Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-30
DOWlEPREACHES IN ZION CITY
Congregation Of $500 Persons, Mostly Out
sides, Hears the First Apostle"
DENIES ALL CHARGES AGAINST HIN
Rival Meeting Called by Overseer
NOlivS for the same Hour IL
Attended by Twice
the Number

CHICAGO, April 29.-standing unsteadily
and with great effort before an audience
OF $500 persons in Zion tabernacle this
afternoon, John Alexander Dowie charged
his traducers, II any were present, to rise
to their feet and make their accusations
before the whole congregation. The fol-
lowers Of Volva, the new leader in Zion
City's affairs however, were al that mo
ment attending a rival meeting, set for
the same hour at the Zion college build
ing, quarter of a mile distant. There
5000 Of the the city's inhabitants we're
gathered, together with the famous choir,
now Invested OF its ecclesiastical garb,
and the Zion band and orchestra. Those
who listened to The words of Dowie were
for the most part visitors from other
towns, brought in by the hundreds by the
electric cars and railroad trains. For over
an hour the crowd in the tabernacle waited
for the appearance OF the venerable FIRST
apostle" Immediately In front OF the
platform and in the choir loft were prob
ably $50 of the faithful.
DowIe In Feeble Health.
Dowie was borne bodily by two stalwart
negro attendants from an ante room up
the stairs to the platform and deposited
upon his feet before the elaborate prayer
altar. He was attired I'm an apostolic
robe OF white and gold and purple Upon
his head was a turban of marvellous pat
tern, 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 he rise to his feet. Mrs Dowie who
has severed her allegiance with the Voliva
faction. sat in chair among Dowie's fol-
lowers in the congregation. Except for
the presence upon the platform of former
Mayor r. y. Harper Dowie was alone.
He announced the hymns and led I'm
prayer in a voice, the frmness and
strength OF which surprised those who
have been in attendance upon him.
Denies AIT Charges.
He prefaced his sermon by a spirited
denial of the charges that have been
brought against him in the course of which
he exhibited much of the fiery Impotence
which marked his discourses in times past.
"They say I've taken the peoples money,
do they?" he shouted Answers OF Yes"
and NO" came from different parts OF the
audience A man in the rear more persis-
tent than others was singled out by Dowie.
Pointing a trembling finger at the man
Dowie continued
LET the man stand up and give his
name. Let him tell what money took and
when" with all eyes FOCUSED upon him
the man shrank in his seat. guard was
ordered 20 compel him to stand, but he
stood in shame-faced silence. Then 1t was
that Dowe rose to his feet and demanded
that any Of those present who had any
thing to charge against him to do so then
and there.
Tribute to Mrs. DowIe.
Displaying great emotion. Dowie de-
scribed the sorrow he felt upon receiving
the news while in Mexico OF the revolt
among his people, He described 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. Then he paid a 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 $50 this morning when he
conducted a prayer and praise service.
About one hundred were in attendance.
Volva had called a similar meeting at that
hour also, which was largely attended.
Dowie has taken up his abode in Shiloh
house where he intends to remain in re-
tirement at least until after the decision
of the court on the matter Of his injunc-
ton against volva and others next Thurs
day.