When Heather Seferovich showed this picture during her lecture on November 14, and identified the missionary to John Morgan's right as Elder Matthias Cowley she solved one of my mysteries. Matthias Cowley was student and friend to John Morgan. He attended the Morgan College as a young man and served as a missionary under President John Morgan in the Southern States Mission. He was with John Morgan in 1894 when he died.
From John Morgan's journal of February 18-23, 1878, Salt Lake City, Utah. Have been busy all week getting information relative to the Southern Mission. Bro. Barnett came in from Payson on the 21st and on the 22nd he and Bro. Cowley and Bro. Weeks were set apart the two first to Kentucky, the latter to Illinois, Bro. Cowley was set apart under my hands, my first effort... Bro. Cowley had supper with me.
The 1880 conference reported below by Elder Matthias Cowley may be the conference
President John Morgan was speaking at
when he learned his friends hadn’t been able to attend because of an ill child.
He insisted he travel to visit them following the meeting. Upon his arrival he
learned their child had passed away. The
incident was described in the letter posted here previously.
The Work in the South.
Tilson’s Mill, Blande Co. Va., February 12, 1880.
Editors Deseret News.
Dear Brethren—The following are the minutes of a two day’s
conference held in this district at the Litz School-house, Burk’s Garden,
Tazewell County, Va., Saturday and Sunday, February 7th and 8th,
1880.
Saturday 10 a.m.
Elders present: Elder John Morgan,
President of the Southern States mission; Wm. W. Fife and Matthias F. Cowley,
traveling elders in the Virginia Conference.
President Morgan addressed the congregation on the gathering
of the Saints, in which he spoke forcibly of Zion extending her borders, and
the settlement of the Saints in Colorado,
Recommending the Saints to gather to that point and assist
in building up the kingdom of God.
2 p.m.
Elder Fife addressed the people present on the first
principles of the gospel and bore a strong testimony to the truth of the same.
Elder Cowley spoke of the necessity of the Saints living
their religion and as soon as practicable gathering to Zion.
President Morgan followed with a spirited address,
principally on gathering, and being governed by the revelations of God.
Sunday 10 a.m.
In addition to the Elders present on the
first day, were Elders George R. Hill and Richad A. Ballantyne, from the
Tennessee conference.
President Morgan delivered an excellent discourse on the
pre-existent, present and future life of man, and the resurrection, by request
of the children of Brother Philip Heninger, in honor of their father and mother, deceased members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. A large congregation were in attendance and paid strict attention to
the instructions given.
2 p.m.
Elder George R. Hill addressed the congregation in a
spirited manner on the unchangeable character of the gospel, bearing a strong
testimony to the truth of its principles.
Elder Cowley followed on the first principles of the gospel
and promises made to the Saints on conditions of obedience to God’s
commandments.
Conference adjourned.
Since the 29th of last June 51 souls have been
added to the Church and 27 emigrated from this district. Prospects are
favorable for more baptisms in the near future, and the Saints generally are
anxious to gather to Zion. During the past summer the Elders have been going
out into the surrounding country and finding openings to preach in different
localities. Invitations have been given us to hold meetings in several
neighborhoods, where we have not been able to devote any time on account of the
limited force of elders in this district.
There are good openings for several more good energetic
elders in this immediate section of country, while there are doubtless thousand
of people in the surrounding counties, as well as throughout the Southern States
who never heard the voice of an elder in Israel. This power of God has been
manifest in our labors. The honest in heart are convinced of the truth by
“hearing the word of God,” while the Pharises element who seek for a sign,
thereby prove themselves to being a “wicked and an adulterous generation.”
John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah Digital Newspaper Project, http://digitalnewspapers.org/
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