Matthias F. Cowley
Born: 25 August 1858
Called to Quorum of the Twelve: 7 October 1897
Resigned from the Quorum of the Twelve: 28 October 1905
Priesthood Suspended: 11 May 1911
Died: 16 June 1940
Called to Quorum of the Twelve: 7 October 1897
Resigned from the Quorum of the Twelve: 28 October 1905
Priesthood Suspended: 11 May 1911
Died: 16 June 1940
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Juvenile Instructor, 1 May 1881, Missionary Incidents
Juvenile Instructor, 15 August 1896, Missionary Correspondence
Improvement Era, February 1899, Acts of Special Providence in Missionary Experience - Fulfillment of Dreams
Juvenile Instructor, 15 November 1900, Lives of Our Leaders - The Apostles: Matthias F. Cowley
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Juvenile Instructor, 1 May 1881, Missionary Incidents
Juvenile Instructor, 15 August 1896, Missionary Correspondence
Improvement Era, February 1899, Acts of Special Providence in Missionary Experience - Fulfillment of Dreams
Juvenile Instructor, 15 November 1900, Lives of Our Leaders - The Apostles: Matthias F. Cowley
Jenson, Andrew. "Cowley, Matthias Foss." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 168-172.
COWLEY, Matthias Foss, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles since 1897, is the son of Matthias Cowley and Sarah Elizabeth Foss, and was born Aug. 25, 1858, in Salt Lake City, Utah, just after the return of his parents from Springville, whither they had gone during the "Move." His father was of Celtic descent, and emigrated from the Isle of Man with his parents, to Nauvoo, in 1843. His mother was a native of the State of Maine. They, as well as Matthias F.'s grandparents on both sides of the house, embraced the gospel. At the time of the Nauvoo martyrdom, Matthias, the elder, then thirteen years of age, was a resident of Warsaw, Ill.; after the exodus, he went to St. Louis to aid in earning means for the emigration of the family to the mountains. At the age of fifteen years, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the "Missouri Republican," subsequently laboring in the office of the "Frontier Guardian," Kanesville, under Elder Orson Hyde. He emigrated to Salt Lake City in 1852, where he married Miss Foss, in 1857. His wife. Apostle Cowley's mother, early taught school in her native State. She continued in this vocation until her parents and other members of the family, who with her had embraced the gospel through the missionary efforts of Apostle Wilford Woodruff and John F. Boynton, emigrated to Utah in 1850. Apostle Cowley was the first child of four in the family. In 1864, the elder Cowley died. His wife, some years after, married the well-known early civil engineer Jesse W. Fox, who thus became the foster-father of the boy. The future Apostle assisted the noted surveyor in his labors on the Utah Southern Railway (now a branch of the Oregon Short Line south of Salt Lake City) for seven summers. In the winter season, he attended the Deseret (now Utah) University; his early education was obtained from his mother, who, after the death of her first husband, devoted herself to her early profession to support her family. His education, therefore, was obtained piecemeal, for he never attended school an entire year successively. But notwithstanding his school years were thus broken into by work, he advanced to the study of algebra and geometry, achieving more than ordinary success in these and other studies. His mother was desirous that he should learn a trade or profession, but circumstances stood in the way of the fulfillment of his mother's desires, and both trade and profession were abandoned. An inborn desire towards religion is characteristic of Apostle Cowley. It is natural for some men to make money, but he has been endowed with the missionary spirit; his natural work is to make converts to the cause of God. While in the surveying field, he carried an old Bible which his father had used while on a mission to England. This he read at intervals, snatching a few minutes to con a chapter, more or less, according to the time at his disposal. He has a retentive memory which aids him greatly to interest his audiences, and he early placed it to the test by memorizing many Scripture passages. At the expiration of his second mission in the Southern States, he, with Elder John W. Taylor, had memorized well-nigh four hundred Bible verses, and that in a systematic way, all bearing upon the gospel and especially upon its first principles. Apostle Cowley has grown naturally and steadily to the position he now occupies in the Church. He was blessed when eight days old, by Apostle Orson Hyde, assisted by his own father; was baptized by Elder Samuel R. Turnbow Nov. 1, 1866, and confirmed by Bishop Abraham Hoagland. In October, 1874, he was ordained a Deacon and a Teacher, serving in these capacities for a number of years. On Dec. 28, 1874, he was ordained an Elder by Elder Olaf F. Due, and received his endowments. In April, 1875, he was chosen counselor to Edward W. Davis of the first quorum of Elders, serving in that office with Elder Russell and subsequently with Elder John W. Taylor, his youthful companion and bosom friend. He served as collector for his quorum, at the time when the quorums donated for the erection of the Salt Lake Temple, and acted as Ward Teacher almost continuously, from October, 1874, to February 24, 1878, at which time he was called upon his first mission to the Southern States. Returning from his mission, in the course of six months, he was again called to the same field, and arrived home from his second mission in July, 1882. Prior to his departure on his second mission he was, on motion of Apostle Wilford Woodruff, ordained a Seventy by Pres. Joseph Young. In 1882 he became identified with the "Contributor," published by Elder Junius F. Wells In the interest of the M. I. A. and was called on a mission to travel for it, and to preach to the young people at home. He visited ten Stakes of Zion, holding meetings in nearly every Ward thereof. He increased the circulation of the magazine to over four thousand copies, revived the lagging interest in the associations, and practically introduced himself to the Latter-day Saints. Thousands will remember with what force and spirit he proclaimed to the young people the first principles of the gospel. For a short interval he was engaged as clerk in the city recorder's office at Salt Lake City, under Hon. John T. Caine and Gov. Heber M. Wells, and in the winter of 1883-4, he acted as chaplain in the House of the Utah legislature. On the day the Logan Temple was opened for endowments, May 21, 1884, Elder Cowley was married to Miss Abbie Hyde. He was ordained a High Priest Oct. 25, 1884. by Apostle Francis M. Lyman, and chosen and sustained as the superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of Oneida Stake, Idaho. He traveled extensively among the seventeen Wards of the Stake, laboring with zeal in the cause for three years. When Pres. George C. Parkinson, in 1887, was chosen Stake president. Elder Cowley was made his second counselor, in which position he served for ten years, until called to the Apostleship. It was while he was still acting in this capacity that he was called to accompany Elder Edward Stevenson to open the Northwestern States Mission, comprising Montana, Washington, Northern Idaho and Oregon. He spent about four months in this field, visiting the States named, but spending most of the time in the first named, where thirty-nine souls were baptized. Within three weeks of his ordination as an Apostle, he was called to accompany Apostle Francis M. Lyman to the Southern States Mission, in which, with Pres. Elias S. Kimball, they visited every conference, giving choice instructions to the people and to five hundred Elders from Zion then in the field. From thence, they proceeded to Brooklyn, preaching in the Eastern States Mission, and visiting points of historic interest in Philadelphia, New York and Washington. While in the latter place, they were introduced by Hon. Wm. H. King to President McKinley, who received them very cordially and mentioned with pleasure his visit to Salt Lake City. Apostle Cowley is constantly traveling in the interest of the Church, having visited all the Stakes of Zion, having also lifted his voice in testifying to the mission of Christ, and borne testimony to the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in thirty-three States and Territories of the Union Apostle Cowley is unpretentious in his demeanor, and the spirit of humility that accompanies his administrations draws the hearts of the people to him. He has laid a foundation upon which the strength of his growing manhood, aided by the Lord, will find no trouble in building a superstructure of finished excellence and worth. His sermons, deliberate, sound and spoken from the heart, are full of force and effectiveness. Simplicity and earnestness make him a strong advocate with the Father, and endear him in the hearts of the people. He is naturally and wholly spiritual-minded, and finds pleasure in the contemplation of those higher principles of man's being that lift the soul from the material to things divine. On July 5, 1876, a patriarchal blessing was bestowed upon Elder Cowley by William McBride, in which it was predicted that he would soon be called into the ministry, and would "travel much for the gospel's sake, both by sea and by land, even unto the ends of the earth." This prediction was further corroborated in a blessing given him by Patriarch John Smith prior to Elder Cowley's departure for his mission to the Southern States, in which blessing were also many other predictions concerning his life which have been literally fulfilled. In a meeting of the Aaronic Priesthood, held in the Fourteenth Ward of Salt Lake City, also prior to his departure for the South on a mission. Elder Cowley was blessed by Bishop Thomas Taylor, who prophesied that since he had been faithful at home, the Lord would exceedingly bless him abroad. People would have dreams of his coming, and be prepared to receive him. When set apart for his mission to Montana, Apostle Francis M. Lyman promised him that with his companion, he should have influence with prominent men whom they would meet in their travels. In Elder Cowley's call to the Apostleship, a prophecy was fulfilled uttered by Elder John W. Taylor, in a letter written to St. Louis to the former from Kentucky, March 19, 1882, in which Elder Taylor wrote: "If you are faithful, you will yet become one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world." Pres. Joseph Young, when ordaining him to the office of Seventy, said: "Your name corresponds to that of an Apostle of old, and you shall perform a similar mission." Apostle Cowley has lived to prove worthy of the fulfillment of all of these predictions in his life. During his first mission, Bishop Taylor's prediction that he should find a people prepared to receive him, was literally fulfilled. He was appointed to labor in Virginia, and it was in Tazewell, Bland and Smith counties where he found such a people, chiefly young men and women whose parents and grandparents had heard the gospel preached by Elder Jedediah M. Grant, in 1840. Some had embraced it, many others had become life-long friends, and the seeds sown by Elder Grant had borne fruits in the hearts of children and grandchildren one and two generations later. In two years. Elders Cowley and Barnett, and four other Elders, who were present only a short time of the two years, performed one hundred and fourteen baptisms in that field. Many children were blessed, and hundreds of people heard the testimony that the gospel is again restored to earth by holy angels. The promise to him by Apostle Lyman was literally fulfilled, but notably in Montana where he and his companion were received by Governor Richards with the utmost hospitality. Before their leaving Helena, the governor gave them a letter of commendation to the people of the State, affirming their sincerity and honesty. In one of those lonely nights that come to all missionaries. Elder Cowley on his first mission dreamed twice of being home before the right time. He says that the horrors which he experienced in these dreams were such as to keep him ever after constantly contented in the missionary field. It was in one of these dreams, that he met Pres. John Taylor, who said to him: "Well, you are home, are you? You may prepare to go to Georgia now." Here, also, was a prophecy, for, strange to say, although Elder Cowley did not return until after the expiration of his mission of twenty-seven months, he was soon called, as we have seen, to return to the south, and this time was appointed by Pres. John Morgan to travel with Elder John W. Taylor in Georgia. Prior to his journey to Georgia, he was appointed to conduct a company of Saints from the Southern States to southern Colorado. Several bodies of the Saints came together from Virginia, Georgia and Alabama, at Chattanooga, Tenn., which was the central starting point. At Huntington, Tenn., the company was joined by fifty-seven souls, men, women and children, from Henderson county, of the same State. These were the converts of the mysterious preacher, Robert Edge, who preached the first principles of the gospel, healing, the millennium, etc., as taught by the Saints, but who would not officiate in any of the ordinances. He said this authority, however, to officiate was upon the earth. The similarity between his teachings and those of the Elders, led his converts, whom he denied baptism, to send for the Elders. The people investigated, were convinced of the truths of the gospel, and were subsequently baptized by Elders George Carver and Hyrum Belnap. The company numbered, with additions from Mississippi, brought to Columbus, Kentucky, by Elder John M. Gibson, one hundred and seventeen souls, and arrived in Manassa in November, 1880. Returning eastward, he was met in St. Louis by Elder John W. Taylor, whence they proceeded to west Georgia, laboring four months in a new district. Thence they went to the northern part of the State, laboring afterwards in St. Louis with Elder George C. Parkinson. Here they hired a hall, and held regular meetings which Were advertised in the papers, among which was the St. Louis "Republican," in the office of which his father had labored some thirty years before to obtain means to help himself and parents to emigrate to Utah. While in this city. Elder Cowley wrote several articles for the papers, defending the Saints and explaining the principles of the gospel. He led a company of Saints to Manassa, Colo., in the spring of 1882, and it was on his return east with Pres. John Morgan, that he called on David Whitmer, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and heard that man's testimony that he had seen an angel and the plates upon which were the sacred writings, which testimony David Whitmer maintained without variation or modification to the end of his days. Apostle Cowley is an energetic worker In the mission field, and the Saints where he has labored are greatly attached to him because of his plain manner, his simplicity and open-heartedness. His energy has even increased, in his missionary labors at home, since his call to his present exalted station, and his value as a laborer in the cause of God becomes more apparent as the years roll by. The gifts of the gospel are enjoyed by him, while the power of the Spirit of God is richly manifest in his administrations among the people. With short, well-knit frame, indicating physical strength; with robust health, a clear spiritual discernment, abiding love for the people, an Israelite without guile. Apostle Cowley stands upon the threshold of a career which gives promise of great activity and results for good, for the glory and advancement of the kingdom of God.—Edward H. Anderson.
COWLEY, Matthias Foss, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles since 1897, is the son of Matthias Cowley and Sarah Elizabeth Foss, and was born Aug. 25, 1858, in Salt Lake City, Utah, just after the return of his parents from Springville, whither they had gone during the "Move." His father was of Celtic descent, and emigrated from the Isle of Man with his parents, to Nauvoo, in 1843. His mother was a native of the State of Maine. They, as well as Matthias F.'s grandparents on both sides of the house, embraced the gospel. At the time of the Nauvoo martyrdom, Matthias, the elder, then thirteen years of age, was a resident of Warsaw, Ill.; after the exodus, he went to St. Louis to aid in earning means for the emigration of the family to the mountains. At the age of fifteen years, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the "Missouri Republican," subsequently laboring in the office of the "Frontier Guardian," Kanesville, under Elder Orson Hyde. He emigrated to Salt Lake City in 1852, where he married Miss Foss, in 1857. His wife. Apostle Cowley's mother, early taught school in her native State. She continued in this vocation until her parents and other members of the family, who with her had embraced the gospel through the missionary efforts of Apostle Wilford Woodruff and John F. Boynton, emigrated to Utah in 1850. Apostle Cowley was the first child of four in the family. In 1864, the elder Cowley died. His wife, some years after, married the well-known early civil engineer Jesse W. Fox, who thus became the foster-father of the boy. The future Apostle assisted the noted surveyor in his labors on the Utah Southern Railway (now a branch of the Oregon Short Line south of Salt Lake City) for seven summers. In the winter season, he attended the Deseret (now Utah) University; his early education was obtained from his mother, who, after the death of her first husband, devoted herself to her early profession to support her family. His education, therefore, was obtained piecemeal, for he never attended school an entire year successively. But notwithstanding his school years were thus broken into by work, he advanced to the study of algebra and geometry, achieving more than ordinary success in these and other studies. His mother was desirous that he should learn a trade or profession, but circumstances stood in the way of the fulfillment of his mother's desires, and both trade and profession were abandoned. An inborn desire towards religion is characteristic of Apostle Cowley. It is natural for some men to make money, but he has been endowed with the missionary spirit; his natural work is to make converts to the cause of God. While in the surveying field, he carried an old Bible which his father had used while on a mission to England. This he read at intervals, snatching a few minutes to con a chapter, more or less, according to the time at his disposal. He has a retentive memory which aids him greatly to interest his audiences, and he early placed it to the test by memorizing many Scripture passages. At the expiration of his second mission in the Southern States, he, with Elder John W. Taylor, had memorized well-nigh four hundred Bible verses, and that in a systematic way, all bearing upon the gospel and especially upon its first principles. Apostle Cowley has grown naturally and steadily to the position he now occupies in the Church. He was blessed when eight days old, by Apostle Orson Hyde, assisted by his own father; was baptized by Elder Samuel R. Turnbow Nov. 1, 1866, and confirmed by Bishop Abraham Hoagland. In October, 1874, he was ordained a Deacon and a Teacher, serving in these capacities for a number of years. On Dec. 28, 1874, he was ordained an Elder by Elder Olaf F. Due, and received his endowments. In April, 1875, he was chosen counselor to Edward W. Davis of the first quorum of Elders, serving in that office with Elder Russell and subsequently with Elder John W. Taylor, his youthful companion and bosom friend. He served as collector for his quorum, at the time when the quorums donated for the erection of the Salt Lake Temple, and acted as Ward Teacher almost continuously, from October, 1874, to February 24, 1878, at which time he was called upon his first mission to the Southern States. Returning from his mission, in the course of six months, he was again called to the same field, and arrived home from his second mission in July, 1882. Prior to his departure on his second mission he was, on motion of Apostle Wilford Woodruff, ordained a Seventy by Pres. Joseph Young. In 1882 he became identified with the "Contributor," published by Elder Junius F. Wells In the interest of the M. I. A. and was called on a mission to travel for it, and to preach to the young people at home. He visited ten Stakes of Zion, holding meetings in nearly every Ward thereof. He increased the circulation of the magazine to over four thousand copies, revived the lagging interest in the associations, and practically introduced himself to the Latter-day Saints. Thousands will remember with what force and spirit he proclaimed to the young people the first principles of the gospel. For a short interval he was engaged as clerk in the city recorder's office at Salt Lake City, under Hon. John T. Caine and Gov. Heber M. Wells, and in the winter of 1883-4, he acted as chaplain in the House of the Utah legislature. On the day the Logan Temple was opened for endowments, May 21, 1884, Elder Cowley was married to Miss Abbie Hyde. He was ordained a High Priest Oct. 25, 1884. by Apostle Francis M. Lyman, and chosen and sustained as the superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of Oneida Stake, Idaho. He traveled extensively among the seventeen Wards of the Stake, laboring with zeal in the cause for three years. When Pres. George C. Parkinson, in 1887, was chosen Stake president. Elder Cowley was made his second counselor, in which position he served for ten years, until called to the Apostleship. It was while he was still acting in this capacity that he was called to accompany Elder Edward Stevenson to open the Northwestern States Mission, comprising Montana, Washington, Northern Idaho and Oregon. He spent about four months in this field, visiting the States named, but spending most of the time in the first named, where thirty-nine souls were baptized. Within three weeks of his ordination as an Apostle, he was called to accompany Apostle Francis M. Lyman to the Southern States Mission, in which, with Pres. Elias S. Kimball, they visited every conference, giving choice instructions to the people and to five hundred Elders from Zion then in the field. From thence, they proceeded to Brooklyn, preaching in the Eastern States Mission, and visiting points of historic interest in Philadelphia, New York and Washington. While in the latter place, they were introduced by Hon. Wm. H. King to President McKinley, who received them very cordially and mentioned with pleasure his visit to Salt Lake City. Apostle Cowley is constantly traveling in the interest of the Church, having visited all the Stakes of Zion, having also lifted his voice in testifying to the mission of Christ, and borne testimony to the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in thirty-three States and Territories of the Union Apostle Cowley is unpretentious in his demeanor, and the spirit of humility that accompanies his administrations draws the hearts of the people to him. He has laid a foundation upon which the strength of his growing manhood, aided by the Lord, will find no trouble in building a superstructure of finished excellence and worth. His sermons, deliberate, sound and spoken from the heart, are full of force and effectiveness. Simplicity and earnestness make him a strong advocate with the Father, and endear him in the hearts of the people. He is naturally and wholly spiritual-minded, and finds pleasure in the contemplation of those higher principles of man's being that lift the soul from the material to things divine. On July 5, 1876, a patriarchal blessing was bestowed upon Elder Cowley by William McBride, in which it was predicted that he would soon be called into the ministry, and would "travel much for the gospel's sake, both by sea and by land, even unto the ends of the earth." This prediction was further corroborated in a blessing given him by Patriarch John Smith prior to Elder Cowley's departure for his mission to the Southern States, in which blessing were also many other predictions concerning his life which have been literally fulfilled. In a meeting of the Aaronic Priesthood, held in the Fourteenth Ward of Salt Lake City, also prior to his departure for the South on a mission. Elder Cowley was blessed by Bishop Thomas Taylor, who prophesied that since he had been faithful at home, the Lord would exceedingly bless him abroad. People would have dreams of his coming, and be prepared to receive him. When set apart for his mission to Montana, Apostle Francis M. Lyman promised him that with his companion, he should have influence with prominent men whom they would meet in their travels. In Elder Cowley's call to the Apostleship, a prophecy was fulfilled uttered by Elder John W. Taylor, in a letter written to St. Louis to the former from Kentucky, March 19, 1882, in which Elder Taylor wrote: "If you are faithful, you will yet become one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world." Pres. Joseph Young, when ordaining him to the office of Seventy, said: "Your name corresponds to that of an Apostle of old, and you shall perform a similar mission." Apostle Cowley has lived to prove worthy of the fulfillment of all of these predictions in his life. During his first mission, Bishop Taylor's prediction that he should find a people prepared to receive him, was literally fulfilled. He was appointed to labor in Virginia, and it was in Tazewell, Bland and Smith counties where he found such a people, chiefly young men and women whose parents and grandparents had heard the gospel preached by Elder Jedediah M. Grant, in 1840. Some had embraced it, many others had become life-long friends, and the seeds sown by Elder Grant had borne fruits in the hearts of children and grandchildren one and two generations later. In two years. Elders Cowley and Barnett, and four other Elders, who were present only a short time of the two years, performed one hundred and fourteen baptisms in that field. Many children were blessed, and hundreds of people heard the testimony that the gospel is again restored to earth by holy angels. The promise to him by Apostle Lyman was literally fulfilled, but notably in Montana where he and his companion were received by Governor Richards with the utmost hospitality. Before their leaving Helena, the governor gave them a letter of commendation to the people of the State, affirming their sincerity and honesty. In one of those lonely nights that come to all missionaries. Elder Cowley on his first mission dreamed twice of being home before the right time. He says that the horrors which he experienced in these dreams were such as to keep him ever after constantly contented in the missionary field. It was in one of these dreams, that he met Pres. John Taylor, who said to him: "Well, you are home, are you? You may prepare to go to Georgia now." Here, also, was a prophecy, for, strange to say, although Elder Cowley did not return until after the expiration of his mission of twenty-seven months, he was soon called, as we have seen, to return to the south, and this time was appointed by Pres. John Morgan to travel with Elder John W. Taylor in Georgia. Prior to his journey to Georgia, he was appointed to conduct a company of Saints from the Southern States to southern Colorado. Several bodies of the Saints came together from Virginia, Georgia and Alabama, at Chattanooga, Tenn., which was the central starting point. At Huntington, Tenn., the company was joined by fifty-seven souls, men, women and children, from Henderson county, of the same State. These were the converts of the mysterious preacher, Robert Edge, who preached the first principles of the gospel, healing, the millennium, etc., as taught by the Saints, but who would not officiate in any of the ordinances. He said this authority, however, to officiate was upon the earth. The similarity between his teachings and those of the Elders, led his converts, whom he denied baptism, to send for the Elders. The people investigated, were convinced of the truths of the gospel, and were subsequently baptized by Elders George Carver and Hyrum Belnap. The company numbered, with additions from Mississippi, brought to Columbus, Kentucky, by Elder John M. Gibson, one hundred and seventeen souls, and arrived in Manassa in November, 1880. Returning eastward, he was met in St. Louis by Elder John W. Taylor, whence they proceeded to west Georgia, laboring four months in a new district. Thence they went to the northern part of the State, laboring afterwards in St. Louis with Elder George C. Parkinson. Here they hired a hall, and held regular meetings which Were advertised in the papers, among which was the St. Louis "Republican," in the office of which his father had labored some thirty years before to obtain means to help himself and parents to emigrate to Utah. While in this city. Elder Cowley wrote several articles for the papers, defending the Saints and explaining the principles of the gospel. He led a company of Saints to Manassa, Colo., in the spring of 1882, and it was on his return east with Pres. John Morgan, that he called on David Whitmer, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and heard that man's testimony that he had seen an angel and the plates upon which were the sacred writings, which testimony David Whitmer maintained without variation or modification to the end of his days. Apostle Cowley is an energetic worker In the mission field, and the Saints where he has labored are greatly attached to him because of his plain manner, his simplicity and open-heartedness. His energy has even increased, in his missionary labors at home, since his call to his present exalted station, and his value as a laborer in the cause of God becomes more apparent as the years roll by. The gifts of the gospel are enjoyed by him, while the power of the Spirit of God is richly manifest in his administrations among the people. With short, well-knit frame, indicating physical strength; with robust health, a clear spiritual discernment, abiding love for the people, an Israelite without guile. Apostle Cowley stands upon the threshold of a career which gives promise of great activity and results for good, for the glory and advancement of the kingdom of God.—Edward H. Anderson.
Jenson, Andrew. "Cowley, Matthias F." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 235.
COWLEY, Matthias F., a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. from 1898 to 1906. (See Bio. Ency. Vol. 1, p. 168.)
COWLEY, Matthias F., a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. from 1898 to 1906. (See Bio. Ency. Vol. 1, p. 168.)
Cowley, M. F. "Missionary Incidents." Juvenile Instructor. 1 May 1881. pg. 104.
MISSIONARY INCIDENTS.
BY M. F. COWLEY.
AFTER laboring in Graves Co. Kentucky, as missionaries during the month of March, 1878. Elder Barnett and I made arrangements to proceed to the State of Virginia.
Railway fare being high and our means limited, we decided to take a steamer and go by water as far Nashville, Tennessee.
We left Farmington. Graves Co., on the morning of April 3rd, receiving a ride in the wagon of one Mr. Kirtland, familiarly known as "Uncle Dick," who kindly conveyed us, free of charge, to Paducah City, which is situated on the south bank of the Ohio, and at the mouth of the Tennessee River.
The following day we secured passage on board the steamer Nashville and left for the city of the same name. After going twelve miles on the Ohio to Smithland, the steamer changed its course, going up the Cumberland River in the direction of Nashville, that place being about two hundred miles distant.
This being my first steamboat ride of any note, it was to me quite romantic, there being some beautiful scenery on the rugged banks of the Cumberland. To add to this interest, on board the steamer was a negro minstrel band who at almost every landing would appear on deck and play a piece of music, very often the favorite tune "Dixie.”
We arrived at Nashville about the fourth night out from Paducah, having traveled slowly on account of low water and heavy freight with frequent stopping.
The next day we proceeded to the depot, and finding our means too limited to purchase tickets to Lynchburg, Va., we secured tickets to Chattanooga, Tenn. , where we arrived in the afternoon of the same day, and almost, as Brother Barnett says, "financially stumped."
Here we remained for several weeks, and. being among strangers, without any immediate prospect of moving on to our destination. I felt rather lonesome.
Before leaving home, feeling confident in my own faith, I felt determined that while on my mission I would not write home for money under any circumstances.
While in Chattanooga we had applied in several directions for aid, but to no purpose, and if I ever prayed earnestly in my life, I certainly did in Chattanooga, while expecting a letter from a gentleman in Kentucky.
I dreamed one night that I received two letters at the same time, the envelope of one being yellow and the other a cream color, and directed to me in my mother's handwriting.
This was quite a surprise to me, and in the morning I wondered, with some disappointment, if I had yet to write home for means.
After going to the post office time after time, hoping to receive answers to letters thj.t we had written, but to no avail, I received a strong impression to write home. I did so, and in about thirteen days from then I received two letters at the same time, the envelope of one being yellow the other a cream color, directed to me in my mother's hand writing, just as I had seen them in my dream, and these brought the means applied for.
Thus the Lord had answered our prayers, fulfilled the dream, and opened up the way before us, and taught me also not to be too confident in my own faith before it is tested, but be humble and submissive to the Lord's will.
During our stay in Chattanooga I had been led to visit the depot each day, and wait for the arrival of the train from Nashville.
I thought that perhaps an Elder from Utah might pass that way en route for some part of the Southern States mission, though I had no knowledge that such would be the case.
After continuing this for about one week, while at the depot one day I turned to leave, thinking that perhaps it was only my notion that led me there day after day, but as I was about to leave the car shelter a strong impression came over me to remain, which I did.
The train soon arrived, and after watching the passengers one by one step from the train. I was about to turn away disappointed, when some one laid his hand upon my shoulder, and on looking around I saw Brother Joseph Standing at my side.
We were delighted to meet each other, and though together only about five minutes. I think I shall never forget it. His cheerfulness of spirit quite encouraged me. and this being the last time I ever saw him, the impression I received to wait for the train I look upon as being from the Lord.
MISSIONARY INCIDENTS.
BY M. F. COWLEY.
AFTER laboring in Graves Co. Kentucky, as missionaries during the month of March, 1878. Elder Barnett and I made arrangements to proceed to the State of Virginia.
Railway fare being high and our means limited, we decided to take a steamer and go by water as far Nashville, Tennessee.
We left Farmington. Graves Co., on the morning of April 3rd, receiving a ride in the wagon of one Mr. Kirtland, familiarly known as "Uncle Dick," who kindly conveyed us, free of charge, to Paducah City, which is situated on the south bank of the Ohio, and at the mouth of the Tennessee River.
The following day we secured passage on board the steamer Nashville and left for the city of the same name. After going twelve miles on the Ohio to Smithland, the steamer changed its course, going up the Cumberland River in the direction of Nashville, that place being about two hundred miles distant.
This being my first steamboat ride of any note, it was to me quite romantic, there being some beautiful scenery on the rugged banks of the Cumberland. To add to this interest, on board the steamer was a negro minstrel band who at almost every landing would appear on deck and play a piece of music, very often the favorite tune "Dixie.”
We arrived at Nashville about the fourth night out from Paducah, having traveled slowly on account of low water and heavy freight with frequent stopping.
The next day we proceeded to the depot, and finding our means too limited to purchase tickets to Lynchburg, Va., we secured tickets to Chattanooga, Tenn. , where we arrived in the afternoon of the same day, and almost, as Brother Barnett says, "financially stumped."
Here we remained for several weeks, and. being among strangers, without any immediate prospect of moving on to our destination. I felt rather lonesome.
Before leaving home, feeling confident in my own faith, I felt determined that while on my mission I would not write home for money under any circumstances.
While in Chattanooga we had applied in several directions for aid, but to no purpose, and if I ever prayed earnestly in my life, I certainly did in Chattanooga, while expecting a letter from a gentleman in Kentucky.
I dreamed one night that I received two letters at the same time, the envelope of one being yellow and the other a cream color, and directed to me in my mother's handwriting.
This was quite a surprise to me, and in the morning I wondered, with some disappointment, if I had yet to write home for means.
After going to the post office time after time, hoping to receive answers to letters thj.t we had written, but to no avail, I received a strong impression to write home. I did so, and in about thirteen days from then I received two letters at the same time, the envelope of one being yellow the other a cream color, directed to me in my mother's hand writing, just as I had seen them in my dream, and these brought the means applied for.
Thus the Lord had answered our prayers, fulfilled the dream, and opened up the way before us, and taught me also not to be too confident in my own faith before it is tested, but be humble and submissive to the Lord's will.
During our stay in Chattanooga I had been led to visit the depot each day, and wait for the arrival of the train from Nashville.
I thought that perhaps an Elder from Utah might pass that way en route for some part of the Southern States mission, though I had no knowledge that such would be the case.
After continuing this for about one week, while at the depot one day I turned to leave, thinking that perhaps it was only my notion that led me there day after day, but as I was about to leave the car shelter a strong impression came over me to remain, which I did.
The train soon arrived, and after watching the passengers one by one step from the train. I was about to turn away disappointed, when some one laid his hand upon my shoulder, and on looking around I saw Brother Joseph Standing at my side.
We were delighted to meet each other, and though together only about five minutes. I think I shall never forget it. His cheerfulness of spirit quite encouraged me. and this being the last time I ever saw him, the impression I received to wait for the train I look upon as being from the Lord.
Cowley, M. F., et al. "Missionary Correspondence." Juvenile Instructor. 15 August 1896. pg. 492-493.
MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE.
Tuesday morning. July 14th, we landed in the little railroad town of Lima, nestling at the foot of snowcapped mountains, at the south end of Red Rock Valley, Beaver Head County, Montana. The livelihood of the town is maintained by the business of the Union Pacific Railroad. This point is the end of a Division, where the engineer from Pocatello runs his iron horse into the round house, where it is cleaned and oiled and prepared for the return trip in the night to Pocatello, while another driver hooks on and drives to Butte. Owing to the employment furnished by the railroad in Lima, a considerable number of Latter-day Saints have made this place their home. Some who came here many years ago as railroad men have changed their occupation and taken up ranches, thereby becoming more permanent residents of the place. Still others who ran freight wagons from Utah to Montana way back in the 70's became somewhat attached to the country and have made their homes in Red Rock Valley, in Dillon, the county seat of the above-named county, and in Butte, Anaconda, and other places farther north. Under these conditions some have raised families of children separated far from the privileges afforded by the Gospel to those who dwell in the stakes of Zion, where we have the primaries, the Sunday schools, the mutual improvement associations, and relief societies, and aside from these the quorums and councils of the Holy Priesthood, where the authority and power of God are directly enjoyed and exercised.
What a contrast between the religious status of those who remain with the body of the Church and that of those who scatter abroad. If the geographical distance between the two were the only separation, it would he of comparatively trivial importance: but the distance is of a spiritual, social and educational character, and is very great. True, where the blood of Israel predominates the voice of the true shepherd is readily discerned; but even then, owing to the lack of parental instruction, the young people in these places are hardly prepared to accept in solemnity the ordinances of the Gospel. On one occasion we found a poor woman, with seven children, whose husband had died in Monj tana. The two grown daughters had reached maturity since leaving their former home in Zion, and married unbelievers, with only a shadow of friendliness toward the religion of their Mormon wives. Four other children, old enough for baptism, one of them a 3'oung man of eighteen, scarcely know what is the object, necessity, or mode of baptism. This condition exists through neglect, and separation from the bod)- of the Church. Still there is a spark left. The heart of the mother goes back to her home among the Saints. Some of the children who were blessed at fast meeting when infants seem to have an inclination toward the truth, and the blessing of the Elders has its effect for good and bears witness of the power of the Holy Priesthood, and that the authority thereof is not exercised in vain. God has said to His prophets, "Whomsoever you bless, I will bless." This is a true saying, and we bear record thereof, because we see it verified in these children who were blessed in Zion. Take the most favorable and most charitable view of the situation of those who have "mixed themselves with the nations" (Gentiles"), and it is a serious matter to contemplate. For instance, a young woman naturally inclined to this work, whose heart and hopes are in favor of the Latter-day Saints, is married to an unbeliever, sometimes a gambler, with little aspiration aside from the accumulation of money. Her children (if she has any, for many people now do not believe in having any) are surrounded by temptations of every sort. If they go to Sunday school it must be to one whose teachers and preachers deny revelation, prophecy, and the necessity of a living priesthood. In short, they are "blind leaders of the blind," and we find her tied up for life under conditions which are appalling to any keen-spirited, faithful Latter-day Saint. These observations impress us very deeply with a desire co exhort the Latter-day Saints to abide the counsel of the Presidency and all the faithful Priesthood of the Church, and stay at home with the Saints of God, and teach the children virtue, prayer, and honor, faith repentance, baptism, and the laying .on of hands, obedience to parents and to God, before they are eight years old, that their sins may not fall upon the heads of the parents. We met a lady in one of these cities who is now a Methodist, but was born in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She says that when she was a little girl she cried all one Sunday to be baptized, but her parents neglected it. Afterwards they said she could suit herself when she came to maturity. Here she is in Babylon, a married woman with four children all outside the Church of Christ, and with the living testimony on her lips that her own father neglected to have her baptized when she desired it in her innocent childhood. Will her parents not have something to answer for before the bar of justice? This lady is kind to us, and God will bless her for it; but she is hampered now with influences and conditions which she ma}' not surmount in this life, and thus the day of redemption is delayed to her. It ma}- be said, and it is a subject of serious consideration, that the laborer in Zion finds no employment. There are no enterprises to employ the time and talent of the masses and to develop the resources which are so abundant in our blessed Utah, Idaho and other places. If this charge true as applied to certain localities, before a young man should go to wicked places entirely separated from all Gospel privileges he should seek for a location in surrounding stakes of Zion where there is still land to be had, new homes for the carpenter and mason to build, and avenues for business enterprise and talent to be engaged.
Snake River Valley, which contains two and part of three well conducted stakes of Zion, has thousands and thousands of acres of good land and a plentiful supply of water, which would support thousands of people where now only hundreds dwell. Again, it must be apparent to all thoughtful Latter-day Saints that if we had acted upon the counsel of the authorities of the Church and united our means and lived in all things by the spirit of the Gospel, there would have been in Utah today industrial enterprises of various kinds which would have developed the resources of the country and afforded employment for thousands of people. But we murmured, withdrew confidence, and followed each one in his own way and to his own sorrow. May the day hasten when the "Laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion," and all be employed temporally in places where the Zion of God is established and the Saints are provided with pastors of the Lord's appointing.
Your brethren,
E. Stevenson.
M. F. Cowley.
MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE.
Tuesday morning. July 14th, we landed in the little railroad town of Lima, nestling at the foot of snowcapped mountains, at the south end of Red Rock Valley, Beaver Head County, Montana. The livelihood of the town is maintained by the business of the Union Pacific Railroad. This point is the end of a Division, where the engineer from Pocatello runs his iron horse into the round house, where it is cleaned and oiled and prepared for the return trip in the night to Pocatello, while another driver hooks on and drives to Butte. Owing to the employment furnished by the railroad in Lima, a considerable number of Latter-day Saints have made this place their home. Some who came here many years ago as railroad men have changed their occupation and taken up ranches, thereby becoming more permanent residents of the place. Still others who ran freight wagons from Utah to Montana way back in the 70's became somewhat attached to the country and have made their homes in Red Rock Valley, in Dillon, the county seat of the above-named county, and in Butte, Anaconda, and other places farther north. Under these conditions some have raised families of children separated far from the privileges afforded by the Gospel to those who dwell in the stakes of Zion, where we have the primaries, the Sunday schools, the mutual improvement associations, and relief societies, and aside from these the quorums and councils of the Holy Priesthood, where the authority and power of God are directly enjoyed and exercised.
What a contrast between the religious status of those who remain with the body of the Church and that of those who scatter abroad. If the geographical distance between the two were the only separation, it would he of comparatively trivial importance: but the distance is of a spiritual, social and educational character, and is very great. True, where the blood of Israel predominates the voice of the true shepherd is readily discerned; but even then, owing to the lack of parental instruction, the young people in these places are hardly prepared to accept in solemnity the ordinances of the Gospel. On one occasion we found a poor woman, with seven children, whose husband had died in Monj tana. The two grown daughters had reached maturity since leaving their former home in Zion, and married unbelievers, with only a shadow of friendliness toward the religion of their Mormon wives. Four other children, old enough for baptism, one of them a 3'oung man of eighteen, scarcely know what is the object, necessity, or mode of baptism. This condition exists through neglect, and separation from the bod)- of the Church. Still there is a spark left. The heart of the mother goes back to her home among the Saints. Some of the children who were blessed at fast meeting when infants seem to have an inclination toward the truth, and the blessing of the Elders has its effect for good and bears witness of the power of the Holy Priesthood, and that the authority thereof is not exercised in vain. God has said to His prophets, "Whomsoever you bless, I will bless." This is a true saying, and we bear record thereof, because we see it verified in these children who were blessed in Zion. Take the most favorable and most charitable view of the situation of those who have "mixed themselves with the nations" (Gentiles"), and it is a serious matter to contemplate. For instance, a young woman naturally inclined to this work, whose heart and hopes are in favor of the Latter-day Saints, is married to an unbeliever, sometimes a gambler, with little aspiration aside from the accumulation of money. Her children (if she has any, for many people now do not believe in having any) are surrounded by temptations of every sort. If they go to Sunday school it must be to one whose teachers and preachers deny revelation, prophecy, and the necessity of a living priesthood. In short, they are "blind leaders of the blind," and we find her tied up for life under conditions which are appalling to any keen-spirited, faithful Latter-day Saint. These observations impress us very deeply with a desire co exhort the Latter-day Saints to abide the counsel of the Presidency and all the faithful Priesthood of the Church, and stay at home with the Saints of God, and teach the children virtue, prayer, and honor, faith repentance, baptism, and the laying .on of hands, obedience to parents and to God, before they are eight years old, that their sins may not fall upon the heads of the parents. We met a lady in one of these cities who is now a Methodist, but was born in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She says that when she was a little girl she cried all one Sunday to be baptized, but her parents neglected it. Afterwards they said she could suit herself when she came to maturity. Here she is in Babylon, a married woman with four children all outside the Church of Christ, and with the living testimony on her lips that her own father neglected to have her baptized when she desired it in her innocent childhood. Will her parents not have something to answer for before the bar of justice? This lady is kind to us, and God will bless her for it; but she is hampered now with influences and conditions which she ma}' not surmount in this life, and thus the day of redemption is delayed to her. It ma}- be said, and it is a subject of serious consideration, that the laborer in Zion finds no employment. There are no enterprises to employ the time and talent of the masses and to develop the resources which are so abundant in our blessed Utah, Idaho and other places. If this charge true as applied to certain localities, before a young man should go to wicked places entirely separated from all Gospel privileges he should seek for a location in surrounding stakes of Zion where there is still land to be had, new homes for the carpenter and mason to build, and avenues for business enterprise and talent to be engaged.
Snake River Valley, which contains two and part of three well conducted stakes of Zion, has thousands and thousands of acres of good land and a plentiful supply of water, which would support thousands of people where now only hundreds dwell. Again, it must be apparent to all thoughtful Latter-day Saints that if we had acted upon the counsel of the authorities of the Church and united our means and lived in all things by the spirit of the Gospel, there would have been in Utah today industrial enterprises of various kinds which would have developed the resources of the country and afforded employment for thousands of people. But we murmured, withdrew confidence, and followed each one in his own way and to his own sorrow. May the day hasten when the "Laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion," and all be employed temporally in places where the Zion of God is established and the Saints are provided with pastors of the Lord's appointing.
Your brethren,
E. Stevenson.
M. F. Cowley.
Cowley, M. F. "Acts of Special Providence in Missionary Experience - Fulfillment of Dreams." Improvement Era. February 1899. pg. 263-266.
ACTS OF SPECIAL PROVIDENCE IN MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE,
FULFILLMENT OF DREAMS.
BY ELDER M. F. COWLEY.
On the 5th day of July, 1876, 1 was told by the Patriarch Wm. McBride, "Thou must prepare thy mind, for the time is not far distant when thou shalt be called into the ministry, and shalt travel much for the Gospel's sake both at home and abroad." From my earliest remembrances I had anticipated that at some future time, I would, like other young men, be called to "fill a mission," but from the time the Patriarch uttered the words quoted above upon my head, the spirit of studying the Scriptures and preparing my heart for the work, rested upon me more intensely than ever before. Accordingly I studied and memorized many passages of Scripture upon the fundamental principles of the Gospel, which proved to be of inestimable value to me in subsequent years. The latter part of January, 1878, I was called to perform a mission in the Southern States. About that time Elder John Morgan was called to preside over the Southern States Mission. Before leaving home President Morgan was very careful to teach myself and others the absolute necessity of traveling without "purse or scrip," and to avoid sending home for money, stating that those who had been supplied with means from home, and depended upon that means for support in the missionary field had blocked up the way of receiving testimonies, by the direct manifestations of God's power in their behalf, and in too many instances had made total failures of their missions. This counsel made a deep impression upon my mind, and I felt determined to carry it out. While this was a good resolution, it was probably made, as proven by subsequent events, too much in the same spirit of self-reliance which actuated Peter when he said to his Lord and Master, " Though all men deny thee yet will I not."
Elder Henry W. Barnett and myself left Salt Lake City, February 24th, 1878, for the South, with instructions to spend some time in Graves County, Kentucky, among the relatives of Elder Samuel R. Turnbow of this city, and from whose nephew B. R. Turnbow, the Elders had received an invitation to visit. If we found no encouraging field of labor there we were to proceed to the State of Virginia. We spent one month in Kentucky, and held a number of public meetings and Gospel conversations. My companion felt impressed that we should go to Virginia, and started for that field about April 1st. Not having a very liberal supply of money we traveled by steamboat instead of rail from Paducah, Ky., to Nashville, Tennessee. From thence we proceeded by rail to Chattanooga, where we found ourselves in a strange city without sufficient means to pay our way to Big Lick, our railroad destination in the State of Virginia. We had enough, however, to pay for lodging a few days, and obtain a little food each day. We had addresses of members of the Church in Kentucky and Virginia, and concluded to write them for means, as a loan, to help us to our field of labor. We did so, but in every instance failed to procure assistance, and in some instances received no response to our letters. In the meantime the little money we had was well nigh exhausted, until we had to get trusted for our lodging, and for food expended sometimes five cents, sometimes ten cents a day each for a few crackers and a little cheese or a bowl of bread and milk. While in this straightened situation, I dreamed that I was housed up in a room where there was no air, and in struggling for breath I would turn to the North, then to the East, then to the South, but in vain, until I turned my face to the West, when it seemed that an opening was made in the enclosure and I breathed with freedom. Upon awakening I felt very depressed, for it seemed to me that the dream meant that while we had friends North of us in Kentucky, East in Virginia, and South in Georgia, the only hope was to write home for money and this I fought against with a strong resolution. Again, I slept and dreamed that I received two letters from home in the same mail, one was a pale, cream-colored envelope, the other, the old-fashioned deep yellow, and addressed to me in my mother's hand-writing. When I awoke in the morning I was still depressed, for while the dreams were clear to my mind as having a decided importance, it was against my inclination to write home for money, so I held out for several days, and did not tell my companion the dream. In a few days, however, Elder Barnett made a remark to me, which impressed me that it was my duty to write for means, which I did, and when the answer came, there were two letters instead of one. One was contained in a pale, cream-colored envelope, the other a deep yellow, addressed to me in my mother's handwriting, in all particulars just as I had seen it in my dream, and containing means for our assistance.
During a six weeks' sojourn in Chattanooga without friends and short of means, I also had a dream which was given to me more than once, and which many Elders also experience, and that was that I was home from my mission before my time; and any Elder who has such a manifestation knows what remorse and sorrow rests upon him while in the dream, and what joy and peace fills his soul when he awakes and finds himself still far away from home and kindred where duty casts his lot. In one of these dreams I saw President John Taylor, and was very fearful of meeting him lest he should chide me for being home too soon; but when he spoke, he smiled and in terms of kindness said, "Well you're home, are you; you can prepare to go to Georgia now." I finished my mission, was honorably released, and was home a little less than six months, when I was called again to the Southern States. Having been so greatly blessed in Virginia, having so many friends there, I naturally inclined to go there on my second mission, but President Morgan did not want me to return to that field but assigned me to the State of Georgia to labor with Brother John W. Taylor. Thus fulfilling my dream, though President Morgan knew nothing of the dream until after its fulfillment.
To some these manifestations may appear childlike and simple. Suppose they do; we are all children—"children of a larger growth." The Prophet Joseph Smith said if the Lord should speak to a child he would speak as a child, that the child might understand.
The lessons I learned by my experience of trial and dreams in Chattanooga were very useful. The experience taught me that while a doctrine is true and designed to be continuous, such as the injunction to travel without "purse and scrip," no man can carry it out by his own strength, it must be done by the help of the Lord, or it can not be done at all. It is one thing to know the truth of a doctrine in theory; it is another thing to know how to rightly apply it.
The manifestation of being home before the right time so filled me with chagrin and sorrow, that I was constantly buoyed up with courage to discharge my duty and be contented in my field of labor until honorably released to return to my mountain home.
ACTS OF SPECIAL PROVIDENCE IN MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE,
FULFILLMENT OF DREAMS.
BY ELDER M. F. COWLEY.
On the 5th day of July, 1876, 1 was told by the Patriarch Wm. McBride, "Thou must prepare thy mind, for the time is not far distant when thou shalt be called into the ministry, and shalt travel much for the Gospel's sake both at home and abroad." From my earliest remembrances I had anticipated that at some future time, I would, like other young men, be called to "fill a mission," but from the time the Patriarch uttered the words quoted above upon my head, the spirit of studying the Scriptures and preparing my heart for the work, rested upon me more intensely than ever before. Accordingly I studied and memorized many passages of Scripture upon the fundamental principles of the Gospel, which proved to be of inestimable value to me in subsequent years. The latter part of January, 1878, I was called to perform a mission in the Southern States. About that time Elder John Morgan was called to preside over the Southern States Mission. Before leaving home President Morgan was very careful to teach myself and others the absolute necessity of traveling without "purse or scrip," and to avoid sending home for money, stating that those who had been supplied with means from home, and depended upon that means for support in the missionary field had blocked up the way of receiving testimonies, by the direct manifestations of God's power in their behalf, and in too many instances had made total failures of their missions. This counsel made a deep impression upon my mind, and I felt determined to carry it out. While this was a good resolution, it was probably made, as proven by subsequent events, too much in the same spirit of self-reliance which actuated Peter when he said to his Lord and Master, " Though all men deny thee yet will I not."
Elder Henry W. Barnett and myself left Salt Lake City, February 24th, 1878, for the South, with instructions to spend some time in Graves County, Kentucky, among the relatives of Elder Samuel R. Turnbow of this city, and from whose nephew B. R. Turnbow, the Elders had received an invitation to visit. If we found no encouraging field of labor there we were to proceed to the State of Virginia. We spent one month in Kentucky, and held a number of public meetings and Gospel conversations. My companion felt impressed that we should go to Virginia, and started for that field about April 1st. Not having a very liberal supply of money we traveled by steamboat instead of rail from Paducah, Ky., to Nashville, Tennessee. From thence we proceeded by rail to Chattanooga, where we found ourselves in a strange city without sufficient means to pay our way to Big Lick, our railroad destination in the State of Virginia. We had enough, however, to pay for lodging a few days, and obtain a little food each day. We had addresses of members of the Church in Kentucky and Virginia, and concluded to write them for means, as a loan, to help us to our field of labor. We did so, but in every instance failed to procure assistance, and in some instances received no response to our letters. In the meantime the little money we had was well nigh exhausted, until we had to get trusted for our lodging, and for food expended sometimes five cents, sometimes ten cents a day each for a few crackers and a little cheese or a bowl of bread and milk. While in this straightened situation, I dreamed that I was housed up in a room where there was no air, and in struggling for breath I would turn to the North, then to the East, then to the South, but in vain, until I turned my face to the West, when it seemed that an opening was made in the enclosure and I breathed with freedom. Upon awakening I felt very depressed, for it seemed to me that the dream meant that while we had friends North of us in Kentucky, East in Virginia, and South in Georgia, the only hope was to write home for money and this I fought against with a strong resolution. Again, I slept and dreamed that I received two letters from home in the same mail, one was a pale, cream-colored envelope, the other, the old-fashioned deep yellow, and addressed to me in my mother's hand-writing. When I awoke in the morning I was still depressed, for while the dreams were clear to my mind as having a decided importance, it was against my inclination to write home for money, so I held out for several days, and did not tell my companion the dream. In a few days, however, Elder Barnett made a remark to me, which impressed me that it was my duty to write for means, which I did, and when the answer came, there were two letters instead of one. One was contained in a pale, cream-colored envelope, the other a deep yellow, addressed to me in my mother's handwriting, in all particulars just as I had seen it in my dream, and containing means for our assistance.
During a six weeks' sojourn in Chattanooga without friends and short of means, I also had a dream which was given to me more than once, and which many Elders also experience, and that was that I was home from my mission before my time; and any Elder who has such a manifestation knows what remorse and sorrow rests upon him while in the dream, and what joy and peace fills his soul when he awakes and finds himself still far away from home and kindred where duty casts his lot. In one of these dreams I saw President John Taylor, and was very fearful of meeting him lest he should chide me for being home too soon; but when he spoke, he smiled and in terms of kindness said, "Well you're home, are you; you can prepare to go to Georgia now." I finished my mission, was honorably released, and was home a little less than six months, when I was called again to the Southern States. Having been so greatly blessed in Virginia, having so many friends there, I naturally inclined to go there on my second mission, but President Morgan did not want me to return to that field but assigned me to the State of Georgia to labor with Brother John W. Taylor. Thus fulfilling my dream, though President Morgan knew nothing of the dream until after its fulfillment.
To some these manifestations may appear childlike and simple. Suppose they do; we are all children—"children of a larger growth." The Prophet Joseph Smith said if the Lord should speak to a child he would speak as a child, that the child might understand.
The lessons I learned by my experience of trial and dreams in Chattanooga were very useful. The experience taught me that while a doctrine is true and designed to be continuous, such as the injunction to travel without "purse and scrip," no man can carry it out by his own strength, it must be done by the help of the Lord, or it can not be done at all. It is one thing to know the truth of a doctrine in theory; it is another thing to know how to rightly apply it.
The manifestation of being home before the right time so filled me with chagrin and sorrow, that I was constantly buoyed up with courage to discharge my duty and be contented in my field of labor until honorably released to return to my mountain home.
Anderson, Edward H. "Lives of Our Leaders - The Apostles: Matthias F. Cowley." Juvenile Instructor. 15 November 1900. pg. 736-741.
LIVES OF OUR LEADERS—THE APOSTLES. MATTHIAS F. COWLEY. MATTHIAS F. COWLEY was called to the apostleship and sustained by the general conference of the Church, on October 5, and was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles, on October 7, 1897. He is a genuine American, and one of Utah's sons. He was born on the 25th day of August, 1858, just after the return of his parents from Springville, whither they had gone during the “Move.” His father was Matthias Cowley, of Celtic descent, who emigrated from the Isle of Man with his parents, to Nauvoo, in 1843. His mother was Sarah Elizabeth Foss, a native of the State of Maine. Matthias F.'s parents, as well as grandparents on both sides of the house, embraced the Gospel, and became members of the Church. At the time of the Nauvoo martyrdom, Matthias, the elder, then thirteen years of age, was a resident of Warsaw, Illinois; after the exodus, he went to St. Louis to aid in earning means for the emigration of the family to the mountains. At the age of fifteen years, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Missouri Republican, subsequently laboring in the office of the Frontier Guardian, Kanesville, under Elder Orson Hyde. He emigrated to Salt Lake City in 1852, where he married Miss Foss, in 1857. His wife. Apostle Cowley's mother, early taught school in her native State. She continued in this vocation until her parents and other members of the family, who with her had embraced the Gospel through the missionary efforts of Apostle Wilford Woodruff and .John F. Boynton, emigrated to Utah in 1850. Apostle Cowley was the first child of four in the marriage. In 1864, the elder Cowley died. His wife, some years after, married the well known early civil engineer Jesse W. Fox, who thus became the foster-father of the boy. The future Apostle assisted the noted surveyor in his labors on the Utah Southern railway (now the branch of the Oregon Short Line south of Salt Lake City) for seven summers. In the winter season, he attended the Deseret (now Utah) University; his early education was obtained from his mother, who, after the death of her first husband, devoted herself to her early profession to support her family. His education, therefore, was obtained piecemeal, for he never attended school an entire year successively. But notwithstanding his school years were thus broken into by work, he advanced to the study of algebra and geometry, achieving more than ordinary success in these and other studies. His mother was desirous that he should learn a trade or profession, but circumstances, aided by indifference on his part and a fervent desire in his mind to study the Scriptures, stood in the way of the fulfillment of his mother's desires, and both trade and profession were abandoned. This inborn desire towards the study of religion is characteristic of Apostle Cowley. It is natural for some men to make money; but he has been endowed with the missionary spirit; his natural work is to make converts to the cause of God. One of several incidents illustrating this tendency may be related to show the value of odd moments. While in the surveying field, the wait for the transit man to change his position was improved by him in reading the Bible. He possessed, as a dear treasure, an old Bible which his father had used while on a mission in England. This he carried in his coat pocket and read at the intervals stated, snatching a few minutes to con a chapter, more or less, according to the time at his disposal. He has a retentive memory which aids him greatly to interest his audiences, and he early placed it to the test by memorizing at odd moments many Scripture passages. At the expiration of his second mission in the Southern States, he, with Elder John W. Taylor, had memorized well-nigh four hundred Bible verses, and that in a systematic way, all bearing upon the Gospel and especially upon its first principles. Apostle Cowley has grown naturally and steadily to the position he now occupies in the Church. He was blessed when eight days old, by Apostle Orson Hyde, assisted by his own father. On the 1st of November, 1866, he was baptized by Elder Samuel R. Turnbow, and confirmed by Bishop Abraham Hoagland. In October, 1874, he was ordained a Deacon and a Teacher, serving in these capacities for a number of years. On December 28, of the same year, he was ordained an Elder, and received his endowments. In April, 1875, he was chosen counselor to Edward Davis over the first quorum of Elders, serving in this office with Elder Russell and subsequently with Elder John W. Taylor, his youthful companion and bosom friend. He served as collector for his quorum, at the time when the quorums donated for the erection of the Salt Lake Temple. He acted as ward Teacher almost continuously, from October, 1874, to February 24, 1878, at which time he was called upon his first mission to the Southern States. He had no sooner returned from this mission than in the course of six months, he was again called to the same field, and returned from his second mission in July, 1882. Prior to his departure on his second mission, he was, on motion of Apostle Wilford Woodruff, ordained a Seventy by President Joseph Young. When he returned home in 1882, he became identified with the Contributor, published by Elder Junius F. Wells in the interest of the M. I. A., and was called on a mission to travel for it, and to preach to the young people at home. In this capacity he visited the ten stakes of Zion, holding meetings in nearly every ward thereof. His mission marked a revival of interest in the cause for which he was laboring, and his administrations, accompanied by a rich flow of the Spirit of God, resulted in great good to the large audiences who crowded to hear him. He increased the circulation of the magazine to over four thousand copies, revived the lagging interest in the associations, and practically introduced himself to the Latter-day Saints. Thousands will remember with what force and spirit he proclaimed to the young people the first principles of the Gospel. For a short interval, he was engaged as clerk in the city recorder's office of Salt Lake City, under Hon. John T. Caine and Gov. Heber M. Wells, and in the winter of 1888-4, he acted as chaplain in the House of the Utah Legislature. On the day the Logan Temple was opened for endowments. May 21, 1884, Elder Cowley was married to Miss Abbie Hyde. On October 25, of the same year, he was ordained a High Priest, by Apostle Francis M. Lyman, and chosen and sustained as the superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of Oneida stake, Idaho. He traveled extensively among the seventeen wards of the stake, laboring with zeal in the cause for three years. When President George C. Parkinson, in 1887, was chosen stake president, Elder Cowley was made his second counselor, in which position he served for ten years until called to the apostleship. It was while he was still acting in this capacity, that he was called to accompany Elder Edward Stevenson to open the Northwestern States Mission, comprising Montana, Washington, Northern Idaho and Oregon. He spent about four months in this field, visiting the States named, but spending most of the time in the first named, where thirty-nine souls were baptized. Their labors resulted in the establishment of a permanent mission, in which nearly eighty Elders are now laboring, and in which many souls have been baptized. Within three weeks of his ordination as an Apostle, he was called to accompany Apostle F. M. Lyman to the Southern States Mission, in which, with President Elias S. Kimball, they visited every conference, giving choice instructions to the people and to the five hundred Elders from Zion then in the field. From thence, they proceeded to Brooklyn, visiting the Eastern States Mission, and visiting points of historic interest in Philadelphia, New York and Washington. While in the latter place, they were introduced by Hon. W. H. King to President McKinley, who received them very cordially and mentioned with pleasure his visit to Salt Lake City. Returning from this mission. Apostle Cowley has been constantly traveling in the interest of the Church, having visited many stakes of Zion. He has lifted his voice in testifying to the mission of Christ, and borne testimony to the restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in thirty-three States and Territories of the Union. Apostle Cowley is unpretentious in his demeanor, and the spirit of humility that accompanies his administrations draws the hearts of the people to him. He has laid a foundation upon which the strength of his growing manhood, aided by the Lord, will find no trouble in building a superstructure of finished excellence and worth. His sermons, deliberate, sound and spoken from the heart, are full of force and effectiveness. The simplicity and earnestness of his soul make him a strong advocate with the Father, and endear him in the hearts of the people. He is naturally and wholly spiritual-minded, and finds pleasure in the contemplation of those higher principles of man's being that lift the soul from the material to things divine. There are many incidents on record showing that the inspiration of God to his servants foreshadowed Elder Cowley's course. Thus, on July 5, 1876, a patriarchal blessing was bestowed upon him by William McBride, in which it was predicted that he would soon be called into the ministry, and would "travel much for the Gospel's sake, both by sea and by land, even unto the ends of the earth.” This prediction was further corroborated in a blessing given him by Patriarch John Smith prior to Elder Cowley's departure for his mission to the Southern States. In this blessing were many other predictions concerning his life which have been literally fulfilled. In a meeting of the Aaronic Priesthood, held in the 14th Ward of Salt Lake City, also prior to his departure for the South on a mission. Elder Cowley was blessed by Bishop Thomas Taylor who prophesied that since he had been faithful at home, the Lord would exceedingly bless him abroad. People would have dreams of his coming, and be prepared to receive him. When set apart for his mission to Montana, Apostle F. M. Lyman promised him that with his companion, he should have influence with prominent men whom they would meet in their travels. In Elder Cowley's call to the apostleship, a prophecy was fulfilled uttered by Elder John W. Taylor, in a letter written to St. Louis to the former from Kentucky, March 19, 1882, in which Elder Taylor wrote: “If you are faithful, the day will come when you will become one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world." President Joseph Young, when ordaining him to the office of Seventy, said: «Your name corresponds to that of an Apostle of old, and you shall perform a similar mission." Apostle Cowley has lived to prove worthy of the fulfillment of all of these predictions in his life, and the lesson which he has drawn from them, and which all may gather, is that God recognizes the promises made to His Saints through His accredited servants. During his first mission, Bishop Taylor's prediction that he should find a people prepared to receive him, was literally fulfilled. He was appointed to labor in Virginia, and it was in Tazewell, Bland and Smith counties where he found such a people, chiefly young men and women whose parents and grandparents had heard the Gospel preached by Elder Jedediah M. Grant, in 1840. Some had embraced it, many others had become lifelong friends, and the seeds sown by Elder Grant had borne fruits in the hearts of children and grandchildren one and two generations later. In two years, Elders Cowley and Barnett, and four other Elders, who were present only a short time of the two years, performed one hundred and fourteen baptisms in that field. Many children were blessed, and hundreds of people heard the testimony that the Gospel is again restored to earth by holy angels. The promise to him by Apostle Lyman was literally fulfilled, but notably in Montana where he and his companion were received by Governor Richards with the utmost hospitality. Before their leaving Helena, the Governor gave them a letter of commendation to the people of the State, affirming their sincerity and honesty. In one of those lonely nights that come to all missionaries. Elder Cowley on his first mission dreamed twice of being home before the right time. He says that the horrors which he experienced in these dreams, were such as to keep him ever after constantly contented in the missionary field. It was in one of these dreams, that he met President John Taylor, who said to him: «Well, you are home, are you? You may prepare to go to Georgia now.» Here, also, was a prophecy, for, strange to say, although Elder Cowley did not return until after the expiration of his mission of twenty-seven months, he was soon called, as we have seen, to return to the South, and this time was appointed by President John Morgan to travel with Elder John W. Taylor in Georgia. Prior to his journey to Georgia, he was appointed to conduct a company of Saints from the Southern States to southern Colorado. Several bodies of Saints came together from Virginia, Georgia and Alabama, at Chattanooga, Tenn., which was the central starting point. At Huntington, Tenn., the company was joined by fifty-seven souls, men, women and children, from Henderson County, of the same State. These were the converts of the mysterious preacher, Robert Edge, who preached the first principles of the Gospel, healing, the millennium, etc., as taught by the Saints, but who would not officiate in any of the ordinances. He said this authority, however, to officiate was upon the earth. The similarity between his teachings and those of the Elders, led his converts, whom he denied baptism, to send for the Elders. The people investigated, were convinced of the truths of the Gospel, and were subsequently baptized by Elders George Carver and Hyrum Belnap. The company numbered, with additions from Mississippi, brought to Columbus, Kentucky, by Elder John M. Gibson, one hundred and seventeen souls, and arrived in Manassa about the 20th of November, 1880. Returning eastward, he was met in St. Louis by Elder John W. Taylor, whence they proceeded to I west Georgia, laboring four months in a new district. Thence they went to the northern part of the State, laboring afterwards in St. Louis with Elder George C. Parkinson. Here they hired a hall, and held regular meetings which were advertised in the papers, among which was the St. Louis Republican, in the office of which his father had labored some thirty years before to obtain means to help himself and parents to emigrate to Utah. While in this city, Elder Cowley wrote several articles for the papers, defending the Saints and explaining the principles of the Gospel. He took a company of Saints to Manassa, Colo., in the spring of 1882, and it was on his return east with President John Morgan, that he called on David Whitmer, one of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and heard that man's testimony that he had seen an angel and handled the plates upon which were the sacred writings, which testimony David Whitmer maintained without variation or modification to the end of his days. Apostle Cowley is an energetic worker in the mission field, and the Saints where he has labored are greatly attached to him because of his plain manner, his simplicity and openheartedness. His energy has even increased, in his missionary labors at home, since his call to his present exalted station, and his value as a laborer in the cause of God will become more apparent as the years roll by. The gifts of the Gospel are enjoyed by him. while the power of the Spirit of God is richly manifest in his administrations among the people. What man could be more childlike in simplicity, yet strong in faith, than one who could go before the Lord as Elder Cowley did, as related in the following incident? On one occasion while on his mission, Elder Cowley asked the Lord for a pair of shoes. Shortly thereafter a man handed him a dollar, saying that an elderly lady. Sister Jane Richardson, had sent it to assist him to purchase shoes. The next day, a shoemaker informed him that he had made a pair of shoes for himself, but, strange to say, they would not fit. He had never missed fitting himself before. He then proffered to let Brother Cowley have them. The shoes fitted his feet as if made for them. Thus was the prayer of faith answered, and no burden was placed upon the Saints. With short, well-knit frame, indicating physical strength; with robust health, a clear spiritual discernment, abiding love for the people, an Israelite without guile. Apostle Cowley stands upon the threshold of a career which gives promise of great activity and results for good, for the glory and advancement of the kingdom of God. Edward H. Anderson. |
APOSTLE MATTHIAS F. COWLEY.
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