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

John Alexander Dowle has come to the
finish. 1t has not been as many have
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 it is exc
cuted by an outraged people who nave
been Dowie's disciples only because they
wished to be In line with Gods will. Their
present action by which they show an
independence OF mere human authority
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 remarkable career that Is closing,
that of4this man Dowc It Is not without
precedent; indeed it resembles the course
Of many charlntans and impostors and
fake prophets who have vexed the poo
pie of God. But that such a career could
be 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. "Dr." Dowe was not
an able man. though he was no lgnora-
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 $685.
when Chicago was the focal point OF
world interest. At this time glorious
opportunity for service stood before him.
Hc had no new gospel but he was
thorough student of the I3lblo and a
forceful exponent of Its truths and he en-
phasized some things which the church
had long neglected. It had previously
been a sign OF alteration for one 10
cnim Gods promise to hea: II broken
body, Or body wrecked with disease.
Dowie claimed 1t and proved 1t and there
Is no doubt in our minds TINT hundreds
II he had become an apostle to the
churches and had tried to build
God through his ministry. He found
here a fnllow field long neglected and It
Is no wonder that such Ground under his
Industrious cultivation produced such
harvests. If he had made God, supreme,
II he had become an apostle to build
them up into a larger faith In God and
In Dowlc's engerness to redeem soul and
body from the consequences of sin. John
Alexander Dowie would have left name
that would be cherished with love and
reverence long after he had gone to Join
the prophets In glory. He would not
IiHNt tbt'i toiHItlltil# w 'pSdtS "
self prophetic or priestly functions. His
services would have been acknowledged
MY grateful Christendom
1Ie missed this blessed opportunity by
succumbing to greed and ambition. HIS
tory may be searched IN vain for man
with more conceit and deeper determine
tion,to be the center and circiimfere 1ce
Of everything. Louis XIV. cried. ~ am
the state Dowie within the circle OF
his influence was boi. state and church.
Tithes and confessions flowed through
him. He thus gained temporal and
spiritual power which he could have used
to vast advantage II he had not used It
for HIS own ACKNOWLEDGMENT No Pope.
no Car, no Mormon president ever ruled
with such a1itncracy His system or
government was an adoption of Roman
ism and Mormonism hut he did not have
tho self abpegation OF the later Roman
PDGtins and he lacked the business Wiz
dom Of Brigham Young. He magnined
self; he degraded everybody else who
might contest or divide his authority. He
Is now marooned. left stranded by n
mutncus crew. who have been 30 mall
treated that In this drastic action they
have the sympathy and encouragement