The Zionists.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7923, 1 October 1904, Page 6

The Zionists.

(To:; the Editor),

Sis.—l noticed in your paper last week a cablegram to the effect that John Alex. Dowie had been:. invested with divine power as io the forgiving of sins, etc. Now,-sir, to these of us who belong to the Christian Catholic Church these false statements, which have con? turned to reach us through the American press are anything but acceptable. We are well aware that eyery reformer \ must suffer his times of .bitter .persecuv' tion. Still, if we were to ]udge the character of the man by! the prejudiced and wicked reports that have been published, then we would naturally conclude that Dr. Dbwie was a robber, a fanatic, and a fraud, opposing everything good and sowing only seeds of strife and emulation. Now, as a member of his church, and as an acquaintance of those who have, but recently lived under his very roof in Zion City, I have good grounds for stating ihat Dr. Dowie is not what he is generally represented to be, but a straightforward, Godfearing man, kind and cheerful in the home, but absolutely fearless in attacking everything evil and in. carrying out thewprlc he has ;been ordained to perform. His creed, is simple. He believes in putting God forward m the', home,.: in business, and in the State. He is thoroughly philanthropic in his motives, as may be concluded from the fact that he commenced his work amidst the slums of Edinburgh while he was yet a student of the Edinburgh University. That he is not bigoted or fanatical may best be demonstrated by stating that he has recognised private friends" amongst almost every religious sect from a Homish ■ Cardinal to a Jewish Rabbi. In conclusion, sir, I may state that m spite of the insults and scornful epitaphs that have been heaped on this man"without intermission, i_ r. Dowie still stands unconvicted,- the most progressive man of his time, loved best by those who know him best, and hated worst by.those who know him least, or whose crafts are endangered by his tea.hmg. I am, &c, Justice.