The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-03-15
New 0verseer Reveres Prophet
for Founding Church, but His
Usefulness is at an End
TOLERATE ALL CREEDS IN ZION
Overseer Voliva Puts Dowie in Eclipse
and Announces Sweeping Reforms
for Zion City-Getting on a
Business Basis

Departures from the policy of John
Alexander Dowie which will be in
augurated by the reform management
were outlined yesterday afternoon IN
Zion central tabernacle, 1926 Michi-
gan avenue, Chicago, by the new
deputy general oyerseer, Wilbur Glen
Voliva.
AS the vital feature in the reforms,
the Dowieites have decided definitely
to separate church and state. DR..
Dowie will be permitted to be Elijah
III and the first apostle to his hearts
content, but not general overseer of
the cash box.
Before some 800 Chicago members
of the church the vigorous, young and
up-to-date leader old his flock what
he believes is the matter with the
Dowie community. He spoke rever-
entia11y of Dowie as the divine founder
of the church, but condemned the adj
ministrative abuses which fourished
under his government. He left no,
doubt in the minds of his hearers that
Dowie has been deposed permanently.
Among the principal reforms which
Overseer Voliva promised to institute
are the following:
Abolish female labor in the lace
factory and other shops.
Establish an agricultural commun-
ity in connection with Zion city.
Give the Zion industries working
capital.
Expel unworthy officers Of the
church.
Treat newspaper representatives.
with courtesy.
Iuculcate the liberation of other re-
1igious creeds.
Eliminate expensive dress and
luxurious habits hitherto INDUCED by
the head of the community.
Reform the church music.
Relegate to the past all sensational
and emotional religion.
The Dowieites appear to be having
almost as much trouble separating
the church from the state as the
French governmenttis experiencing.
For example, it is not clear whether
Voliva is the new general oyerseer or
only emporarily endowed with that
title.
eff there is an overseer in this
church," exclaimed Voliva, 'who
does not measure up to the standard
of an overseer, he will be curse to
the church.
Then wheeling toward the overseers
who sat in row behind him on the
rostrum he said in an underfone:
Concerning the general overseer,
we'll fix that up at the proper time. =
Those within hearing wondered
whether he meant Dowie or himself.
But that Dowie is deposed, though
still revered, appeared evident.
''Moses led the children of Israel
out of Egypt" said Voliva, land
afterward, for good reason, the LORD
set Moses aside. But did that prove
that Moses was not selected to lead
Israel out of Egypt?"
t'No, No." came the answer from
the congregation.
"Of course not, !" rejoined Voliva.''
That's right; DO some thinking read
between the lines"
John Alexander Dowie's concep-
ton of Zion was divine conception, .
declared the preacher, and then a
little later: .'It is easy to say that
mistakes have been made. Any man
that amounts to anything makes mis-
takes, and man who never makes
mistakes never makes anything"
Taken as a whole the service sug.
gested a faded story to the observes
noting the disparities between the oc-
casion and those to which Dowie was
wont to contribute certain measure
of mystery and pomp. The followers
filled only the first floor and balcony
of the auditorium which for Dowie
was packed to the roof.
One or two uniformed guards stood
in place of the double column through
which Dowie would enter the church
There was no smart equipage with
high stepping horses and jing1ing
harness to dash up to the curb and
deposit the venerable white bearded
prophet. Where, too, was the great
white surpliced choir2 Only slender
group of singers occupied the bare
choir loft which Dowie filled with
hundreds.
There was difference, too, in the
service. There was no Dowie-nc
vehement, excoriating Dowie t.
dance about the platform, to catech;st
his followers, and to read his cor
respondence aloud III his prayers
The meeting was conducted BY Over
seer Piper.