Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-30
DOWIE TALKED TO ZION
INVITED TRADUCERS TO SPEAK
UP IN MEETING.

Standing unsteadily and with great effort
before an audience Of 2. 500 persons in Zion
Tabernacle yesterday afternoon, John Alex
ander Dowie charged his traducers. If any
were present. to make their accusations be-
fore the whole congregation.
The followers OF Voliva, 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. There 5000 OF the city's inhab-
itants were gathered. together with the Zion
choir. now Invested Of it's ecclesiastical
garb. and the Zion band and orchestra.
Those who listened to the words Of Dowie
were for the most part visitors brought in
by electric cars and railroad trains. In
front of the platform and In the choir loft
were probably $50 faithful Dowieites.
Borne to the Altar.
Dowie was borne bodily by two stalwart
negro attendants from an ante-room to
the platform and deposited upon his feet
before the elaborate altar. He was attired
in new apostolic robe Of white, gold and
purple. On his head was a turban Of mar
vicious pattern embroidered in purple and
gold. He delivered his address seated be-
fore the altar. Only occasionally, when
reused to an unusual pitch of earnestness,
did he rise
MIS- DoWle, WHO mas severed Der ale
glance with Voliva, sat in a wicker chair
among Dowie's followers in the congrega-
ton. Except for former Mayor r. d. Har-
per, Dowie was alone on the platform.
Dowie announced the hymns and led in
prayer in a firm voice. He prefaced his
sermon by a spirited denial of the charges
that have been brought against him by
Voliva and others.
Challenged His Accusers.
''They say I've taken the peoples money;
do you believe it?' he asked. Answers of
Yes" and mo" came from different parts
of the audience. A man who said yes
was singled out. by Dowie. Pointing trem-
bling finger at the man, Dowfe asked him
to stand up and tell what money l took
and when" The man sat still. A guard
was ordered to compel the man to stand,
but he stood silent.
Then 1t was that Dowie rose and de-
manded that any Of those present who had
anything to charge against him should
make the charge. No one offered to accuse
Dowie.
Dowie paid tribute to Mrs. Dowie my
wife has some noble qualities. but she was
mfsled and imposed upon. They used her
until they were through with her and then
cast her aside. My son played tricks on
me which he ought not to have done, but
he too. was deceived"
Denounced Voliva.
He then turned his attention to voliva
This Is the man." he said. ito whom 1
turned over my property. Whose was it?''
Yours" came the answer.
THAT scoundrel Voliva," he continued.
"the miserable traitor and thief. wrote me
q letter the day he planned to rob me-
telling me how much he loved me. That's
the kind OF man he Is; ana you, YOU mis-
cradle hearts, why did you not wait for
me7 What right have you to Judge me
without q hearing? / tell you those ex-
overseers are afraid to let the people hear
my voice. They won't let them hear a
friends voice because they know that II
they do something win happen"
In concluding. Dowie said he would be
fifty-nine years old next month and intends
to have Jolly birthday"
voliva, In his address in the afternoon,
took for his text, BE not again entangled
in the yoke of bondage He arraigned
Dowie for wearing his robes. which. he
said, cost thousands of dollars and were
not paid for.
"You are little John Alexander Dowie
now and nobody else." said Voliva. Your
high-sounding titles have gone with the
rest Of YOU"
yoiiya said he was in favor of the theo-
cratic form of government In Zion city
being changed to a representative one. and
he would do all he could toward that end.