The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-20

John Alexander Dowle has come to the
finish It has not been as many nave
thought 1t might be, through some direct
stroke Of Gods rod OF wrath for the sins
which this bold man has committed. And
yet who Will say that the punishment
is the less from God because 1t Is exc
cuted by an outraged people who haVe
been Dowie's disciples only because they
wished to be in line with Gods VIII. Ihelr
present action by which they show an
independence Of mere human authorlty
proves that 1t Is ultimately Gods autho-
rity which they finally respect. II they
consult God and His Word for guidance
and not human oracles of flesh, they
are Gods people and we desire for them
every blessing In these days Of peculiar
trials.
It is a remarkable career that Is closing,
that of sthIs man Dowe 1t Is not without
precedent; indeed 1t resembles the course
OF many charlntans and impostors ana
fake prophets who have vexed the poo
pie Of God But that such q career could
he In this modern age of intelligence and
practically and IN this seat of power,
this meeting place of tho worlds tides
of commerce. and news and intercourse,
was remarkable. CDR" Dowie was not
an able man, though he was no lsnora-
mus. Ills ability was In his sheer bold
ness and his boldness was displayed IN
coming out OF obscurity to Chicago, at
the time of tho Worlds Fair Of 1898.
when Chicago was the focal point OF
world interest. At this time glorious
opportunity for service stood before him.
He had no new gospel but lie was a
thorough student Of the Blblo and a
forccfu exponent of Its truths and he en-
phasizcd some things which the church
had long neglected. It had previously
been n sign OF alteration for one 10
claim Gods promise to hen. broken
body, OR body wrecked with disease
Dowic claimed II and proved It and there
Is no doubt In our minds TINT hundreds
churches and had tried to build
God through his ministry. lie found
here fnlow field long neglected and II
is no wonder that such around under his
industrious cultivation produced such
harvests, II he had made God supreme,
II he had become an apostle to bulld1
them up into a larger faith In God ana
In Dowie's engerncss to redeem soul and
body from the consequences OF sin, John
Alexander DowIe would have left name
that would he cherished with love and
reverence long after he had gone to join
tho prophets In glory. He would not
have been compelled to arrosate to him
self prophetic or prestly functions. Ills
services would have been acknowledged
ny grateful Chrstendom
Ifc missed this blessed opportunity ny
s,iccumbing to greed and ambition. HIS
tory may be searched In vain for man
with more conccit and deeper determine
ton to he the center and circnmfere lce
Of everything. Louis XIV, cried. y nm
the state Dowie within the circle OF
his influence was botii state and church
Tithes and confessions flowed through
him. lie thus gained temporal ana
spiritual power which he could have used
ia vast advantage II he had not used u
for his own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, No Pope
no Car, no Mormon president ever ruled
with such autocracy His syBtam OF
government was an adoption of Roman
ism and Mormonlsm but he aid not have
tho self ANNEXATION Of the later Roman
ponuns and he lacked the business WIZ,
dom of brigham Young, He ma2nined
self; he degraded everybody else who
might contest or divide his authority lie
Is now marooned. left stranded By n
mutinous crew. who have been so NAL
treated that In this drastic action they
have the sympathy and encouragement