The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-26
DISCUSSION OF DOWIEISM
VIEW OF MAN WHO CLAIMS TO BE
ELIJAH REINCARNATED.
Rev. George NJ. Smith, of HaII-PInce
Church, Talks Interestingly
This Subject.

At Hall-place NJ. E. Church yesterday
evening the pastor, Rev George NJ. Smith.
talked on "Dowieism." His text was:
Matt. xvii 3: And behold there appeared
unto them Moses and Elias talking with
Him." He said in part.
This scene upon Mount Tabor was not
a dream, but sad mournful, glorious real
ity, from which we may learn lessons that
ought 10 be OF thrilling interest to every
person who is concerned about the eter-
nal destiny of the souls Of men. l observe
first the great interest of Moses and Elijah
in the salvation of the world. The theme
of their conversation was the crucifXion of
Christ. If our friends in heaven could
come back to us tonight l do not think
they would come talking to us about
secular matters. l do not think they would
come writing on the inside of folded states.
l do not think they would come TO make
chairs and tables dance around over the
floor. If their thoughts were kindred to
the thoughts of Moses and Elijah when
they returned TO appear with Christ upon
the Mount of TRANSPORTATION they would
talk OF the redemption of the world through
the suffering and death of Jesus Christ
"A man in Chicago claims to be Elijah
reincarnated and presumes to exercise the
prerOgatiVes of the great prophet of an
cient Israel. 1t is not strange that he
makes such claims for there have arisen
many false prophets, but it is strange
that in this morning of the twentieth CEN
fury and in this land of intelligence that
he could find followers. L concede that Mr.
DOwie possesses some excellent qualities
but 1 accuse him of preying upon credulous
people, extorting from them money by ap-
pealing to their religious impulses, as is evil
denced by his demand for one-tenth of
the income of his devOtees. 1 concede to
Mr.. DOW1e the distinction of being one of
the strongest personalities of the city where
he lives, but L accuse him of proving upon
the afflicted by obtaining their money by
falsely promising to heal them. 1 grant
that Mr.. Dowie is an astute financier, but 1
accuse him of fraudulently obtaining and
holding a large sum of money, as evil
denced by his dealing with Mr.. Stephenson
and the decision of the court. / accuse him
further of promoting a large business en-
terprise in the name of religion and there
by filling his own Golfers at the expense of
his followers. / accuse him further of be-
ing an enemy to the common interest of
mankind, as is evidenced by his violent
attacks upon the church and fraternal
organizations, such the MasOns and Odd
Fellows. If 1 am asked if l do not believe
in the alleged healings of Mr. Dowie 1
answer that L have never known an in
stance where a healing was effected and I
have known several Instances in which
under his teachings there was dismal fail
ure to heal. If / am asked how l account
for the many testimonials of alleged cures
that are published in his paper, L answer
that J. can duplicate them all from patent
medicine almanacs and the advertisements
of quack doctors. And then if that oft
account for all those old canes and crutches
that Mr.. Dowie has in his possession"
have only to say that old canes and
crutches cheap.
81 want to speak very kindly as / refer
to the tragic death of Mr.. Dowie's daugh-
ter a few days ago. My sympathies were
stirred as l read how the old father
wept over the open grave where the lifeless
stood there with the impoten t;yii of IF his ds
teachings exposed and in sheer desperation
charged the blame to his dead child.
According to press dispatches he ex-
planned that she died despite his prayers
because she had disobeyed. In all the
Christian world there is not an adult per-
but who has according to the Bible
at some time disobeyed, for all have
sinned and come short of the glory of
God The inevitable conclusion is. if his
prayers do not avail for those who have
disobeyed. unless disObedience to the COM
mandS of Alexander Dowie is a greater sin
than disobedience to the commands of God,
his prayers avail for the healing of none,
for all have disobeyed.