Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-10


an evangelist in the new Christian
Catholic church OF Zion. He was made
member Of the new church and was
taken into Dowie's confidence from the
first. Although then but 26 years of
age he was schooled by six years ex-
perience in the field IN which the first
apostle intended to use him. He was
graduated from a small sectarian
school, a son of pioneer parents, mar
row, fanatical, but with all the zeal
Of a religious bigot and the energy of
man reared in the backwoods.
After several years service, during
which he was at the head of various
Zion City missions, Voliva was sent to
Australia to become the head of the
church there.
All creeds Attracted
Dowie continued to attract religious
zealots of every known creed. For
the most part they were recruited
from small towns, the outer fringes of
all churches, men who had tried all
Enthusiastically mystics, half edu-
Gated and attracted by Dowie's elabor-
ate restoration propaganda. Many
we're drawn to Zion City by the stories
| of the prophets miracles of healing,
and the population in the first three
years included lame, halt and cripples
of every description.
The plan of the "theocracy" was
carefully worked out. The temporal
and spiritual leadership was carefully
| conserved in the person of the FIRST
apostle" but the civic organization was
more democratic. The city was to be
governed by a mayor, who was to be
| elected, and all the administrative
offices we're to be filled by election. In
actually the democratic features were
| farce, as Dowie's word was absolute
in filling the different offices.
During these first years the church
prospered. Wealthy recruits were Sc
cured and the sale of the lots in the
city, for which 99-year leases were
given, gave the church large revenues
The house, situated on high ground
and visible from all parts of the city,
| is a gaudy affront to good taste. Elab-
orately decorated with small gables
and fancy cornices with the roof hide
Gus with red and green stripes 1t is a
| singular exception to the apostles
usual good judgment in matters of
| decoration.
Literally Spent Peoples Money
Dowie established himself in his new
residence with a liberal expenditure of
his peoples money. The house was
richly furnished; a large retinue of SER
wants was employed; fine horses were
kept in his stable. The residents ap-
parently were thoroughly In sympathy
with the prophets love of display and
although most of them had been reared
in non7ritualistic churches they took
kindly to his costly robes, surpliced
choir and the pompouS ceremonial of
the service.
When Dowie returned from his tour
of the world in 1904 he was at the
height of his power. Although he had
not been kindly received at many Of the
places which he visited, his people were
absolutely under his control, and he
was given an ovation on his home
coming in June. An arch of triumph
was built. All the people of the city,
10000 strong, stood with their heads
bowed in submission as he stretched
his hands over them.
From then on his health began to
fail and with 1t his power began to
slip away. There were no apparent
signs of his losing control, and not a
word was breathed against him in the
city, but one leader after another was
gradually drawn away.
Voliva, in the meantime, was stead
lily gaining strength at the head of the
Australian church. Energetic and un-
firing, with some of the shrewdness
, and resourcefulness of Dowie, he CEN
tralized the power of the Australian
, church more and more in himself.
Dowie still trusted him implicitly and
{ the letters of Voliva to his superior al
ways were devoted, even to the time
of his leaving for Zion City.
Gave Power to VoIiva
When the aged apostles health final
ly gave way in the winter of 1906 and
1906, and relinquishing control for the
first time, he went to Jamaica to re-
cuperate, he could think of no better
man in whose hands to leave the des-
TIMES of the city than VoliVa. Voliva
was given a power Of attorney and told
to go Immediately to Zion City.
The day beforeNthe arrival Of Voliva
in Zion City the man who dared whis-
per a criticism of the first apostle would
have been driven from the city.
Voliva made quiet entrance. His
first address in the tabernacle gave no
hint of the strife which was to follow
his coming. He preached simply and
effectively and spoke with the greatest
respect of Dowie. Soon after his COM
ing long conferences were held with the
presiding elders in the administration
building. The people knew that the
city's financial condition was being in
vestigated, but nothing more.
The opportunity for the break with
Dowie soon came. Deacon Speicher had
been forbidden to solemnize the mar
riage Of Elder Cotton by Dowie and
now, in violation of the apostles orders,
IH0 .CtTcIIlOIy WdS pChLOi iiSu Ny
Speicher. Dowie learned of it and sent
a long telegram ordering Speicher re-
moved from his office. The reply sent
by Voliva inaugurated the rebellion
and marked the end of Dowie's power.
Dowie Is Denounced
The following Sunday, before an au-
dience crowding the tabernacle, Vo-
lliva denounced Dowie, made charges Of
immortality and dishonesty against him
and proclaimed himself the leader of
the city. Almost without exception the
residents of the city were won over.
Only few, led by Deacons Lewis and
Peters, remained faithfurto Dowie.
Dowie was on his way to reclaim his
stronghold. But his strength was ebb-
ing slowly and when he reached Chi
cago he was too exhausted to move
on his enemies. The legal battle for the
occupancy of Shiloh house was begun.
Voliva shrewdly used every possible
means of increasing the enmity against
Dowie Mrs. Dowie and Gladstone
.I.n 90