To Church with Mr. Lincoln

When Lincoln arrived in New York to deliver his address at Cooper Union, Bowen’s Manhattan office was one of his first stops. Bowen was unimpressed with the “travel-stained, woe-begone” stranger until they began to talk. Lincoln’s “dignity and gentleness” convinced Bowen that his recommendation of the lecturer was not a mistake. Bowen invited Lincoln to accompany him to Plymouth Church the next day, where he joined the Bowens in their pew—number 89—for  Sunday services.