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Springs in the Valley
Mrs. Charles Cowman knew well about life’s dark valleys. She knew, too, about God’s living waters that bubble up in their midst, bringing refreshment and joy to the thirsty traveler. In Springs in the Valley, she shares cool draughts of wisdom and insight into God’s character, drawn from the Scriptures and purified through a lifetime of experience. In print for more than sixty years, this classic daily devotional offers a years' worth of daily meditations, now in a new, definitive edition. Take a moment, tune out the clamor and concerns of today, and let Springs in the Valley wash the busy-ness from your soul in its limpid flow of wise, faith-filled words.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1959
About the author
Lettie B. Cowman
39 books32 followersalso published under the name: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman & L.B. Cowman
"A lot of people who use the perennially popular devotional book Streams in the Desert think it is by somebody named Charles, because the title page is signed “Mrs. Charles Cowman.” As an author, she successfully concealed herself under her married name, her late husband’s name. Her full name was Lettie Burd Cowman (1870-1960). And the 1925 book she is famous for is itself another stunt of self-concealment: Streams in the Desert is mostly a pastiche of Lettie Cowman’s favorite passages from her own wide devotional reading, assembled on the grid of 365 daily doses.
The authors she cites are a who’s who of the late nineteenth century evangelical movement, especially the missionary, holiness, and Keswick side of the tradition: A. C. Dixon, A. T. Pierson, F. B. Meyer, Andrew Murray, A. B. Simpson, Charles Trumbull, etc. There are many paragraphs written by Cowman herself, but they tend to flow in and out of the quotations seamlessly.
Her work in Streams is mainly a cut-and-paste job, yet Cowman’s compilation of sources has outlived and out-sold most of the authors she quotes. Streams is still in print in a major way.The secret of her editorial success is probably that she wasn’t trying to succeed. Cowman really did produce the book for her own benefit. She wasn’t trying to reach a large audience; she was going through a difficult phase of life, and learning how to commune with God through the suffering.
Lettie had married Charles Cowman in 1889, and five years into their marriage they responded to a call to world missions issued by A. B. Simpson in the Moody Church in Chicago. The couple served in Japan from 1901 to 1917, leading a remarkable evangelistic campaign that focused on distributing literature to every household and training indigenous Christian workers. Charles was a visionary, a gifted administrator, and an inspiring leader. Overwhelmed with the evangelistic success of his mission, Charles worked himself to a complete physical collapse. He and Lettie returned to the USA, settling in Los Angeles, where Charles died after a six-year period of sickness and decline. His biography, Charles E. Cowman: Missionary Warrior, was written by Lettie the year after his death.
It was during these six years that Lettie experienced the suffering that every reader of Streams in the Desert recognizes. For one thing, there was the great physical pain Charles endured in his decline, but equally difficult was the enforced retirement that both Charles and Lettie were subjected to: The Cowmans were habitually busy people, with a lot of energy and a love for accomplishments. Holding still for six years was unimaginably hard and absolutely necessary.
As they crept together through these six years, Lettie read through the Bible and a library of Christian books, gathering the bits and pieces that helped her the most. Lettie knew what she and Charles needed in these years: that is what provides the strong thematic unity holding together the cut-and-paste work of Streams. That’s why Christians in affliction will continue to find this book a word that speaks directly to their situation, in small daily doses.
Lettie lived for many busy decades after Charles’ death. By 1928 she took charge of the Oriental Missions Society, and she developed a ministry as a public speaker. Her labors as missionary stateswoman included travel to Wales, Ethiopia, Finland, Colombia. And she kept writing. Though none of her books ever reached the classic status of Streams, there was always a substantial reading public for anything she wrote. The follow-up volume, Springs in the Valley, is in some ways even better than Streams, reflecting wider reading and a more comprehensive outlook. But it lacks the focus and intensity that somehow reaches out to readers in Streams. Her last book, Handfuls of Purpose, came out when she was 85.
Lettie Cowman died on April 1
"A lot of people who use the perennially popular devotional book Streams in the Desert think it is by somebody named Charles, because the title page is signed “Mrs. Charles Cowman.” As an author, she successfully concealed herself under her married name, her late husband’s name. Her full name was Lettie Burd Cowman (1870-1960). And the 1925 book she is famous for is itself another stunt of self-concealment: Streams in the Desert is mostly a pastiche of Lettie Cowman’s favorite passages from her own wide devotional reading, assembled on the grid of 365 daily doses.
The authors she cites are a who’s who of the late nineteenth century evangelical movement, especially the missionary, holiness, and Keswick side of the tradition: A. C. Dixon, A. T. Pierson, F. B. Meyer, Andrew Murray, A. B. Simpson, Charles Trumbull, etc. There are many paragraphs written by Cowman herself, but they tend to flow in and out of the quotations seamlessly.
Her work in Streams is mainly a cut-and-paste job, yet Cowman’s compilation of sources has outlived and out-sold most of the authors she quotes. Streams is still in print in a major way.The secret of her editorial success is probably that she wasn’t trying to succeed. Cowman really did produce the book for her own benefit. She wasn’t trying to reach a large audience; she was going through a difficult phase of life, and learning how to commune with God through the suffering.
Lettie had married Charles Cowman in 1889, and five years into their marriage they responded to a call to world missions issued by A. B. Simpson in the Moody Church in Chicago. The couple served in Japan from 1901 to 1917, leading a remarkable evangelistic campaign that focused on distributing literature to every household and training indigenous Christian workers. Charles was a visionary, a gifted administrator, and an inspiring leader. Overwhelmed with the evangelistic success of his mission, Charles worked himself to a complete physical collapse. He and Lettie returned to the USA, settling in Los Angeles, where Charles died after a six-year period of sickness and decline. His biography, Charles E. Cowman: Missionary Warrior, was written by Lettie the year after his death.
It was during these six years that Lettie experienced the suffering that every reader of Streams in the Desert recognizes. For one thing, there was the great physical pain Charles endured in his decline, but equally difficult was the enforced retirement that both Charles and Lettie were subjected to: The Cowmans were habitually busy people, with a lot of energy and a love for accomplishments. Holding still for six years was unimaginably hard and absolutely necessary.
As they crept together through these six years, Lettie read through the Bible and a library of Christian books, gathering the bits and pieces that helped her the most. Lettie knew what she and Charles needed in these years: that is what provides the strong thematic unity holding together the cut-and-paste work of Streams. That’s why Christians in affliction will continue to find this book a word that speaks directly to their situation, in small daily doses.
Lettie lived for many busy decades after Charles’ death. By 1928 she took charge of the Oriental Missions Society, and she developed a ministry as a public speaker. Her labors as missionary stateswoman included travel to Wales, Ethiopia, Finland, Colombia. And she kept writing. Though none of her books ever reached the classic status of Streams, there was always a substantial reading public for anything she wrote. The follow-up volume, Springs in the Valley, is in some ways even better than Streams, reflecting wider reading and a more comprehensive outlook. But it lacks the focus and intensity that somehow reaches out to readers in Streams. Her last book, Handfuls of Purpose, came out when she was 85.
Lettie Cowman died on April 1
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 3, 2008
I had never heard of this book, but noticed it among a box of books at a yard sale. Upon opening it, found a beautiful inscription from a mother to her daughte,r offering the book as a birhtday gift in 1945.
Intrigued, though well worn,I purchased the book for a dollar. In reading it everymorning, as it is a daily devotional, I have found it to be absolutely priceless.
There is such wisdom in these pages, offered up with complete grace.........a truly beautiful little book.
I will find a way to have it rebound and pass it on as a heirloom to my children, and grandchildren. A new copy would not do. The love of a mother on her daughters birthday can be tangibly felt among these pages...........
Intrigued, though well worn,I purchased the book for a dollar. In reading it everymorning, as it is a daily devotional, I have found it to be absolutely priceless.
There is such wisdom in these pages, offered up with complete grace.........a truly beautiful little book.
I will find a way to have it rebound and pass it on as a heirloom to my children, and grandchildren. A new copy would not do. The love of a mother on her daughters birthday can be tangibly felt among these pages...........
December 31, 2016
My nighttime devotional, a bit dated but had lovely poems and stories.
February 22, 2021
The first one "streams in the desert " was profoundly life changing for me. It was like God speaking directly to me every day. Ive given the original one as gifts and every person loves it and points out how prophetic it seems to apply to their life. So go buy that one for sure! Im in my 3rd time of reading through the ORIGINAL. THIS ONE her #2 is not even close to the first one. Its like God anointed the first one and not this. This is an ok daily devotional. Only one out of every 50 speaks to me. There are many devotionals Id recommend before this one. There is more poetry than prose in this one too.
November 17, 2023
A Wealth of Biblical Encouragement!!!
One of my favorite books of all time! This little book has encouraged me many, many times when I have been weary and struggling. I read it almost daily and God has used it lift my spirits and refocus my mind. A must have!
One of my favorite books of all time! This little book has encouraged me many, many times when I have been weary and struggling. I read it almost daily and God has used it lift my spirits and refocus my mind. A must have!
October 20, 2018
Book f meditation full f comfort and encouragement
January 1, 2019
A later devotional book by the author of the famous Springs In The Desert. I quite like her books and have them all. Old fashioned, but vary good if you have no issue with that.
December 6, 2019
I like this devotional. Our dad had a hard copy gift from my maternal grandfather. Grew up reading this inspiring book as a family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2019
Applies to this century.
Very powerful for today's hectic life.I feel I took something from each day.
Applies to today as it was when written last century.
Very powerful for today's hectic life.I feel I took something from each day.
Applies to today as it was when written last century.
December 31, 2021
Nice Devotional
It has been in my devotional regimen for years. the only downside is it glories the problems of Christianity to much.
It has been in my devotional regimen for years. the only downside is it glories the problems of Christianity to much.
March 23, 2022
Fantastic devotional
December 31, 2022
“Now none but Christ can satisfy, None other name for me; There’s love, and life, and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in Thee!”
December 31, 2023
Excellent daily reflections to edify a Christian.
February 12, 2017
I much preferred STREAMS IN THE DESERT.
April 27, 2021
I loved reading the year-long devotional Streams in the Desert two different years and was excited to hear there was a follow-up. This devotional was also great, though I think I preferred the first one the most, which was written in 1918 after she returned after many years serving as missionaries in Japan to the USA with her husband, who was very sick. As she watched him suffer in pain, the devotional was born out of their hardship. It has become a classic for good reason. It was such an encouragement and balm to my soul both years I read it. I don't know the story behind Springs in the Valley (published in 1959 towards the end of her life), but it also has a very similar feel to it. Each day has a short Bible verse and a devotional that usually includes an anecdote from a famous preacher (my favorite, Spurgeon, is in there a lot) and poetry or hymn verses, which is the same layout as Streams in the Desert. I started in 2021 and only made it a few months in before switching to another devotional because it just wasn't the right time. I picked it up again in early 2022 and started from where I left off, which is why I finished before the end of the year.
October 12, 2017
Deep insights
This is my favorite daily devotional. The deep, profound truths herein encourage, inspire,convict, illuminate, and set the tone for walking with God all the day long. I have used this devotional for years and it never grows old.
This is my favorite daily devotional. The deep, profound truths herein encourage, inspire,convict, illuminate, and set the tone for walking with God all the day long. I have used this devotional for years and it never grows old.
March 27, 2011
Inspiring devotional; have used it for years.
January 3, 2013
Good, but I enjoy The Streams in the Desert more.
December 31, 2018
A must have
An amazing journey through the year with encouragement every step of the way. A must have for anyone who has ever had a struggle!
An amazing journey through the year with encouragement every step of the way. A must have for anyone who has ever had a struggle!
June 23, 2019
Good devotional. I liked Streams in the Desert better though. But this one was good, too.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews