THE REV. J.A. DOWIE AT INVERCARGILL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1540, 15 January 1887, Page 3

THE REV. J.A. DOWIE AT INVERCARGILL.

The Invsroargill correspondent of a Dun* edin contemporary sends the following account of a meeting (which proved very lively) convened by the Rev, Mr Dowio to refute certain statements made by the Rev. D. Gordon as to the cares alleged by the former to be effected by faith throngh his agency and which wai briefly referred to in a local that appeared in oar columns last Tuesday:— ■■ The doing! and sayings of the Rev. J. A, Dowie are attracting a good deal of attention. Last week the Southland News opened the campaign with an article in which MrDowie’i mission was eomparad to Milner Stephen’s modus operand!, with this difference—that the business was done in a more genteel style. The latter retaliated at a Salvation Army meeting by expressing a hope that the editor would be eaved. Last Sunday the Rev. D. Gordon, of St. Paul’s (Presbyterian), delivered a lecture, in which he denonneed Mr Dowie’e statement! as blasphemous, questioned the bona fldee of one eaie of reputed healing, hinted that his mission was not free from the suspicion of «elfiihness, and wondered how a man holding hie view* could have the pulpit of the other Preibyterian Church (Rev. J. Fargnion’e) thrown open to him. Lait night the Wesleyan Church, in which Mr Dowie is holding his services, was crowded to the doors, Mr Dowie having announced that he would reply to Mr Gordon’s false accusations. At the outset the lecturer excited laughter by expreeiing a hope that the Rev, David Gordon would soon , lose his rheumatism. There was not a man in the world who had ever said what had been spoken of him the previone night. The vileat paper that had ever criticised him ond he had fought the liquor traffic, he had fought Rome, and ho had fought political wickedness—had never said ho was a selfish man, a blasphemer, or an impoetor. He denied emphatically that he had ever claimed to be able to heal. He wai only an instrument in God’s hands, and people could not bo healed nnlese they were belieren. It wm wid that Ohriit had healed without faith, but that arose from the mistake of confounding the oaeting ont of devils with the healing of diseaie. He denied that he resorted to magnetism ot mesmerism. The latter was the alphabet of Spiritism, which was the most diabolical thing that ever came out of the jaws of Hell. With regard to the charge of selfish, ness, he had been sent by bis church, which paid bis expenses, and he never took a penny from any of his patient*, so that there was no foundation for the accusation. Towards the close of the meeting, Mr W. Deverell asked Mr Dowie when he wai going to the hospital Mr Dowie i I will answer yon. Mr Deverell: Do not lose your temper take it quietly. , Mr Dowie: Sit down; this meeting is ruled by me; lit flown, eir; ,1 rule here, not you. , Mr Deverell sat down accordingly. Mr Dowio said if the doctors would invite him he would go to the hospital next morning—(hear, hear)—but he could not go without an invitation—(A voice, “Yes, you can.”) Mr Deverell: They are all waiting for y °Mr Dowie said that whether in ehurehei or hospitals he had never professed to heal anybody. He hsaled throngh faith in Christ, and to say that he eonld heal would be to unsay all he had tanght. But he would tall them the etory of a hoepital in Ballarat. . , Mr Deverell: You are far too emotional. Mr Dowie: Hold your tongue, e!r. You have nothing to do with my emotions. I should think I am emotional. I would not have done so much work otherwise. A voice from the door: It’s all bounce. Mr Dowie (excitedly): It’e all faote, you lying eooandrel. (Hisses). It’* *ll facta, and no men living-

Mr Dererell: Try and be gentlemanly. Mr Dowie: "Hold your tongue, sir.” He again etarted to epeak about the Ballarat Boepital, but, Mr Deterell again interrupt* ing, Mr Dowie said: " Sit down, air, or I ■ball hare you turned out, I know how to conduct a meeting. You do not know how to conduct younelf. No man hai hie emotioni undtr better control then I h»?e; but I am ?ery certain that every devil's agent in thia city gloried in that aermon last night,”

Mr Dererell: You are far too certain altogether. Mr Dowie: And you will hare to hold your tongue, eir. Mr Dererell: Anawer my question. Mr Dowie: Sit down and I will answer it. Ton have got to ait down, Mr Deverell; There i» far too mnoh rigmarole,—(Cries of "Sit down.”) Mr Dowie: Who are you, that I should have to anawer you? Mr Deverell then retired, and aa he left Mr Dowie remarked that perhaps he had taken too much whisky. (Cries of * Shame,") Mr Dowie: “ It's a ahame that a man’a defence should not be heard without interruption.” He then narrated what bad happened in Ballarat Hospital, and said he would guarantee if he went to the local Hoapital to-morrow, and taught patients that they must take no medicines or drags but trust in Jeans, that the doctors would ask him politely to retire. He deeply regretted the necessity that had arisen for a reply to Mr Gordon, and that the attack should have come from a brother minister, but silence on his part would be construed into a plea of guilt. He hoped that Mr Gordon wonld be healed of his rheumatism and find forgiveness, •