The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-30

talent would readily pardon those VINO
employed wit against himself rightly
judging that by making such men MS
friends he would draw praises from
the same fountain from which he had
been aspersed- His civil and military
virtues. objects of our admiration.
challenge the applause Of all good men.
Nature. also. IS IL DESTROYS that so
bright a production Of her skill should
be set in the fairest light. had bestow-
ed on him all bodily accomplishments.
vigor Of limbs. dignity Of shape and
air. and a pleasant. engaging and open
countenance< Such a man was Cap
air John Cowan-
Now in this the nighttime OF our
many great and nobl qualities which
exalt human nature and give a man n
prominent place in a community.
He was a good citizen. q brave SOL
der and an honest man-formed to ex-
eel in peace as Well as war. provident
in council. fearless in action, generous
beyond measure to his friends. plaza
BILE to his enemies. for parts. learning
and e~loquence, scarce inferior to any
man.
The late lamented Norwood Giles
said TO me on one occasion that he ad-
mired the orations Of Captain Cowan
for two qualities, which were seldom
found together, strength and elo-
Quence Had he devoted himself TO the
legal profession. he would have had
but few rivals He spoke with the same
force with which he fought. Nor was
he a master only of the potter arts,
but he was conversant also with the
most abstruse and critical parts OF
learning. He was a most liberal pat
sorrow. when fate has don her worst.
let US lock to the relics OF JOY which
cannot be destroyed-when our friend,
comrade and brother looked across the
hlnn I'D -nFah
through the darkness the sailor strug-
Cling into view, he would put forth his
| strong hand and with his loving looks
| draw him safely into the Sailors
Home. Who cannot do full justice TO
such a man? My soul is filled with his
%wondrous words and generous deeds"
Colonel Roger Moore said that he had
known John Cowan las a boy, as a
man, and that he had always filled
whatever position in life to which he
| had been called faithfully and consci-
entiously and that but extreme modes
ty prevented his occupying a high po-
sition on the pinnacle OF fame. But few
| approached his standard"
James Price, Esq, feelingly spoke OF
the deceased as a friend of his father
himself and that he mourned the
loss of one so noble and true.
Mr.. James Sprunt said: w are
called today to d the IGNORED name
of John Cowan to the long roll of the
majority, and TO pay our ribute of
respect to the memory Of one OF the
few members of our society who was
faithful unto death.
For years he has sat with me here
during our Sabbath service, inspiring
us by his devout attention, and un-
swerving loyalty, with more zeal in
our sacred cause and uniting our hand
full of supporters in a closer bond of
union ond cy-nonathu with tho fhnIl-
sands of seafearing men who like ships
that pass in the night and speak each
other in passing, have heard the friend
ly warning voice of our preacher and
vanished from u sight. His beam
ing face so full of sympathetic courtesy
will be sadly missed in our assemblies.
Like the great leader in the will
derness. whose presence reflected the
glory of his God, he wist not that his
face so shone. That face so deeply
lined of late by WEAKNESS and pain. is,
1 believe, radiant now in the presence
of Him with whom there is fulness of
joy. Buffetted by the storms of life,
and disabled by the disease and suffer
ing, this sailors friend has met his
great Pilot and cast lis anchor within
the heaven of eternal rest.
His eminent public service as a sol
der of the Co%nfederacy is a part of its
history. His native mOdesty forbade
the mention of his heroic deeds. but
who of you will forget the .valor of that
thin line of twenty-five muskets, the
remnant of his shattered but intrepid
command, which held an overwhelming
force in check at Gettysburg? When ne
surrendered his sword at the bloody
angle he retained that invisible armor
for the good fight of faith from which
he has come off more than a conqueroI
through Him that loved him. and gave
Himself for him.
Il am requested by our late chaplain
the Rev. DIR. James Carmichael, who
could not be present with us today, tC
add his loving testimony to the worl
and faith of u dead comrade who fol
many years encouraged and sustained
him as a colaborer at the Bethel ser
vice. He mourns with US the loss o.
one of the truest friends and supporter.
whom this society has ever known.
May He who Himself wept besid'
the grave of a beloved friend, fulfil
to the bereaved family His promis'
that He will not leave them comfort
less"
Rev. NJ A. Barber, chaplain Of tn
Seamen's Bethel, said:
Having known Captain Cowan bes
as a member and friend of the Sea
mems Friend Society of our city, / pre-
fer to speak Of him as such, not at
tempting to speak of him in his othe
various relationships.
His interest in the work of the Sea
mems Friend Society was demonstrate
by his regular attendance upon tn
! Sunday services at the Bethel, and b,
his ~tireless and painstaking labors a
a member of the board of trustees, a
committeeman. etc. Soon did he con
vince the writer that he was the frien,
of every sailor who came to the Bethel
of whatsoever name or cline. He love
to be with the sturdy sailors, and trie,
by his presence and participation in tn
services to ircite and inspire them I
love and worship Him whom the wind
and the sea do obey. And the Gospe
message of Gods redeeming love seem
ed always TO touch his tender heart.
II kept up his interest in the wori
|, of the Bethel to the end. Among TN
last things he said to the undersigned
a few days before his death. was
Don't give up the work of the Bethel
We shall miss in our duties here hi
kindly face and friendly hand-clasps
May they be ours in that brighter an
better world beyond.
For several weeks his ewes wer