- Home
- Speakers
- Charles E. Cowman
- The Lord's Times
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.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the beauty and majesty of God's creation in the morning, emphasizing the joy and rejoicing that comes with witnessing the dawn break and the sun rise. He encourages waking up early to experience God's handiwork in the morning light, connecting it to the purity and clarity that God can bring to our hearts and lives. Cowman reflects on the significance of starting each day with God, seeking His will and guidance to lead us triumphantly through life's challenges.
The Lord's Times
"Thou makest the outgoing of the morning and evening to rejoice" (Ps. 65:8). Get up early and go to the mountain and watch God make a morning. The dull gray will give way as God pushes the sun towards the horizon, and there will be tints and hues of every shade, that will blend into one perfect light as the full-orbed sun bursts into view. As the King of day moves forth majestically, flooding the earth and every lowly vale, listen to the music of heaven's choir as it sings of the majesty of God and the glory of the morning." In the holy hush of the early dawn I hear a Voice "I am with you all the day, Rejoice! Rejoice!" The clear, pure light of the morning made me long for the truth in my heart, which alone could make me pure and clear as the morning, tune me up to the concert-pitch of the nature around me. And the wind that blew from the sunrise made me hope in the God who had first breathed into my nostrils the breath of life; that He would at length so fill me with His breath, His mind, His Spirit, that I should think only His thoughts, and live His life, finding therein my own life, only glorified infinitely. What should we poor humans do without our God's nights and mornings? --George MacDonald "In the early morning hours, 'Twixt the night and day, While from earth the darkness passes Silently away; "Then 'tis sweet to talk with Jesus In thy chamber still For the coming day and duties Ask to know His will. "Then He'll lead the way before you, Mountains laying low; Making desert places blossom, Sweet'ning Marah's flow. "Would you know this life of triumph, Victory all the way? Then put God in the beginning Of each coming day."
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.