The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-17
she DID NOT OBEY SQUIERS NOT LIKED
Dr.. Dowie Tells Why His Daughter
= Died:
STRANGE FUNERAL
The Crowd in Excited Tones Pledge
Obedience Anew to the
Prophet.
isa,v York Sun spscEay servEca

Chicago, May l7%-Death as result of
disobedience was proclaimed by John
Alexander Bowie at the grave of his
daughter; Esther.ssin the cemetery at
Zion City. Looking from the casket to
the thousands of followers, he cried:
AS prophet, I tell you that if you dis
obey God, or the one in authority over you,
you will surely perish. Obedience will bring
you security from all assaults of the devil
Do you pledge 1t to me?
Yes, yes" came in sobs from the threats
of the spectators, and right hands were held
up indicative of allegiance to the prophet"
! 1T was the devil that scourged my child;
continued the head OF the Christian Catholic
church. "She never had disobeyed me be-
fore. / had told her she must not use the
alcohol lamp again: She did, and that was
the end of her life among us. Her one act Of
disobedience.'
The last words of the dead girl, sent
in message to her brother Gladstone,
always obey the one in authority over
you, dominated the burial service and
were given as personal warning from
Esther Dowie, to all her fathers people.
And all Zion and lions friends were
there, crowding about the little ceme-
terry, climbing adjacent trees, and with
yes, yes" and ''amen," testifying to
the words of their leader.
II could not delegate this mission
this service Of love to another said Dr..
Dowie, as he approached the open grave
and stood upon wooden box which
served as pulpit
At his right was his. wife, Jane Dowie,
who rested upon the arm of the faultless-
ly attired son, Gladstone Dowie. Glad
stone shaded his mothers face with an
elaborate parasol of lace and chiffon.
! About the grave were the deacons and
others. officers of the christian church.
At the east end were the members Of the
choir, leaning against the fence and
wiping their eyes. while all about was the
Zion host, estimated at $1,000. The white
hearse had been driven&to the edge Of the
bier, the eight young women in white,
honorary pail bearers, had stepped aside
and the body had been, placed above the
open grave.
Following the hearse was CDR Dowie,
his wife and son all walking. Then came
the thousands of dusty marchers, who,
upon being denied admittance to the GEM
etery, crowded about the fence.
There was a gasp as Dowie mounted
the box, and with voice strong and
clear, repeated: II am the resurrection
and the life. He that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live. .
His. voice never faltered. AS he APP
preached the words 80, Death. where is
tory?" he flung his hands in the air and
turned his head upward.
The choir sang Lead Kindly Light. =
and in the first verse Dowie covered his
eyes with his handkerchief as purple
flush mounted to his brow and cheeks, &C
centing the whiteness Of the flowing
beard
l want the strength to finish this service
he said at the close of the hymn. This child
was my idol. My heart has ached so for two
days that it seemed as if must leave you
and go to her. She was a part Of my life
part Of my soul. I have no daughter now
Will you, all of you, be my daughters now
my daughters Of Zion?
Yes, yes, was the excited response.
Will you mind her words and obey those
in authority over you
Yes, yes.
Think what disobedence brings Ny daugh-
ter was aware Of it, because when I saw her
after she was burned she said: Papa, for
give me; / disobeyed you. =
| 4Sleep, Beloved, ;" was sung, and the
Lords Prayer was chanted After a briei
prayer, closing with Ashes to ashes
dust to dust the doxology was sung an6
the benediction was pronounced.