p. 18 | Fallen at His Post by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1910

Fallen at His Post

By E. R. P.

IT is with sorrow that we report the death of another of our pioneer canvassers in Mexico. Brother John Bowers was one of the first to go to Mexico as a self-supporting canvasser. With much sacrifice and hard labor, he persevered in the work until he saw it enter the present new era of increased prosperity. Elder G. W. Reaser, superintendent of the field, writes the following particulars concerning Brother Bowers's death:—

“We are compelled to record another sad experience in connection with our work in Mexico. Brother John Bowers died here at our treatment-rooms at ten minutes past four this morning. He came here by train from Torreon, arriving Thursday at 6:30 P. M. We met him at the station, and took him in a coach direct to the treatment-rooms, and in a few minutes had him comfortably settled in a good bed, and administered to his needs in the way of food, treatment, and care the best we could. Last night he said his bed seemed to be the best he had ever had, but that he felt extremely tired. Although we did not think there was any immediate danger, we provided him with a night nurse. At a little past four in the morning he rang the little bell at his side to call the attention of the nurse, but before she could call the doctor, who was just across the street, he was gone.

“He had been sick about two weeks at Torreon before he came to Guadalajara, and had been here only about thirty-four hours when death ended his suffering. The disease which robbed him of life was a very aggravated form of eczema. He expressed great satisfaction at being among friends and brethren who took an interest in his welfare, and praised the Lord that he had brought him safely to Guadalajara.

“He was certainly a very consecrated man. We know practically nothing of his antecedents. He once told the writer that when he accepted the threefold message, he was working in a convent, and that he accidentally found a discarded copy of 'Daniel and the Revelation' in some rubbish that he was told to burn. From this book he learned the message, and then, naturally, they did not retain him long at the convent. However, the mother superior treated him kindly as long as he was retained in the employ of the institution. He was about fifty years of age. Brother Bowers was one of our most faithful colporteurs. Without doubt he sleeps in Jesus. ‘How long shall death, the tyrant, reign and triumph o’er the just?’” E. R. P.