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John A. Dowie, one of
Pentecostalism's Roots
Note: John Dowie established a
flourishing ministry in Chicago and then established Zion City, a
6500 acre city 42 miles north of Chicago along Lake Michigan.
(Restoring the
Faith. Edith L. Blumhofer, 1993, p. 23)
"In
the fall of 1899 Dowie declared his 'Three Months War Against the
Hosts of Hell in Chicago,' and for that period few segments of
society were spared his wrath. The followers had been reminded that
the church was supposed to protest where ever sin was found. ...Dowie's
terrier-like persistence in attacking and condemning major segments
of society such as the press, politicians, doctors, freemasonry and
the major denominations - the latter for allowing the use of
alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and saying little about overall social
reform - aggravated and aroused these groups on a wide front. His
'Holy War' created hostility with those who felt the sting of his
barbs. ... During the 'holy war,' the organization accompanied the
leader and frequently protected him from the ever present mob. ...
The 'holy war' was finally brought to an end when on New Year's Eve,
1899, the leader announced the opening of a city (Zion City) for his
followers" (Zion City, Illinois: Twentieth-Century Utopia,
Philip L. Cook, 1996, p. 20-2)
"Our object is the establishment of the Rule of God in every
department of government, by the free will of the people. We declare
our conviction that the Holy Scriptures ... constitute the
principles of all righteous government for the individual, for the
nation and for the whole world. ...
"The politics, the religion, the social ethics of the press are
entirely dependent upon the directions which are given in the
counting-house. ... I do not believe there ever will be a truly
honest and God-fearing newspaper in Chicago until Zion prints it.
...
"We
left our carriage amidst a storm of yells and curses and the
throwing of bottles containing filthy-smelling liquids. Meanwhile,
out in the streets, the police ... were charging the crowd and using
their batons freely ... the patrol wagons were summoned from all
parts of the west side of the city, and large numbers of the rioters
were arrested." (John Dowie in Leaves, October 20, 1899,
in Cook, p. 110, 21-22)
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