The Cause and Cure of the Cattle Plague: A Plain Sermon

by James Galloway Cowan

"The Cause and Cure of the Cattle Plague: A Plain Sermon" by James Galloway Cowan is a religious sermon published in the mid-19th century, specifically in 1866. This book falls under the category of a religious or theological work, exploring the intersection of faith and the natural calamities that impact livestock. The likely topic centers on understanding divine providence and the moral implications of societal sins in light of a cattle plague affecting herds. In this sermon, Cowan asserts that calamities such as the cattle plague are not merely random occurrences but are instead manifestations of God's will, designed to call humanity back to a state of humility and repentance. He emphasizes that rather than solely searching for natural explanations or remedies, individuals and communities must recognize the spiritual lessons behind such afflictions. Cowan discusses the importance of acknowledging the "hand of the Lord" in human suffering and calamity, urging listeners to reflect on their spiritual state and to seek reconciliation with God through repentance. By tying the afflictions of the cattle to moral failures within society, Cowan calls for a collective awakening to divine authority and the need for spiritual reform.