New-York tribune., 1903-02-08
THE COMING OF D0WIE.
Characteristics of "ELVah the Re
Storer"-His Campaign Hopes.

the Restorer." as he calls hnself-plans an East
crusade He has elected to hold out the right
haui of fellowship to the Manhattan islanders.
and even more TO their brothers and sisters of the
reighboring boroughs Not Dowie's hand alone
either but also the hands of 1000 faithful follow
ers Every hand is warranted clean and can be
grasped with impunity, thanks TO the Zion scrub
bing process.
Cninions differ as 10 the reason for the coming
Of this prophet for profit Members Of his
Christian Catholic Church in Zion will listen 10
no hint of Interior motive
''New-York is. after Chicago. the most wicked
city ir the world say they. Our prophet the
Divine Healer, the Restorer and Messenger Of the
Covenant. Will make it clean. Glory TO the new
Elijah:"
That fraction Of Chicago-about ninety-nine Zone
hundredths-which has not felt the cleansing effect
OF the Dowie pumice has another story
Lie needs money they say and New-fork
pays well for every sort OF show. from grand opera
10 circus ring buffoonery. Refined religious vaude-
Vile ought 10 be a drawing card. Dowie Will in
vest s1e0oeG and draw down couple of million
In support Of the financial embarrassment theory
there is some evidence. Eight suits for debt were
recently flied against the Rev Dow1e. at Nau-
kegan, Wis. A few weeks ago Judge Cutting OF
the Cook County Probate Court. ordered MN 10
pay $4,000 to the heirs of Frank Sutton, one ot
his followers. There has been shortage OF meat
supply, which the prophet is supposed TO furhlsh
sn Zion City and recently appeal for funds was
made to America, Asia, Europe and AFRICA, pS
means Of thousands Of letters.
On the other hand, Dowie announced receniil
that the affairs of Zion never in more pros
pe-ous condition. He made the public statement
that he was worth s25.eeo000. His hnanclal agent
in this city says that only two weeks ago ne solo
s750 a0 of stock in of the industrial companies
Whatever the reason, Dowie says he is coming
Those who remember his Chicago experiences can
easily believe that the crusade viii be prontaoie
Those who know Dowie and his methoos are sure
that his performance will make the Greatest
eaer n
country town. look about as exciting as quaker
meeting SAYS an observer Of his work;
There are several conditions under which
Dovie's descent from the Sodom of the West to
the C7omorrah Of the East would he hzze II
the -vipers Of the press should refuse TO notice
hin, he could prate away in Madison Square or
anv other old garden to his hearts content ana
the result would be nil; but he will get pages OF
free advertising. until the hearts OF the hlalto
1,ress agents grow black with envy If the sor-
cere-s and posoners' which his gentle names
for doctors should refuse TO notice him his divine
healing gold bricks would go unsold II the
-toadying clergynen of denominations Wouiu hot
preach against him fewer church members would
attend. But Dowie is prince Of advertisers a
better crowd drawer than the wild Man Oh
Borneo'; he succeeds. or seems to- and IN New
York nothing more is needed
II the big show comes of in Madison Square it
is expected 10 be spectacular and theatrical There
VIII be great stage at one end OF the arena huns
with the sacred flags and banners OF ZION.
Above the bunting will be streamer bearing some
one Of Dowie's favorite mottoes perhaps this one
Christ Is All and in All The sacred white
robed~ (irnported-n-Pu Pullman -cars-from-C
choir Will be heard singing in the wings from which
emerge the fairy ballet when the Garden is desc
Grated by a French or Arion ball The SOUND OF
their voices will nearer, slowly increasing IN
volume They will emerge presently and plant
themselves across the platform. Then there will
he 2 hush the true dramatic pause The audience
naturally expects the advent Of Life but VIII be
disappointed The time is not yet Two or three
rows OF black robed elders will appear and place
themselves on either side Of the pulpit.
Then will come another pause. The centre Of the
stage is vacant and every follower holds his
breath. He comes-John Alexander Dowie, the
supreme temporal head Of unique religion, home
made and handmade, warranted a luxury, be
cause expensive. assured success.
He is bald. His patriarchial beard is white and
can be measured in feet. He is fat and muscular.
and the flowing silk robes heiehten the effect His
accent is English and he lisps, but he has some
thing 10 say and these mere physical defects are
soon forgotten
His opening speech viii assail tobacco. liquor,
medicines denominational religion. the stage, the
press, the State, pigs and oysters and host of
other things especially Christian Science, the
closest rival Of Dowieism in the confidence game Of
New Thought religion
1t is in taking collections that DoBie ia seen at
his best The money flows in more rapidly than to
the most aIluring set-rich-ouick scheme that the
IN the hands Of the whole Wall Street menagerie
would have better chance of coming out with car
fare back to Harlem The contributions are known
as tithes, and all followers must give up at least
70 per cent Of their fortune and earnings.
According d Chicago writer, this is literal
account of a DoRie tithe gathering:
General Overseer-Does America give the uthe to
Audience-No.
General oyerseer-Do the churches give the tithe
Audience-No
General overseer-Do you give the tithe to God?
arose There is pack OF thieves here sitting still
5 G 0 @ 6y pS aS VINO ere 90 the het eyI te are at
Is going 10 be done with you: 1B1, B1m ten you
4 mean hing for you 10 rob your brother?
e General Ogerseer-Is it not mean thing to rob
your mother?
General orerseer-Is it not the meanest of all
things rob your God?
General Oversee--You do not think anything Of
n is q and Sp your To9 GS oom n is h Dea if
remain you are. Bat if any one says here to-day
lies. Deep down in his throat and heart / push
that lie The tithes and offerings go right into the
them. But have my right to share OF them,
have ] not?
General Overseer-Yes. and will take it when I
II. ] want 10 talk 10 you, you thieves.
you dtssemblers sou liars. who pretend to be in
zlon and DO not give your tthes What is going
TO become OF you? You will be burned with Fire.
Get Of Zion-
Dowie is likely TO acquire some considerable
part OF NeW-York during his two weeks stay. IL
his Chicago experience is any criterion. He started
there with nothing but his stupendous and
his oisorcered religious and healing ideas A list
Of his holdings now includes suburban munich
pality ten miles square. ten tabernacles scattered
about the business and residence portions OF
Windy Town, a $4,000 cottage on the
shores Of his OWL lake. large Office building in
which he has palatal private quarters, a great
lace factory q publishing house. homes for divers