man
kind and he who would sell them would
violate a trust.
u the charges against Dowie are true,
hc simply is pretender enriching him
self on the credulity OF his admirers
9nd there should be law enough In
Illinois TO reach his case But II the
charges are not true, he would better
be left alone. There are already sure
signs OF dssensions In his ranks, and
II Is believed he cannot much longer
maintain his position. Should he bC
adorned with even the semblSnce Of q