The Life And Ministry Of Josiah Cowell
Earthen Vessel 1893:
The Late Mr. Josiah Cowell, Baptist Minister
My beloved husband was born at Camberwell of godly parents, both of whom were members of Grove Chapel. He received very early impressions direct from God, which were confirmed by constant attendance on the searching ministry of the late Joseph Irons. He possessed strong character—clever, artistic in his tastes, his energetic mind fired by the fervour of youth and a desire for honour and distinction in all knowledge. He found rest and refreshment especially in his loved occupation, painting, in which he greatly excelled, as well as that of music, both of which were great temptations. Later on he was led by the Spirit of God to the chapel where the faithful pastor, Mr. Richard Luckin, ministered. On this occasion his text was ”Will ye also go away?” This was the sword that pierced his very heart and cooled his excessive love for his earthly idol painting. I never remember him ever alluding to this circumstance either in public or private without tears. From this time his thoughts were given to meditation on the things of God, and a faithful melting letter from his dearly-loved elder sister led him to “consider his ways.”
After this he was laid aside with a serious illness, when the Lord indulgently appeared and proved to him that He was all-powerful to beat down Satan and all enemies beneath His feet. It was about this time the voice of the Lord came with power to him, “Arise, shine, for thy light is come,” and, to use his own words, “Then was the vow made unto the Lord, when repentance was an easy thing, when hope ran high, and faith was strong, that he would serve the Lord gladly.” He came down from his sick chamber with these words, “Beware, lest any man spoil you, through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after God.” The late chastisement had brought with it much blessing, an evidence of sonship before unknown, a tender conscience, and a desire to live wholly to the Lord.
Not very long after this he was directed to a highly-respected firm in Essex, whom he faithfully served for more than forty years, and whose kindness to him he never forgot. In his home in that town he was taught bitter lessons in the school of affliction; the loss of his second daughter, also his only son, were life-long sorrows which he felt none but God could heal. That shadowed home, however, was cheered by visits from the late Mr. W. Tufnel, Mr. Edward Mote, Miss Searle, Mr. Groom, and others, whose spiritual intercourse cheered him in his saddened path.
He had been asked by the late Joseph Irons to write a treatise on infant baptism, but not being able, after searching the Word of God, to find a “Thus saith the Lord” for it, he gave it up, and for some years his mind was much exercised on the subject of immersion, and he, being at length led to see it in the light of God’s Word, was baptized at Dane Hill, Surrey, by the late John Poynder. His life was a life of constant prayer and close study of the Bible. He supplied for many years several pulpits in Essex, Suffolk, and elsewhere, never taking anything for his services, but rather ministering to their needs. For this he was often found fault with, but he felt it to be kind to those who were struggling to carry on a cause of truth. His whole soul went out in prayer for the prosperity of Zion. His ministry was full of deep truth searching, and always Christ-exalting.
He was unanimously requested to take the pastorate of the Church at Harwich in the year 1880, where he continued for eight years and a half, taking no payment, but wishing the monies collected to go to pay off a debt of many years standing, and I believe one hundred and ten pounds were paid off while he was there, the friends always doing all they could in their power. He deeply felt the “burden of the Lord,” but loved his work and rendered all the help he could in the ever dear Sunday-school. He was much saddened in feeling called upon to leave. After a life of fifty years in Essex it was indeed a trial, but his frequent attacks of bronchitis compelled him to seek a more genial climate, and the word came “Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile.” This decided him to follow his doctor’s advice and try Bournemouth, where he was much better and able to take his loved work till within a few Sundays of his death from Influenza, which took place January 22nd, 1892, aged 77.
Many testimonies I have received as to the blessing his faithful, instructive ministry had been, also his writings. One friend said, “He came to hear him under much prejudice, but at the very opening of his sermon all fell to the ground and he heard with profit.” Another member of our Church on hearing of his death said, “A pillar of our Church is taken from our midst.”
From the first of his painfully sudden illness he was unable to speak much. On Sunday he seemed well, and said, “What a happy day we have had: such sweet meditation; the Lord does give me enjoyment in His precious Word.” He read Psalm 90. On Wednesday, being taken very ill, he said to me, “Do not worry; the Lord will take care of us.” I asked him if Jesus was near. He said, “Yes, yes,” and gave distinct utterance to the sweet words, “Divine light.” He passed peacefully away on Friday morning. His remains were buried at Bournemouth, the service being conducted by his esteemed friend Mr. Wileman, of Kilburn.
“My treasure is in heaven above.
Where all the atmosphere is love;
For Jesu’s presence makes it bliss.
And what, my soul, can equal this?
Then oh I the Hallelujah’s sweet
That I at my Redeemer’s feet
Shall all to Jesus Christ be given,
My Lord, my life, my home, my heaven.”—Josiah Cowell
R. C.
Josiah Cowell (1815-1892) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served in an itinerate ministry for the first part of his gospel labours, but in 1880 was appointed pastor of the church meeting at Harwich, an office he filled for eight years and a half.
