New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-10
DOWIE.

Dowe is dead. When the end came no chariot
of fire appeared 10 whrl the new Elijah into
Heaven. Even his mantle failed 10 slip cIassi,
cally from his shoulders and fall upon an Elisha
for the mantle OF the poor old madmah and faker
had long since been torn from him by disillu-
stoned disciples lie died surrounded 10y mere
handful of believers. an object of pity and
amusement 10 the great world which he vainly
tried to rule
DOwie's career demonstrates two things
First. that publicity, like fire, Is a good servant
but bad master: second, that great sins NAV
be successfully committed in the name of right.
eousness. DOwie was a commercial genius as
well 4 religious crank He knew how to
manage large enterprises; he knew the value of
advertising. But streak of madness prevented
him from realizing that publicity is a two edged
sword, carving many q mans fortune on one
side and whiting his coffin on the other Dowe
resorted To sensational methods I'm order to adj
vertise his faith cure religion. He secured more
free advertising from the American press than
have all the theatrical agents I'm ChristendOm.
Thanks 10 this he attracted listeners and won
a following. But he little realized that the
price of this advertising was public investga-
tiOn and establishment. Studied, watched and
quizzed by many men, the prophet saw his fame
dwindle 10 nOt0riety and his character 10 insane
craftiness His downfall was, among other
things. another triumph for the free press and
open criticism.
More significant than all this, however. is the
fact taught by the prophets success-such as it
was. Dowie was almost certainly sincere at the
outset and impressed simple minded men by the
sheer force OF his own personality and the OBJ
ViOus truth of the moral platitudeS he preached.
His claims to prophetic and miraculous powers
were doubtless listened 10 willingly 10y many
persons who felt the force of his moral precepts
To some of his followers his prophetic preten-
sions must have seemed irrelevant to the moral
reformation that he champiOned; to others his
power 10 cure all ills by faith and prayer prob
ably seemed an obvious inference from many
Biblical passages. In brief the new Elijah built
mp q church. not much on the strength of his
personal claims rs by the force OF his own per
sonality and, still more, the simple moral code
that he taught
Dowie himself is not the most interesting feat
IRE OF his movement: it is the peculiar simple
mindedness of the people whom he converted
These people are the natural children of race
whose fate il has been for the last century 10
busy itself almost exclusively with the pressing
problems &C pioneering and industry \ conven
fOnaI criticism has been that we have become
matcrastic as a result Of this. But thu crit
icism is utterly false. We hnve received prac-
teal education at the expense OF culture: we
know how TO meet every emergency. hut have
not developed our critical powers AS a result
instead Of being mateIialistic in the true sense,
We are scntimentalists. easily swayed by every
appeal TO our feelings when dollars are not the
issue. II is this very unmateriallstic trait that
made Zion City possible.
Moral carneStness is very much alive among
Americans. but il is not always accompanied aud
controlled 10y that critical spirit which is the
siircst mark Of truc culture Among the follow
ers of Dowle. the MormOns and other religious
innovators are to Toe found level headed business
men great manufacturers and captains Of indus
Try. the finest flower Of Americas specialized
army. Puzzllng as the allegiance of such men may
seem IL is n natural result Of tho onesldedness
of American life. These men have deep moral
ana religious instincts, but training in re-
Election upon' moral and religious history and
problems. And so It happens that they rate
religiOnist's claims as high as his aims
The ease with which new religion or other
reform is started is a good sign in so far as it