The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-26
PARHAM ASDOWlE
Appears IN Zion City to Take
Charge.
Winning the Followers From
OVerseer VOIiva.
KNOWN IN TOPEKA.
Once Started Religious School
at Stones Folly.
Held Services on Streets Only
Few Weeks Ago.
Known IN TOPEKA.

Word has been received in Topeka
that Charles F. Parham, who has been
here of and on during the past few
years as the leader of a variety of re-
ligious movements. has arisen in Zion
City, in the position of Christ and an
nounced that God has directed him to
lead the followers of Zion away from
the paths of commercialism in which
they have been guided by John Alex
ander Dowie and are being led by VIII
Der Glen Voliva. the successor of
Dowie.
Parham was in this city for the last
time few weeks ago and in the meet
ings he held on the streets he an
nounced' that he was organizing a new
religious cult under the name of the
Apostolic Faith. Some years ago Par
nam and his followers made their
headquarters at Stones folly" and
established a school of instruction.
where they held a continuous PRAYER
service for many weeks. Parham al
ways claimed that during the course
OF these prayer meetings he and some
of his followers received pentecostaI
power and that they have been able to
preach in all languages ever since,
whether or not they understand these
languages
After leaving this city along about
the first of August he went to Kansas
City where he continued holding re-
viVal services on the streets. Parham
was out OF the ordinary as a street
revivalist in more ways than one He
never took up a collection but said that
he always received plenty of funds to
carry on his work through voluntary
| contributions.
A dispatch from Chicago about his
recent descent on Zion City says that
although he arrived in Zion City, IN
known and without friend less than
ten dRVS q has a f0ITOxxsv,er raf
more than 300 members of the church
who hail him as their leader.
General Overseer Voliva, who succeed
ed in ousting John Alexander Dovie
from control of the church at the recen.
elections, has taken steps to combat the
influence OF the new leader. He has
rented the tabernacle, the college build
| ing and four school buildings in order
to secure control of all halls where Par
ham may seek to hold meetings. As
a result the Kansas prophet has been
forced to preach in the homes of his
followers but the crowds which come to
hear him have increased to such an ex-
/ tent that he is now compelled to preach
/ in the open air.
Parham says that he has taken a
deep interest in the Zionist movement
since its inception. and has followed
the teachings of Dowie. He asserts
that God appeared to him in a dream
/ two weeks ago and told him that
Voliva was a false prophet and would
lead the people of Zion City into ruin.
Ten days ago Parham says that the
| spirit" again appeared to him at Kan
sas City and commanded him to go at
once to Zion and combat the evil in
huence Of Voliva. He claims to hold
his appointment as spiritual adviser
OF the church of Zion" direct from the
/ Supreme Being.
Should Parhanl succeed in winning
over the majority of the members Of
4 the church he can call an election and
GUST Voliva from his position as gen
erai overseer according to the ruling
of Judge I4andis. Parham, through
his emotion and evident sincerity, is
rapidly making converts.