Charles E. Cowman
Charles Elmer Cowman (1868 - 1924). American missionary and co-founder of the Oriental Missionary Society (now One Mission Society), born in Toulon, Illinois. Raised Methodist, he worked as a telegraph operator from age 15, rising to a high-paying role in Chicago by 19. Converted in 1894 after hearing A.B. Simpson at Moody Church, he married childhood friend Lettie Burd in 1889. In 1901, they moved to Japan, co-founding the society with Juji Nakada and Ernest Kilbourne, establishing Bible training institutes in Tokyo by 1903. Cowman led the Great Village Campaign (1913-1918), distributing Gospels to 10 million Japanese homes across 161,000 square miles. Known for holiness preaching and organizational zeal, he authored no books but inspired Streams in the Desert by Lettie. They had no children. Health issues forced his return to Los Angeles in 1917, where he continued guiding the mission. His work sparked revivals and trained thousands of native evangelists.
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Charles E. Cowman preaches about the journey of being brought into a large place by God, symbolizing His infinite being where all life converges. Through humility and surrender, like David, we are led to God Himself, the ultimate destination. Just as the Israelites were carried on eagle's wings to God, we are called to full surrender, even in times of sorrow, disappointment, and loss, as God draws us closer to Himself, where true bliss is found.
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Himself
"He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me; because he delighted in me" (Ps. 18:19). And what is this "large place"? What can it be but God Himself, that infinite Being in whom all other beings and all other streams of life terminate? God is a large place indeed. And it was through humiliation, through abasement, through nothingness that David was brought into it.--Madame Guyon "I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exod. 19:4). Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide, I asked the Lord where would its waters glide My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?" "Unto Myself," He said. Weeping beside an open grave I stood, In bitterness of soul I cried to God: "Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?" "Unto Myself," He said. Striving for souls, I loved the work too well; Then disappointments came; I could not tell The reason, till He said, "I am thine all; Unto Myself I call." Watching my heroes--those I loved the best-- I saw them fail; they could not stand the test, Even by this the Lord, through tears not few, Unto Himself me drew. Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell; The things that charmed me once seem all as naught; Unto Himself I'm brought. --selected
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Charles Elmer Cowman (1868 - 1924). American missionary and co-founder of the Oriental Missionary Society (now One Mission Society), born in Toulon, Illinois. Raised Methodist, he worked as a telegraph operator from age 15, rising to a high-paying role in Chicago by 19. Converted in 1894 after hearing A.B. Simpson at Moody Church, he married childhood friend Lettie Burd in 1889. In 1901, they moved to Japan, co-founding the society with Juji Nakada and Ernest Kilbourne, establishing Bible training institutes in Tokyo by 1903. Cowman led the Great Village Campaign (1913-1918), distributing Gospels to 10 million Japanese homes across 161,000 square miles. Known for holiness preaching and organizational zeal, he authored no books but inspired Streams in the Desert by Lettie. They had no children. Health issues forced his return to Los Angeles in 1917, where he continued guiding the mission. His work sparked revivals and trained thousands of native evangelists.