THE DOWIE CRAZE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 208, 30 October 1903, Page 2

THE DOWIE CRAZE.

A QUACK AND HIS RISE AND FALL. THE Dowie craze and its most recent developments in America are of especial interest to Australians and New Zealanders, inasmuch as the quack Dowie is personally known here. He was through this colony some years ago, visiting Nelson among other places, and his abusive methods drew down on him the indignation of many. But Carlyle recorded an immortal fact when he referred to the population of Great Britain as mostly fools, and he might have extended his jibe to other parts of the world, not by any means excluding our "cute" Yankee cousins. The latest development of Dowieisrn seems to have been evolved out -of the plot of a sensational story in "ReyHOKJS Miscellany," or the "Family Herald." Dowie was content till recently to pose as the reincarnation of the prophet Elijah, but now he declares that he is the son of an English duke by an unacknowledged Scottish marriage. The New York audience, quick to see the "bounder" through the thin veneer of a hackneyed ■ romance,, are said to t haye hissed Dowie for defaming his own mother. It is also satisfactory to learn that New York people ''pulled his leg" to a considerable extent by means of useless cheques. Dowieisrn is nothing without cheques payable on presentation; In fact a slump in Zion City developments, due to the falling off in the Bow ot the welcome cheque, has caused Dowie to invade New York. Doubtless he argued that he should be able to glean from the backs of the lambs that which Tammany had left unshorn.' But he does not seem to have ddtie much more than catch the influenza and seek the aid

of tho doctors against whom he is; especially viyuperative in his rival calling as a faith-healer. A brief] review of Dowieism, up to date may 1 prove of interest to the general reader, and it is given below. i • » • It appeai-s that the movement at the head of which is Dowie' and his wife, is erroneously described as "Zionist." The name has arisen from the circumstance that Dowie has established what he calls "Z'on, i City." As a matter of fact the Dowie sect, or whatever it may be termed, is an off-shoot of the •Christian Science" craze, under which* one is supposed to imagine himself well when he is ill, and so avoid doctors' fees, to the great benefit of the undertaking interest. Dowie was once a Congregational minister in Victoria, and about fourteen years ago, shortly after he had severed his connection with that Church, he went through New Zealand on a faith-healing mission, getting a good many converts, who still send him the essential of their faith, that is to say, hard cash to the chief Grand Panjandrum in the person df Dowie himself. However, though he drew crowds, Dowie f-oon worked out the colonial gold mine, and Australasia became rather too hot to hold him. So he flitted to the land oi wooden nutmegs and religious eccentricities, to tho United States, where the keenest hardheadedness and the softest .gullibility seem to be cheek-by-jo w!. • • • • His success of late years, though now decidedly on the wane, has been phenomenal. His disciples have numbered hundreds of thousands, and he has received for years one-tenth of the aggregate income contributed towards "Zion" by the disciples. When it is considered that a cardinal article pf faith among these cranks is to send to "Zion" tithes over and above any other contributions to religious or charitable purposes, it will be realised that the Dowie humbug has been eminently payable. One can consequently readily believe that I the woman in the case has gone » ahead to England with seven milI Hon dollars, to be followed later by I the man, reversing the method oi 1 Kruger in the flight from Maehadoriorp with the hard cash preceding. The hundreds of thousands have paid their tithes- cheerfully, and the "Overseer," that is to say, Dowie,' has taken personal charge of the money, holding himself responsible for accounts to none. Of recent months Dowie has established a colony of the faithful at what he calls "Zion City," and vast sums have certainly been expended on the place. In fact it is said that Zion lots are or have been booming, and that the American instipct of the aforesaid faithful has asserted itself by considerable speculations in real estate. But, like all booms, there has been something of a slump and even Dowie's colossal income— that is to say, the part of it he had to disburse in order to keep his following in good and unsuspici )u| humour— has not been proof against the "bear squeeze" that seems to havo set in ut Zion. Consequently Dowie thought he would exploit the guileless and lamb-like ~New Yorkers and discover a gold mine in the Bowery, or soft-minded individuals at Tammany Hall. Probably he had been reading "The Victors," wherein a Tammany Boss was "killed by his wife depending on faith-heal-ing or "Christian Science" treatment to bring her husband round from what was at first a slight illness. It was natural for a man of Dowie's stamp to argue that, if in fiction based on fact the chief shearer could be shorn to the pink, tiion he also might have a chance of taking wool off New York woolgatherers. He has found, however, that such wool-gathering as New Yorkers do has nothing in common with the condition of their wits. Also that New York in late autumn has a peculiarly virulent species of cold in the nose which faith-healing does not seem able to cure, and that among Tammany leaders and Wall-street operators and Bowerie wardsmen there are many practical jokers. J • • • • But Dowie is not merely a quack and a charlatan. He has a genius for organisation and an extraordinary personal magnetism. One of. his triumphs in this direction was the capture of a son and daughter in-law of General Booth, in charge of the Salvation Army in the United States, but these notable converts were soon disillusioned. The prophet's pretensions increased ivjth success ; he repudiated the term ''faith-healing," substituting "divine healing," and claimed to speak with the authority qf direct divine inspiration. He introduced a special triple baptism— based on the practice of certain ancient "heretical" sects— to which all converts are subjected. His personal expenses are on a. princely scale. Lately he discovered that he was the incarnation of Elijah, and al*. refusing to recognise the new c'aim were cut off from fellowship. His latest movement was intended for the conquest of New York, which he invaded with a large band of followers. • • • • But cablegrams show that he has gone off his head recently, probably from the sequellae of influenza. He has repudiated the Elijah reincarnation for a ducal "birth, possibly because lords' sons are in demand in the New York matrimonial market. The stock does not eeem to be quoted at a premium on Wallstreet, for even Bowerie toughs have a tender spot in their heart for "mother." Dowie has also had some domestic afflictions, and the father, departing from the pretences of the auack, has given, cause to followers to fcecome Bomowha.*, suspicious. His daughter recently got her hair on fire at her toilet and Buffered great agony, Dowie, for all he preached faith-healing, ; perniitte'd mundane and medicated ointments to be used to allay the poor child's pain. Whereupon Zion lotß fell in value. Dowie then went "one better." He repudiated "faith-healing" for "divine healing," and declared that persons were ill in exact proportion to their misdeeds. Then came the irony of it all in most of his crusaders taking the New York variety of la grippe, and refusing te get I well without the aid of the despised worldly medical aids. Now he also has had the influenza, and a doctor is attending him. In the circumstances, it is natural and as well that Mrs Dowie should make a. flitting to England with the strong box, and that the followers should depart from New York in a hurry. There • are indications that the Dowie craze Is about over. But. like other aberrent religious movements, the cult will probably remain, In a settled down form.

At the Pqlice Court to-day, Mr F. W. Fairey said that tbe city bylaw witft-J-egard to cattle straying on the public roads was being misapplied. - He contended that stray cattle should be placed in the public pound, T aiid hot have all the machinery of the Court set in motion for the purpose of punishing offenders. . His two horses which were found straying in New-street, were allowed to go out into the street ■ not by his own employees, but by 1 someone else. Mr F. N. Jones, who was fined for allowing a horse | to stray in New-street, said that ho could not understand how his horse, which was tightly tethered in a paddock close by, got out. The matter was a mystery to him, and he protested against being brought before the Court like- they were doing. He considered that cattle should be placed, in the public pound. At the Magistrate's Court this morning j I efore Mr H. W. Robinson, S.M., George Clarke, Thomas Andrew Field, Alfred George Betts, and Frank Batchelor, cyyclists charged with riding without lights, were each fined 2s Gd with 7s eostr. Speaking on tho General Church Fund question at the Diocesan Synod last evening, Mr A. T. Maginnity did not j appear to be quite correct in some of his j remarks re figures. After being corrected I Mr Maguniity humorously remarked j that" Like all lawyers we are wrong." One J of the clergymen ejaculated " They are." " But," replied Mr Maginnity, " we are not wrong when we aro making up our bill of costs."' At a committee meating of the Nelson Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club held last evening it was decided that the hall be opoped as early as possible and prizes won oh Labour Day be presented. Any corapctitoi' desirous of having his trophy j before then, can have it on application to ! the Secretary. Admission to opening will be by members' ticket. Messrs Fell and Cress well have been elected trustees of the Club. It was reported that a clock belonging to the hall was missing and it was decided to advertise for it, if not returned to place the matter in the hands of . the police. It was decided to write and thank the Fire Brigado for meeting the club with regard to the dates for sports meetings, and the club will be pleased to assist the Fire Brigake demonstration in every way possible. Appended is a list of those who have beancifcaLby the Labounrs' Union for refeaenoe to the Conciliation Board, a summary of which has appeared, in these c>hunhs — 'Nelson Gity Council, Koberfcson Bros, (builders), Scott's Estate, Miller and Sons, John Griminett, J. A. Stringer, "JV. A. Koughton, W. Orsman, Ed Woodward, Nelson Harbour Board, Alfred Shone, Wm. Marris, Langlands & Co., J. -C. Burford, Charles Bemnant, Andrew Bogle, John Hale, Fredk. Atkinson, sen., F, Plum, J. A. Barley and Sons, J. W. Krahagen, A. W. Shallerass, Grant Bros., John Gay, John Scott, Dodson & Son, Hogg & Co., Pycroffc and Jackson, J. M. Calder, Bisley Bros. & Co., Robert Crisp, Win. Taylor, Henry Baigent, John Orsman, Chas. Haggitt, "Webley & Johnston, Neale & HaddoW, Lightband & Co., G. M. Eout, Cboksoy and Co., Thomas Gorman; total, 41. The Conciliation. Board will fix tho date for hearing the case. The annual garden party by tho Bishop of Nelson and Mrs Mules to entertain the members of tbo Anglican Synod will bo held at Bishopdale to-morrow afternoon Palace car 3 will leave the Masonic corner at hours which are advertised. Eggs are being bought for export in large quantities in Canterbury at present. On Monday weak 800 dozen were received at fche Government cool store, to be graded aud stored ; a similar quantity was expected on Tuesday, and before the end of the week a further 900 dozed were expected from the country. The season of the Biook Lawn Tennis Club will open to-morrow aftornoon at 3 o'clock. A general meeting of members and intt n ling members of the Nelson Aniatour Swimming Club will be held at the rooms above the Co-operative Store, in Hardystreet, at 8 o'clock .this evening. A large attendance is requested as tho. business is important, Arrangements will also bo made for a sports gathering to be hold during November, and an endeavour will be made to get competitors from Wellington, and thus provide a good af temoou'rf sport for the Club's inaugural sports. Messrs W. Bout & Sons report having effiCted the sale of property in Kawaistreet to Mr Andrew Bogle j also the sale of property on tho Haven road, formerly the Clarendon Hotel, belonging to Mrs Donnan, Mrs Ruff being the purchaser. To-morrow at noon, at the Nelson Auction Booms, Messrs W. Kout and Sons will sell 20-*> Griffin and Sons shares, property in Hastings Street, household furniture and personal effec is in the estate of the lato John Beafctio. On Tuesday November 10 at 12 noon the firm will sell piano and furnishings being the contents of 12 rooms on account Mi's Donnan at her residence, Haven road. To-morrow at noon, Me&srs Bisley Bros, and Co. soil in their rooms, Hardy Street; a colloction'of oil painting 3 by Mr H. W. Kirkwood, the avoll known artist f alsq potatoes, bran, pollard, household furniture and effects, buggy and harness ; at noon, 90 acres 13 perches, being section 2, block xii, Tadinor, practically without reserve. On Wednesday next, at 11 am., Mr W. Lock will sell at Riwaka the draught and light horns, farm implements, and furniture and effects belonging to Mr L. Pattio. The sale will commence sharp to time, and luncheon will be provided. Mrs Anstice draws attention to hor new advertisement notifying that she has engaged the services of a new milliner. The Marriage Ceremony has been interrupted in various ways, but the most unique one occiirred tho other day whilst Mr Clutterbuck was being married tp Miss Chew-Gurii. • When asked to repeat after the Minister : ."■' With all my worldly goods I thee endow," the young man hesitated and looked towards his bride, and she knowing full well that he possessed scarcely enough to buy a henroost, said, "Go on, John, I've saved ten pounds, and we can go to Lock's the Universal Providers and Cheapest House "Furnishers, in Bridgestreet, Nelson, and get comfortably furnished out for that ' sum ; for ten pounds spent there will go twice as far as the amount spent any* where else." Thunderstruck, .John uttered, "Mary, you're a hero \" and the officiating Clergyman, turning to the bridesmaid and best man said, "Go thou and do likewise, for no doubt -Lock has one of the largest and best stocks of Furniture and Furnishings in the colony, and his prices are much lower than those of firms in large cities." The ceremony then proceeded and they were happy ever afterwards. Mr Lock has equipped hundreds of Happy Homes, and "Go to Lock's " have become household words. — Advt.