Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-30
NEGROES CARRY
DOW|E TO ALTAR
"FIRST APOSTLE" UNABLE TO
WALK
HurIs Defiance at Accusers and Dares
Them to Stand Before Him.
VoIiva Proves Worthy
Opponent
BY Associated Press.

BY ASS0ciated PreHS
CHICAGO, April 29.-standing un-
steadily and with great effort before
an audience of $500 persons in Zion City
tabernacle this afternoon, John Alex
ander Dowie charged his traducers IL
any were present to rise to their feet
and make their accusations before the
whole congregation.
The followers of Voiva, the new
leader in Zion City's affairs, however,
were at that moment attending a rival
meeting. set for the same hour at the
Zion College building, a quarter of a
mile distant.
There 5000 of the citys inhabitants
were gathered, together with the
famous choir. now divested of it's eccle-
siastical garb, and the Zion band and
orchestra.
Many Visitors Hear Dow'e
Those who listened to the words of
Dowie were for the most part visitors
from other towns, brought in by the
hundreds on electric cars and railroad
trains For over an hour the crowd In
the tabernacle waited for the appear
ance of the venerable "first apostle"
Immediately in front of the platform
and in the choir loft were probably $50
of the faithful.
Dowie was borne bodily by two stall
Wart negroes from an anteroom up the
stairs to the platform and deposited
on his feet before the elaborate prayer
altar. He was attired in an apostolic
robe of white, gold and purple.
breaches While Sitting Down
Upon his head was turban of mar
yelous pattern, embroidered in purple
and gold. He delivered his address
and sermon seated before the altar.
Only occasionally when reused to an
unusual pitch of earnestness did ne
rise to his feet. Mrs. Dowie sat In a
chair among Dowie's followers in the
congregation.
Except for the presence upon the
platform of former Mayor r. ID. Harper
Dowie was alone.
He announced the hymns and led IN
PRAYER in a voice of firmness and
strength which surprised those who
have been in attendance upon him.
Denies All Charges
He prefaced his sermon by a spirited
denial of the charges brought against
him. in the course of which he ex-
hibited much of his former fire.
"They say I've taken the people
money. do they?" he shouted. Answers
Of yes" and "no" came from difterent
parts of the audience.
A man in the rear more persistent than
others was singled out by Dowie.
Pointing trembling finger at the man.
Dowie continued:
Let that man stand up and give his
name. Let him tell what money look
and when"
Refuses to Stand UP
with all eyes focused upon him the
man shrank in his seat. A guard was
ordered to compel him to stand, but he
stood in shame-faced silence. Then
Dowie rose to his feet and demanded
that any of those present who had any
thing to- charge against him do so then
and there.
Displaying great emotion, Dowie
described the sorrow he felt upon re-
ceiving the news while in Mexico of
the revolt among his people. He de-
clared that he could not sleep until he
had learned the worst and that his cup
of grief was full when he found that
his wife and son had deserted him.
PAYS a Tribute to His Wife
Then he paid tribute to Mrs. Dowie,
"My wife has some noble qualities" he
said. "She was misled and imposed
upon. They used her until they were
through with her and then cast her
aside. My son played tricks upon me
which he ought not to have done, but
he, too, was deceived
Dowie made his first appearance in
the tabernacle at $3.50 this morning,
when he conducted prayer and praise
service, attended by 100 persons. Vollva
also held meeting at that hour which
was largely attended.