The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18
powIE AND HIS CRUSADE.

Whatever may be the results Of Dowie's
invasion OF New York in a religious way
they will probably be quite marked in
a sensational way. IL he does not con-
vert the great city or any considerable
part of it's population he will give 1t a
new sensation 1t is evident already that
the movement Is thoroughly organized and
that it viii be managed with the execu-
tive ability and fertility Of resource for
which Mr.. Dowie is noted. The results al
ready accomplished by his peculiar meth
DDS show him to be a remarkable man.
and the present crusade is likely to en-
phasize the fact, both by the magnitude
of the undertaking and by the systematic
manner in which it is being carried out.
Whether the mans motives purely
philanthropic or largely mercenary is
puzzling question. He is putting i'm
mense amount of money into the cru
SADIE, and how he expects to get 1t all or
any part Of it back again. except in the way
of moral results, does not appear. Dowie
himself is rich and he has become so by
playing on the moral susceptibility and
he has given in the way of moral better
ment is question. Zion City, Ill, has be-
come through his organization and man
agement one of the wealthiest commune
ties in the United States. Business prin-
ciples have been applied to building up
the community and financial sagacity has
marked every step of the enterprise. At
the same time there has been largely in
evidence kind of religious quackery that
raises a strong suspicion Of Dowie's mo-
tives. 1t is probable he aims at founding
religious sect somewhat as Brigham
Young did, and as other self-deluded lead
ers have DONE But Brigham Young never
attempted a PROSECUTING scheme on the
scale Of this invasion of New York. Every
morning details of men will be sent out to
canvass each section of the city for re-
cruits and preachers will penetrate to the
farthest extremities of the city, each with
a license to hold street services. DR."
Dowie will be in touch with every one of
these preachers and will know just how
many recruits are being gained and at
what average cost. Services will be held
in Madison Square Garden three times
day, and a collection will be taken up at
each service. 1t is said that if enough re-
cruits are gained another community sim
liar to that of Zion City may be estab-
lished in the vicinity Of New York. If so.
Dowie would, OF course, be the virtual head
of it, and would manipulate matters so as
to add to his already large wealth. The
preachers Of New York generally distrust
his motives and do not recognize him as
a sincere religious worker. Some Of them
go further and denounce him as trans
parent humbug and stupendous fraud
while few seem to be impressed by his
personality and the practical results he
has accomplished. A leading Baptist
preacher said from his pulpit few days
ago:
ability He is a sturdy Scotchman, with
well-defned purposes and with practical
skill in reaching his ends. No weakling
could accomplish the results which he has
achieved He has vastly more ability than
is found in any one person in the entire
outfit of Eddyism, from its beginning even
until now. He is, without any sort OF queS-
ton, a man of remarkable ability in
variety of directions. So much must be
conceded to him in any just analysis of
his character and in any fair estimate of
his achievements.
Second-He is a man of enormous pre-
sumption and astounding assumption.
Third-Dr. Dowie Is man OF great
achievement. According to popular report
he came to this country a few years ago
a poor man, and is now worth millions.
He has established great enterprises and
has secured remarkable results
But let us give DR.. Dowie credit for all
the good that he has done. He has made
men stop drinking liquor and using to-
bacco; he has made thousands give one
tenth OF their money to his Zion: he has
caused vulgar men to become clean or
speech and profane men to stop their pro-
family. Any man who can get one-tenth
of the income of the average religionist is
most wholesome for some stingy saints in
the church to let DR.. Dowie loose among
them for a week at least.
If DIR. DOwie can reach great numbers
of the unchurched in New York, we shall
give him welcome. Certainly this class is
numerous enough to give him great audi
ences. If his work is of God, it will stand
of the devil, 1T will go down. however spec
tacularly he may advertise IL.
This is fair estimate of Dowies char
acter on the basis of visible results, but
no man who makes a great fortune out
OF a religious fad can escape suspicion of
being mercenary, and one who insists on
calling himself a second prophet Elijah
invites the judgment of being a transpar-
ent humbug. Yet it must be admitted that
Dowie is a remarkable man.