LIFE OF SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1941, Page 4

LIFE OF SERVICE

LATE DR. J. A. COWIE CAREER THAT SET A FINE EXAMPLE TRIBUTE BY REV. JOHN DAVIE. Reference to the late Dr. J. A. Cowie was made at Knox Church on Sunday by the Rev. John Davie.

"Dr. James Alexander Cowie came here 35 years ago,” said Mr Davie, “a young man starting practice with all the going to be made by himself. He soon became established however. His keenness in his profession, his skill and unfailing attention soon won the confidence of the people. After being here for two years he was joined by Dr. Helen Baird and thus began a partnership in home and practice that was as beautiful as it was successful. Here again the religious background was in evidence. I had the good fortune to know both families. While the Drs. Cowie were commencing their practice in Masterton 1 was beginning my ministry in Southland where both their homes were. It was a rare privilege to see the strength and beauty of those I Southland homes. No wonder Dr. J. A. Cowie turned out the great man he was. We underestimate the value of pure blood in our veins, sound puritan principles in our minds, and warm religious conviction in our souls. If parents could only realise how much their convictions, their upright example and their intense concern for the well-being of their children, if they could realise how much these influence their children’s destinies there would be fevy.er careless parents. “The people of the Wairarapa know the extent and the choiceness of the service Dr. J. A. Cowie rendered to them and the very large funeral and the innumerably tribute of flowers testified to their appreciation of that service,” said Mr Davie. “It was my privilege to be his minister, and I want to pay this public tribute to the help he gave me. My first encounter with Dr. Cowie is worth relating, it helps to reveal the man and where lay the real secret of his strength of character. One Saturday afternoon, just after a came here, I was walking along Chapel Street on the way to make a sick call. Presently a car flew past and almost at once the brakes were applied and back the car came to where I was. A few minutes and the doctor had me in beside him. He told me one of his patients needed me more than the one I was going to, for they were both his patients. We arrived at a small cottage where the doctor had to tell the patient that nothing further could be done for him and that the end was a inatter of weeks. No minister could have spoken more effectively than Dr. Cowie did to that man. The doctor’s faith in God and insight into the patient’s spiritual need were a revelation. What a God’s blessing a Christian doctor is? We thank God for all such. That was 18J years ago. The doctor was at the zenith of his strength. I was amazed at the amount of work he pur through his hands and at the thoroughness and high excellence of it. "Upon the good foundation laid by his parents, there .was added education at the best schools and colleges. When attending the Southland Boys’ High School he gained the distinction of being captain of the first fifteen and was champion high jump for 1900-1, showing at this early stage the promise of that virility which enabled him to reach high water mark in his profession. He was an excellent student, entering into his student career with the thoroughness which characterised all his endeavours. A fellow student said of him he was thoroughly sound right through, in study, in character and in practice. I was struck by the diversity of the social status of those who attended his funeral. The presence at that graveside of people I had never seen at a funeral spoke eloquently of what had happened. When I saw them turn away after the last look at that casket, with tears on their cheeks I knew that they were weeping for their departed doctor and friend. Lives of great men all remind us, we should make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints on the lands of time, footprints that perhaps another sailing o'er life's solemn main, a forlorn and shipwrecked brother, seeing shall take heart again. The doctor was a .member of our church and a member of the managers’ court. Latterly owing to pressure of work and failing health he was not able to help much in that way, but his unfailing interest and financial help have been at the disposal of this congregation to the end. Further, the inspiration he has been to your minister has been not the least of his contributions to this cause. When I saw devotion to duty and whole-hearted concern for the bodily health of the community as displayed by the doctor, I was spurred on to be as keen and earnest for their spiritual welfare. "Let me say to the many young people in this congregation this morning, if you wish to get anywhere in life and render a service of which you shall not at last be ashamed, you must be in dead earnest, you must go flat out to give the very best you have to the matter in hand, nothing less than the very best you have avails anything. Put your faith in God, believe in Him wholeheartedly, believe in His destiny tor you. be strong, be courageous, dare the apparently impossible and keep on daring and doing and all the power of God is at your disposal. The doctor has obtained his reward, we rejoice in his victorious life. To Dr. Helen and family we. of Knox Church, extend our sincerest sympathy.