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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 emphasizes the importance of stillness in our Christian walk, highlighting the need to let God work in us rather than constantly striving to do things on our own. He points out that God's eternal purpose for us is to be like His Son, requiring us to be passive and trust in His plan. Through poems and reflections, he encourages believers to sit still, have faith, and wait patiently for God's perfect timing and direction in their lives.
Sit Still
"Ye shall not go out with haste" (Isa. 52:12). I do not believe that we have begun to understand the marvelous power there is in stillness. We are in such a hurry--we must be doing--so that we are in danger of not giving God a chance to work. You may depend upon it, God never says to us, "Stand still," or "Sit still," or "Be still," unless He is going to do something. This is our trouble in regard to our Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians when we need to let Him work in us. Do you know how still you have to be when your likeness is being taken? Now God has one eternal purpose concerning us, and that is that we should be like His Son; and in order that this may be so, we must be passive. We hear so much about activity, may be we need to know what it is to be quiet. --Crumbs Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill! The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way, Hath not forgotten thy great need today! And, if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove To thee, His tender child, His heart's deep love. Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord's will! While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way Corrodingly within, because of His delay Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest That He, who knows and loves, will do the best. Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor move one step, not even one, until His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet! How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong! And waiting days not counted then too long. Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! What higher service could'st thou for Him fill? 'Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost! For lack of losing all how much is lost! 'Tis hard, 'tis true! But then--He giveth grace To count the hardest spot the sweetest place. --J. D. Smith
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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.