Fulfilment of a Grand Prophecy - Hazrat Ahmad’s Challenge to John Alexander Dowie — Page 73
Fulfillment of a Grand Prophecy. DOWIE BECOMES AN INVALID AND IS DEPOSED. NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, Tuesday, April 3,1906. Dowie Down and Out:. New Leader for Zion. Prophet charged with Hypocrisy and Polygamous Teaching gerations, tyrant and injustice. . John Alexander Dowie, head of the "Christian. Catholic Church of Zion" was deposed today as a religious leader, suspended from membership in the church he founded, shom of his temporal possessions in. Zion City, the home of his church, and warned to accept the situation quietly lest worse things befall him. . The active revolt against the leadership of Dowie was foreshadowed yesterday, when overseer Voliva, who had been placed by Dowie in charge of the church while he sought health in Jamaica and. Mexico, announced that he would no longer accept the orders of Dowie, who had, he declared, grossly mismanaged the affairs of the church, including the wife and son of Dowie, agreed to stand with him. . The first move looking to overthrow of the selfelected Elijah II was made early today by Overseer. Voliva, who holds a power of attorney from Dowie. . In company with several other officers from the church, Voliva hastened to Waukegan, the county seat of Lake county, in which Zion City is situated, and filed a warranty deed transferring to Alexander. Granger all the real estate held by Dowie in Zion. City. He also executed a bill of sale to Deacon. Granger, putting him in possession of all the personal property of Dowie, including his horses and carriages, books and even his bed. . Later in the day Granger conveyed these to. Voliva, and at nightfall the Overseer appointed by. Dowie had not only succeeded him, as the head of the church, but was the holder of all of his property as well. . The following message was then sent to Dowie, informing him of the change in the situation. . Telegram received. Practically all, including. Cincinnati's representatives, in dorsa Voliva's administrator. Spicer's reinstatement and Grangers retention, emphatically protesting against your extravagance, hypocrisy, misrepresentations, exag77. You are hereby suspended from office and membership, for polygamous teachings and other interference will precipitate complete exposure, grave charges. See letter. . . Quietly retire. Further rebellion and legal proceedings. . Your statement of stupendously magnificent financial outlook is extremely foolish, in view of thousands suffering through your shameful mismanagement. Zion and creditors will be protected at all costs. . Regarding the polygamous teachings mention-ed in the message to Dowie, Overseer Voliva said that the teachings had not been public, but were of a private character. . All those now prominent in the management of the affairs of the Zion City Church, with the exception of Overseer Voliva, are men with whom Dowie had quarreled in the past. He dismissed Deacon. Speicher from all of his appointments in the Church and compelled him to leave the Zion City. . It is generally believed by the officers of the. Church that the deposed leader will make a fight to recover his lost power. If this is done, they said today, the matter would go to the courts. . Dowie's project for the establishment of a colony in Mexico will be abandoned by the new administration. An allowance will be given to Dowie sufficient to maintain a residence in Mexico, if he so desires: or he will be received by the new officers of the church as a common citizen should he elect to return and take up his residence in Zion City. . No action under the criminal laws will be taken against Dowie, on account of the funds he is alleged to have wasted, nor any civil action be brought to recover money expended. If the deposed leader becomes becomes obstreperous, it is said that his son,. Gladstone Dowie, is prepared to make startling revelations.