The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-12-30
AN OPEN LETTER
FROM
CLEMENT FRIEND HAWKINS


[ come back to you after ten years silence like
who has risen from the dead
[ came back Easter Sunday, 1916-the day univer-
sally associated with Resurrection thoughts and themes
In 1906 received great blow The cables flashed the
to in Australia of the troubles which had reached
a climax in Zion City.
I my way to Zion City at the time. I he
reached Sydney with wife and family and berhs
the Sydney Vancouver Boat had been chosen Boxes
lying in storeroom today still bear the legend Zion
City, Illinois, U. S. A. painted them in white lettering
Upon receipt of the above mentioned news Cancelled
everything and waited for further information
Further information only proved more confusing
had known Wilbur Glenn Volva through many glad,
glowing happy years of service in Zion in Australia He
was more than brother and friend to
loved John Alexander Dowie equally dearly
was of the first to greet Zion's founder upon
his arr in Australia in 1904 and the last Australian
officer to bid him adieu at Fremante, Western Australia
at the close of his memorable tour.
forget the day of his landing in Australia
when, In company with Overseer Voliva and other Aus
ralian officers, steamed out to the Sydney Heads
lovely Autumn morning, to greet the great steamship
SOmom0, and clasp the hand of our beloved leader.
Standing, as did, close to John Alexander Dowie
pilgrimage, and looking into his very soul with my own
spiritual eyes was it wonder that both loved and ad
mired what saw?
In many Illuminating confidential conferences had
with him the voyage from Adelaide to Fremantle (when
paced the deck of the Mongolia for hours at
tme saw the soul of living prophet of Cod hiding the
strength OF lion under the simplicity of child and the
tenderness Of woman.
Nothing had or heard in Zion had impressed me
than Wilbur Glenn Voiva's magnificent unfnching
loyalty to Zions beloved Founder and Leader whilst he
OVerSoef
What could have happened to those happy rela-
tonships?
My soul staggered before the ordeal
There only thing to do: must seal my lips
concerning both John Alexander Dowie and Wilbur Glenn
Volva and wait for the coming years to make clear the
situation
did not realize what that resolve was going to mean
to me, and it WELL perhaps that did not But kept
my vowthe that lips should never be opened again
in the world of religious and spiritual things until could
again sing the songs of ZION and proclaim what
designate as great reconciliation of Dowe and Vova
hV is has
to pass say just when in the history of ZIoN my
opinion that time arrived is sufficient for me to be able
here to that the Of John Alexander Dowe and
Wilbur Glenn Voiva will now down in history closely
coupled and fully reconcied.
If my brain had ceased it's activities when my spirit
became broken and parayzed, should have recovered
and should have been able to find my way back
ZION earlier But by the time the of Dowie and
Vova stood for the thing before the world
and the great reconciliation had been achieved found
had to reconcile myself to them BOTH
Though my tongue and pen had been silent nv mind
had wandered out along all sorts of hidden and reacherous
bypahs had venured to explore the dark junges of
Higher Criticism and the fascinating philosophy of the
superman. l had painfully and laborousy to pick my
way Blackjack to the ideals of Dowe and volva-back
to the had loved we'll and nearly ost-back to the
cult of Chrst's superman.
Now, my dear comrades, am back Will you sing the
DOXOlogy with me?
to greet me upon my return and welcomed with
questioning cordiaty My actions or rather my mac
on-my sencespoke to his great heart louder than any
verbal profession of mine ever could
My long and dreadful silence speaks in it's very dumb
of loyalty that greater deeper than anything
that can be put into words.
Until could cry aloud the rampars Of ZION, my
tongue must cleave to the roof of my mouth.
have been ten years in the wilderness, beside of
the great deserts of Central notwithstanding Wild vr
gin country, and growing grain. But have been cutivat
ing other things at the time. If have not been
growing grace well grai have believe been grow
ing into fuller stature and manhood in Christ Jesus.
Christ needed only forty days in the wilderness.
have needed ten years-and it has not been day
too long
Here have looked into the face of God and here have
arraigned my soul before it's Maker and Redeemer;
here have cried to the and the Winds perhaps few
men have CRIED "What shall give in exchange for
his sou? Here have kept my VOW and silent pledge
to speak again of the things of God but from
platform; and from here now, beloved comrades, send
this greeting and communicate to you my great resolve
to arise and make my way towards the city of
ZION.
hp hofo T