Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/540

 suddenly on 30 Jan. 1910, and is buried in the Dean cemetery, Edinburgh. A memorial tablet in bronze, giving a full figure of Dowden in episcopal robes, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer, and modelled by Mr. Deuchars, with a Latin inscription, was placed in the floor of the north side of the choir in Edinburgh Cathedral on 27 Oct. 1911. His library was bought by public subscription after his death and placed in the chapter house of the cathedral (Scottish Chronicle, 3 Nov. 1911).

Dowden married in 1864 Louisa, only daughter of Francis Jones, civil engineer. His widow, two sons, and four daughters survive him.

In addition to the works mentioned, Dowden printed various charges, sermons, and pamphlets, and at his death was engaged in rewriting 'Keith's Catalogue of Scottish Bishops,' of which portions appeared in the 'Scottish Historical Review'; this was completed by Dr. J. Maitland Thomson and published in 1912.

 DOWIE, JOHN ALEXANDER (1847–1907), religious fanatic, was born in Leith Street Terrace, Edinburgh, on 25 May 1847. At a school in Arthur Street he gained a silver medal at the age of fourteen (1861). His parents emigrated to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1860; he followed them, but in 1868 returned to Scotland, and with a view to the congregational ministry attended the Edinburgh University for two sessions, 1869-71. His first place of ministry was the congregational church at Alma, near Adelaide, whence he soon moved to the charge of Manly church, Sydney, New South Wales, and later to a church at Newton, a suburb of Sydney. At this period he was prominent as a social reformer, a temperance advocate, and a pleader for free, compulsory, and undenominational education. It is stated that Sir Henry Parkes [q. v. Suppl. I] offered him a seat in his cabinet. In 1878 he declared himself against a paid ministry. Two lectures, which he delivered in the Victoria Theatre, Sydney, in 1879, on 'The Drama, the Press, and the Pulpit,' attracted attention and were published. In 1882 he built a tabernacle at Melbourne, Victoria, in connection with an association for 'divine healing.' Healing was to be in answer to prayer. Dr. Dowie, as he was now styled, claimed that in ten years he laid hands on eighteen thousand sick persons, and healed most of them. He made expeditions to New Zealand, San Francisco (1888), Nebraska (1890), and in July 1890 made Chicago his headquarters, though extending his travels to Canada. In May 1893 he opened Zion's tabernacle, at Chicago, as a centre for the 'Divine Healing Association.' A move for the independent organisation of a new religious community in November 1895 led to trouble in the law courts. However, on 22 Jan. 1896 he succeeded in organising the 'Christian Catholic Church in Zion,' with a hierarchy of overseers, evangelists, deacons, and deaconesses. On 22 Feb. Dowie was made general overseer; his wife, Jane Dowie, was the only woman overseer; the wives of overseers were usually made elders; no unmarried man could be more than deacon. Zion City, on Lake Michigan, forty-two miles north of Chicago, was projected on 22 Feb. 1899; on 1 Jan. 1900, 6500 acres of land were secured, the title-deeds being held by Dowie as 'proprietor' and 'general overseer.' If Dowie is to be believed, his following had by 29 April 1900 increased from 500 to 50,000; his critics say that he never had more than half that number. The site of Zion temple was consecrated on 14 July 1900. Dowie now announced himself as 'Elijah the restorer,' otherwise 'the prophet Elijah,' and 'the third Elijah.' The gates of Zion City were opened on 15 July 1901; by 2 Aug. the first residence was ready. The religious organisation of the community, completed on 7 April 1902, was supplemented on 21 Sept. by the formation of a body of picked men, known as 'Zion restoration host.' The city was planned with great ostentation, and included both winter and summer residences for its inhabitants. Dowie distinguished himself by a showy costume of oriental appearance. On 18 Sept. 1904 he consecrated himself 'first apostle,' with authority to elect eleven others; the title of the body was now enlarged to 'Christian, Catholic, Apostolic Church in Zion,' and its purpose, frankly avowed by Dowie, was 'to smash every other church in existence.' Its members were bound to minute particulars of personal and ceremonial observance, alcohol and tobacco being prohibited. The leading motive was evidently the establishment of a sheer autocracy, wielded by Dowie. The publications of this body, including their 