e ate many things that he really did not want. He
read Dr. Dewey's ideas, and became convinced that his system
needed general overhauling, and that this could be accomplished
through faithful adherence to the theory of Dr. Dewey. One of
these theories is to the effect that fasting rests the brain,
which is ofttimes overworked as a result of heavy feeding. It is
also supposed that the body throws off old mucous membrane of
the stomach and bowels, and that these are immediately
supplanted by new lining. Believing that he could get rid of his
catarrhal trouble and get the new lining referred to, Cowan
decided to fast, and without noise about the matter he
commenced, and up to Thursday evening he did not allow a bite of
food to pass his lips. The only thing that he took was water. Of
this he did not drink much, and he claims that he suffered no
pain or pangs of hunger. Looking at the matter now, it does not
seem to have been much of an accomplishment. After he once got
started he said it was an easy matter to carry out his plan
except for the worry of his family and some of his friends. They
thought that he was losing his mind and tried to induce him to
relinquish his idea, but he took some of them under his wing and
reasoned with them on the beauties of the treatment, expounded
the strong points, gave them reasons, showed them testimony of
others, and kept on fasting. When he began he had no idea that
he would continue for forty days; but as he progressed he had no
desire for food, and therefore did not desist. Thursday evening
he began to feel hungry, and that night he ate a reasonably good
supper. The return of hunger, according to his theories, was the
signal of the return of health. He feels confident that his
stomach has been relined, and for the present he knows that his
catarrh has left him. He is a firm believer in the new method of
curing bodily ailments, and says that during his fast he was
able to be around the village of Warrensburg every day, and was
able to perform his duties. His abstinence from food apparently
has not weakened his constitution. Since breaking his fast he
has partaken sparingly of food. Cowan's friends are very much
interested in the recital of his experience."

It so chanced that during this fast much more than his ordinary business
came to him, and wi