IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V ^ sr ^% ^ '"Z< ^ ^ ^ ^ 1.0 I.I 11.25 «12 M 2.2 t liL 12.0 M. IIIIII.6 liuiugidpiui; Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 iV iV ■^ \\ «•** >. my ■-^^ <«^\ ^\ ^^ <^ ^^% ^^^Z^ ^^^ ^ A- back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microficho shall contam the symbol — h^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, cherts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included m one exposure are filmed beginning in the jpper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. 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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent ^tre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images necessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. Oest 32 X ^ 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 3- LIFE OF THE REV. ALFRED COOKMAN. I i^\ '}9^ r * *■ TO ENGLAND CHAPTER IX. THE FOREIGN TOUR. — ENGLISH SCENERY AND FRIENDS . , . CHAPTER X. HOME AGAIN. — MARRIAGE. — MINISTRY AT WEST CHESTER AND HARRISBURG, PA CHAPTER XL MINISTRY AT CHRIST CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PA. — INCREASING FAME AND USEFULNESS CHAPTER XII. MINISTRY AT GREEN STREET CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. — REMARKABLE REVIVAL CHAPTER XIII. THE UNION CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. — SLAVERY AGITATION. CHRISTIAN UNION CHAPTER XIV, REMOVAL TO NEW YORK. — MINISTRY AT THE CENTRAL CHURCH. —PATRIOTISM AND THE CIVIL WAR igg 103 117 135 IS3 f CHAPTER XV. TRIN:TY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.— THE ARMY OF T.iE POTOMAC AND THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION 191 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVI. xi HAGE UETURN TO PiriLADiannA.- PASTORATE OP THE SPRINO GARO.X STREET CHUKCH.-AMONa THE CHILDREN . . ,07 CHAPTER XVH. SPRING GARDEN STREET CHURCH.-CIVIL RIGHTS OE THE COLOURED RACE-VACATION AT CAMP-MEETINGS . . 2,9 CHAPTER XVni. SPRING GARDEN STREET CHURCH.-DEATH OP GEORGE COOK- MAN AND OF ALFRED liRUNER COOKMAN CHAPTER XIX. 226 GRACE CHURCH, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. -THE NATIONAL AND OTHER CAMP-MEETINGS.-MISSIu.NARV JUmLEE . 235 CHAPTER XX. GRACE CHURCH. -SKILL IN THE PASTORATE. - NATIONAL CAMP-MEETINGS AT HAMILTON, OAKINGTON. AND DES- PLAINES 251 CHAPTER XXI. GRACE CHURCH.— THE PENINSULA CONVENTION CHAPTER XXII. CENTRAL CHURCH. NEWARK, N.;. -OCEAN GROVE CAMP- GROUND.-NATIONAL CAMP-MEETINGS AT ROUND LAKE AND URBANA . 273 260 CHAPTER XXIII. THE LAST CAMP-MEETINGS.-FAILING HEALTH.-THE LAST SERMON . . ^^ 281 xu CONTENTS, CHAPTER XXIV. THE LAST HOURS. — SWEEPING THROUGH THE GATES PACE ':f CHAPTER XXV. ESTIMATES OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF ALFRED COOKMAN 308 ■ ' i l\ 't !i 1 III J! I'AGE AtFRED 308 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. CHAPTER I. THE COOKMAN FAM.LV.-GEORG. GRIMSTON COOKMAN. The Rev. Alfred Cookman was descenHpH r wor,hy ances.0-. His fa.he, ,he Rev " o^^l: Cookman, was a man of snch powers and fame hb a em * rrr,sr: 'hL -nr'-'"^'^ - --^-^ direct and con ™o°"s ' ,h, frT' T '"' ™" "''" "" adequate accou . The ft. e fr "' '• '''""'"' "' '"^ anow. v^:L'tmUrtori:s.ri:™;° Cookman .0 be remembered as .he fatirer of aTJvc; here was that m him-i„ what l,e was and dld-wh makes « proper that no extended memoir be Xn hi ' son without such a portraiture of the father as Z , rL":^- worth. Of his dis.,„,„ist":ha:a«?:„d to so present the nam^of Cotk^:: ,L'\h:t. l;- u^..e,ather, and maintatned afterward in the son, as tt; II LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMA.V, f !t ll -I fl shall be transmitted an unbroken name, suggestive of sanctity, eloquence, and usefulness wherever known and pronounced. George Grimston Cookman was bom in the town of Kingston upon- Hull, Yorkshire, England, October 21, 1800. His parents were George and Mary Cookman. Of these ])arents George himself wrote in 1835 to Miss Mary Barton, who was then his betrothed, and afterward became his wife: " My father is the younger brother of an old English family who, as sturdy yeomanry, had resided upon their family estates in the east end of Holderness for five generations back. My father left home early in life, and at eighteen years of age became serious, and a member and local preacher in the Methodist Society. He is constant in all his ])urposes, and unwavering in all his attachments— a judicious rather than a romantic husband, a kind rather than a fond father. He is independent in his principles even to the verge of republicanism ; what the world terms a downright honest man. Yet there are perplexing para- doxes in his character. Possessing genuine, active courage, he hides it under a natural diffidence and modesty ; with deep and strong feeling, he will generally pass for what Alfred calls a phlegmatic melancholic. Indeed, he has brought himself under so severe mental discipline and such habitual caution, that he represses all that gives a glow to feeling or a brilliance to thought under the fear of com- mitting himself But when you can draw hir.i oj* 01 liis shell, you find he can conceive and feel ana speak with both brilliance and power. As a Christian, he is eminently consistent, liberal, and unwavering. I have sometimes thought that his habitual judgment has induced a want of i. '■' ;■ temporal matters, but I have met with few men so ev'.i and < oastant in their religious walk. Now my mother J' iggcstive of known and he town of ler 21, 1800. . Of these lary Barton, Tie his wife : iglish family their family generations at eig'iteen and local nstant in all chments — a kind rather s principles vorld terms exing para- ve courage, iesty; with s for what ed, lie has le and such 5 a glow to !ar of com- OJt 01 iliS speak with 3 eminently sometimes 1 a want of ;w men so my mother THE COOhWFAX FAMfr.W is almost the reverse of all this. She wis fl,. . , retired and wounded officer of the Rov . v "^ "' °^ " -Ph-> in early life, and was 1 un ; in7' "" '''' ^" wuh her cousin. Mr. John ^^^V^^^ T\ '""" I'lous in early life nnH «n^ 1 7""K'"n- She became uncle „.i.h :„;;t;z , ;:' ^^^ """"i"-" f™- '- of perfc.c. love f„. !„;"; ; ^, [ ^V")-' 'I- hlcsing eminent for ...c.ivi.y and goo ', "L "'" '" ''™"'' "' ■""Ch higher range of .altn, .l^n' ^ f,' '7^''« » gen.irs and less iiidcment rn,„ . '^^'"'"-l'-« more -■i™. in her a^thrntTnT' r,„l;;" % f ""<''■ tones as much faith as my fuher " T'"^'* ^^'^'"^ ^""^ ten n^ind, but wants comp.r son .d" r '' ' ^'""''^ ''^^^ a vehemency of imX L ^•^"""'"•'^''^>"- She has ^vi.undapLer::;th:t;ir:rt;i^"''^^^^^^ a strong frame in the other sex wo ,Id . """'^ '''''' eminent missionary. Now n y fath 7 '"'^'' ""'' ''' <"eels a great deal ■ mv ZZ r , P'-ofesses little, but '■t too.-'^^He h d a LoH ?r'' '^^''^'>'' '^"^ ^^"« VO" of ^>y-"ryears,^::;d\^t\;-tr"rt,;'^^'"^^ "-edis:^i:;---^p-^^^ nil his notions. J^ an ,i era lin'r "^^ ^''^^-^■Sh in and ambition ar. lils ru {«; n! ^'%I^^'"^'Plcs. Pride ;-^^strongsei..iiar'::^j^-:;-,^^^:^j;on^^ temper, the world will see in him '"''/^'^'•■Ijearmg And yet I know no one to vl 1 o., 'T"" '^^"'^''^^"^• self for candid judgment w ^ ""'^^' ''""'"'' y^"^" Alfred. M,n- Anf ^ '^''" '^^"'"''"ence than our u. i\,an Ann, my beloved IMarv Anr. ,v affectionate and amiabi,. girl i thou . '' "'^'^ ^vould be a time n.«; , ^ ^ ^"'^ >'''>'^'''' ago she -iking and ':;:^;^:: thX; '" '^^^ --^ ^'-'^^'"^ =- -' 'nent for her J "L^"^'' T'' T^rseverance and judg ler )ears than either I or Alfred. I think p LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN: she will not be behind either in intellect, and before both in prudence." What is here said of his brother Alfred is not too strongly- put. From the testimony of friends, and the proofs given in hi:, letters, essays, and speeches, he must have been a youth of unusual promise. He early devoted him- self to God, and became one of the most exemplary- Christians. His tastes ^nd convictions led him to choose the law for his profession. When this preference was expressed, the judicious father laid before him all the difficulties which would lie in his path : the long and expensive process of college and professional education ; the still longer period which must elapse before he could reasonably expect to get into practice ; the want of patron- age ; the envy of the aristocracy, ever manifested to aspirants at the bar springing from the middle classes of society; and concluded by saying, "Remember, Alfred, if you msist on this course, the whole of your patrimonial fortune will be expended on your education ; " to which Alfred fearlessly and magnanimously replied, " I care not when I enter the bar if I have not a shilling. I will make my own fortune, you may depend upon it." His facility of speech, readiness in debate, quickness of perception, wit —his striking person, and deep-toned and melodious voice —made him from boyhood " one of nature's orators." On one occasion, in the debating society of which he was a member, a gentleman of the bar from London chanced to hear him, and remarked afterward, "I would give my library, and all I am worth in the world, to have the amazing power of reply exliibited by that boy. " He passed successfully through the course at Glasgow University, where he had the most capable of instructors, and listened on Sundays to such preachers as Chalmers and Wardlaw. THE COOKMAN FAMILY. After his graduation at the University, he went up to London and entered a law-office. While enga-^ed in his stud,es there, he beca.e convinced of his dut/to preach the Gospel. He determined to enter the ministry; and accordmgly returned home, and began to apply Wmself TnTrf ' w' r^' '' "^''"^ preparatory to admis- s^n nto he Wesleyan Conference. His application was too close h.s v,g.ls too protracted ; his health failed, and he speedily fell mto a pulmonary consumption from which he Mr. Cookman, the father, was one of the best representa- tives of the English middle class. By success in ?"de he rose to that degree of aftluence which enabled him to live in a sty e of great comfort and quiet dignity; by his reputa- tion for sound judgment and probity, he acquired the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and was elected mayor of Hull, a position which he retained for many years ; and by his earnest and consistent devotion enil H r "T '""^ "''^^'^ "^ ^^'^^'^>'^" Methodism, he enjoyed he loyal affection of both the preachers and laymen ofhis denomination throughout his neighbourhood. His good sense, gemal piety, and generous hospitality made his house a centre of Methodist influence. In politics he sympathized with the more advanced men and measures of ni5 times. It is evident, however, that the mother, from the brief description already given, was the inspiration of the Cook- nmn home. Her ardent temperament, vivid imagination, active faith, and courage, imparted to the sons the living spark which kindled in them a genius for speech and fo^ the heroic in action. She was one of the women of gentle birth who became a Methodist when it was a reproach to be one ; and, persecuted lor her faith by her own family LIFE OF ALFRED COOkWfA.V She knew what it was to hold to convictions when it required the keenest suffering to do so. At tlie altar of her self- denj,mg piety was Hghted the flatno of the future mis- sionary's zeal-a zeal m hich burned in him resistlessly till quenched in death. Tiuis wo see that the parent stock from which the Cookmans of- this and a former generation were derived was one combining in tiie fhther and the mother that happy union of qualities which usually aives rise m the offspring to distinguished powers and successes. George Gnmston, as the eldest born of his parents very naturally received a large share of tlicir attention. In an account of himself written in 18.6, before entering the regular ministry, with a view to his oun improvement, he records, " Never was a child more carefully instructed, more carefully watched over, or more earnestly exhorted by Christian parents to love and serve (iod than myself. And perhaps up to my eighth year the influence of these graciou. instructions so far operated as to preserve me from the guilt of actual sin." At this time he was sent away to school : where, through evil associations, he was led astray and fell into some sinful habits. He was, however, at this early period the subject of keen convictions of conscience. He lived with the fear that every night would be the end of the world. While the other boys of the school were sleeping quietly, he would be standing at the chamber windovv momentarily expecting the Judge to descend and the trumpet to blow." His views of sin and of personal .uilt were not such as to lead to repentance. He was soon "after removed to another school at a fashionable watering-place where he began -a career of more decided sin and folly" At fourteen he returned home a different being, changed in principle and purpose-far astray from the simplicity with which at eight he had left the parental roof. His father ■*? GEORGE GRIMSTON COOKMA.Y. I it required of her self- future mis- istlessly till irent stock generation er and the ually gives successes, rents, very >n. In an itering the ement, he cted, more horted by self. And !e graciouj n the guilt to school ; ly and fell this early nee. He ^nd of the ; sleeping window, and the onal ^uilt Boon after ing-place, nd folly." langed in city with lis father took him promptly under his care, and through his guidance he imbibed a taste for books, and became a reader especially of history. He was put to business, kept dili- gently at work, but was encouraged to read in all his leisure hours. He became a member of a public library associa- tion, and formed, with several other intelligent young men a debating club, thus finding in literary pursuits a whole- some diversion for his active nature, and also a means of stimulating and training his intellect. In contact with Grecian and Roman characters and institutions, he ac- quired the lofty notions of freedom and the rights of man which marked his subsequent career. Literature, though attractive, did not reform him; business was incapable of It : he gave the reins to passion, and plunged into the stream of worldliness. When about eighteen years old he became a teacher in a Methodist Sunday School. He was impelled by motives which he could not regard as genuine : " I approved of the design theoretically; besides, my parents being Methodists, I thought i should assist in their Sabbath School; but I had no more knowledge or regard for the religious duty or responsibility of a teacher than the babe unborn." He was convicted of sin through the questioning of his scholars as to the n^eaning of God's Word. "I began seriously to think and reason about the matter in the following way • Why, I have come forward to instruct these children, and I am Ignorant myself. I, who talk to them about ;erving God, am serving the devil, and on the road to hell-vea S'thyTeir'"'''"' "'^'^ ^"' ^^""' '""^ '^y' '^'^^--; than ZT T '''" "''''' °^^^'^ '°"^'^^^^°" ^^°^- ^"^-nctly than he has done it : "These goadings and lashings of I condemning conscience made me miserable, and compelled 8 LIFE OF ALFRED COOA'MAA'. me to a more close examination of my condition ; and soon I saw that I was miserable and helpless and blind and naked; that I stood obnoxious to God's holy law, was under the Almighty's curse, and each moment in danger of everlasting ruin. Still, however, I was rather convicted in judgment than broken in heart, and it is probable that these gracious mipressions would have been overwhelmed by the strong bias of my mind to evil ; but the good Lord added one or two other circumstances to aid and quicken the spiritual conviction. Just at that time I was disappointed in a particular friendship, which sickened and soured my mmd to this wor'd's enjoyments; and immediately upon this, the dearest friend I had in the world, after an illness . I three days, died. This was the consummation of my misery ; it seemed the final blow. I was tired of life, yet afraid to die ; I was indulging in the world, yet sick of its pleasures; amid society, I was solitary; while within my own heart I carried the alarm-bell of a guilty conscience-in short, I hated life, I hated myself, I was miserable • this misery was not repentance ; it was misanthropy, not contri- tion.. And, indeed, so well convinced was I of this that when the pious Methodists kindly invited me to partake of the blessings of Christian communion, I told them that I was totally unfit to be a member of their society, as I had not a desire to flee from the AVTath to come. I had no soft compunctions on account of sin, no realization of guilt toward God ; but the obdurate misery and wretchedness of a disappointed votary of pleasure. Thus I continued as miserable as I could be. Yet I did reform my outward conduct; I did forsake my gay and frivolous companions- nay, more, I acted diligently as secretary in a large Sabbath School, and endeavoured, amid a multiplicity of business to bury all knowledge and memory of mvself But this >n; and soon d blind and )ly law, was in danger of convicted in •le that these ?lmed by the Lord added quicken the iisappointed soured my liately upon an illness :ion of my of life, yet t sick of its within my science — in arable; this not contri- >f this, that ' partake of lem that I y, as I had lad no soft 'H of guilt hedness of ntinued as y outward Tipanions ; ;e Sabbath business, But this ^EORGE G. COOKMAN^S RELIGIOUS AWAKENING. 9 arose not from any clear sense of duty, or any love to God or men, but smiply because I was sick and tired of the world ; and, as I could not enjoy it, I forsook it. At ength, however, the day-spring arose in my benighted soul ; the hght of grace showed me more perspicuously my real conduion. I saw that I had lost the image of God-bore he image of the Evil One ; that I was ignorant in under standing, corrupt and deceitful in heart, polluted in body, and desperately wicked in conduct, I saw that in my present state it was impossible I could be saved, for ' with- out holiness no man can see the Lord.' I saw clearly that fTath 'Tr\ '"^^ ''' ''''"^'y ' -^ -^- -ntence punish all transgression. " Under these gracious convictions, having fully resolved seek salvation, to renounce the world, and to serve God I found the blessings of Christian fellowship. Under the fatherly instruction and care of my excellent leader, light beamed brighter into my soul ; I was called to see ueep^ into s"Lrn '""f '"^, '"'"^ ^ ''''''y apprehended that sa vat,on was only to be obtained by faith in a crucified R deemer. Nine months did I seek the blessing of justifi- cation earnestly and with many tears. Often in secret places, m garrets, in the open fields, or under hedges I have poured forth my requests with strong cries, buf still the day of liberty seemed at a distance, until I Lad .S n.gh despaired. One Saturday night I had retired to rest under considerable condemnation for having indulged t troube . f' ''"' P'^"^^ ^'''' "- considerable wok a 11- "1'" "" ^° ^"^'" "P«" thy wrath.' I a^voke ^I believe by the providence of God) about two 10 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMA.Y. i o Clock m the morning, and my misery and horror of mind were mdescribable. All the weight of my sins secned nov beanng down upon my wretched soul, and ready to force me down to that bottomless pit which appeared just yawn- ing ; m this situation I cried mightily to God for deliver- ance and pardon, but the heavens were as brass to my prayers, and the storm of Almighty wrath increased apace Myagony of mind was now wrought up to its highest pitch' - when suddenly I caught a glimpse of Christ on Calvary • hen I cried with the desperation of a drowning man, ' Lord,' I believe; help Thou my unbelief!' 'Lord save or I perish !' 'll^ough Thou slay me, yet will I believe in t And suddenly there was a great calm-the storm was hushed-the burden was gone-and I felt that God, for by faith, I had peace with God through my Lord Jesus tesHfv' h Vt T. \ ^"""^ "°' ^'^'^ rapturous joy which some testify but I had the peace which passeth all understand- ng Oh yes ! the Spirit did bear witness with my spirit hat was a child of God. I lay me down, and sweetly fell asleep; and in the morning, when I awoke, I asked Is this a dream ? And I felt it was indeed a truth that I ivas justified freely through the blood of Christ." The young believer now found a great difference in his experience, not only in the comfort which arose from a sense of acceptance with God, but also in the easy victory over sin which his spiritual renewal had bestowed Nor was he content to rest in the experience of Divine favour- he at once gave himself to religious works in various plans of benevolence, such as the Young Men's Visiting Society and the Juvenile Branch Missionary Society. Yearning for he salvation of souls, he began very soon to feel the desire for a broader field of labour as a preacher of ri.hteous- lorror of mind s seemed no\v ready to force red just yawn- d for de liver- brass to my reased apace, highest pitch, : on Calvary ; ; man, ' Lord, d, save, or I I believe in n — the storm that God, for eing justified ' Lord Jesus ' which some understand- ith my spirit and sweetly , I asked, Is I that I rt-as "ence in his rose from a easy victory 3wed. Nor fixiQ favour : irious plans ing Society ^earning for 1 the desire ' righteous- ^^^^^■'"^ ^- <^OOA'MA.V BEGIXS TO PREACir. , , unanswerably give„ from God ,o nr^ul vo , 7' ""' remain silent." ' ' °"''' ^°^ '^''" caltd^Mf "r ""'T ""', ""'■°'"=' ™' •" ™" before he was rrx^td \ "- '--r.rc::!;r: et: or ms lather, and returnmg, was as deeply engrossed is years r find hi. brea.hin, rhe s.JZ::i^,ZZ q m(, mth a persuasion that God, amid severe n. )f reS^rrsrorrr- ^^ - - Januarv 22 r/, \ """"^ "'°'^ '° ^^^ o^vn will Mr/^;:;^^::::ro;7ro':rcrrrTr pr;areme.:"^l\:e:L\-:;-;---*e^^^^^^^ a clear call to preach the GosDel?'"? f ' ""^ ^ himself by five tests, concludes ^.r a "^^^ ^^^"^^"'"^ grace . committed to me, and le .0 ^l^fT^ 1 not the Gospel ! " In addition , .u ^'"''''^ occurred to him was dl " "'""^ '^^^^ ^^'^^^^'^ America, and Ile^ s bZl^hr^^^' ^"^'^ ^" Gospel, ^^and that too ifA" 1!^? T''' "" America for secular ends but rnH % , J'^"^ ^°"' '° return to America on .' H , already decreed his Hull. 12 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAl^. efforts were well received. He preached quite regularly and showed from the first the elements of power The missionary ardour was kindling in his soul. His" father proposed to establish him in business ; but he wished to cut loose from all such entanglements, and enter himself forth- w.th at an American college for a course of preparation for the ministry He yielded, however, to the dissuasions of his father and friends, who thought him already in the best possible school of preparation and in the path of duty A\.thout abandoning his purpose to preach, he waited upon God, resolving to do his duty, and leave consequences with " After a sermon preached at the Scott Street Chapel he was greatly depressed. '' I had entered the pulpit with a com ortab e assurance of the Divine favour, when, strange to tell, all upon a sudden my mind was beclouded; and although I was perfectly master of the subject, I was ye bound in spirit." "I expected no one could profit : but to my amazement, almost all expressed themselves as being much edified." He could not fail of a valuable lesson from lT.fn"'Tr" ''''"" ^ ^^"^^ '"^'^ ''- "-de his first platform address, and achieved, in this maiden effort, that marked success which, so often repeated in after years/ con- stituted him a prince among platform speakers. -When I ascended the platform my soul .eemed weighed down with a sense of my unfitness. ' Oh my God ! ' I could not help crying, 'why am I here ? These poor heathen never trifled away privileges as I have done.' When my name was called from the chair, I was in this low state. 'l thought first (owing to a violent hoarseness) that I should have to sit down ■ but just at this instant Divine light broke in upon my soul, my voice cleared, my heart filled with holy love and fire, and I was enabled to speak with a force unknown THOUGHTS OF AMERICA. n rce unknowji before. The place was filled with the heavenly influence, and the loud, silvery, and hearty amens were affecting and cheenng. Nothing afflicted me so much as the compliments of my fnends. It seemed dishonouring God ; because I am convinced He gave the power and sent the influence. Ihe Lord shall have all the glory." It is not diff^.cult for those who subsequencly heard Mr. Cookman in this peculiar realm, at the zenith of his popularity, to imagine the utter wonder and pleasure which this beginning of surprises must have occasioned to those who were present The purpose of God with His young servant was now fast showing Itself. The apple was well-nigh ripe, when it either would fall of Itself or could be easily plucked. Mr. Joshua Marsden strongly recommended him to offer himself to the American (Methodist) bishops, to take a circuit in the first instance ; afterwards, if Providence opened the way, he comd enter upon the missionary work. But he had engaged m busmess with his father for the term of three years, after which time he proposed to turn his attention more decidedly to the ministry, with the intention of going to America.' His diary bears evidence at this period of the closest heart searchings ; of the deepest and most unaffected devotion to What wilt Thou have me do ? " There is no duty whi^ch he does not discharge, no self-sacrifice from which he shrmks : he is ready to^do any work-to go, if needs be, to the ends ol the earth to preach the Gospel. _ While his mind was particularly exercised in regard to an immediate entrance upon the ministry, he was appointed to drive Mr. Clough (one of the circuit preachers of Hull) to Partington. Mr. Clough impressed upon him the duty of present action, if he would not grieve the Holy Spirit ; another young friend, and to his surprise the Rov Mr W »4 LIFE OF ALFRED COOAWAN. m Kntw.stle, on whom he shortly after called, expressed the same v.ew. Considerably agitated by such a concurrence of opm.ons, he laid the whole matter before his father full, anfcpatmg his decided negative for the present, wh^n to h.s great surprise, his father frankly told him that he had long been of the opinion that he was called to the ministry- • and that, although his immediate departure might caus^' inconvenience, yet he would not throw one stumbling-bk.i, in the way, but rather further the ordinations of Providence by every pnident arrangement. As might have been anti- cipated, h.s mother fully coincided with this judgment, and was perfectly willing to give him up to the Lord " Thus every obstacle to his full devotion to the ministr>^ and to h gomg to America as the field of its exercise, was removed and his decision was accordingly made to .'migrate at the earliest opportunity. ^ ^ Happy in the decision which freed him from suspense, and introduced him into the definite course of his life he was all aflame with zeal for the work which lay before him. My peace flows as a river, and my heart exults to reflect that m a few months I maybe permitted to preach Christ crucified to the poor blacks of Maryland." He could find no figures so adequate to express his ardour as that of the racer restless for the course, or the soldier in th battle eager fo the conflict. This ardour, while it may not have been wholly voul of the adventurous element which sprin^^s from the prospect of strange and hazardous entcrVist w^ notinshed by t^.e closest contact with the great heart ^f the Redeemer, and in the one simple purpose to save perishin<. men He breathed constantly for entire deadness to th^ world and the spirit of true holiness, evidently regarding his mission as one of utter self-renunciation in the pursuit of the Divine glory. ''Although privations and persecutions or M I 'm LV. i, expressed the I a concurrence his father, fully resent, when, to im that )ie had to the ministr)' ; re might caus- stumhling-bloci; i of Providence lave been anti- judgment, and T^ord." Thus str)', and to his was removed, 'Migrate at the rom suspense, of his life, he ly before him. ults to reflect preacli Christ i could find no at of the racer attle eager for »t have been springs from iterprise, was ' heart of the :ave perishing dness to the regarding his pursuit of the secutions or C EO/^GE G. COOKMAX SA ILS FOR AMERICA. ,5 Shipwreck may await me, I feel strong in the LorT^ mmed to obey His will at all hazards." Such . vn L was fit to folio, a Coke, an Asbury, and t^en V? Zl the sea m the subhme work of bringing continents to God alive";: Chi:. "^^" °^ ^-^ ^^-'-^ - ^'- -^^^^ -cl The .8th of March, 1825, was finally definitely fixed upon as the day of departure for America The hit days and hours were spent in preaching, visits, farewells, a Kite parafons. The little brig Oru-nt weighed anch r a 'thj time appointed, and bore away westward with her devout irksome , the v/hole of ,ts time was diligently consumed in co3e study and multifarious reading; 'in 'n^^^^^'Z ^orks as Bishop AVatson s Apologies, Mason on Self- knowledge, Jenyn's Views of the Internal Evidences of Lax er s Gilclas Salv.anus and Saint's Rest, and Butler- Analogy. He preached to the seamen as oc asion off ed chstnbuted tracts, and otherwise laboured am^ g t L' de o io ""h T^'"'' '""^"' ^'^^ ^^^ --^-cy of hTs spi 1° 'rha h"''''«""^ '" '^''^^'^^ -- his own spn t. I have been reflecting upon Baxter's warnin<. nf setthng anywhere short of heaven, or reposing ouT soul' to rest on anything below God. Ah ! how little do Tt . this. This deceitful heart would fai^se ; t es -noT mdeed, in riches, honours, etc., but in creature ove a spe, Church, gracious ordinances. This will not do They are the means, not the rest i><;^lf n^u- ■ , ^ ^:i • . ,. . ' ^ ™y ^0"'> to consider thvselfacjT P.lgr.™ .n .l„s ,v,ldemess, and «s. in nought but Codl' I6 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. Just before landing, retarded by calms, he took advantage of the smooth sea and (luiet waiting to re-cxa.nine the motives which led him to America. - This is no womanish employ ; this ministerial work is no fine theory of fancy. It requires all the firmness, courage, perseverance, zeal, faith of the veteran soldier. Therefore I must fix my principles, and draw them from the fountain of all wisdom. I bless God my soul can calmly rejoice in the prospect, and yield all up to the will and direction of God." "Now then in the strength of the Lord, I will go forth to the Lord's work in this my adopted country." Would that more young men entering upon the Divine apostleship could have an "Arabia" of three or more months, or even years, on shipboard or elsewhere such as he had! On Sunday, May i6, 1825, the "Orient" sailed up the Delaware Bay and River. Mr. Cookman was sorry to fall short of reaching Philadelphia in time for the services of the sanctuary; but he had so drilled himself to make the best of circumstances, that he found compensation in secret com- m.union with God and in thoughts of friends afar. He wrote to a friend : "This voyage has been profitable, both in an mtellectual and spiritual point of view. I have been grounding myself in the grand principles of the Gospel • • . I have preached several times to this most wicked crew, and I have been blessed to the captain's good, who is resolved to turn over a new leaf Patience has had its Ijerfect work. .1 have found it good to lay my will at the Redeemers feet. ... I have had painful views of the depravity of this corrupt heart, and this has stimulated me particularly to plead for the whole image and purity of Christ, so that the fire of Divine love might devour all the grossness of sense and sin. . . . Here then we are on the Delaware. I regret that I cannot assemble the crew and took advantage re-examine the is no womanish ry of fancy. It ince, zeal, faith : my principles, sdom. I bless pect, and yield 'Now, then, in le Lord's work ore young men e an "Arabia" shipboard or sailed up the is sorry to fall services of the ke the best of I secret coni- ar. He wrote ^, both in an I have been the Gospel, most wicked good, who is has had its y my will at views of the imulated me id purity of vour all the J are on the e crew and ^^^^g^ g. COOA'Af^AT REACm-S AMr.K^fCA. ,7 passengers for public worship, as the pilot keeps all the former m worku^g the vessel up the ril-cr. , f u mel ,^ choly th>s mornmg in looking on shore an.l b hi. ' in.toHisholyLpletr:S^";^^^^ ' . r u '"^ ''"^^ ^'^^•"' ^-^' ^'^'•' '-^<> vis te hJ 1 i CHAPTER II. THE REV. GEORGE G. COOKMAN IN AMERICA.— THE BIRTH OF ALFRED. Mr. Cookman was cordially received by the Methodists of Philadelphia, among whom he lived and laboured as a local preacher, in connection with St. George's Church, urtil the following spring. He was incessant in labours,' not only m preaching as opportunity offered, but visiting the sick, the prisons, and hospitals. He also organized a class of young persons, which included among its mem- bers John McClimock, Charles Whitacre, and Wilham and Leonard Gilder, all of whom subsequently became ministers ' of the Gospel. During a protracted sickness of Mr. William Barnes, the preacher in charge, he supplied the pulpit of St. George's. At the session of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826, he was appointed to Kensington and St. John's churches, Philadelphia. Falling thus softly into the regular ministry did not suit either the design or the wishes of the young hero, whose soul was burning for its mission to the Africans. !!- had left England to convert the negroes, and it was .ot ■ j his mind to become a pastor amid the ease and .finements of civilized life. He was patient, however, and sought con- stantly, m the utmost self-denial, the guidance of God's Spirit and of His Church. HIS DESIRE TO GO TO AFRICA DEFEATED. 19 . — THE BIRTH le Methodists laboured as a rge's Church, It in labours, , but visiting ) organized a )ng its mem- William and mie ministers ■ Mr. William :he pulpit of •ence of the ippointed to lia. Falling it either the 'se soul was '? had left ■ -> his mind inements of sought con- ;e of God's His cherished desire was doomed to disappointment. God had other work for him to do. As the sequel proved instead of going as a missionary to convert the heathen -possibly to leave his bones after a few months on the sands of Afnca-he was, by his advanced ideas and per- suasive eloquence, to plant the seeds of missionary labours which were destined to spring up in ever-widening harvests to the end of time. In February, 1827, Mr. Cookman returned to England on a brief visit. He was married to Miss Mary Barton, Don- caster, Yorkshire, on the 2nd of April, 1827, and imme- diately left with his bride for America. Miss Barton was a )'Oung lady of excellent family, of superior personal endow- ments, and of exemplary piety. In marrying Mr. Cookman she not only wedded him as her husband, but also as God's minister, and devoted herself, with the utmost simplicity and m entire sympathy with him, to the work which absorbed his soul and was to employ his life. The comforts and luxuries of an affluent English home were abandoned with he pure uitent of becoming a true helpmeet to the man of lier heart, the accredited ambassador of Christ in bringing the world a conquest to redeeming love. Mrs. Cookman still lives at an advanced age, a witness to the power of the same self-sacnficing zeal with which she originally left her father s house. In the spring of 1827 Mr. Cookman was appointed to the Lancaster Circuit. This charge embraced Lancaster, Cohmbia, and Reading, three of the most important towns in Pennsylvania. It was a large and laborious charge, bein- what was called a six weeks' circuit, in the arrangement o°f which he preached at each church in the circuit but once in six weeks. H,s residence was at Columbia, situated on the ■ousquehanna Rf- iviver. ill 20 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAM. Here Alfred was born, January 4th, ,828. He was phy- sica ly a healthful and remarkably well-proportioned child. A^ith the persuasion that he was given to her of God his mother consecrated him from birth to the sacred ministry, to be a builder of God's Temple. All her thoughts, feelings, and plans for the child grouped about this central idea, and the idea m turn stamped its character and complexion on all she did. She had talents and graces which would have made her useful and famous in any sphere ; but she saw With womanly instinct and true maternal feeling that her greatest usefulness and utmost fame-as far as she could consider fame-would be found in losing herself in her son m spending her time and energies upon him, in fashioning the man who was to stand a man among men. She says of him at this very early age: "The tone of his mind had always a religious tendency, and before he was four years of age he imitated all the services of the Church. He would sometimes collect a crowd of coloured dnldren around him, and in his childish way preach to them about the necessity of being good." It is not uncommon for boys, who never become preachers or much of anything, to do just what Alfred did • and yet there is that in the ways of every child which shows' the natural bent, and to some degree forecasts the after life Goethe s painful sensitiveness to the presence of ugliness or deformity while quite a baby was indicative of that fine delicate organization which is the constitutional basis of the poet His mother had the eye to see it. and with skilful hand she guided the divine instinct by bringing to its nurture agreeable objects, and gently inciting it with narratives of the wondrous and beautiful ; otherwise Germany had not had her greatest poet, nor the world one of its greatest educators. To every mother her "' ch Ik! has an individuaUty, ALFRED'S MOTHER. 2t He was phy- •rtioned child, r of God, his ed ministry, to ights, feelings, itral idea, and Dmplexion on 1 would have but she saw ling that her as she could ;lf in her son, in fashioning "The tone nd before he "vices of the I of coloured y preach to and she can discern in it the hidden germ which in the flower is to render its maturity distinct and beautiful. The difference in mothers is the power properly to direct this original faculty. Fewer children would perish in the promise if there were more mothers who knew how to cherish and train the natural and gracious endowment. Mrs. Cookman had one desire for her boy, and she sedu- lously watched every hint in his childhood which pointed in the direction of its fulfilment. She hailed every such indi- cation as a precursor of his future, since it had been im- pressed on her mind from his birth that he was to do the work that was in her heart to do for the Lord. But she was a wise mother, looking for results, however good and desir- able, to follow only upon the use of the proper means. She did not expect devout wishes and devout prayers to mould the character of Alfred without corresponding effort to rear him aright. Great and good men do not grow, like the rank weeds, untended, but, like the lovely and fragrant flowers, by culture. Here is a memorandum from the mother on this point : " Alfred was very correct in all his deportment, obedient to his parents, very truthful, and conscientious. He was, of course, watched over with more than ordinary care. Parental vigilance was ever on the alert to detect and correct anything that might mar the litde tender plant." Yet there was not excess of training, nor morbid stimulat- ing. " His father early impressed him with the idea, 'Play when you play, and work when you work.' " It was hardly to be expected that the social scenes by which this child was surrounded at that period could per- manently affect his disposition ; yet he ever after loved this country and its people, and to this day there is no name fuller of sweet odour in the whole region than that of Alfred Cookman. It is well known, too, that he cherished 22 • ">1 '''*i^,>' ni; Z/i^i? OF ALFRED COOA'MAN. throughout life a great love for the black race. He had romped wept, and laughed-nay, even prayed-with the coloured boys ; and a common feeling, so self-asserting in chldren had taught him in the .mple and innocent sp'or" of childhood the great truth of the oneness of humar^^ In the very lap of the warm, unselfish nursing of which the negro woman is capable, associated with the strange and weird stones, and the low, soft melodies, the earnest and imphc. trustfulness with which she mingles all her lork he received unpressions at this susceptible age which ever endeared the coloured people to him. ce. He had id — with the f-asserting in locent sports 3f" humanity, of which the strange and earnest and II her work, which ever CHAPTER HI. THE GROWING FAME OF REV. GEORGE G. COOKMAN.— THE CHILDHOOD OF ALFRED. How far Mr. Cookman felt himself successful in his mission to the coloured people does not appear. He found obsta- cles in promoting their liberation. He was useful to them, as he was also to the white population ; but his talents were soon in demand in the great city, and he was accordingly at his next appointment assigned to St. George's, Philadelphia. It showed the confidence of the bishop, and of the people of St. George's, that he was sent so soon to the charge where on his first arrival he had joined and laboured as a local preacher. On the removal of the family to the city, Alfred, with his brother George, was placed at school under the care of Miss Ann Thomas, a member of the Society of Friends, who was quite celebrated tor her skill in teaching. He remained two years under her care, and made rapid progress in the elementary branches of education. She took very special interest both in him and his little brotlier, and expressed great sorrow when they left her. Subsequently to the two years at St. George's, Phila- delphia, Mr. Cookman spent one year at Newark, N.J. On one Sabbath evening, Mr. Cookman was preaching to a dense audience at Lighi Street, and, as sometimes hap- 'H-m 1 1! 24 f^/F£ OF ALFRED COOKMAN. his se™„, and evident,, did no ' succeed 7s T'T i" but, w,.h a fertility of resource which sed Jin f iltd T t ' began an exhortation as he proceeded toTh! "' *" his hearer, which was so effec" ft dtvt canTfe '™'" °f as to subdue all hearts a „ • ° ^"^ ^Weal attracted by h L flme it ' T"' ""''"' "'"' "="1 "een uy Ills lame, but was about to leavp ihn^ k -i r Asappomted at his sermon, was so w oughrup„„ ^ H°" ... "f m1 cXan^rtLtw^ra^rb::: i-- as .he father grrnr'tl/tTstr ^T^ ''^""r''°- of the lad had sufficiently dLnedT„?' '""="'8ence of teaching which was so welT suitd to'TT" ' ""''°'' •he attention of the younr H,. c^ ™''™ """ *»'" with his other faculties and'no^h ""'' ""^ S™™S seeds of truth cas To he soTofrj" """ '''''' ^'^^ .0 swell, though the f„r, iLe L™ toTu slint '^'7'"^ ^::f:rar^nr-s-itf^-^-^^ When about seven vear. of n t ^'^°'^ "^^ ^^^s. let me attend T:::^Z^^^rT" 7 ^"^ ^° Exeter Street Church, infhe dtv of B. " ^" ^'^ hi lowever able, if no freedom in as he wished ; 1 ftxiled him, he consciences of nd fiery appeal who had been ^e the building • upon by the 1 the eloquent boy of seven was no indif- ■ delineations le intelligence ate a method en and chain was growing ■t itself. The •re beginning into a detini- to his early never cease of a faithful ment I can- rliest child- e my eyes, parents to eld in Old My father inking that I realized I scenes of MR. COOKMAN'S REMOVAL TO CARLISLE. 25 the Judgment, and trembled in the prospect. I date my awakenings from that time." The time had now come when Alfred's academic training was fairly to begin. Since leaving the charge of the gentle Friend in Philadelphia, he had been mainly dependent upon home instruction ; but now, in the providence of God, he was to be placed in the most favourable circumstances for a boy's education. Mr. Cookman, for reasons which were sufficient to the authorities of the Church, was removed in 1836 from Baltimore to the town of Carlisle. There was reason enough for Mr. Cookman 's removal to Carlisle. The Methodists of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Conferences had recently purchased from the Presbyterians Dickinson College, located at that borough, and had made it their educational centre. Mr. Cookman was accordingly sent to take the charge of the Church, composed of both town and college people. He was still a young man, in all the glow of youthful zeal, in the full force of rapidly culminating talents, and with all the earnestness of an absorbing devotion to the single work of a Christian pastor. His task as a preacher was a most difficult and delicate one— to stand before a congregation constituted as congregations are in a college town. He must satisfy professors, entertain students, and edify tradespeople. Could any position require more genuine ability? But I must not forget our boy of nine summers, whose eyes opened upon these scenes in which his worthy father was so distinguished an actor. He also had come to col- lege. Under such circumstances, in this focus of knowledge and piety, an impulse was to be imparted to him which was to determine his whole after-life. I know of few spots upon which Alfred could have fallen at this impressible aee more suitable in all its adjuncts for his first formal entrance into 26 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMA.V. !i culU.ra, count,, wiL a ^ :Co?'r:r': "'""^ •^«"- outlying country is very beau.in^^^rf ^ ,"''""" ' ""= in which it lie, is brmT , f Cumberland Valley, springs and st Lm TjxL ";'"''* """""^"'S i^' boson, covered witl fe |e ^ '„'", '"°''""^-^' "^ "'«"" i" the distance on ei.he de Z M '?■■"""' ''"'■'^^'^ ' "'"''= -. spurs of the AHe; e ris?!™" '™"" '^"""«- s-eep along i„ unbroken succ«sk,n T f™""^"" -"-l gemie gap, and form, in tl eir co Z;' " ""'' "'"= " boy, inclined as he was by h heaS, ''T"™™' "' ">= sensuous delights. Indeed ,^^1 ""■' '" '''="''' "» hin>, and afterwards so stron.I l"T' ''"'' "^ '" ■development, and the'der Lret: 1; God '""""'"■'' nature always so prominent thrlug" ht wtol"rr*^ °' have received from it an Pvrih'n 5 V "°'^ ''^^' "'"st - reflective as l^TZZlZY'"'''^' '^'''' ^ '^^ thought, could not hav b n o?h, 'u' ''^>^ '^"" ^^ ably influenced by hab tual r ''"''' '^^" "^^^^ favour- and pleasing. ' ''"'^ '^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ scenes so simple "Not seldom from the uproar I retired Into a s.Ient bay, or sportively . , , """"'' ^*'^^^^>'' '--"g 'he tumultuous throng " might doubtless be said nf hi^ . , ■ periods of his you h nd ha n f '^ "'" ^^ ''''^ /outn, and that not so much to elude his a\7s OF ALFRED'S EARLIEST LETTERS. 27 i.'Tt companions in play, as to gain for himself the quiet com- munion for which his thoughtful soul thirsted. But enough oi my fancy, and a little of fact from Alfred's own hand. Fortunately one of his earliest letters has been preserved, and lies before me in his own handwriting. The comjjosition must be regarded as creditable for a boy of ten years ; not surprising, however, when the exercises he was then having in school and the constant care his mother gave him are taken into account. The penmanship already shows mdications of the beautiful chirography for which his later manuscripts are noted. It is to his grandfather Cookman : — " Carlisle, January 27, 1838. " My dear Grandfather,-! have long been thinking that it was my duty to write a letter to one for whom I desire to cherish the obHgTtlf "it' '"' '^ "'°" '''' "-^ ^'^^^^'y ""^- -ry g-' "First of all I must congratulate you on your very honourable de.tion to the h.gh office of mayor to the important and flourishing R uublLfn'"^''°""r v"""- ^^'^°"Sh we boys are Americans and attTnt n I '^"'' 'f "^'' ""' ^^ ""'' "°' "^^^"^'1^1^ to the honour attac.ied to offices conferred by the votes of the people * » * I am very happy to say that dear mother's health continues very m.Id mdeed. the last week has rather resembled the month of April than January, so that she has been able to go out three or four times a week m the middle of the day and see her friends. Indeed, eve Tnce he was nr Baltm^ore her health has been gradually improving and '« Abo'ut n " '' '^ \'^^ ^'^ '^^ '"^'y •^-"' 'h^ ^-' of moth'ers roads for .f''^' "'' "'^ " '"^*^' ^"'^ °^ ^"°^' ""-^'^'^ '-^"dered the roads or a few days m good condition for sleighing, which is the favourite wmter pastime in these parts. Almost iery flrrier has a n he woWd I "!■ "^r ^''^ °"' '^' '■^°^^' '' '^ t''^ ^-^'^ riding in the world. Sometimes the citizens will put a great Pennsylvania wagon on rum.rs, and yoke four or five good'horses.Td th n thir J ^ lOity ladies and (Tentlemen nn cr.;-,, ii i ■ 1 I'mi/ ur u„ ■ , - o'^'i'-ieinen can enjuy themselves ritilU well. Evpn w*. boys have our httle sleigh, and it would amuse you' to see mySf and 28 LIFE OF ALFRED COOK'AIAN, f .Inrie^,:'"'^,;^^: - -.. -«- p^o,.. at ^'«"- hi,h, opposite the r,.nt g e"of ,f n^"''^''^ ''"'^'""^' '^^^e floor .s occupicl by the stcwarS' .far m '. T '^^^'^ ^^'^^^nt ^Pacous, lofty rooms, above flfv f,T '■"' ''^^ ^'^^""'^ ^y two ol^iing-cloors into the kng, ha d'ci U'T"' ""' ''^'^'^^ ^^ ^^o has the superintendence, and is " verv ' , ''"'"^'"^^- ^^'- ^oszell - Englishman, and is sai^ o be on'o ?£ T '"'^"'- '''^- ^^^X - country. Mr. Gary an»' ?»» -i" Robmson and Holmes, for whose welfa t '' '""'^'' '^"^ --^""sins 'aught daily to pray to Almiglujcof' ^'"'""' '"'^ ^'^™^' ^^ a- " Vour affectionate grandson, "Alfred Cookman " neeTt IXf^Vl- '''''t'' "'""^" --"'X • / -'"I 11 must not be rAN. ALFRED'S EARLY CHARACTERTST ICS. 29 ''JeiKh, Iioliiing linJe of our progress at luare building, three =ye. Tile basemenf the second by two 11(1 divided by two lents. Mr. Koszell ndeed. Mr. jjey jj. tammarians in the ose care I am at :hool I have gone twice through the George has gone ^ginning Latin. I or; • I am nearly Irawn a few maps, aunt. Besides all 3", an;l elocution, laimed before the four other tasks, g- So you may ^rd. Mr. Roszell is the veiy thing ; 2 got along if it usually gives her eep interest and be met by a cor- 'O that you will force, and John nts, and cousins eternal, we are COOKMAN." '" certainly the future ^ust not be supposed he was a saint from the cradle. The moral heroism of his character was not without its physical and mental basis; and possibly, but for the timely training of judicious parents, the metal of his disposition would have betrayed him into many of the rudenesses of other boys. Twice in his life he was whipped-when four years old, for throwing a book at his mother, and, when seven or eight, for fighting with his brother George. Was there ever a boy who didn't enjoy once in a while the exercise of a little power over his younger and weaker brother ? How else can he show his muscle ? And who so fair a subject for Alfred's muscle as little Geoige ? It was a good thing in the mother that she flogged the darling even at four and seven, other- wise "her Solomon" would probably never have been, and her temple to God never have been reared. But how like a sweet melody breathes the testimony of the dear mother to the fidelity of her boy, even thus young in years : " His boyhood was spent pretty much like that of other boys, in the sports and occupations of that period of his young life. Obedience to parental authority was a prominent character- istic from his earliest years. Promptness in the performance of duty was another beautiful trait. Industry, patience and perseverance were very early brought into requisition,' and served a good purpose in laying a foundation for the successive periods of after life." In this letter, too, is seen already the dawn of his thorough Americanism, and of his faculty for description. The sleighs and sleigh-rides of a Pennsylvania winter-the sled, with himself and George in the harness, "going at full speed, with Frank on the sleigh holding little John on his knee "—are not these to the life ? This first letter also shows us Alfred among his brothers. Alas ! too soon the buoyant lad, whose heart knew no thnJI except of gladness as he guided the sports of his glee- i I yet some .y:,y from the awful H T ''''' '"^^ ^'-^ ^'^ Jn thin winter of t8,« t r , ^^"'"'^ ""^ ""^a^h it. 1 '« deep religious seriousness ,vWcl, h. f l"'' ""'"S-" ™ore had no, « „„, ,„, ,vl,o, ;t LidL "l^" '" "'""■■ flieiwwerof the Holv Soirit ,v=/ .,,""■"■ ""d "oiv, under ("' Carlisle) I beca Je, •' he'h " o'^.'r"^^'''' " ^here powerful conviction, bfte^ I hlvT c' ""^ '"''J«' °f nought some lonelyplace ^ere I „ 1" '"™ "^ "-' ■•'"'' sm- Frequently I have hin > * '•"'l' °" »":">'" of *ep, .est'l n.iht\vaTe uplMtd?,'"^ '"'' ^^"™« ■» an eternal Hell. Sin beca™? ,!/'"'' ''"'' '"'™'-» °f borne." This is stro^tng: /e or' ""h "/."'""^'^ '° ''« for one who had been uniform^! Tfr I ^ °""' y'^'"'' »"d -nd ,« such an experie , e?! ttT '^ """ *^*™'.- «- hardly exceptional; bu, thou ^i , "l Z T '''' his case „ ,s „o, surprising in view of , ' *" '"'"■ '" features his religious character '■"P "'"' <''"''>"« d.e beginning of the spi rtuTl,;' "">"r'"^'^'i- Here, i„ which afterward charac 1 ■:" '"'.="»<= Po^tiveness «■=" i^ real; I an, ,, tZ , Z TT "'" "^ ''"• n«nt.» .Such was the reve ation J „ "i'' "^ "' P"""''. in his conscience, and he fe, . "°'' "''°" '"••«'■= •nv no, be necessarv ,, / "'"'' ""'"■dingly. I, c'eep.y in crder^XL' "egritrbut t°t '''' "■- man it was the verv best nrl, . ,' " ^'f''*'' Cook- that clear and de^nhe r! f " ''"°'''"'™ t^d &' Onently distinguished ,„ 1 ,' "P?™"« '^"'^h -"se- "on Of his con'ver ,0 Ich I ":""'^,^ ''^ '"^ '^'■' '' "™- " nnrino- tu S'^ '- entire :— I-unng .he n,„n,h of February. ,838, ...i.^ a pro- elder brother and d rest, for we are and have many e we reach it. ther first effort, of ^istolary writing." lad felt in Balti- . and now, under lewed. " There " the subject of >m my meal and -P on account of Ijed, fearing to s and horrors of ntolerable to be •ften years, and and obedient; in those days have been, in rp and definite 'd- Here, in e positiveness "Sin is real, of its punish- Ghost made ordingly. Jt JW feel thus Alfred Cook- liave had for ^hich subse- left a narra- ALFRED'S COXVERSIOX. 31 hile pro- tracted meeting was in progress in Carlisle, I concluded 'Now is the accepted time,' 'now is the day of salvation.' One night, when a social meeting was held at the house of a friend, I stmggled with my feelings, and, although it was a fearful cross, I urged my way to a bene h which was specially appropriated for penitents. My heart convulsed with penitential sorrow, tears streaming down my cheeks, I said, 'Jesus, Jesus, I give myself away; 'tis all that I can do.' For some hours I sought, without, however, realizing the desire of my heart. The next evening I renewed the effort. The evening after that the service was held in the church ; the altar was crowded with seeking souls, i)rinci- I)ally students of Dickinson College ; there seemed to be no ])lace for me, an agonized child. I remember I found my way into one corner of the church. Kneeling all alone, I said, 'Precious Saviour, Thou arr >> ,g t)thers ; oh, wilt Thou not .save me? ' As I wtpi and prayed and struggled, a kind hand was laid on my head. 1 ojjcned my eyes and found it was a Mr. James Hamilton, a prominent member and an elder in the Presl^ytenan Church in Carlisle. He had observed my inten st, and obeying the i)romptings of a kind, sympathizing Christian heart, he came to encourage and help me. , .mber how sweetly he unfoKled the nature of faith ana the plan of salvation. I said, ' I will be- lieve— I do believe ; I now believe that Jesus is my .Saviour ; that He saves me— yes, even now ' ; and immediately " ' The opening hc.ivens did round me shine With beams of s.-icred bliss j And Jesus showed His mercy mine, And whispered I am I lis.' " I love to think of it now; it fills my heart unutterably full of gratitude, love, and joy. ' Happy day ; oh, happy day, when Jesus waslied my sins away ! ' " 32 ^/^■^ OF ALFRED COOKMAN. as decided in the evidences of Z^^^" " "'^"^^ ^'^^' ^^^ convictions for sin. thoroughness as were his The altar was thronged with nirfpr students, whose presence 1h P^''°"'' "^^^tly engrossed attentiof he L'/'^rr^' '''' "^^"^"^ -ight be regarded as h Ju^^oV" ""'''' ^^'^ '^^'^"^^ "^ent, and not worth v of . , '^"'P^^'^^tic excite- stood iHmself,an7l'rel?;>r^"°^"'' ^"^ ^^ -<^er- ^'i- found hi^seff n^'onT IT^^^^ '^"J "^°" ^^''^^' Ah I my little brother, GolTll^"" 7''' ^'' ^^°"^'' work in your young heart vl ^ "^^'"^ ^ ^^""ine ^vere hours coming when a Jn <^.]f ^ l ^""^ ^^''^ you must stand; hours so bit/ ".'""'^^^"^ ^'^^^°"^" only Jesus and self-re, LLe can k ^" ^'^"^ '^^'"^-^^^ that give you victory. liZlh A,r 7 '°' '™ ^° ^"^>^ ^"^ God sent him a kind frS f "''^ ^'^ '" *'^^ ^°"^^^' Ood to him. The fare al° ^^'"'^ ^'^^ ^■"^dom of understand the hearts of S "Ir^ ""^'^^° ^^" enough to anticipate the h.Z . u ' ^""^ ^^^^ ^^^th seeds. But Alfred J . H . '''"'^ ^^" ^°"'e of tiny >-ths broughtio ooj rirr ?r^ --^ ^^^ the Church was electing others who l-/-'' ^'''' ^''^ "^ be marked and useful men ' ' ^""^^^^^' ''^'^ to IAN. ge wrought in his 1 mature life, was ;hness as were his persons, mostly e very naturally 5■ be safe,;:^™ thai nrrtd" ™^ d" "''■'°^' " conditions in his favour. Idded tllTht "T' "°" departure for a foreign land ,„ ™' '"' "'»"=<')' voyage from which !« mi TtneL Zr;,"", '"'"-f ^ t.on lielped further to de^,en in tl e 1 T ' '°""''™- of his vaUie, and to inteiis fliri '^ ' u ^'^" "'" =»''= or his rehgi;us and Zl^Z^^^Z^^" " n ?r''°" mth the occasion. The e.len ,1 ^' "' *"= '■°'= -— rofhisspi-.rtf::~:rh';:; f ^ LAST SERMON IN THE CAPITOL. 39 portions; nor shone with such effective light. The account given by eye-witnesses can best convey some true notion of the man, the hour, and the place : — " The session of Congress was about to close upon the administration of Mr. Van Buren. The inauguration of General Harrison was soon to cake place. Mr. Cookman had all his arrangements made to visit England on the steamer ' President.' The first despatch from the new Administration was to be confided to his charge. The next Sabbath he was to take leave of the members of Congress in his farewell sermon. The day came. An hour before the usual time the crowd was seen filling the pavement of the avenue, and passing up the hill to Repre- sentative Hall, which was soon filled to overflowing, and hundreds, unable to get seats, went aM-ay disappointed. I obtained a seat early in front of the Clerk's desk. John Quincy Adams sat in the Speaker's chair, facing Mr. Cookman. The whole space on the rostrum and steps was filled with Senators and Representatives. The moment had come. M.. Cookman, evidently much affected, kneeled in a thrilling prayer, and rose with his eyes blinded with tears. His voice faltered with suppressed emotion as he gave out the hymn, — " ' When marshalled on the mighty plain, The glittering hosts bestud the sky. One star alone of all the train Can fix the sinner's wandering eye. " ' Hark ! hark ! to God the chorus breaks, From every host, from every gem ; But one alone the Saviour speaks, It is the star of Bethlehem. " ' Once on the raging seas I rode, The storm was loud, the night was dark — The ocean yawned, and rudely blowed The wind that tossed my foundering bark. ' " The hymn was sung by Mr. Cookman alone. I can vet, in imagination, hear his voice, as it filled the large hall, and the last sounds, with their echoes, died away in the dome. •"And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. " 'And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the Ill 40 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. ii " Mr. Cookman ^vas more affected ^^■hen lie gave us the tex' thm I had ever seen h.m before. He several times ,,aled his ha dke'rief recollection : W hen Ala.sillon, one of the greatest divines that France ever knew was called to preach the funeitl r rvice of helM ""ed k.ng m the Cathedral at Paris, before the reigning king t^^ rota famdy. the chambers, and the grandees of France, he Lk w t lim'to the sacred desk a lutle golden urn, containing a lo'ck of hair of tit a : king. The immense congregation was seated, and the silence of death reigned. Mass.llon arose, held the little urn in his finrrs his hand restmg upon the sacred cushion. All eyes were ii te tfy fixe upon s'a'e . r^r ' t"'" P--^'-Massillon stood motionless jeTs a eyts were suMused with tears, when the hnnrl r,f \rn..-n Mass,Il„„ „„, to„l m every par, of Ihe Calhedral, ■ God alone i, ere,, ■ ' beZt^'t erJntr'^s^'^SSea ' 't1' ''"" " ^""'^"' hat led to the bottomless pit, stepping upon the ramparts, letting f.^1 the key into the abyss below, and dropping the last tear r v.r f. ^ condemned man. He closed-' I goTo tL 1 n^o my I i I tp^et A correspondent of the JVa^/o.a/ /nm^,,,,,,, describing the sa„.e scene, after quoting Mr. Cookman's closing words! says -There was something prophetic, solemn, and deeply affectmg m the tones and manner of the preacher ... All who had known him, or who had listened with BP^JIfe^ljllJ^^I^I jjj. ,!! j> sryf JUS IMPRESSIVE ELOQUENCE. 41 1 is the book ivere written ! text than I landkerchief resh in my that France le departed [, the royal I'ith him to of the late ce of death s, his hand fixed upon S pale as a ruck dumb lud ; many was seen king. As n voice of : is great !' lan great- : preached se congre- poAverful the great i: the door itting fall alien and . to press ■he grave lun over- led with wrapt attention to the eloquence which gushed from his Hps, touched as with a living coal from the altar, were moved to tears, and seemed to feel as if they were taking in reality a last farewell of one who had given a new ardour to their piety, and thrown an additional interest into the sanctuary. The whole scene was in no ordinary degree grand, imposing, and affecting. The magnificent hall, a fit temple for the worship of the living God ; the crowd that had assembled to hear the last sermon of the minister whose eloquence they so much admired ; the attitude of the preacher, and the solemn and prophetic farewell, all conspired to excite feelings of the deepest solemnity and of the most intense interest." i «4 I w scribing words, n, and eacher. !d with 1 i ifl I CHAPTER V. ALFRED'S RAPID PROGRESS. Mr. Cookman spent a few weeks ihnu^ \v u- P'eting his arrangements andZl T ^^'''^'"^ton, com- i'"niediately after the fir.^ T "^^ ^'''' °^ ^"^"^«' ^-^"^ tion was iT^l^'ul'^^^^^ new Ad.inistr. he left for New York M , committed to him, so freely ,uote: Ltwefel<< Tjr" ^° n^ ^^"^'^"^^" Smith; if ever I refnm , n ^ ^'''''^" '''^^^ y^"' Mr. but at the sohcitnfinn J r . ^ ^""'"'"'^ steamers, the nth, for Liverpool. He leftTmM .h , " ^°*' °" gratuhtions of friends Neither ,1 , ' ""'' ™"- company were ever after hea^ "f. """' °" ^"^ "^ "" grandfather to see ht f h'e ™ ^^ ^""■'^'"° '° *» at which he could be »' "" "'' •'"'"''"^'^ ^" "ge could be a companion to his father, and also / ALFRED RESOLVES TO STAY IVITH HIS MOTHER. /^i I derive much improvement from travel, I can imagine how strong the i)aternal instinct was in him, and how he must have yearned to have his first-born accompany him in so long an absence from home, and under circumstances so suited to render them both entirely happy. There is nothing upon which a child can depend for safety more than this same paternal instinct. Ulysses was consistent in his feigned madness— ploughing the seashore with a horse and bull yoked together, and sowing salt instead of grain— until his litde son Telemachus was placed in the way, when his deception was betrayed by his showing sufficient foresight to turn away the plough from killing the child. Mr. Cookman could not but feel what a privation it would be to his wife to have Alfred leave her for so long a time, and what an additional affliction it would be should neither the Iiusband nor the son be permitted to return. The lad, also, was of sufficient maturity in years and character to be of great assistance to the mother in her care of the younger children. And so, finally, Mr. Cookman yielded his preference, and it was left to the boy himself to elect— to go with liis father or to stay with his mother. It is difficult to see how anything could have been more attractive to a youth of his age, tastes, and habits, than this trip homeward to England with his devoted father. He had heard the old country, grandfather, uncles, aunts, and cousins talked of, till his boyish fancy revelled in the thought of seeing them and their beautiful homes. But Alfred Cook- man loved his mother as few boys ever did, he loved his brothers and sister as few elder brothers have ever done, his loyalty to duty had already become a passion, and his deci- sion was given accordingly : " I will stay with mother, and help her take care of the children." These words give the key-note of his character. They not only preserved his life, il I D 44 L//^E OF ALFRED COOKMAA. but l)ecame the warp across which the web and woof of that hfe were woven into a fabric so strong and beautiful. He would do his duty first, and standing by his duty brought hun into responsibilities which, under the Divine blessing, made him what he was— a prince among God's spiritual Israel. The father then had to go alone. He Mcnt off cheerfully. Among the last words he spoke as the family sat before the open fire, were these : « Now, boys, if youi a'ther smks in the ocean, his soul will go direct to (;od, and you must meet him in heaven." How like an angel of light Alfred now came to the side of his mother ! He restrained his own grief, and always appeared before her calm and cheerful. With the utmost delicacy he watched over her, anticipating all her wants with a foresight beyond his years, and exhibiting for her most hidden feelings a feminine tenderness of which she scarcely supposed him possessed. Mrs. Cookman, from revelling in the brilliance of her husband's fame and usefulness, found herself all at once in such utter darkness that her mind from the shock sank into the deepest gloom. So over^vhelmed was she, that for two years she did not recover her cheerful- ness. The name of her husband could not be pronounced m her presence without unnerving her, a- , ) the mention of the father was studiously avoided by ' u. children. All the while Alfred was preserving such a composed demeanour m the presence of his mother, he would lie awake nights thinking of his father. It was some distance from the quiet home in which the family were entertained to the nearest post-oftke,and as he often went for the mail, his heart would sink within him when no letter came from father, or from any one giving tidings of the ill-fated steamer. " How I did dread," he said in after years, " to return home, and meet my dear mother vvithout a letter, and see her disappointment ! " :)of of that tifiil. He y brought blessing, 5 spiritual went off family sat 3U1 iather and you ► the side d aUvn)'s 3 utmost ants with ler most scarcely 'elling in s, found ind from vhelmed :heerful- lounced iiention :n. All neanour ! nights le quiet nearest t would )r from widid eet my lent ! •■' THE CRUCIAL POIXT LV AlfKIiD'S ///STOA'V. 45 Thus at thirteen years of age, when the thought of play is uppermost with most boys, was our young friend abruptly forced by the providence of Clod into a trying and important relation to the family. He must be a husband as well as son to his mother; he must be ''.Juc: ns well as eldest brother to the children. It is e .sy to co ijecture, but im- possible to know, what would la^ ^ beci the course of Alfred's life, what the influence u-ion hiK character, what different impress he might have r ■ ;ivud, had his father lived. His training thus far, under the joint and harininious direction of father and mother, was entirely judicious ; he was as promising as the parents could wish ; and, in all pro- bability, had the father been spared to guide his studies as he grew to manhood, he might, in some respects, have been a more thoroughly cultured and intellectually a stronger man. What God's purpose was for the lad it is not for us even now to say ; yet, permitted as we arc to know the facts of his subsequent career, and to understand the distinctive nature of his mission as it afterward unfolded, I must cer- tainly regard the great bereavement he sustained in the loss of his father as the crucial point of his history, in which the elements of character hitherto prominent were fixed, rfhd also the lines of action which afterward distinguished him took their rise. Alfred Cookman wa^ endowed from a child with a religious tendency. His anointing was that of a spiritual seer — to see with the spirit into the innermost heart of spiritual Christianity, and liom such seeing to lead men's minds into depths of a vital and blessed experience of the things of God, to which mere reason and even ordinary piety has no access. As the poet, by an endowment which transcends cold logic, pierces the core of things and opens their reuliiicii to the untutored mind — makes tlie blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dull to feel beauties otherwise tl Jii li 46 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. m hidde„_so he, by a Divine gift above the processes of the unde standmg, ,vas to know the truths of the great Teid .r peree,ve their highest rehgious relations, and'^Io" d' winded by the dust and engrossed with the cares of the world, ,.,ght come to perceptions and attaintrrents " vh h to for such an interpreter they „,„st for ever have remained I look upon this great trial, therefore, as beginnin.. at once the specal work of which he was to be a pf er^^°e„ example and instrument. He was to be an unwo dlv sacred man, and God commenced with the strokTwil h cut him away from the strongest earthly support he had Accustomed hitherto .0 lean on his father-C n»te' brothers, sister, all lean on him; and he, poor ^^:, "ith Jesus. He had been taught that God is the onlv sure foundation of His children, and now he must prote it for himself by experience or perish. He did prove ," and a that early age began ,0 show a ripeness of wisdom 'a steadi nss of purpose, an unselfishness, a goodness, faith c~ ;t,f :T ■■ '''^°"'' "^ ^'^''- Hi^ '»°'h" test fies b2^' tlfully to his conduct at this period :_ "He was only thirteen yeais old when his dear father left us on a visit to his native land, the sequel of which poved so disastrous to a large, helpless family; but whfch not withstanding, brought out in all their force and ,7 we 'wha; had been until now the germs of Alfred's cha/acter He "td toT""" 1*^°""' °' ^'^ ^'""-- -" f«"h- luJly tried to fi,. up the chasm made by a wise though in scrutabk Providence. Eternity alone wUl unf ri al fe ™" mine rit[™ ' '^ ' "" """ " ' ^™">« " *^ y-» of L AI/^S. COOKMAA URGED TO COME TO ENGLAND. 47 5ses of the Lt Teacher, •n to stand nuhitudes, ires of tlie 3 to which : remained [inning at e-eminent nworldly, ke which he had. ■ mother, boy, has all alone 3nly sure ve it for ; and at a steadi- courage, es beaii- ther left proved ch, not- er what ;r. He d faith- ugh in- he was of his There is an old story told of a runaway Indian slave in Peru, who, in his escape, tieeing up the mountains from his pursuers, grasped a young sapling, and, clinging to it, tore it from the ground— when lo ! he saw adhering to its roots Tie silver globules which revealed the precious metals of Potosi. That sapling was never planted again. It might have become a great tree, its branches a roost for the birds of the air, and its leaves a shade for man and beast ; but in its destruc- tion the untold wealth of Peru had been discovered. The rude hand of disappointment tore from Alfred Cookman's heart the support of a father's love, and the tender leaves and flowers of hope which clustered around it ; but in doing so discovered to him a wealth of love far richer than silver and gold. His hold on the earthly father was broken, but his hold on the heavenly Father was made firm and indisso- luble. In the wealth he gained, and the world through him, who shall mourn if the flowers, which might have been so fair, lie withered at the feet of his youth ? Soon after her husband's departure for England, Mrs. Cookman had gone, by invitation, with her children to the eastern shore of Maryland, where they were all to remain the guests of Mr. Samuel Hr-rison, until the husband's return in June, when they were to remove to New York. Her stay was prolonged till the month of August. Since up to this time no information was received as to the fate of Mr. Cookman, and the prospect of his return was well-nigh abandoned, she began to cast about for the best thing to be done for the immediate future. From the grandfather and kindred in England the most urgent requests were received that she should at once take her children to England. In- deed, they wrote as though there could be no other course open to her. They were well able to provide for them, and her pecuniary means were exceedingly limited. Nothing 48 LIFE OF ALFRED COOA'MAN. would have been more natural than for Mrs. Cookman to accept this offer— alone as she was among comparative strangers, with no relatives near, and knowing, as she did, that the resources at Hull were so ample ; but she decided not to go. She had left home for life ; her children had been born in America, and Americans they should be reared. " She would take two small rooms, and keep them all together around her, rather than all or any part of them should return to England." Such was the language this heroic lady held to her friends across the water, and nothing could move her from her purpose. Mr, John Plaskitt, an Englishman residing in Baltimore City, and long known as the head of the firm of Plaskitt and Arm- strong, booksellers and stationers, a prominent Methodist, and an intimate friend of the husband, with other gentle- men, rented a small house on Mulberry Street, near the Eutaw Street Methodist Church ; and to it the family re- moved in the autumn. Mrs. Cookman and Alfred united with the Eutaw Street Church. The children who were old enough were entered at the Eutaw Street Sunday School, and also at day schools. Alfred, at different times for the next few years, was under the instruction of Messrs. Robert H. Pattison, Perley R. Lovejoy, and John H. Dashiell-all recently students of Dickinson College— and of a Mr. Burleigh. At Mr. Bur- leigh's school on one occasion he took several prizes— for elocution, an essay on simplicity, exercises in Latin, etc. He began thus early to attract attention as a speaker and writer. Mr. Robert Armstrong, then superintendent of J e Eutaw Street Sunday School, noticed his aptitude for public speaking, and was accustomed to put him up to address the boys' department of the school. His first original declama. tion was on the American Indian, in which the richness o*' LETTER FROM HULL TO ALFRED. 49 his fancy and the force and gracefulness of his elocution were already apparent. The following letter from the grandfather shows the truly parental solicitude with which he regarded the widow and the children of his late son ; and the reply from Alfred affords us an example of his dutifulness, and some account of his doings and progress. From Mr. George Cookman, of Hull, to Alfred, his grandson : — " Hull, April 5, 1842. "My dear Alfred, — I received three days ago the letter of your dear mother, sent off in February, and had a fearful presentiment of her recent affliction, as her letter of the 27th of December never came to hand. I am, however, very thankful that she is so much recovered ; and I trust, as the spring advances, she will regain her wonted health. I am quite as well as I can expect to be at my advanced age, and feel a most lively interest in the comfort and happiness of your dear family. I look to you, my dear Alfred, as an important coadjutor with your dear mother in forming the habits and character of your family ; and it gives me inexpressible pleasure to learn, from your dear mother's letter, that there is every reason to hope that my expectations in this respect will be fully realized. Rest assured that you will be looked up to by the younger branches of the family, and in setting them a good example — in cheerfully obliging your dear mother, in promptly and affectionately obeying her commands, and in sympathising with her under the pressure of family trials and bereavements — you will greatly lighten her burdens, alleviate her sufferings, and minister, in no incon- siderable degree, to her peace, comfort, and happiness. " I hope you pay unremitting attention to your euucation. Your dear father, when about your age, was very attentive and diligent in the cultivation of his mind ; he read much, and kept a commonplace- book, into which he copied from the authors which he read such passages as he thought the most striking, either as to sentiment or language ; and by adopting this plan he very much improved his style in composition and his taste. He also began at the same time to write short essays on different subjects, as trials of his intellectual strength ; and resolutelv struggled with and overcame those difficulties which, if not mastered, are often fatal to mental improvement. It was by his 4 so LIFE OF ALFRED COOA'ATAAT. unremitting perseverance in these pursuits that he formed his graceful and chaste style of composition, and vvliich in after-life enabled him to write with such facility and dispatch. "Allow me, my dear grandson, to urge you to follow the example ot your dear departed father in the cultivation of your mind at this period of your hfe, for your future acquirements will very much dei)end upon an early development of your mental faculties. It was by adopting this course that your dear Uncle Alfred became so distinguished, both at home among his friends, as well as when he was a student at the University. I trust their mantle will foil upon you, my dear boy, and hat you will emulate their talents and virtues-and like them secure lie respect and admiration of your friends, and largely contribute to the hai3pmess of mankind. I am glad to find that the portrait of your dear (atiier is, unon the whole, as good as couM be expected under all the cucumstances in ^hich we ^^-ere placed ; «e did our best to get it as ia.thful and correct a likeness as we possibly oould ; and manv of his nends here, judging of him by ^^-hat he was when he left England, hmk U a striking likeness. We should, however, have been better 1 leased If the portrait had been more perfect. The Rev. Mr. .<^ Jdards dined with me on the 31st of March, and has been most obligin- ■ Kind in giving us every important information in his power, both wit' ' eeard to your dear father, and all the members of your dear famil,. 1 feel under great obligations to him for the sympathy and affectionate regard which he has so uniformly and generously manifested, both to the M-aZI r', t' '''"" '°" ""^' ''^° '"^ '"^ ^^'"'^y- I «"-^ !"'» - debt of giatitude winch I can never pay-but our good Lord, I trust, will eward lum a hundred-fold for his work of faith and labour of love in oehali of our family. '' You will please to give my kind love to your dear mother, to George, and all the younger branches of your family ; give dear little Mary a kiss for her grandfather." ' From Alfred to his grandfatlier :~ "Baltimore, August 2T, 1842. " My dear Grandfather, -Your letter has remained unansw longer than I had intended when it was first received. The reasor *v] • I did not answer it sooner was because I was very much engagec' with my schoo duties ; and during my vacation, when I might have writun, 1 was in W aslungton. I hope you will excuse me. "Mother has been improving in her health since last March She has not been as well as usual for two weeks past. She is quite a miracle FOURTH OF JULY ORATION. 51 i to her.eirand to .ill of lier friends, to be able to do what she does, con- sidering how feeble she was. The warm weather always agrees better with her than the cold. " I thank you for the kind advice which you give me in your letter. Rest assured, my dear grandfather, that it shall always be my first aim to comply with the wishes of dear mother, and in every way in my power to make her happy, for I deeply appreciate the obligations I am under to her : in sickness and health, she is always the same tender, kind, and affectionate mother. I am very much pleased with the plan you gave me of my dear father's method of improvement. I si\all try to pursue it, but with how much success I know not. I have been in the habit of writing short essays on different subjects, and have found it very imp.oving. I have been spending my vacation in Washington, and had an oppo. 'unity of attending the debates of Congress. I also attended a camp-meeting about sixteen miles from Washington. There were about one hundred and thirty tents on the ground, and about one hundred persons professed to be converted. W e had a delightful time. I enjoyed myself very much. "The treaty with Lord Ashburton has been amicably settled, and the people generally seem pleased. I got sight of him one day in his carriage. " I am connected here with the Sabbath >^\. I have a class of eight small boys, whom I take a great delight in teaching. I am also connected with the McKendrean Juvenile Missionary Society, who have appointed me secretary. I am also secretary of the Ashbury Juvenile Temperance Society of Baltimore. So you see I have plenty to do. " The temperance cause is making rapid strides in this city and else- where. The Hon. T. F. Marshall, who is a reformed drunkard, has become one of its most powerful advocates. He is a man of fine talents, and excels as a public speaker. My brothers are all well. I wish, my dear grandfather, we could al' -.ee you and you could see us, aud give us your valuable advice in person. We often look at your likeness hanging on the wall, and try to bring you before us. I hope you will continue your correspondence with me occasionally, and ,uggest plans that I may profit by. I resume my school duties to-morrow, for which I an very glad. I shall try to make the best of my time now, for I supp.jie I shall soon have to turn my attention to business. Mother says the next year will probably be my last for regular study. * * * " I have before me r copy of the Fourth of July oration. It is creditable alike to the head and the heart of its youth- LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. ful author lus well conceived and well expressed, show- mg the elevation of thought and pri.aple, the ^)atriotic and rehgious fire which thu. .arly a...vued him. In 'h' same composition-book, in hi. neat handwritir-r, are *rans lations from the Greek and Latin, and orig:nal .ssa^ s, wJ.^^h give evidence of a vigorous intellect already well advanced m culture. »a"v.ca 5sed, sh;>w- e patriotic 1. In the are 'rans- a} 5, M'JiiQh advanced CHAPTER VI. ALFRED, THE CHRISTIAN WORKER. — ESSAYS AT PREACHING. Harmoniously with his intellectual progress, Alfred's moral and spiritual character was also growing. Mis. Cookman, to satisfy her own yearnings for usefulness, to gratify the in- cessant demands for her counsel and society, and to obtain relief for her mind by activity, was much from home. She literally went about doing good — visiting the sick, needy, and penitent, attending social and religious meetings ; and thus her heart was diverted, in a measure, from her great sorrow, and she was able to maintain a degree of health and cheerfulness. All this while Alfred was a keeper at home. He would urge her out, and volunteer to remain and take care of the children. Of an evening he could be seen, with his little brothers surrounding a large table, superintending their studies, helping them forward in their next day's tasks. Oftentimes the mother would return home weary, and she would say, " Come, children, we must have prayers before we go to bed ; " and the quick response would be, " Mother, we have had prayers ; Alfred has held prayers v -'th us." At this age he showed habits of system and neatness which always followed him. His little room was a pink of tidi- ness ; his bed, his books, his table, his clothes, all were kept in the nicest order, and he punctually observed the hours of coming and going: assigned him bv his mother. 54 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAA. Hi ml Could a better testimony be given ,« a son than the follow, ing from the pen of his mother ? •' There are very few who could fully estimate the love and sympathy of such a mere youth as Alfred was when I was left wtthout the strong a™ I had been accustotled to lean upon. He turned at once into the path of a wise and steady counsellor, to myself as well as to hi Z h , He tned to share eve^- burden and supply every loss which an apparent adverse Providence had laM uponL ll ' deep anguish of a stricken heart, he would say, ■ Dear mother, let the event be as it may, it is all right and wH turn out for the best; our heavenly Father disposes of events, and He cannot err in any of His dealings w th Hi the stud.es of hts brothers, unite with them in their varim^ pursuits, and guard them from influences that might have been prejud.cal but for his timely warnings ; and y« thele was no austenty m his admonitions ; a spir t of con iderv .on and k.ndness ever marked his efforts. Hewas remaTk- ably constant m the path of obedience both toward God aid .n h.s Church relat.ons. His class-meeting was never neg lected. H.S attendance a. the Sabbath School, firs, as a scholar and then as a teacher, was constant ; and so marked was h,s conduct as to mduce the superintendent to reo,,es1 h,m to address h.s youthful companions on the importare of yeldrng the.r hearts to the blessed Saviour, and this befo e he was fifteen years of age." ueiore Although he was naturally thoughtful, and the care nre maturely devolved upon him tended to sadden his spirits it must not be inferred that he was at all gloomy or desponden On the contrary he was one of the liveliest of boys, funoi fun and cheerful gaiety ; he was always ready for I gambo with his brothers and his neighbours. He was a ^rca GRANDFATHER'S LETTER. SS^ favourite with his young companions. Known to be a ready writer, nothing was more common than for all the girls around to wish him to write their valentines. The first public religious exercise which Alfred conducted •was J' to lead a cK^ss-meeting," when about sixteen years ot age. * A Mr. Childs had requested him to lead his class. The class met in a private house. The mother, in her great desire to hear him conduct it without embarrassing him by her presence, concealed herself behind a side stair- way, and so listened to all the exercises. Early in the year 1 844, Alfred and George received a letter from their grandfather. It is so good that I cannot refrain from inserting it entire. " Hull, Stepney Lodge, January 27, 1844. " My dear Alfred and George,— I received with more than ordinary pleasure your letters of the 27th of July, and in reading them I could scarcely persuade myself but that time, by some mysterious revo- lution, had thrown back my life for at least five-and-twenty years, and that I was again reading the pleasing letters of dear Alfred and George, my beloved sons. But, alas ! the spell was soon broken by the painful recollections of the past. I am, however, delighted with your letters. The handwriting is very good ; the composition, for your ages, is of a superior order ; and, if you continue to prosecute your studies and exer- cises with unremitting perseverance, I have no doubt but you will, in your day, be the fac-similes of those whose endearing names you bear. * * * Let me entreat you, my dear grandchildren, to minister in every way in your power to the tranquillity, comfort, and happiness of a mother whose maternal care and solicitude for the welfare of her family have been as unremitting as her love has been pure and ardent. I was delighted to hear of your attainments as scholars, and of the very hand- some manner in which your exercises were received by the audience at your public exhibition. You have, by these successful ehbrts, secured a prominent position in the estimation of the public ; and if you should conclude from thi- ..rcumstance that you may now relax your efforts in the prosecution of your studies, this elevation will be but the precursor of your fall. It is not enough to be considered the first among boys: you must look forward and aspire to be the first among your citizens. 56 IJFE OF ALFRED COOKMAA. But this canno, I,, attained but by unremitting industry. Decision of character is Uierefore indispensable in ail i,n,.. ■ , -dertakinL's and I ave no doubt of your uhi-nate succes. i. ,ou are detern I'rS' ^^1 \ou a^ , I hope, proceeding with your learning in a systematic and method,cnl order and making yourselves thoroughly nfa teTs of o" branch o,' sc.ence before you enter upon another. This'i. indtensalX as bu. ,s the basis of all after-improvements in learning ^ ' ..J. "" ^,''f "^ '''"'' '^"^ >°" ^'"-'^ '^'-'^"'"'-' ""^'"''ers 0, a literary society and have no doubt but it will be of great service to Jou Your dear nxther and uncle had th ■ same privilege, and hey of en l": pr.sed me by the papers they produced and the spe -ches hey de ivered on th. questions discussed at their weekly meetinL^. Mixnf/with mem bers of superior acquirements, they obtained a grtat increasVo know- ledge, and also obtained an easy and graceful mode of public lakZ There is, however, ...../.„,.- growing out .f these inst'itutions a^ai^st which I .vould most urgently caution , ou. The questions .or d I'scussio have se dom any connection with each other, and this necessarily in lu e a desultory and careless course of reading and o, thought. Now the dnnger to be apprehended is this: that y.n, will seek applausf I he forum rather than m the academy, and fall into a dislike'of he "tudy cation and labour, and the mastery of which is essentrd to vour becoming proficients in sound learning. Above all thi.m of ti vT seek first the kingdom of Cod and Hi! r^ghte^sn:" ,' flea e he ^1 to the good pleasure of your Heavenly Fath, . " ♦ * ♦ ■ III From Alfred to his grandfather Cook mail : — "Baltl.iore, March 22, 1845. "My DEAR GRANDFATHER,-This day's mail !,.s brought to hand a letter from Aunt Mary Ann, which has bee, ,he fast to Ck the long-continued silence which has reip. . for some months ?„ ^ perusal of her letter we were not a litt'! tifi. - T eaTn^^i yo Hn enjoy your accustomed health, and a. ole attend to all h cerns of domestic life. Belie^■inc that voul.l Tf °"' ^1^^\ '"u'"''^' '''"'"''°" ^""^ ^^^ "^ ^ ^«"nfy? What have we done, and what are we doinjr? t thmi, „.. • , compared to the ocean w.) , i^ , '"""^ *"'"'' P™P'"'^'y ^^ .-- I-a.ea to the ocean : we have had the storm, aud now the calm is I \&A}. ALFRED'S LETTER TO I/LS GRANDFATHER. 57 beginning to succeed. For the last few months we have as a nation been torn witli party strife ; for from the tiny ichool-boy as well as the gray-headed old man have been heard sentiments, to;^ether with enthu- siastic shouts, in honour of some favourite partisan. Meetings have been held frequently, at which vast concourses of people have assembled, and where the taleiii of the country have been present to display their forensic powers. However, although I am favourable to party spirit where it can be kept within l)oun ' believing that it tends to keep alive a spirit of inquiry in the mind /i the people in regard to those subjects connected with their country's welfare, yet when it reaches the height which it has here, and is productive of the same direful results, I, for one, would say, ' Subdue, and silence it.' It has been jirostituted to the worst puqjoses. Men who have stood in our council chambers, ever ready to second any effort that would conduce to the prosperity of the nation, and who, in very many instances, have been the originators of noble and usefid measures, have had their characters defamed and their spotless reputations sullied and disgraced. But the evils of party spirit have not ended here. There has been the greatest amount of betting : thousands have been swallowed up in this greedy vortex, nnd, .1'. )ng a certain class of our citizens, that man who would bet the greuiest amount has been considered a nuble-hearted, generous fellow. meetings of which I have spoken, liciuor has been used, Irunkenness and riot. All these esils combined have the virtuous and patriotic mind a sad and mournful At the ' occasioi. presented picture. " But the contest is over ; the combatants have withdrawn from the field of party strife, and the champion of the victorious party has been awarded the title of the President of the United States. All the various portions of society are beginning to turn their attention again thcii daily avocations, and are bending all the energies of their minds towards amassing money or something else. "The ni.iia question which now agitates our country is the subject ot slavery. Not c mtent with harassing us in our civil institutions, it has entered the borders of our Zion, and will, in all probability, effect a division. At our late session of Congress it was decreed tn annex Texas to our Union. This lying to the south of our Republic, ami being itself a slave country, will be connected with Southern interests, who (the South) may insist on measures which may prove detrimental to the North, who, in turn, retaliating, may bring on that mo to-be-dreaded of all evils — civil war. Oh, grandfo i her, I regard the measure of Congress, in this point of view, as highly reprehensible. I believe that it will cast a dark stain on the fair escutcheon of our liberties, and that n s« LIFE OF ALFRED COOA'AUJV. Union, to be the posseTsn o i ' ' ' ' '■^""' '° ^" P''''t« "^ 'he ' "- ""^ possessor o( human pronertv • nnH -,» .1 i . . of the General ConfprHn,-,. ,,,.. 1, .• ''"'''^"X ' anrl at the late sess on was final,, .elH^nX^T'^r^^S 1^ '"" '.'" '^"^^'^'^"* ^'^'^'^ Southern portion of the CWh thn^ ^ r°" ''"' '" '"''"e"'' ''>« will not submit to this /, '^''' ^^ ^^^'^ ''eclared that they nn.l they havT Ll le.I . Lner.??' 7°"" ''•''" "^ '''^''''^"^y •"---' take stens 71 . Conference, to be held in May next to wKe steps toward division. What it will »n,i ■ • r , ' 'levelop. I trust that .l,e Grea7He. of . <> r '\'' ^':: "^^ ^"'"^"^ '° well; that He will n.iiusf fl!. . J , ■ ^''"'"'^ '"'" ™'e •'•'' ''""gs happy termination in e'led wh:'? '"' ''"'^' '''" "^'"^^ '" ^ ralher egotistic ; but idea on th., \'^.""'"^<^"'^^''l '"y letter to be '""Itiplied, and I have ju! f^'l '"''''^ ^ '^^^^ ''^""'''-^d to have I EVANGELISTIC WORK'. 59 that the stirring, warlike spirit of Europe in the beginning of the nineteenth century, at the period of the father's birth, had much to do with his martial spirit as an orator. A heart more responsive to the weal of the nation and to the weal of the Church never throbbed than beat in the breast of Alfred Cookman ; nor has there arisen among us a public man, whether in the puli)it or out of it, whose cha- racter was more affected by the reflected influence of these two objects. To those who knew so well the genuineness of his patriotism, and the unselfish zeal of his Methodism in later years, it is no unpleasant matter to get a peep at the early dawn of these two great passions which is afforded us by this letter. How like the temper of the perfected man, the sentiment, " I trust that the (ireat Head of the Church will rule all things well ; that He will adjust these difficulties, and bring all things to a happy termination " ! About this time— the year 1845— Alfred entered distinc- tively upon his evangelistic career ; not, however, as a preacher, but as an earnest worker in Sabbath-school and missionary effort. A band of young men, most of whom were connected with the Charles Street Church, formed a mission to the seamen and poor < hildren who fre- quented the upper docks of the harbour in Baltimore. Their hearts were touched with pity as they saw the large number of sailors, most of whom were confined to vessels doing busi- ness wholly in the waters of Chesapeake Day, and were entirely destitute of the means of religions improvement. They first rented a small room at the head of Frederick Street Dock. This proving too limited, they removed to a more commo- dious and eligibly located one in Pratt Street, at the head of the Upper Basin. It was not the first time that Methodism began a good work in a " Sail Loft." 'Ihe old Sail Loft, christened " The City Bethel," was the scene of the zealous 6o LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. i; }' ! SI f 1 labours of these devout young m^T^^T^ays and ru.,y affected by t,,e 4etHe, .".^X^ITZZ:;: for the shape and for the friendships it gave him !S ose who constituted this band of |e„eroS "o'hs have s.nce come to such repute, and the immeiate obte for winch they laboured has come to such stabi^t tht I offer from the pen of the Rev. T. H Switzer VLT . _P^.r Of the City Bethe,, a circnms.a„ti!;rc:;„f:f t' of"theu!;'tl "T"" "t*^ "^""'^ "^»'-'»» oi me kmd m the city; its ob ect was to reach sailor, watermen, and neglected children, who loitered about 2 wharfs on the Sabbath-day. It was called CUy B thel o SSil^ *= ""-^' ""■- «-=^^ >e.lt of "IT'^""^^^''^ Cookman, although the youngest, was one of the most active and efficient members of thf so^^v a! our regularly monthly meetings to devise ways and mekns of advancing the interests of the association he was I^wf present, and took part in our deliberations and dlcn ^n's In the Sabbath-school, the experience meetings and „ ?. preaching of the Word, he manifested altly'^Le^e*' ' Soon .after my appointment to the charge an nci ; occu.red which brought him particularly Td'er my n^S Thomas Dryden, son of Joshua Dryden, after a IS^Ta deceased and members of the o^i^ation req u^^'d B t t: Cookman to prepare a funeral discourse, which he did Ind delivered m the lecture-room of the Charles Street Church ALFRED'S FIRST SERMOA. 6i A This was Alfred's first sermon, then in his seventeenth year. The discourse made a strong impression on the audience, and those present who are now living remember it to the present day. His call tc the ministry was Ui:doubted by those who heard him on that occasion. "The sermon was delivered with much feeling, his enunciation was distinct, his language chaste and impressive, his illustrations forcible and appropriate ; his pathetic allu- sions to the deceased touched the tender chords of the hearts of many present. Those who were familiar with his father's method, and the character of his preaching, could not fail to discover in the younger Cookman traits that reminded them of that eminent minister of Christ, George G. Cookman. " Alfred Cookman was as that time modest and unob- trusive in manner, ardent in his feehngs. His judgment was in advance of his years, his imagination was vivid, and illustration was successfully employed in his themes. In person he was slender, and his genial countenance wore the cheerful glow of sunshine." The communication of Mr. Switzer has anticipated a little the fact which was to give direction to Alfred's future calling. From the incident of the funeral sermon, it is evident that an impression was already prevailing among his associates that he was " called to preach," His selection by those who knew him most intimately for so important a ser- vice for their departed associate, shows that they not only believed him called of God to preach, but also the high estimation in which they held both his talents and his piety. It was a great mark of respect to be put upon a youth of seventeen years. His text on the occasion was, " To die is gain." The general style and effect of the treatment have been described. The mind of the Church now distinctly !■ I * i I < f 62 LIFE OF ALFRED COOK'MAN. pomted to him as a suitable person to preach the Gospel of of any com™„,ca.i„n from hi,,,, ,0 feel that he ough' o ^ke upon himself the office and work of the m.ni trv Many a young man who, in his >r.odes.y, has trTed I U h"s hid nr,^^ f "5''" °' '°"'' '■"' '"='=" drawn out of tas h,d,ng.place and thrust forth into the work Such to^ has^t^unfrcuently stood head and shoulders ^:Z man'lrlhe"""' "'"if,"''''" '" ''«'8"'"i"« Alfred Cook- man for the m,n,stry, November ,st, ,845, when he was the ffi"? """"^ " "'^- "^'"«'-' ^^^-0, a, Chul ...afr;ra:vr»';his'^:::for7ut;.r "Th '- '^=; from the Quarterly Co„fere;,ce j t\l tCrH::: elder 1 he preparation for the examination which he hal to undergo before the Oiiirf,.fr„ i- <■ -vhoUy by himself t ^T \ "^^ "f^'^"" "as n,ade Mr r„m„s , <:onducted very thoroughly by ,lfi , ' I ' •'" "' '='°'*<-' pronounced Alfred morl lie Mas at this time an assistant teacher in a nrivato academy; his work was arduous and confining, his's c and religious engagements numerous so ^\L have studied diligently to attam such rci:^:::^^- I \i HIS FEELINGS ON ENTERING THE MINISTRY. ■t 63 Of the Scriptural proofs of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. George G. Cookman had thus early a successor in the ministry. Five years only had gone since the great light was quenched in the sea, and now in the person and office of the eldest born the work of illumination was to be continued. The deep emotions of the mother may be better imagined than expressed, as she saw her little Solomon recognised as God's chosen one, and designated by the Church to the great building to ^hich she had so sincerely consecrated him in childhood To such a mother this hour for her first-born was cause for richer joy and juster pride than if she had seen him selected for an earthly throne, or as the heir of the wealthiest man period of his career but a limited statement is at command In after years he made this reference to it : " At the age of eighteen I took up the silver trumpet which had follen from the hand of my faithful father, and began to preach, in a very humble way, the everlasting Gospel." This allusion, and that found m the follovving letter to his grandfather, are enough to show the humility and earnestness with whicL he received the great commission. The letter also lets us into his anxious questionings as to his immediate future course Its references to the late Rev. George C. M. Roberts, M.D ' D.D. cannot fail of grateful interest to the host of friends in Baltunore and elsewhere, who cherish with such affect on and reverence the memory of that able and devout n In At once physician and local preacher, he ministered to the bodies and souls of thousands, and for the space of a quan r of a century wielded an influence in the community sec nd to no other citizen. ^ ^.^-uau To his giaiidiather Cookman he writes,— h 64 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. „. , , , "Baltimore, >/j/ 7, ,846. sentert ^'T'^^' opportunity for transmitting you a few lines has pre- sented n elf, inasmuch as Dr. Roberts, one of the most respected and e^emed members of our community, is about to depart fo'r England ^vuh the design of attendmg ,he World's Convention. This gentleman jsamembero the medical profession in our city; in connectTon S this he ,s an official member in the Methodist Church, and has always evinced great zeal and energy in the promotion of every goc^ an^ benevolent enterprise. I am sure that Baltimore possesses no son more highly esteemed and more generally loved than this brother, and it is on account of his noble and excellent qualities that he was unhes tatmgly selected to represent (he interests of what is termed 'thedty station in this coming convention. He is a man of the deepest and most devoted piety, anu an earnest anxiety for the prosperhyTf Z where r^f " '' "''^'"* ' Saturday-evening prayer'meeting, the L rf T accustomed to meet and pray, more especially fo Uie san tifying influences of God's Spirit. At these meetings I have frequently been found, and have there eminently realized the presence : tfl,™ '?''"'^r'r'^"' "''°'*- '^^"^ -e you will be'pS ^vith h.m. Possessed of a sweet, Christian-like spirit, affable and win- ning manners, and no small share of intellect, he secures for himself the affection and good-will of all with whom he is called to associate As you are aware, I have been engagal in teaching for the last welve months. I have not realized those sangxiine expectations t^^ I indulged when I entered upon this arduous employment ; for cl fidently hoped to do more in the improvement of my mind, . .i e engaged m teaching, than I could possibly if my entire time 1 devoted to literary pursuits. I thought that, while instructing youths I should effect a review of old studies, and that between schools [ codd devote myself to mental labour or literary acquisition ; but, alas • alas ' my hopes have proved vain, and I have not reached that point in the hill of .science whither my aspirations would have led me. The school in which I am engaged as assistant has been .small, and made up prin- cipally of boys who were in the very first rudiments of science; and day after daymydut.es have been to hear the little urchin repeat his ask either in spe Img. geography, arithmetic, or some other «^nor branch, all of which it would be almost impossible to forget ; and 'Z I, of cour.se, have not realized my first expectation. Although these n.y scholars had progre.s.sed but little, though their attainments were but limited I felt ,t to be my duty to devote myself with as much assiduity and energy to their improvement as if I had heard the m cvvi METHOD, ACTIVITY, ATTAINMENTS, 65 day recite an ode of Horace or a section nf R^r^^,. ti hashppnfi,nf ) "'-'^'^ " a section ot Homer. The consequence has been tha, when after havmg performed my duties I have returned oneand retn-ed to my own study, I have experienced a general ro pan uTecl Ztll ''T\ ^'' """'^^ '^'^^'^ ''''^" unstrung, my energ es no rT T '' ^''' "° ■'■""' '° P'-"'^^^' "itl^ study. I „Tust Stock duang he year. Many theological works I have carefullv of d.vm ty. Durmg the year 1 felt it to be my duty to assume a more respons,We stat.on-namely, that of a minister of the everiasl "g ^03' Fiequemly I have stood up in the sacred desk to expouml tlfe ora Tes upo^. the i"- f""'"^" the unsearchable riches of Christ, in dwe ling upon the amazmg love and infinite condescension of the Saviour in dispensmg the Gospel I receive much of heaven's comfort. 1 have been seriously considering which would be the best course ttm^at ° '"T' ? ''^ '"^""- My engagenients with 1.1^1!, te m mate n, a k.y days, and I do not feel disposed to .hackle my e for the comn^g year as I certainly have during the past. I have sough dg^ DurbinTh "' '"'"'V"^'^ '™"^'-^' ^^' f- instance, Mels iioclgson, Duibm, Thompson, and others, and they advise me to enter he umerant field, assuring me that I shall not only have mor^ tin but more d.spos.t.on to study. I have calmly and dispass on^^d; washed th,s advice, and think it is good ; that perhaps it S, be my ac vantage m an intellectual point of view, as wel as the cotiderl- t.on that, nr the hands of God, 1 nught be made useful." Alfred's mother, in referring to his habits at this date of his hfe, says, " He verj- early threw in his efforts (with others) to vvork among a class of degraded human beings who were drunkards, and were almost taken out of the gutters. His young voice was often heard in denunciation and earnest entreaties for them to turn from sin and become new men m Christ Jesus. With what zeal and earnestness did he follow these poor outcasts ! Alfred was very exact in the distribution of his time. He had to depend, in a great measure, on his own efforts. He felt himself a father- less youth and had very ardent yearnings to acquire know- -dge, and to prepare himself to lill a useful and honourable 66 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAI^. t' \ position in life. Thus he became a very dihgent student m the various departments constituting a thorough scholar. In Latin, Greek, German, and French, he was very profi- cient, and his knowledge in the arts and sciences was considerable. Even at the age of twelve his father acknow- ledged he was farther advanced in those branches than he was himself at the age of eighteen. Humility and timidity were two of his peculiar characteristics, which kei^t him from anything like display or assumption." Subsequently to his license to preach, and before leaving Baltimore, he preached frequently. His friend, Mr. Samuel Kramer, a local preacher, would take him to his country appomtments contiguous to the city, and would have him supply for him. AH the opportunities he could desire, and more perhaps than was prudent for so young a beginner, were opened to him. His engagements were constantly up to the full measure of his strength and his time. In the best pulpits of the city his services were accepted, and in the best society of the city his company was eagerly sought. The name he bore was hallowed to the people. They were prepared, for his father's and mother's sake, to listen to his words and to love his character. But he was everything in himself that was attractive-one of the most engaging youths who ever stood in a sacred desk or moved among a circle of friends. There was a freshness and healthfulness of physique, an openness of physiognomy, a spiritual beauty, a ripeness of culture, a manifest piety, a gracefulness of movement, and a native eloquence which won all hearts ; and from this early day until his death there was no minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church who could draw together a larger crowd of ardent, admiring hearers in the city of Bal- timore than Alfred Cookman. A halo invested him from the beginnmg to the end of his career. CHAPTER VII. THE YOUTHFUL PASTOR.-HIS FIRST CIRCUIT. But the time had now come when plans for the more regular and permanent exercise of his ministry beganlS ously to agitate h„n. We have already seen from h sTa t etter that thoughts of a collegiate cou'rse had b"en nte ! ained and discussed It appears that the counsels of his fathers closest friends were adverse to this, and favourable to an immediate entrance upon the itinerant ministry Certainly the results of his ministry are not such as to leave room for many regrets on the ground of greater possible usefulness. What he was we know; what he might have been with the influences of the broader culture which comes of the studies and associations of the college we cannot fully conjecture. A more liberal education, prosecuted at greater length, would probably have rendered him different, in some respects, from what he was as a man and as a preacher but It IS extremely doubtful if it could have rendered him more intense in his personal and ministerial influence. In the cry for scholars, we are too apt to forget that it is not so much Ideas as their application ; not so much new truths as the practice of old truths; not so much tliinkers as actors-men of deeds-that the great world needs. A man to move and rnould the people must be a man of positive convictions, be the circle of his knowledge never so small- rathe- th.n a critical investigator. ' ' * ? 68 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. Alfred Cookman was capable of becoming a scholar of a high order, but he chose to narrow the sphere of his studies to the subjects which nourished his own soul satisfactorily, which he felt would make him most useful as a pastor ; and it was the thoroughness with which his intellect grisped these, and the heartiness with which he believed them, that gave him in his domain so marked an ascendency over the minds of the people. So that I am frank to acknowledge that if a collegiate education (taking education in its multi- plex sense) would have made his ministry dififerent from what It was, I can scarcely see how it could have made it more useful. I fear the contrary might have been the result. Upon the whole, it is quite safe to assume, where the sin- cerest efforts are made by those who have the shaping of Christ's chosen instruments, that their course is about such as God orders, and in the outcome is the best for them and for His Church. The point being settled that the young evangelist should at once make full proof of his ministry by entering the regular pastorate, the next question for decision was, " What conference shall he join ? " Some of his friends urged him strongly to seek admission into the Baltimore Conference, while others as strongly urged the advantages of the Phila- delphia. It would have been natural for him to remain where he was, but the reasons for going to Philadelphia were controlling. His former and much beloved teacher, the Rev. Robert Pattison, had joined that conference,' several of his young associates, such as Charles J. Thompson and Adam Wallace, preferred itj his father had first united with It, and he wished, as far as possible, to follow in his footsteps. But, as usual, the mother's judgment turned the scales. There were better schools and better opportunities of busi- ' REMOVAL TO PHILADELPHIA. 69 V i ness in Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania was a free state. Her repugnance to slavery made her adverse to rearing her children in contact with it. There was another considera- tion which weighed with her possibly more than all others : she felt the time had come when she must give herself more fully to the care of her children. While, therefore, her heart was deeply attached to Baltimore and to its loving, noble Christians, she determined that, for her family's sake, she must cut herself loose from their companionship, and seek, in another city and amid new scenes, to enter upon a course of more exclusive devotion to home nurture. Early in the autumn of 1846 the household goods were stowed in a canal-boat and shipped to Philadelphia. The family soon followed. Alfred had already been requested by the Rev. James McFarland, presiding elder of one of the Philadelphia districts, to supply the place of Rev. D. D. Lore, who had been appointed missionary to Buenos Ayres, on Attleboro Circuit, Bucks County, under the charge of the Rev. James Hand. He accepted the invitation, and so soon as the family were settled, and he had procured the neces- sary outfit, he started for the "appointment." His horse he named " Gery," in honour of his friend Gershom Broad- bent of Baltimore. Gery became a great pet with him and with all the brothers and the little sister. Alfred and Gery were much talked about at home, and their joint arrival on a visit was henceforth hailed as the brightest day which could dawn on Philadelphia. It was a proud hour when the young preooher, leaving hh mother's door, with her blessing on his head and her warm kiss upon his lips, springing into his saddle, hied away over the hills to his first pastoral charge. What a pang it must have cost him to part with that loving parent, to leave brothers and sister, who had clung to IM as a father, and to ^i ill ISilil, 70 LIFE OF ALFRED COOAMA.Y. fj-l: mi go Off among total strangers ! But though young, and sen- sitive even to feminine delicacy, he had the hopes of youth to cheer hmi. His heart was full of zeal for tlie Master's glory, and the romantic interest which belongs to an earnest nature m the first commencement of a chosen and chivalrous career. On the mother's part, his devotement to the work was one of pure self-sacrifice ; and as she saw him ride away, in the first act which was for ever to take him from her roof- tie light went out of her eyes and the joy from her heart. But she made the surrender cheerfully, thanking God that Hehad counted him worthy-putting him into the minis- try._ She could not, however, let him go without salutary advice-advice which he never forgot, and which became a ^atch-cry m hi. ;v.,nstry. Here is his reference to the occa- sion : Quittr... V :c!..out this time one of the happiest of homes to enter the n:n'-ran. work, my excellent mother remarked just upon the tl,..shold of my departure, « My son, if you would be supremely happy or extremely useful in your work you must be an entirely sanctified servant of Jesus ' It was a cursory suggestion, perhaps forgotten almost as soon as expressed; nevertheless, applied by the Spirit, it made the profoundest mipression upon my mind and heart. Oh the vahie of smgle sentences which anj- one may utter in the ordmary mtercourse of life ! Sermons and exhortations are frequently forgotten, while the wish or counsel simply and precisely expressed will abide, to lead us into clearer light Let this fact, which will find an illustration in many experi' ences, serve to stimulate and encourage even the feeblest to speak for Jesus. My mother's passing but pointed remark followed me hke a good angel as I moved to and fro in mv first sphere of itinerant life." ^ Attleboro Circuit lay among 'the hills of Bucks County and embraced in its territory a fine rural district. It obliged ATTLEBORO CIRCUIT. 7« r a good deal of travelling and much hard work from the youthful minister. 'Jlie social status of Methodism was not so high as he had been accustomed to in cities, and, although he met with great kindness frou. people, he missed many comforts which he had hitherto deemed quite necessary to his well-being. But he shrank from -lo duty however hard, and no work which lay in his way. Among the youths whom he had found on removing to Philadelphia was Andrew Longacre, now the Rev. Andrew Longacre, of the New York Conference. They soon felt themselves to' be kmdred spirits, and very speedily there sprang up between them a Inendship which grew closer with maturing years, and has constituted one of the most profitable and lovely of human attachments. Andrew was younger by three years, but Alfred gave him his whole heart. The following letter IS a proof of this afifection, and also a fair exhibit of the circuit life. It discloses to us the dutiful service he was ready to render as a "junior preacher," the fidelity with which amid bodily ailments he stood to his post, and also the zest with which, though now a grave minister, he could enter into the pleasantries of his young friend :— « New Town, February 22, 1847. _ "Mv DEAR Friend Andrew, -I had intended to reply to your interesting an IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I ■- ilia ^ 1^ IL25 III 1.4 M 1.6 A" nl — A I—* riiuiugiypmC Sciences Corporation V A, fe,"'^ V ^ i< i/.A ^ fA d certainly he was ; his Mt:™ ^ h low^d'a r.estd' has not only remained with me ever since, but even sens to tncrease as I pass along in my sublunary pilgrimage q' "I'dXrSl^r^"'*^"'^--— ^ "One week-day afternoon, after a most delightful dk "rcote-rr^Lio t,;^":u!:f r-'^' ' ^-^" - 'Had you trot done that::lr.im!V;i:i:l- \l il 1 ENTIRE CONSECRATIOA. 75 11 speak for d pray for experience ary, and i ■ scale that and trials fty a posi- mline, ac- rown, one he might r the wor- ' preached the Holy itedly re- yet digni- example, lie labor- ;ssion 3m God, [ blessed ;n seems ige. Oh s of the I answer, Yes ! but with this difference : then I brought powers dead in trespasses and sins, now I would consecrate powers permeated with the new life of regeneration, I would offer myself a living sacrifice ; then I gave myself away, but now, with the increased illumination of the Spirit, I felt that my surrender was more intelligent and specific and careful, —It was my hands, my feet, my senses, my attributes of mmd and heart, my hours, my energies, my reputation, my worldly substance, my everything, without reservation or Innitation. Then I was anxious for pardon, but now my desire and faith compassed something more— I wanted the conscious presence of the Sanctifier in my heart. Carefully consecrating everything, I covenanted with my own heart and with my heavenly Father that this entire but unworthy offering should remain upon the altar, and henceforth I would pleaj^e God by believing that t^^e altar (Spirit) sanctifieth the gift. Do you ask what was the immediate effect ? I answer peace-a broad, deep, full, satisfying, and sacred peace. This proceeded not only from tLe testimony of a good con- science before God, but likewise from the presence and operation of the Spirit in my heart. Still I could not say that I was entirely sanctified, except as I had sanctified myself to God." tful dis. do what o — viz., ;re alive as our ight an 'ill say, rsion ? ' f ' !■:■ ■I':st CHAPTER VIII. FROM COUNTRY TO CITY.-TRIP TO ENGLAND. The annual session of the Philadelphia Conference was held in the spnng of 1847, at Wilmington, Delaware. Bishop Hamhne presided. Alfred Cookman, having finished up hi' work repaired to the seat of the Conference. He was an applicant for admission into the Conference, in company with a large number of young men, most of whom were his personal fnends. T'. Conference was very full, it being found difficult to station all the preachers, and so, at the on trial. _ This was a sore disappointment to our young friend, as it was to others applying. He had preached at least a half-year under the presiding elder, and now to be obliged to do so an additional year was somewhat grievous. The policy of such a procedure on the part of a Conference IS always of doubtful expediency, and sometimes may be very unjust and injurious to the parties and to the work Ihe young minister, however, had consecrated himself to the Masters cause, according to the order of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Church of hi. father ; and so, bowing gracefully to the decision of the Conference, he accepted again a position under the presiding elder, and entered cheerfully upon it. He was appointed by the Rev. Daniel ..ambdin to the Delaware City Circuit, in the State of Delaware, with the Rev. Robert McNarmee for his preacher in charge. '■ w DIMINISHED SPIRITUAL POWER. 77 .AND. erence was are. Bishop shed up hij He was an n company )m were his n, it being so, at the :ceive none our young reached at now to be t grievous. I^onference ;s may be the work, himself to jNIethodist 50, bowing accepted i entered !V. Daniel State of preacher "}' Before I fo low h.m to his new circuit, an important fact m his mward he must be stated. It will be remembered that his early religious experience received a check upon the occasion of his removal from Carlisle to Washington His later experience received . similar but a more prolonged check during this session of the Conference. The exphna tion IS best given in his own words. They are a contim,;. tion of the published narrative before quoted from : " Oh that I could conclude just here these allusions to personal experience with the simple addition that my life to the present has answered to the descriptioi.^ of endless progress regulated by endless peace ! Fidelity ^o truth, however with a solicitude that others may profit by my errors, con- strains me to add another paragraph of my personal testi- mony. Have you ever known a sky full of sunshine-the power of a beautiful day subsequently obscured by lowering clouds ?_ Have you ever known a jewel of incalculable value to Its owner lost through culpable carlessness ? Alas that so bright a morning in my spiritual history should not have shone more and more unto the perfect day-diat I should, under any circumstances, have carelessly ,)arted with this pearl of personal experience ! Eight nteks trans- pired-weeks of light, strength, love, and blessing: Con- ference came on; I found myself in the midst of beloved brethren ; forgetting how easily the infinitely Holy Spir-'t might be grieved, I allowed myself to drift into the spirit of the hour; and, after an indulgence in foolish joking and story-telling, realized that I had sufi-ered serious loss To my next field of labour I proceeded with consciously diminished spiritual power." The new circuit was found to be very congenial. From a lady who knew him well, and between whom and himself there was a pleasant fiiendship-Mrs. L. A. Battershall, of ',' I 78 LIFE OF ALFRED COOICMAN. New York-I have received the following reference to his character and work at this time :— " Numbered with the most pleasant memories of the by- gone are my recollections of the Rev. Alfred Cookman After his appointment to Delaware City Circuit, he was a frequent guest at the hospitable home of a relative, whom I was then visiting. Domiciled beneath the same roof, ample opportunity was thus afforded me of observing his habitual deportment in the daily amenities of life. He was richly endowed by nature with a genial spirit, and an ease and grace of manner which eminently fitted him to shine as the centre of the social circle, and yet I never knew him betrayed mto a levity unbecoming a minister of the Gospel 01 Christ. ' ^ " Delaware City Circuit* at that time embraced a con- siderable portion of the wealthy agricultural district of New- castle County, Delaware, and was populated by a people of more than ordinary intelligence. To all classes of this population young Cookman came as the messenger of life His young heart burned with love for souls. He went from his closet to the pulpit, and, thus panoplied with power it IS no marvel that the multitudes which from Sabbath 'to Sabbath hung upon the earnest pleadings of his eloquent lips for their salvation, regarded him as a royal ambassador irom the Court of the Most High." The year, according to this testimony, passed profitably and pleasantly, as he glided about from village to village and home to home among a devout and hospitable people In those days it was not customary for the young preacher to have any fixed boarding-place on the circuit. No appro- priation was made to pay his board, but he was expected co stay around " among the families, remaining longest where It was most congenial, or where, from the means and kind- 1 \ FIRST APPOINTMEXT. n ence to his of the by- Cookman he was a ^e, whom I roof, ample is habitual was richly ease and ) shine as knew him he Gospel a con- ed :t of New- a people es of this 3r of life, ^vent from power, it ibbath to eloquent ibassador profitably ;o village ! people, preacher o appro- )ected CO St where id kind- ness of the families, he could be rendered most comfortable, and found the greatest facilities for reading and study.' Sometimes the young preacher would be so fortunate as to have one or more such homes at each of the churches. Occasionally he would arrange to spend most of his time at one central home, where his books and wardrobe— if he were rich beyond the contents of his saddle-bags— could remain, and where he was always made heartily welcome. Nothing could exceed the cordiality with which the families at these homes greeted and entertained their young minister. The l)est room was at his disposal, the richest products of farm and garden, the choicest poultry from the swarming broods, were put before him. At the protracted and qua rterly meetings these homes became the gathering-points of the ministers and official members of the circuit, occasions of happy reunions, and of deep spiritual as well as social enjoyment. At the session of the Conference in the spring of 1848, Alfred Ccokman was again an applicant for admi'^sion, and was received. His first appointment in the minutes occurs this year, to Germantown Circuit, which included German- town and Chestnut Hill. The Rev. James A. Massey was his presiding elder. The circuit comprised a very beautiful suburban region of Philadelphia. Germantown and Chest- nut Hill have grown into important stations. His labours were marked by fidelity to duty, and all his exercises were indications of the future successes which were destined to crown his ministry. Large cities have a wondrous attractive power for all the forces which can augment their greatness. It is not sur- prising to find Philadelphia Methodism speedily demanding Alfred Cookman for its service. In the spring of 1849 he was appointed as junior preacher, under the Rev. David 8o LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. Dailey, to Kensington and Port Richmond, with the Rev. John P. Durbin, D.D., as the presiding elder. He was now following closely in the footsteps of his father, this ha\ing been the first appointment of that godly man ; and the brick church of Kensington, that was so often vocal to the eloquence of the father in his youth, was again vocal with the fervent and persuasive tones of the son. The veneration of the young minister for his father was an absorbing passion ; consequently there could be no motive, next to his reverence for the Divine Master and the sense of responsibility to Him, so powerful as the consideration that he was standing directly where his father had stood, and was ministering to the very people who had listened to his burning and instructive words. But little record remains to us of the exercises of his mind or of the character and efifect of his preaching. One of the best proofs of his success is that he was re- turned a second year to the same station, with the privilege of supplying his work for a part of the year and making a visit to Europe. It was about this time that I first saw Alfred Cookman. Although he and I lived as boys in Baltimore through some of the years, yet he was so far my senior, and the charges to which we severally belonged were so wide apart, that it happened we had never met. I had heard so much of him, that when I learned he was to preach at the Charles Street Church, I hastened thither, and found myself a curious hearer amid the crowd which thronged the building. Many of those present had been his father's friends ; they had known him from boyhood, they comprised very many of the most highly cultured Methodists of the city— all facts not little adapted to embarrass the young preacher. His theme was the " Resurrection of Christ." His action is distinctly before me now, as he described ■^ h the Rev. He was father, this man ; and m vocal to gain vocal ion. The ;r was an no motive, le sense of ration that d, and was led to his d remains racter and le was re- e privilege making a ' first saw 5 boys in so far my nged were :. I had to preach md found )nged the is father's :pmprised 5ts of the he young f Christ." described LETTER TO HIS GRANDFATHER, 8i Peter and John in their eager race to reach the tomb of Jesus, after they had heard the announcement of Mary that " He had risen from the dead." The preacher was then just past twenty-two years of age, of very handsome, pleasing personal appearance— slight, erect, with a most engaging countenance, rendered doubly attractive by the massy black hair which fell upon his neck and shoulders. A letter to his grandfather Cookman immediately pre- cedmg the Conference of 1850 gives some insight to his feelings. It breathes the tenderest pathos, and shows how well prepared he was already to fill the highly important office of comforter to the afflicted :— "Philadelphia, March 16, 1850. N.7 V \^r ^'""■^"^^ *° ""^^ newspaper that a steamer will leave amlnH r r r""'''''"^ "'"' Wednesday, and although the near appioach of Conference gives me an abundance to do, yet I have managed to economize an hour, which I most joyfully devote to the cehghtful exercise of English correspondence, \-hough old ocean's n hnn T'w • " ■'"'^'''*' "'' ^''' ^'■'^^"^"'ly 'l^ought and affection, hand n hand defying space and distance, wing their way to your sea-girt •sle. and by the eye of fancy I can see you moving from pLce to pl!ce tint ie'st'a'/b/'T 'f,^'"''^^' '' "^"'^'^ ^ ^^^ '' --'^ ^im oul Ivou fi f T'^ ■ ""'^"^ ^^^'^ ^ '" ^^P'^'''y °f ^"^-Sht. Often hkhnotoni ,T r"' """"' ''^'' '" l^''^y>'°" ^'-- -"-tions uh.ch not only old age but your recent heavy afflictions so imperatively requn^e Believe me, dear grandfather, when I assure you that I think of and deeply sympathize with you, and when I kneel down before Him Stl'lT T'^ '''''' ^ '"^'^l'"g °f o"r infirmities, I endeavour as be I can to bear you up upon the wings of faith and prayer. The u on To,! "' : Tr '■"" P-^^^'^'"^^^ °'' '^ '-^"-'^^ « '» 1-ve come KJunT } ^I'^tressing-aye, almost overwhelming. To bid S h them t\ ,T' "°,' ^"°""^ '^'' y°" ^^'" ^^'-- ^g'-^in "-et tender sympathies or kind attentions-all this certainly must have been agouuing m the extreme. At such a period, when the vanity of every. 83 LIFE OF ALFRED COOA'MAiV. thing sublunary must be seen and felt, liow comforting and encouraging to remember tliat in the blessed Saviour we have ' a Friend that stickcth closer than a brother '—One that will never leave nor forsake us, who will stand by us in six trials, and not forsake us in the seventh 1 I have no doubt but that yon have personally experienced the precious- ness of these Scriptural assurances. Under the shadow of His wing you have found a covert from the stormy blast ; and not only so, but perhaps with holy triumph ate able to affirm that 'tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and exjjerience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shetl abroad in my heart by the Holy (Jhost given unto me.' Thsse light aftlictions, which are but for a moment, are intended to work out for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I would gladly, if possible, pour the balm of Christian consolation into your bruised and bleeding heart. But I rejoice to remember that there is One who regards you with more than a mother's love ; who 'ochind a frowning providence is hiding a smiling face ; who encouragingly whispers, all things shall work together for good to those who put their trust in God. May Mis richest blessing rest abundantly upon you, anil although you are de- scending the hill of life, yet with the everlasting arms beneath and around you, may you realize that your path shineth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. "In a little more than a week the Philadelphia Conference will assemble in our cily. If all should be well, I expect during the session to be admitted to the order of deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church. I have been endeavouring to preach Christ and Him crucified for upward of three years, and realize an increasing love for my work. Now that I am to be received into full connection, I would dedicate myself more unreservedly to God, and in the strength of grace resolve to spend and be spent more fully in the service of my Heavenly Master,- Oh that ivith tlie laying on of hands there may be a special anointing of the Holy Spirit, that I may indeed become a flaming herald of the King of kmgs and Lord of lords I "My studies occupy much of my time and attention. Watson's Institutes (with which you are quite familiar) is perhaps the most diffi- cult work we have to digest preparatory to examination. There is such a number of points and multiplicity of theories to treasure uj) that I find it requires a little extra attention. As a production I regard it as a masterpiece, an endtiring monument to the cherished memory of its distinguished author. Our examiners have, by the direction of the bishops, put into our hands a volume entitled the Principles of Morality, by Jonathan Dymord, who, if I mistake not, is an English Quaker! md encourafjing ;nil that stickelli forsake us, who the seventh I I d the precious, w of His wing lot only so, but ulation worketh ope : anil hope 1 abroad in my fllictions, which yrou a far more lly, if possible, ;d and bleeding ho regards you ig providence is ill things shall jotl. May His ;h you are de- ls beneath and ter and brighter [Conference will ring the session xlist Epiocopai 1 Him crucified e for my work, would dedicate f grace resolve avenly Master.- lecial anointing I herald of the on. Watson's the most diffi- There is such ; up that I find '. regard it as memory of its rection of the es of Morality, igHsh Quaker. ELECTED TO DEACON'S ORDERS. *3 The work, though embodyinc some exri>11#.nt »r„.K, . • tlKU is un.p,esti<,,u.l,iy heter,Hicn The n^f. * "'f'"' '"""'' nstance had had a trammg at school which ..ualificd him rr: The'" """""''' "' "'""^ -'• "'ll'^Pli^ f theories. The exammations of the second year all ,i,i, actonly passed, the probationer was admitted to th Con." rence and elected to deacon's orders. Together v.hal he members of his class (e..cept one, whose plaewa supplied by the addition of Henry Hum> h, , j ! deacon by Bishop Waugh. T^^I ^^t^lZ:::^:! Cookn^an and the members of his class a close and ovh^ devotion through his whole career ^ fo JT"?^' ^^'^'^'^^'^^ "^^"•^^^^^' '^' companionship of the four years cottrse m the Conference has much the ame influence on after-life as that of the college or theolor? -n^aryljas upon tho.e .ho are student^i^ stlch t^ tions. This course," with its associations and its dnil however m,perfect, is a feature of Methodism not und' sU.od by many who have wondered at the slownes of the Methodists to adopt theological school, nnd thei/ udL^ 84 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. admit to the pastorate young men of comparatively little learning. Young preachers can be continued indefinitely on trial, till voted to deacon's orders, or they can be discon- tinued before this, if in the judgment of the Conference* they do not give proofs of original capacity and of pro- ficiency in study. So that it is a fair inference that by the time a licentiate is voted to orders' he has become a well- informed minister. As I have already intimated, Mr. Cookman was returned this year to Kensington and Port Richmond. There awaited him now one of the most delightful episodes of his life. It was determined that he should visit his aged grandfather in England. The veteran himself strongly urged the visit, and it was thought the visit would be not only a gratifica- tion to 1 'm in his advanced years, but also that at this pe- riod of the yrfung minister's hfe it would be of incalculable advantage to his future career. There is an education, a breadth and definiteness of view, a knowledge of the world, which can be obtained in travel which is possible in no other way. The preparations for the voyage were rapidly hurried forward, and in the month of July Mr. Cook- man sailed in the steamer " Europa " from New York for Liverpool. It was with no little trepidation that the good mother risked her dearest treasure once more on the un- certain deep, and that the son launched upon the waste of waters which had engulfed his beloved father ; but it was deemed the order of God, and so both took courage, as only thus filial duty could be discharged. It was hard to leave friends behind, but grandfather, the best friend next to mother since the father's loss, and old England, the "sea- girt isle/' were beyond. To his mother he writes : — PW^GB TO EUROPE. 85 ratively little I indefinitely n be discon- Conference* and of pro- : that by the ome a well- ,vas returned here awaited his life. It grandfather 3d the visit, ■ a gratifica- t at this pe- incalculable education, ;dge of the 1 possible in Dyage were ^ Mr. Cook- w York for It the good on the un- le waste of but it Avas Lge, as only rd to leave id next to the "sea- " Steamer Europa, Friday morn, July 19, 1850. I .vV,'''"''"fr Y. ^°""'" '■""^ '"'^^^-^'"^ '" J^^'-^ring of my progress ^^;^t-& -Sir s4£-{« p.etty fresh, occas.or.ecl some roughness of the water, and twT lethef noi'J^r; t:^ll, *' '"^ "'"'^- ^^ '^' ^^'P -"1^1 rise, T would not suffer the least mconvenience, but when, immediatelv -^fter sho would make a urch, there seemed to be a strange nervo^ness ofl'el n ' m the reg,on of digestion. After a while a disagreeable dimness beZ o stea over my vision. I fought like a lion At four o^TockT chnner-be i rang and thinking that perhaps a little food would serve ^ om the attack o. the foe, I ventured to eat a little. A very few followin.rmp V ^ u ^ btatc-room, the enemy foliou mg me. Fust he got me on my back, then he seemed to turn every hn,g round within me, then he commanded me to e" or w a" I had so msultmgly swallowed at dinner-time, and, will J^u bel ve me felt obhged to yeld. Up it came, with a good deal more ani I ef the r.as.re at his feet. After so fierce a contest and so Xai a defeat. I thought I might lie down. As seven o'clock (supp r-tim ) however, rolled round. I inscribed on my banner, 'Often bSen but and tea u as all I ventured to take, and yet the enemy, as if maddened tionn 1 ^^cnt a .ccona tmie. What a trouncmg 1 got ! I gave him 86 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. Ms I fiif back all— aye, more than all. I shed tears, I groaned, I rolled, and at last, with some difficulty, got to jjcd— not to sleep, however. During the night, with the motion of the boat, I pitched from side to side, and as morning dawned rose and went forth to walk the deck. During yesterday, although feeling somewhat squeamish, I concluded myself decidedly better, and ventured to partake very moderately of food. Last night I slept gloriously, and this morning began to feel like myself again. I can now just perceive the aforementioned foe in the distance, almost out of sight, but now and then turning round to know whether it would not be well to return. From suffering experience, I think I know something respecting sea-sickness, and feel it in my heart to say that hereafter I will cheerfully relinquish my share to any other for a very trilling consideration. "Our boat is a splendid one. Her officers are gentlemanly and skilful, her crew is orderly and obedient, the servants are attentive and obhgmg, and our accommodations are all that could be desired. At half-past eight we breakfast, at half-past twelve enjoy lunch, at four sit down to dinner, and at seven dripk our tea. The dinner service is certainly splendid, and the food unexceptionable. We have every variety and any quantity. My state-room is not quite as far forward as I should like, and yet its situation back is not without advantage, smce there is an absence from noise and a retirement which is very desn-able and dejightful on s^iiioboard ; besides, I have it all to myself and you know from experience that this is a desideratum. Our pas' sengers, though mostly foreigners, are very kind and gentlemanly. Perhaps there is a little too much liquor drank, and last night I observed some card-playing. With two or three I have formed rather an intimate acquamtance, and find them to be gentlemanly, communicative, and affectionate. "Our noble steanjer Ijas been urging on her course steadily since our departure from New York. Yesterday, notwithstanding rather unfavour- able weather, she accomplished about two hundred and fifty miles After we leave Halifax, and become a little lighter by the consumption of coal, I apprehend her speed will be very considerably increased Though sadmg on the vast ocean, with nought but sky above and sea around, I rejoice to say I realize the presence of my Heavenly Father Indeed, I think I feel, as I never felt before, my deoendence upon Him for life and everything else. I desire to remain momentarily beneath the shadow of His almighty wing, for there I am sure nothing wrong can befall me. Thus far I have accomplished but little in the way of reading and writing ; indeed, my sea-sickness would not allow of it. I hope, at least, to keep up a short diary, or, as the sailors say. log. VOYAGE TO EUROPE. 87 , I rolled, and lever. During :le to side, and lock. During icluded myself itely of food, eel like myself 1 the distance, know whether ence, I think 1 my heart to any other for itlemanly and attentive and desired. At :h, at four sit ler service is : have every s far forward t advantage, v'hich is very ill to myself n. Our pas- gentlemanly. It I observed ran intimate licative, and The weather in this latitude is foggy and cold. Last night I wrapped myself in a blanket, and during the day find my overcoat no encum- brance. I spend much of my time thinking of you ; you are as dear to me as my own life. May God bless and mercifully preserve you all I Pray for me. My sheet is full, and I must close my letter, written with some difficulty, owing to the motion of the boat and the noise of the machinery. Give my best love to brothers, little sister, and all friends." lily since our ler unfavour- fifty miles, consumption y increased. )ove and sea enly Father, e upon Him irily beneath thing wrong 1 the way of allow of it. "irs snv /(jff — — J ? -'-<-% " CHAPTER IX. THE FOREIGN TOtTR.— ENGLISH SCENERY AND FRIENDS, On Sunday, July 29th, he arrived at Liverpool. His own descriptions are so full and vivid as to supersede any efforts of mine to describe the delight with which he set foot on English soil. He had been educated all his life to believe everything was grand and beautiful in England, the home of his ancestors; he had been taught so to revere his kindred, had been told so many noble things of them, that it was natural he should expect much, and hence should be corre- spondingly gratified if his ardent expectations were more thail fulfilled. Though accustomed to the thought of the genuine worth of his kindred at Hull, the social and mate- rial elegance in which they lived, yet reared, as he had been, m the modest surroundings of a Methodist preacher's son,' he was hardly prepared for all the refinement which was to greet him. Nothing could be more pleasing than the letters so artlessly detailing his observations and impressions. To the mother and family at home :— " Stepney Lodge, Hull, Yorkshire, Monday evening, July 29, 1850. "I am in a perfect ecstasy! my joy is unbounded and uncontroll- able ! my only fear is that I will wake up and find it all a dream. lam in Hull;r^ay, more, -I am at my dear grandfather's residence. Would you believe it? I can scarce realize it myself. And now I SUNDAY IN LIVERPOOL. FRIENDS. His own ! any efforts set foot on ; to believe he home of is kindred, that it was d be corre- were more ight of the and mate- had been, Cher's son, lich was to the letters ions. RKSHIRE, 1850. uncontroll- 11 a dream. s residence. And now I S9 shall endeavour to conquer emotion a little, and, as calmly as I can .0 thattr I " r^r^*-^- ^-^^ my departure from Halifax, f"; S iNew Yoik. I vMll not advert to the routine of our proceedini^s on shipboard ; ,f you should feel interested in anything of tlat Sure have recourse to my excellent friend and host, viz., ^Brother J mw am you can read.ly obtain the desired infonnatlon i^ a SL\S{ hall mad ,n the same steamer which will convey this. Suffice to sav that, after a prosperous and most delightful voyage of not Z^ de ven bT^Tarirall heT °™' T!, "^^ ^'"'^ ^^''"^ contiXd frtr iwoocock I immediately proceeded to the George Hotel, a matmif- cent establishment; when, having adjusted matters^ a little, I Xd A tpalfed uo^Jh"' for religious privileges, for Christian co'mm ntn him I n ^ r ^^''" ^'"'^ ^'' P'^'" ^"'l "^^' <^"«tume. Addressing cCn.? '""T ,-^ ^^ ^°^ld direct me in my search for a We'leyan excSentboTt'l^'^i"''^'^""^ "^ ^'^^^ "^^ -- — ^^^ vitl tha Durti it A ''' '''^ P'^P"^"^ *° '^^^^^^^ "^^ to the place of my pursuit. Arm.in-arm we passed up the street, enjoying p easant cZ versation, and came to Mount Pleasant Chapel, one of S e olde " churches in Liverpool. The Sabbath School was about Z ose and ouVSr\. "'f "'' ^'^" '" P^^y^^' -^^ f^l^ indeed, a els ?o our Father through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Chri'st. this wi'"\''' '^ '"°'' "'S'"' ^"^ importunate invitation to accompany when It ;. p' ': T' '' ^" ' "^"^ ^^'^h h'- t« «'-^h0Pe cE anon Th ' f k'' P'^ '^' ^ "°^^ ^^^1^'^^^ ^--«"- ^ore of his rihbS d .?^'?;^™'' "'' '"' ^'°"' '^"^ ^- -'" have one of ou to Dr Rnffli ; 'f "P?" ""^ •■''"'■"• ^^'^^ the benediction I went IelV,l ^"J'"^ '^,^"'-'='^> ^"^l '-^fter this to a Mr. Fallows's, a most eTan gehcal and excellent member of the Establishment. Having accord plished as much and endured more than I anticipated h the waHi veTtS ' xte""' '^ "^ '°^^'' '''' ^^°"^ ten'retLcd-n^t r. pis of he n^ '^''•"""^'^"ces of the evening as well as the pros- pects of the morrow drove slumber from my eyes However Zi! ^•nger by the way, morning dawned, and an eLyh;ur found m; at 1 e ST prokicf r ^ ^ -' '-'^- «^ ''^ goveZinTotS: thuty miles an hour, through first a manuf;cturi;ig ;;d aflerU^Lt 50 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. n agricultural district, through tunnels— one of them four miles long- under and over nol)le bridges, until at about three o'clock we entered the station-ho'isu at Hull. " I ascertained by inqiriry as well as by reference to the directory that Mr. Holmes's residence was quite near. Taking my carpet-bag in my hand, I went round and found a double mansion, elegantly furnished, with handsome park and garden, and immediately rang the bell. A servant appeared. I inquired for Mi^. Holmes, ascertained she was in, was asketl for my name, I replied a 'stranger ' ; the maid disappearing, niy mun aunt made her appearance. I observed, ' An unexpected visit from a stranger ; look at me, and tell me if you know me ' She looked, and immediately replied, ' Cookman ! ' I was then introduced into the drawing-room, and cousin after cousin came in— among the rest two of aunt Smith's daughters : all fine, noble-looking girls. Shall I say I spent a pleasant hour with them ? It was more— infinitely more ; no adjective is strong enough to express the joy I realized. We sat around the tea-table, and conversed about the past and the present ; and oh, it was glorious! There are many little facts and circumstances I could detail but I must forbear. After an early tea I ordered a cab, and, after kissing one of my fair cousins who leaves in the morning for boarding-school in London, I proceeded to Stepney Lodge, where dear grandfather, I am most happy to say, still resides. «le set, treated me like a prince, and would only part with me on Saturday morning with the promise that I would endeavour to visit them agam. I was particularly pleased with uncle John : he is affable gentlemanly, very intelligent, consistently pious, and excee.lingly affec- tionate. * * * I shall have much to tell you about Doncaster upon my return— a town I have been l^etter j^leased with than any I have seen in England yet ; indeed, the road in the direction of the race-course with Its noble trees and splendid residences, is almost unsurpassed by any- thing I have ever seen. "On Saturday I returned to Hull, and yesterday preached in Great Thornton Street to overflowing houses. In the evening I think there were at least 3,000 people in the chapel, and multitudes went away who could not even obtain a foothold. They had me the day before pla- carded upon the public comers and in the shop-windows, ' Rev. Alfred Cookman, of Philadelphia, Sir,' etc., will preach at such a time * * * In the morning they wept all over the house. Some shouted. I was blessed, and indeed we had a gracious waiting together. I am sure I never preached better than at night ; much feeling was evinced and I trust that the great day ^^'ill reveal the result of my yesterday's labours As I pass through the streets, they point at me and say„ 'There he goes ; that is Mr. Cookman's American grandson.' Aunt Holmes, who you know is exceedingly prudent, said to me that I ought to come to England, for at the present juncture they needed some like me. You can have no idea of the respect which is paid and the affection which is manifested toward me. Grandfather heard me twice yesterday and appeared highly delighted. The old gentleman is in good spirits. ' Ilis friends think that my visit at this time is a godsend, for it has had a most reviving influence upon him, who previously seemed quite de- pressed. He is a noble man. Every hour serves to increase my love and respect. This morning I visited the tomb of my grandma Cookman icd, mint Eleanor's nd Iiad some con- e culehrated Don- utiun in the immc- ' liar. Forgetting e which aunt men- 11 front of the old hbery immediately of your marriage. Smith's. All the lock the following nversation. They only jxart with me endeavour to visit ihn : he is affable, exceedingly affec- oncaster upon my my I have seen in : race-course, with urpassed by any- preached in Great (ling I think there ES went away who ; day before pla- vs, 'Rev. Alfred ich a time. * * » shouted. I was ?r. I am sure I s evinced, and I 'Sterday's labours. i sayy 'There he unt Holmes, who lught to come to le like me. You iffection which is e yesterday, and ood spirits. His for it has had a leemed quite de- ncrease my love andma Cookman Z OA^DOX^ - IVESLE VAX CONFER RATE. 95 and uncle Alfred, under the Walthim Stmnf r\ . r which can possibly be affoSl.he sfel. of t" 'f '""' the .gh. of t„e British VVesleyan Confa „ce To t"' ""'' raan whose reading has been chiefly in 1 En.li^h c/ ^^ .n .he history and poetry of Britain'un.i h~ trr ho! r:; ^^ ^ --^^^ -. .j:cz hit: upon their ■ ry h,. nts the T'"""'f'° ^''''""' '° '°* i''"» ehey fre Inter W ' "'"' *=>' """>"• *» to linser A ,H ? , """^ """"'^ '*''<-. they loved more enjovable tn AUr.r\ n , i'^^^t.r. ah this was the of his ratie^atd tl e„^:trf '^^^^^^ '"^ "-"'"8^ a realness ,0 everything ZthilTh T'' '"""""^ to his own enthnsiastif IT ' . °'' ™nd,t,ons, added hear, of aU resratd C:i' '""'""" "'"' """ *' -'^ To his mother : " I leave this populous citv in . f "■ ^'^''°''' ^"^"'' '^' '^5o. not consent to quit s" ei^ ^.".'thlt'"""'" '"' """' ''^'' >■'' ' -^- cially as this w 11 be he no '-"""'"^ >""" '"^ «'i°« ""te, espe- steamer. I have now'^n L: Ero''' °' """"^ ''>' ''— -^ heart of the world. I W ee " ,k1 h ' T " r"^ ''" ^°"''-^' '^e vain for me to attempt to detail atth It "T^' ^''"'^'^ '^ ^^'i" '-' in stances. Grandfather mt-t m here M^ndT ""'" ^^""""^ ^"•^"■"- been spending ou- time together .ryLatt" '7 1T"^\ "^' ^^'^ '^'^^ S :iir:;rti;^f r ^- ^^^^^ -^^.oftlJnint.::— [-----^^^^^ ™ LIPK OF ALFRED COOKMAN. I i >»a# of listening to Dr. Bunting in ,ht morning and Dr. Dixon in the eve., ng. Yesterday I saw the royal procession for the purjiose of pro- roguing Parliamcnt-IIer Majesty Queen Victoria, His Highness Prince Alhert, dulies, duchesses, etc., etc. All the jniblic institutions, such as the ilntish Museum, Hank of England, Tower of London, etc., I have visited. Oh, it will take me a week to tell you about my sojourn in this city of cities ! On my way here I spent about a day and a half with aunt Townsend in Bristol. . . . She studied my happiness, and uui all m her power to render my visit pleasant. "Next Sabbath I preach at Kingston Chapel, Hull, in the morning, address the Sabbath School in the afternoon, and preach for grandfather at his church, viz., the Tal)ernacle, in the evening. You will say, ' Too bad— too bad ! gone for rest, and yet performing usual labour.' Well, I will be careful, and spare myself as much as possible. You have no idea what a sensation I have produced in my father's native town. " I shall not get to France. Grandfather seems anxious that I should be with him, and, as I have only a short time longer in England I suppose I must forego the trip and gratify him. Perhaps at some future day I shall enjoy the opportunity. I should like to write more, but have not the time. We must now start for the cars. God bless you ! I think of you all, morning, noon, and night. Oh, how much I have to tell you all ! If you were with me, my pleasure would be complete." To his mother ; — " Stepney Lodge, August 19, 1850. "On Friday morning last, in company with my grandfather, I left great London, and set out for HuU. Early in the evening we reached our place of destination, and as we passed through the streets found that handbills had l)een ]irinted and posted up, announcing that I would preach on the Sabbath. This is something so new to me, so different horn our plan across the water, that I acknowledge it does not - trike nic favourably. At Stepney we found Cartwright, the housckeepn, quite Mcll, and all things pretty much the b..;iie as when we left. On Sa- -* day I of course began to think about my Sabbath duties an, -cM-dses After determining on my subjects, I went down to uncle Holmes's and sjicnt an hour or two most delightfully with John, Annie, and aunt Smith, who IS keeping house for ti:em during the absence of her sister. I to- k with me your very beautiful and affectionate letter, and ventured to^. ^ t'le greaier part of it to them, as I did also to grandfather. The rt-ere- r tie join's success was most touching, and served to draw tears jro, .(any ci'es. Let me most sincerely congratulate him on his i nd Dr. Dixon in the ■ the piir])ose of pro- His Iliyhness Prince : institutions, such as London, etc., I have 3ut my sojourn in this day and a half with i my happiness, and lull, in the morning, reach for grandfather You will say, ' Too sual labour.' Well, iible. You have no 's native town, anxious that I should nger in F:ngland, I nhaps at some future to write more, but God bless you ! I ow much I have to )uld be complete." August 19, 1850. 'grandfather, I left evening we readied Ke streets found tliat iicing that I would ' to me, so different it does not ' tike me housekeepv'i, q.ilte rt-e left. On Sa . uties and t xorcistjs. ncle Holmes's, and 1, Annie, and aunt sence of her sister, letter, and ventured ) grandfather. The and served to draw ratulate him on his f'/^r.ACI/LVG AT irULL. 4 .3 r;-')'. - -.ch honourable !^^ ^.'IZZ ' "' " *""" "-""''"" '" ^'""■"•ction uah Zane .Street Then •'"'"'' "'^ '''^^ '"'^ P"^' career "'-re nuerestn,. from ,he fact tint w . " '" y^'"- '^•"^••- «as ,he •ten, .juHc large for her age, .^,,1 I . ' ," •'"^^^"""•-^'*-' ^iH of thir- nu-led with d..„ger to'an/ L^I'1'•;V^^^^^^^^^ '.•»«"c'rreoty,,e she seems to have tn en n T' r' '"■""'"'■'*• ^'■'"■n the tonm.„i„,. she suffers. '"'"" ^""<-' ^ ^^"cy to John ; hence the "'■'"• 'o continue my nnrntfw. c . , came. Arm-in-arm n.ygr.a„,:; ;>'^'"'-^'"y P""^^"' ^^^'-^r. S""clay ^ most conunodious, JotZ ' r '''"''-■^■•''■''' '" '^''"k^^ton cZ^^^ '"-''^"•"i>' I'ctueen , ri " 'nd ^'°"'"^'*^'''^- l'''^ce, capable o .a^ ' ™le.^ and I procee;:d i:"m/l tH' ''"'''■ ^^'^ '^' ' ^vell as Sad's armour did D^^-l "'' . '''>'''^ <'^^>'; ^"y other suits me as ^■"emios, duties, and trium, hs c'"."^^^''"!,"' '''' ^''"•'^"^" w^mor, his ""tes of ioy ,vere heard in 't ,^ Tn "'f "^'""' "^'^ -orcl. ,„ "Sabbath .School in the san.e hurcT'nn " "'^^^•'■"°"» ^ -''"resse I the "lost beautiful and gratifyin' '.1' ,,'''''''"'>' ^ ^^'"'''<^^^ oneoftJe "PO"- The imn.ente gS^ .^^l^'" ''?'\' ^ -'"''' l>-sibly have look d aroutKl with well.belu4'''^"" '""" Jt'^tice, '" the Tabernacle. . . 'J'^; f ^tified. In the evening I p/ea.hed l^"t I am sure that I never ;aw JZ?"'" "'^ '''''' ''^'^ --> ^lense'c o w ,' "'gl't It .as one unwie /Is? n;S:° 7":^^ ''"-' -"^-^ation la [ top of another ; and hunclreds.Tam' ^ W " 'r^' '''""''' '^''^"' — ^ obtani even a foothold. "^''' ''^'" away who could nut "I chose as my subjert the Cr^-if c ^lemonstnuion of the Spirit Iru^XJ^"^''"' ?^' J^''^'-^^^^''' ^ hope, in ■^ rong, and that by thj hel of g /Tr," ' '■-'' ''''-" '"^ -™ -as close of the service a number cam. f ^ °'' "'"'' ^^' «'™ck. At the / eft with the soldiers o ChSt n 7" •" '"^ •^""- ''^ P^^'^^n'S ad l^^'-eve me if I tell you that oull I '"""'1, °' "^^ ^'^'^'- ^^ill yl,. every link of my chain, and I ha H 1 "■'' ""'"^ ''™'^ ? ^ ''ad let It -c'-. here I am' this Cm-, j'"^ 'ardly strength left to stand. low ".glufall I expect to be as S' ,, ; \f ""^'^^'^''' '' - true, but by ecms qu.te delighted with n,y fffort' [„ ?7"' 'r ""'"• ^-"'"-atl^cr tha I must not be so lavish of my lt!-"u'^"V"^.^ ^"" '-" '»y«elf. and 98 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. w \ \X\ ■I •• ( I to Paris this time. Grandfather seems anxious to have me with him during the remainder of my stay in England, and I suppose that, in view of his advanced age, he must be gratified in this. Perhaps in a very few years another opportunity will offer, and then I can travel somewhat upon the Continent. I have been making some inquiries about the Southampton steamers, and I think that there is no one to start about the time I want to go home. I have seen England, talked with my grandfather and other relatives, and now I begin to feel as if it were my duty to get back to my field of labour again. I know exactly how they are situated, and am sure that the interests of both appoint- ments would be subserved by my return. Early in September, then, I expect to turn my face homeward. So look out for me about the 20th or 25th. At every step in Hull I meet with the former friends and acquaintances of my beloved parents. Some of them weep when they see me, others manifest great pleasure, and refer with enthusiasm to their former acquaintance with my father and mother. One attended the same school with them, another went a-fishing, and a third \vas a bosom friend. Dr. McClintock and myself stayed at tlie same place in London, went to see the lions togethei-, and enjoyed much pleasant intercourse. " I preach to-night (Tuesday) at Kingston ; next Sabbath at Waltham and Thornton Streets.'- To his mother : — " Stepney Lodge, Hull, /^«^Mj/ 23, 1850. " Thus far, I believe, every steamer which has left England for America since my arrival here has borne a letter to those at home. To- morrow is the regular day for the departure of one of the Cunard line, and although I have written once this week, yet I cannot consent to let tliis opportunity pass without dispatching you at least a few lines. My Iicalth since I have been in England has continued quite good, and my enjoyment has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. The comforts by which I have been surrounded, tlie exceedingly affectionate attentions of different friends, as well as the continual feast of vision with which I have been providentially favoured, all Imve conspired to render the last six weeks the happiest period of my life. The country presents the appearance of an extensive garden, separated for convenience saJve into small fields by beautiful green hedges. Indeed, I know of no feature in the natural scenery of England which will sooner strike the traveller's eye than the neat and well-trimmed hedges which are everywhere to be f^^^^^fZJff^^f^^Z^^'"'^" SUCCJ^SS. ^ Sabbath at Waltham This is owing to the l^J^S^l^ 2^ "" ""-' '" ^'---' absence of that intense heat vvJch so nf^ ^"■'' ^' '"'" ""^ ^° ^he -fluence on all natural objects S^ne of thr'la T ""'^ "" '^''^'^''"^ passmgly beautiful ; perhaps there "not t1^^^^''' ^''' '"'''''''• that we have with us, but there is ^ Zr '''"""' '" "^^ ^^^nery with a picturesque a^earan e ancT ^^^tST /"I •""■'^^^^' '^^ether please the eye and captivate the heart ' ' '"^'''^ ''"''' ^^'^-^ to for centuries, and which, c u„ Sn^ ,nd"T r'" "'^'^'^ ''^' ^'-'l P'ed only by the owl and tl^e b S" "^' '"'^"^'^'^ °f time, occu- ti'»es. Not far off you er eive ; T ?" f, ^ "^"""'"^"t of former noble l.wn in front, Z a'Ehly cult v'led ''^ '^""'-"- ^ '-^ you see the different fields' In te'f '"^ """• ^™""'» grazing; in another labourers a^^e 11!^ ''''' '''' '^^'^"'^ '^''^ ^^i^'tly golden harvest ; while in rthLlle ife^ '"?"^'^' '" ^'^'-■"™S the '-^s if almost intoxicated wit' oy i ^ r." f ''• '" '''''' '^"'^'tion, town (England abounds in to\S .^ Z ' ^'■"°" '^ '-^ ^°"'i'''''"g the Gothic style, an' '''< by the whiz of a locomotive, .^ dfw t 'T' '"'r," ""^'"^^y ^'''^'■tl«l •>• the twinkling of an eye disaia s , ! .""' ''" "" ™-^'^'"g ^omet, then emerging passes over the ma " st " ^'"' g'oomy tunnel and, after darting about among tl'^sf^r" '" °' '^ ^^"'■'-'' ^^'■-- I did not know when I atten,pfed ili ■ ""'"'' '''^ ^°^' to view, covered .0 large a portion o;'m'i: nr^T^ "''^^ ' '""''' ^'-"= ; one the picture justice, it woulj requir 1 e snac" "T ""'''' '' ' '''^' the present could conveniently or no II ' ''""' ^"""^ than I at of the same nature I wil . ^ ^ ^ ""•''''>"• Anything further delightful society. " '"" '° P^'^'l^""'-^ ""til n^y retun/to ^ol" Kin^^^n cO t:^tSt :;r;r " r"'^°"^'™^-' ^ i^-hed :. to own and bless IlisWo i ' r ,"■'"'' '''°1^''^- ^°^' ^^''^^ Pleascd ^'- ene^izing infl^nl 'ofS Sl S.St'?"^ '?^"^''^-' ^ - services, during a prayer-nK.Hing^,tctvS^^ 'Vr" '^'"^ °^ ^'- presented themselves at the alr,nr. d. „" '' ' "*'""' '^^f ^ individuals <-ods people. Wednesday nidn ! 1 1 ' '" '^'' ^''^y^^'' of y ni^ht I blew my trumpet m old George lOO LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. \i\\\ \ Yard, where Wesley, Benson, and my beloved father have been heard, with pleasure and profit. Again our ahar was more than crowded with those mquirmg their way to Zion. Last night I preached in the Tal)er- nacle to a congregation literally wedged together. The crowd, I think, was even greater than on la.s Sunday evening. I never saw a more attentive, solemn, and feeling auditory. We had seekers all around our altar as well as in the vestry. Not unto me, O Lord, but unto Thy name be all the glory. Who knows but that a kind Providence, who thus far has most delightfully opened my way before me, has determined to honour my visit by giving me souls for my hire and seals to my ministry? If there should be only one who, in the great day of final retribution, shall ascribe to my instrumentality his or her salvation, I shall be more than compensated for the time spent or money expended m my visit to the United Kingdom. "On Sabbath I am to be at Waltham Street in the morning and at Thornton Street at night. Oh that the God of my father would be present to wound and to heal ! I fear I shall not see aunt Holmes before my return. She continues at Swanage, and uncle doubts whether they will get back before my dqxarture. I have had many very, very plea- sant interviews with aunt Smith. Yesterday she took me to see Mr. and Mrs. Morley, who now reside in Hull. They referred to you in the most affectionate manner," ; u m uic From Mrs. Smith, of Hull, to Mrs. Mary Cookman :- I \' Vv 1 i 1 . ■ m \i- " Hull, August 28, 1850. " My dearest MARY,-Many of my correspondents complain, and not without just cause, that I have degenerated in regular cLres^ond- ence. And now. my beloved Mary, I congratulate you on being b essed with such a son. If he is a specimen of the other member of your family, those relatives who live to welcome them as they may come to visit England have a rich treat in store. I say I expected to see a nice Tall f Not""'' T' ""1 ','"'. "°' '-'''''' ™y expectations to th reality, ^ot one of your family rejoices more that he has come over han myself I have such a delightful picture in my mind of the union betwixt the families on this side and beyond the Atlantic as I cannot describe ; there was a break in the chain, but now we seem firmly linked together. I feel we are all one, and bound together by indissoluble ties Oh ! we are sorry to let him leave us, and we are not alone. How many ,n Hull will have to praise God for his visit ! They have said Can t you use influence for him to remain in Hull another nrnrth ?' V. have been lieaicl, han crowded with :hed in the Taber- le crowd, I think, lever saw a more ;ers all around our rd, but unto Thy Providence, who ic, has determined and seals to my great day of final r her salvation, I money exj^ended ; morning and at father would be nt Holmes before bts \\hether they ! very, very plea- < me to see Mr. ■red to you in the )okman : — gust 28, 1850. s complain, and Lilar correspond- ;ratulate you on e other members s they may come ted to see a nice, ectations to the has come over nd of the union tic as I cannot :m firmly linked ndissoluble ties. )t alone. How 'hey have said, [Other month?' .^!:!f!!ff;2^^fff^^ ^^^^cr,'-va with much more. I m,,!,) i •, "as obliged to leave the room ^" S-randfather. M, ^n . «-• of tears ere hetoXL: tStht ^""^^ '° ^^^vetu fj other subject was banished except ' 7' '"'^ °" ''''^ '"'^f"™ ever; l^'i .n your society when he livS in 1 1, ''°""' '"^' ''^^ Pleasure J e "mourns her absence from home , U^1-"'^'''r '^>' ^'^^^ sister Holm s n^'glU have been in another pa t of' ;V"'\ '• "''^P ^'^^ '^'-^^^> ^l I 'lo. mdeed, praise God for mv n . ' '^ '" '&"«ra"ce of my lol but that Mrs H Jc ■ u ^ P'esent privileges • anr? T f 7 ^ ' ' Hnvv« , '" ''^'' P'-ovidential nith f. ! ' ^''^^ "° ^'oubt savmgly converted to God." '^ '"'' '^'^^ °"^ of the least befng This letter very appropriately doses th. touching the visit to England ^t) J ^^^'^e^Pondence -uch frankness, the outpottrL^f r ^ """^" ^^'^"^^ so his devoted mother, give am "e Ir / , ' '°"'^ ^^^'"^ ^^ spread, popular, andlsefultn , :^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ihe testimonies of his cousin .nT ^ "^^'^ exercises, this incidental revelation Tel:"/^ ^^^^ but himself would have been in daZ '^^"^^^'^^^'^^ ^"y one suchub de„^,,3ias::vtry^:r^°^"^ -1-ted to tun. his head ; but it dornotV;:: ^1"^ f I : 102 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. i I H ; affected him, beyond exciting a devout recognition of God's goodness, and pleasure at the gratification he thought it would afford his loving mother. Then as always there was, to all appearances at least, a sweet absence of egotism, a simple unconsciousness of the incense of praise which was ever rising in his presence. His absorbing purpose was to win souls to Christ. For his success in " slaying sinners," in receiving the gratitude and applause of the people, he ascribed all the glory to God. Three features crop out in these letters. The character of his preaching, already substantially formed, and which he calls "his own" — pictorial or dramatic representation — is seen in the account of some of his sermons ; the tireless zeal for work, unable to rest without work, and uniting with hi recreations ceaseless preaching ; and also we hear of him for the first time before an audience of children — a direction in his ministry in which he was afterward to acquire such remarkable facility and success. iV. gnition of God's a he thought it hvays there was, :e of egotism, a )raise which was purpose was to ;laying sinners," the people, he The character d, and which he presentation — is the tireless zeal niiting with hi fc hear of him •en — a direction to acquire such CHAPTER X. HOME AGAIN.-MARRlAGE.-MimSTRV AT WEST CHESTER AND HARRISBURG. The early autumn found him at his post in Kensington preachmg to arge congregations, and attending to Ju2 oral work wuh fresh delight and diligence. Of cours the httle family group in Race Street was frequently v it d He had come back filled with beautiful thoughts and recot lections wbch it was his joy to communicate to those who were as dear to h,m as his own life. Much, however as he of his charge-his hoars were full of useful occupation Thus busily employed, the autumn and winter glided Iwavi and the session of the Conference approached. ^ A few extracts from his correspondence while stationed ! .VhT"' "' '"''"^"^ ^° ^^°^ *he zealous spin w" h which he was animated :— '■ alone reveal the extensive Jo. H t '"'' ^'^^^ ^'^'-nity will much liberty ; more k,"elt ,t ou-^t /. "'' f'""'"^ ^ ^''^'^'^^ -'th better times. ! do mo t Xe t ! Ish! T f "''^""••''^S-l '« 'o^J^ ^or the New Testament VtZ \ be a snccessfnl minister of nient. \Vh.le I experience an unceasing love for my ro4 LIFE OF ALFRED COOK'MAM. ! honourable and responsible work, at the same time I uould perceive a corresponding influence attending my laboui-i. Oh that (iod wouhi constitute me a chosen instrument of good to those among whom I may toil from lime to time ! " " yanitaty 6, 1851, " Last Sabbatli, the first Sunday of the new year, I preached in Kensmgton mornmg and evening on the subject of the Judgment. I have rarely addressed more attentive and solemn congregations God was eminently ss\\.h me on both occasions. At the conclusion of the evenmg service we entered heartily into a prayer-meeting. In exhorta- tion I felt as if I was only the speaking-trumpet of Jehovah. Almost immediately twelve approached our altar— all veiy interesting cases • a number professed to experience peace, and before 10 p.m. we had the shout of the King in our camp. To God be all the glciy ! " "February, 1851. " In Philadelphia a good feeling seems to prevail at almost every appomtment. Trinity, the church where our family worship, has been catching some of the descending drops. Little sister professes to have experienced peace, and has joined the Church ; she seems to be as firm as an ocean rock. There are only two now of our family who remain without the pale of the Church-viz., George and Will, and we are praying and confidently hoping that very soon they will become the sub- jects of saving grace. On Sunday I preached three times-twice to im- mense congregations in Kensington, and in the afternoon at Fifth Street to a very full house. This evening we renew the battle, and expect that our efforts will be more signally blessed in the salvation of priceless souls. My heart is in the work. I glory in being permitted to head the sacramental host in the assaults upon the strongholds of the wicked On the 6th of March, 1851, Mr. Cookman -.vas united in marriage to Miss Annie E., daughter of Mr. Abraham Bruner, of Cokimbia, by the Rev. WiUiam Urie, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As evidence of the happiness which crowned this union, and also of the pleasant and delicate way in which he ever manifested his affection for his wife, I anticipate by some AN. ; I would perceive a 311 that Ciofl would among whom I may ymtuaty 6, 1851, year, I preached in f the Judgment. I :oiigregations. God le conclusion of the :;eting. In exhorta- ■ Jehovah. Almost interesting cases ; a 10 p.m. we had the glcry ! " February, 185 1. ail at almost every ' worship, has been -r professes to have seems to be as firm family who remain \Yill, and we are 'ill become the sub- times — fwice to im- loon at Fifth Street tie, and expect that vation of priceless permitted to head lolds of the wicked lan was united f Mr. Abraham n Urie, of the ■ned this union, I which he ever :ipate by some JVOI^A' AT IIOME.-MARRIAGE. would record my gra. ,u L t \ ' T"' -"' ''^ '' ^'''"''^ ""^^^^^^ gaveandhathprLSved U,;' :tdM° ' "'"': ''"'' ^^'•°^''"-- meet. ' '"'^ ""'^ ^o ^^ ^-'Jl deservmg the name of ' help- been an ^./.«.^.,. ,,,,,,, our In „i ' f /'^ ^""'V'"' 1^'""^'-^'^' ^'^^ P-n-m Paradise, has vouchsafe ni'"'' '^' "'''^ '^'' ^'''' n.uch of pure love and true j^y L": [tnT "' '""""" ^'^ ''"- years-the hapj.iest ten yea s of nv lifr. T^'''^'''^ ^^''''"" '^'^■^'^ 'en this humble but sincere te!nl?/' ^"'^P^' '"X Precious Ann.e ^"Klness, unsullied goodn Zl,'! ,^7- ./'^-ghtad care, constan increasing devotion. ' ""^ '^^'■'^'^y- '-^"'1 uninterrupted, aye, annivl:a';raytrL,t\Iref o^'^'"^ ''^"^ '°"^— > -w on this [or one anothe,^ build ::^p:t^[Z^T^ In'' '''' °"'- ^^"^-'- ten stones, one for each ven/.r ^' ^'^^11 be composed of these "T'"s is the altar unon Jh 1 ^^^^^^^^^^ Stone. comfort, honour, an^ke^ n ^ Ihr,:,'" '''"''^ ^^ -- 'to love. „;. . . , ^ "''^'' ^° ^°"g ^« "'e both shall live. ' " Within a few weekq nff«r fi, Chester is the countv tnl 'f r.f ^"" '""'<'°- West »i'es from Philad M>r\„H , ' v" ''"'"'^' ''■'"■" 'W«y toing dis.ric.;„ r^;,3"i^;'''"''> ^''"^'^'' '■" - rich •>y Quakers. T,. t^n" L^ f .""f ?'i^ f'"- ''"""y ■"telligence, and sobriety of it „1 t v "'""' '" "'*= """• Chureh there was nit t '"'"'""'"'■'• '"« Methodist hut the memberfel^Tr* ",*" '" "^-^'^ " """^"s '0 render uJZ^^^'"'^ *^ "-' "-ey could ""«e comfuftable and happy. iiiif II IJWil I io6 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. Mr. Cookman, accustomed hitherto to look up to a head for direction and support, was now thrown wholly on his own resources. He knew where was the source of power— the Throne of Grace-and resorting to it, he obtained help of God. His preaching from the opening Sunday attracted general attention. His fame had preceded him, and very soon his church was crowded, not only by the Methodists and their immediate sympathizers, but also by the Uite of the neighbourhood. The "Friends" were charmed by the spirituality of his sermons and the godly simplicity of his manners. He became the central figure of the religious community, and all eyes and hearts we^e turned toward him • his influence grew day by day, and his ascendency over the mmds of the people became in a short time such as no other minister had attained in years. With a laudable ambition for success, and an earnest zeal for the Divine glory, he was a man full of work, spending the forenoons of the day in the study and the afternoons in pastoral visitation, and mingling socially with all classes of the people and with all denominations of Christians. The sociability and catholicity which so distinguished his father, and which subsequently became so pre-eminent in him, began already to be seen as traits of character. Effective and popular as he was in the pulpit, he did not depend wholly upon the efforts of the Sabbath to accomplish the work of God, but was incessant in his attentions to the members of the congregation in the private walks of life. There was no element of power which he did not seek thus early to sub- ordinate to the efficiency of his ministry. But while absorb- ingly devoted to his own charge and to the work which lay directly before him, it was not possible for one of such gifts, whose family name was talismanic in all the churches, and whose personal reputation was aheady wide-spread, to escape man: look up to a head )wn wholly on his source of power — :, he obtained help ; Sunday attracted led him, and very by the Methodists 3 by the c/ite of the charmed by the • simplicity of his e of the religious irned toward him ; tendency over the e such as no other id an earnest zeal )f work, spending the afternoons in ith all classes of Christians. The lished his father, lent in him, began r. Effective and t depend wholly plish the work of I the members of '. There was no hus early to sub- But while absorb- 5 work which lay Dne of such gifts, le churches, and spread, to escape IVAY OF SPENDING HIS VACATION 107 constant appeals from far and near for special services in the : way of sermons and addresses. vices m tne I The following letters to his young friend, Andrew Long- acre, g,ve a famt idea of the intensity and extensiveness of his labours. As will be seen, his summer vacation in 8. r was spent m attendance upon various camp-meetings He went rapidly from one to another of these gatherings and preached to the delight and edification c.^ X. u frPHMPnfo^ fu * eumcation ot the masses who frequented them. A strange way to take vacation ! And yet the habit adopted thus early in his career continued b^gTe^nf i^T ''' ' ''.' "^°"^^ '- -^---"' ^-- "o' lute d Etanc" r '"T""' °'^""°'^"^ P^^^^^^^' ^^ ^^^O" ii'te desistance from his customary home work and excite eTe::;;r Ti ^'^°r ^^ ''- --^ -^^- -^ -S exercises. The change of scene, the bodily movement the fo ming of new acquaintances, the free, joyous mTn;i n. with his mmisterial brethren, the ever-fresh inspirations whch wo?kin7f::rrr'^'' '"'-^'^^^ ^"' the'oppor::::^;: working for the Master on a wide-spread scale-these were considerations which controlled and sustained his c loc " To Mr. Andrew Longacre, of Philadelphia :- , . . . " ^^'^ Chester, S,j>A'm3er 5, 1851. of circumstances.' ^yoV Lei C'l hf ,""' '"' ^""'^ ""' '^^ f^^ Tor the last few weeks. Z ^:^2^ ^lyZZl'^Z:' '"'''' cumstanced as to render letter wHH„„ aosence have been so cir- In the providenceTcid Tr 5 " ""''''' °^'^^°^"'^ impossibility, of lahoir, and very ^y ^l^ ,ST^ ■' '''''''' '° ^^ '^'^' with one for whom I have en'e ta ned tL "' '° communicate Perity has always .reatly Lr^lrm'e ' B^^:^^^^ .^^^ P- you >V](h very considerable lilnit .,.■ c . , ^ Mil eniluecl »n.nll degree , he grace rf he Sol. f,, '"' '°° P""'"'! ''" "" ..„ere.„ or Hi, Church, heL „,y .r..S7j^^::.:^z:; M 108 L/F/i OF ALFRED COOKMAM, that you s);cmM prayerfully consi.ler the important work of the Christhn --.ry. Ihe sui.e.ueut devdop„,ents of Divine prov W W " th.nk. most clearly proved that the impression whieh iu.lucecl e „ intenc eel to stnnulate and encourage the one addressed' ' " n.etin,. preachin/li^u^U '1;^^ -i;: l^'^^ "r^X regret cjl my inability to reach Red Lion, which gn>aS I hav nil stTrfb uTth JST ''' '1'^ ''■'' '^'^^'^^" '"-• arrangements midet s a.t, but at the last moment I concluded that I would yield to the soli- cnat.ons o Penn.sula friends, who positively insisted upon my arryin' longer n. that region. God seemed to own and bless my Se c^ d ? I t us that the meetmg at Red Lion, like many which have preceded i •n that forest, proved both pleasant and profitable. I enjoyeHor . dav or two Its counterpart on the Shrewsbury Circuit, wl eT t .e.e were pward of three hundred tents and any nlber of lialti more^ At .esent I am enjoyn^g my happy and comfortable ' ome-a ve ry litUe pauadtse. When wdl you come and participate in its pleasurel'^ I an promtse you a cord.al welcome and hospitaWe treatment. N . t w4k seen loi many weeks. Perhaps you may be in the city then, and I mav e^^oy a personal mtervi w, which, after all. is infinitely efeille to pen-and-mk communication." ^ prtieiawe to Among his excursions from home was one on a literary errand-probably the first of its kind-to Dickinson Semi- nary, located at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The following « Ill work of the Christian vino i>iovi(Ii;nce have, I 1 which iudiiccd me to heaven. I'eiliaps you 3 |)lain!y when I make I am perfectly sincere, 1 a firm conviction that than elation of spirits, cncoiuagement is ofttii r the inlluence of c'e- lis is wrong, and, as a person referred to any- This is a privilejje It the same time it is jssed. anne on a literary Dickinson Semi- . The followinij IJTERARY ADDRESS. J^'tter to liis wife disclos^TTlkZTTr '. ' orator,lHttn.o..ortl.jo,or;L;o:t^^:S^^ " \ '•avc a leisure moment ^I^^^TT""' '"'""' "''"■ ^P""'l-^ce. After bidding you h „tS . ""T^ '" "^ '"=""">' ^-v- -d p..oceeded to change tlx l^l^^^^^. "'^ 'one,; ho„,e, anangecl my matters, and, joining: I'rofL av ''" ''^'^'^"mplished, I o'r'i \\ "'■"^'' "ith'you fti , /Tr' '''-"'7"^ -t"n,ed to the o clock. Along, tedious Wde in tl. m' ""'' ''''^'"'"l ^'"H't one ;-t ;^'>out half-past twelve on S ., '^'-^S'^ ''T'f ' "^ '° ^^''"'■^ " lie Imat, and is enlertainin.^ Brother M """"' ^'"'^'^' '"^^ ine at Our home is the head-^uara^isl L?"'^ ""'t"^^'''' '"^'^^ ^''^'^-"'iy Siir' ''"^^'^^"'- ^^'->-' """"' ""''' ^'^"'^ ^'"^^ •' over and over and over again fo? his ablln ^a"' '°"^''^"''>'- ^^^ '-^ With all these engagements, the duties af\- were not neglected. The Drofrnr , ^'^ Pastorate hints was soon begttn. and re J^ ™"'"f '' ^^^'^^^ ^^ revival of religion, the fruitrnf i ^'"''"^ ''^"^ ^^^°^ough At the ens^ing;::itt ^^^c^^^^^^^^^^ " ^!^'"^ ^''^^■ -he was elected to elders' L ^^"^^'^^"^e-spring of 1852 Janes, and re-appo n d" t^C^ "'^^^"^' '>' ^'^'-P year was but a continualn of t ofl "' ''V'''^ ^^^' revival did not spend itself h ,^ ' P'-eceding. The -onths, marked more bv 'h ?'"'"f '"^"^^^ ^" ^he growth of believers than by the mnirr •^"''^'^^""^g and ^ut I will allow the Rev W c iT.'^ °' '^°"^-^^- testify of the permanenLL . ' °r '"^'^^ ^^^^'^^' to years :- "^ ^"^'^ accomplished during these no LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. i !i I If I ||;:iii ll! " Mr. Cookman and his wife were received with open arms and warm hearts, for his reputation as a man of humble piety and a minister of uncommon ability had preceded him. He at once took a position in the community, and fully retained it until his removal, such as none of his predeces- sors had enjoyed. He found a church embarrassed with a debt of three thousand dollars of ten years' standing, very much in need of repairs, and with a small number of mem- bers, and they by no means wealthy. During his term of service he not only put the church in thorough repair, but paid off the entire debt. He found here but one hundred and fifty-two members. At the end of his first year he re- turned one hundred and seventy members and seventy-five probationers. At the end of his second year he reported two hundred and twenty-five full members and twenty-six probationers. The church was always full when Brother Cookman was to preach. He had larger regular congrega- tions than any of our ministers have preached to here, either before or since, with perhaps a single exception, and that was during the war. " He was as popular in other churches as in his own. Everybody loved him, and spoke of him as the lovely, elo- quent Cookman. His popularity in the town may be judged of from the number of marriages he was called upon to perform. Though the town was small, and the society weak, he married almost as many in the two years as were married in the past five years, though the town and society have largely increased in numbers. Of those converted under his ministry there was much of stable material. One minister (Rev. Thomas Poulson), two of the members of the present board of trustees, and several others of the present efficient workers in our Church, were part of the fruit of his labour. This fruit, remaining after the lapse of twenty years, cer- :man. :ived with open arms ; a man of humble r had preceded him. )mmunity, and fully rie of his predecus- embarrassed with a 'ears' standing, very dl number of mem- iJuring his term of iiorough repair, but ; but one hundred bis first year he re- rs and seventy-five d year he reported lers and twenty-six full when Brother r regular congrega- :hed to here, either xception, and that es as in his own. as the lovely, elo- )wn may be judged IS called ui)on to d the society weak, rs as were married and society have >nverted under his il. One minister ers of the present e present efficient •uit of his labour, wenty years, cer- APPOLVTED TO IIARRISBURG. tainly speaks favourablv nf fvl iT ~ ' had under his minis J 'i.l t. t'T" °' *° '"'''''' Cookman save „n inmnl.e n^ ■ "'"^' "^' """!>" Wc.t Chester sue, " L I T °," '" *'"''«"''"' "> lK-ncf,,s .hereof Tonl™!''' ^"^ 7 ^"" ^J"^ *e -ce he laboured her^ ™e s'slnn, ^M """' ""^ ment i)oured forth • anr? I,;. I'rccious oint- >vho tae„. hi„ H, -r , rc"lX7 ' '"'"'^ '"'""' 'y ^'' of any denominatio , t " rit !ir' '■°'""" '■"'"''" Chester. It is aifCcuU .1 decide Wch ." '7' '" "'^'" attraction for the neonle hi. ' ""•' ""■"%'" 'ovin« spirit, or LftSCd "rrihyr'- T' T' multitudes." ^'uqucnce that so enchauied the Mr. Coo.n,a„, L. had C f : " t^'T' t e course of the adn,i„istratio„ he tnust be ' ""' '" ■charge. He was undoubtedly the ,1, , "' "'" minister in the Conference L, •' °'"'''"' >™"S within his Contc.^re "h . ■"■°""""" ^'""■'=l"-'» for his services ;",; ^h '"' '""" ^'^>'°"'' ''• ''l'P«--d more persis .^e nf I tr"™' T"" "' "'^'^ """ burg, L seat of I C fert « 'T "'T "''"'- charge were on tlie soot , T J members of this '.ornes for the etr?;-!,;; t'^ ^ ~h:r'r ^'" prevailed: and wh.-n th. /"^ Prt-achers. Their suit and Alfred Coo u^ t ^^TT' T" "'"°""^"'' cro^^ed audience burst inVr;;,:: '^^t^'' ''^ in.iuc,,ce than th' :;:;^:*:,f -,:'-, ^ --' '^'^ located on the east s.de of the Susquehanna River.'and. "s ffiip^"' 112 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. l\\. 1ii! IP in-' I !t 1 1 the capital of tlie state, was a point where controlling 1 • ness and political interests cLcentrated t"^^^^^^^^^^^ n.e he Legislature drew together not only the .tb ^ the State Government, but also leading men havin. ends to accomphsh wuh the Government. The Locust W Church was conveniently located ; and very soon his zeald eJo quence attracted general attention. He was elected nho lam of the House of Delegates, was sellted to ol te" .. prominent politician:::^ I^- -7^- ngton. The followu^g notice of his preaching, from one of the Harnsburg papers, shows the estu.ation\ w^ch ^e eveIr.''^:?;^Zli^Sr' ^"'^'^--'°^-tse™on on Sunday impression upon the minds of the L J^ i Tt^T ' '"' T' " '''^^"'"S secret of Mr. Cookman's populariyan^ s" L aT" ""T"-'- ^'" sermons are «//good, and that whate ..• 1 ^"■'''^"' ''^ "^'-^^ '"'^ has a peculiar facuhy' of Ir^ly^^Z^'^T'^' ""^ ''" ''''''' '^^ We have observed this in seve ol ^^ ^''■^'^o"'-«e to the occasion, delivered impromptu add ^'11; ,"'"' "^'^" ^^'■- ^^o^man has upon him. {ve liie l^t:Z::n2Z:fu:'^7r' '^''^"^ '^^'^ nality, and the thoroughness andTn,? , ?"" '^'''''"^''^ ''^"^' "'igi- vcred. For a young ma^he i i ' S""; "''' "'"^^^ ^'^^ -^ ''^^i" been thoroughl^ edited, Z^li:!^ finiZ^lS. n ''^■- '^'^ '^^^ ments can bestow upon naturally <: ' „ r , ''^'''"'y ''^'^l"""'^- Cookman bids fair to win fo'hhn^lfr ^ T'.'' °^ ''^'^^'^"^•'^tion. Mr. e.ual to that e^oyed by ltJ:^;::^C::::J^rr^P^ eloquence Toward the close of his first year Afr ■- v strong^ „.,ed .o ,o .o Pit.burg,, Sl^T^.^i.fT: Z Church en erpnse .n tha. city, but a sen=e of duty to thi charge he already occupied prevailed over the urgem „v •ij! 'MA,Y. re controlling busi- -d- In the winter nly the members of len having ends to )cust Street Churcii his zeal and elo- J was elected chap- lected to offer the Bigler, and at this I ascendency over nity at Harrisburg II classes at Wash- ^hing, from one of tion in which he It sermon on Siindny ith sublime thoughts d, vve trust, a lasting itive auditory. One a preacher is that his y calls him forth, he urse to the occasion, n Mr. Cookman has expected calls made freshness and origi- vhich they are dcli- or ability. He has ich literary acrjuire- declamation. Mr. )!■ pulpit eloquence ath'-.., ' '"■cokman was harge of a new of duty to the le urgent invita- "3 tion, and he remained and completed the UA\ . Z years. His ministry was highly^st cess^l [n ,T °' ^"" bers to the Church. The mult f^^,^ u ^^^'""^ "^^'^- sanctttary and listened to his b ' S "'° '"^"^"^^^ ^^e appeals, did not go awavmerll! "^^''^ ^"^ ^^^^^^le of words and acfion tL/t^redT^^' ^^'' "" ^^"^^^^ '-^nd " to lay hold of the hope w J'''^ '"' '^''' ^^"^' If the preacher culled flowers .;?:r^ '''" " '''' ^-^P^l.- he did not the less fo^a d' o^s/^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^-y, P-rced the consciences of his hearer Z'rZ' "'^"^'^ years the Church had gained nfnl f ' '"^ °^ *^° more friends. ^ '"''' °^ ^^"^ ^PPear among his Balti- ^Ir. Cookman had entered tb^ fi^i^ Judging f„,„ .he com^emsof he p, s :L'- ";"""■' '"'' success ;_ P^^^^' obtamed no mean Fo:^s::^::?^::^^ ^sj;^ ^^^st episcop. churc, evening oflast week by the Rev M Pn T '^T'''^ ^" ^hursda; -subject was The liible. He if a verv 2 T' "' "-"^burg. The -"hout ' notes ' ; and on thi account t Ts "'"• ""' ^'^''^^^^ ^^ was a peculiarity in it which we hh"k wonh T '"'""'"''• '^^^^^ may have been noticed by few of thl , ^ °^ '^''''''^' ''^^^^^^Sh it himself of . apt allitera ion^ rt ul L^'tS^r^^ . !l T ^'^^ -^ ^^ ^-'^^ the W. the W:...^, and the Z /ofVrS tn ,^ ""'t "" ^''^ '^-' because we derive from the Bible thrbl? '"''' " '°"^- ^^ was the basis, that from it alone we lean tt 1 s o„ ofX"o ' " °'^°-™--^ -d take up the subject from the ci cmien- T'"""'"' ^'^'' ^^^^s centre ; this begins at the cZZ / T' """"^ P™^^'^^ thence to the other words, thos^beg ', J,^ " V;"^,7°''^^ °"' r.'" ---Terence. In gin ith .oucty at large, and this with the individual" l!! Ifi! 114 Z/F£ OF ALFRED COOKMAN. He showed that the Bible was the bond of our institutions, because South no East, no West. He showed it to be the bulwark of our Repubhc by comparisons with other governments in other d "s, wh i 1 P otec' themT'" "" 'Y' '"' "°' ^'" ^"^^'^ '' ^"^^ I^'^e o pro ect them from vice and us destructive tendencies. And he con- bee : et t:7- "', r" ^^'^ ^^" '""^ '"'^'' ^^ °- ^^ '-tit^tions, cu Ltd lir^ r? ''' """■''■^''^' acceptance, and was universally cir! culated among us by Protestant Christianity ; and on this branch of his r ': ZZt^'°^""^- '{' '^"■"P'^'-' thedifferentde-SmLl fjr::r nr^^"^"^'"^^ ^'"^'^ --•■^ ^^- sheet.anchor o? J be ie and to act out the pretty sentiment, " We won't give up the Bible" " A year later he lectured again in Philadelphia, and noZ- '"°'^''' '''^'' '^'' ^°"°^'^"^ appreciative "On Monday evening we had the pleasure of hearing the fifth lecture i^it is._.^ weii'fiiied witi::titi:::d^ts;:^^':-Lr^ d s" d?:r"" ^°"^^".'-^^^ Energy, and his femarks w e mal ! sued with untiring effort, or in a IT' ^ Axed purpose, pur- Methodist Epucopal Church." "'"°"' "'"'' "'"'<= ministry of the TOle Stationed at Harrisburg, he was invited to deliver vited to deliver the annual 'sermon hefore~^niZ~r~- ' Inquiry of Dickinson Collec^e ' ti. '' °' ^^'^-^"S^^^'^al ceived, and established for i^. '.nM f™"" ''''' ^^^" '^- tl- students. In the evt ^ Ts^^ ''''''T '"'' sermon was delivered, he pre.cl er ..? .^^ °" ''^'''^ '^^' in the town. It was he fi H . f ' ^^''^'''^''' Church church since he wa a boy r'uh:"/ '"" ^" ^^^ °^^ and tender were the m^,? ^''Y:^^'^er s household. Vivid and he could 0000^" I"' "'"' "^^ ^^'^ ^--^ the occasion of hifow T " '''" ^° ^'^ ^^'^^^^ -^d "*' vji iij.>, own COnvprqinn ^^T as .0 have a description of ,„ eS of ° "' '".'""""'•"^ M eye-witness, the Rev r n„! , ""' ''"^''""S from Conference, who las ,h/„' '' °°"' "^ ""= Baltimore w™.. .0 the Kev:;r-cuc ;:::;: '"^-"*- .0 Pre::rrci:;:" ' -- ^°^. -- ^~*er- s invited College Chapel, Ld a. n'"h i„ 7'"]? ^ P™'=''<=d in the tfe sante cLch .v^.ieh "tVft wl fT' """ ^'^=«' ""'er days. His theme ""s .Ttv" "' '""«= "^ "' The church was crowded In. VT °' "'^ B°"«-' referred to his sainted ftther in , "'"« '"'' """"'". h<= effect was beyond a^ltat: ^c riiir-^'i'^' ^"-^^ "'= '"g an old minister of our church ,' . ™"'™''er hear, father's ministry, say ■ Th. ' 7 "'"' '" "" uruiiicr m Christ, a member of the Pres- n6 LIFE OF ALFRED COOK. man: :ii! byterian Church, by the name of Mr. Hamilton, came to me amid my sorrow, and, placing his hand upon my head told aTnriird""^ X ^''"' ^"' ^^ ^^°" '^ -- - ' ^ - as I ned to do as he told me, the darkness gave way and kneehng there with this dear brother by the Cross ieai ight and peace rested upon me. I was forgiven/ As';: brother had not heard from Mr. Hamilton for yearsT as m the church, and just as soon as the congi-egation wa your brother. I will never forget their meeting As the people were retiring from their pews, their eyes Lahl the venerable form of Mr. James Hamilton adv'anciTg t v^ the pulpi , and, as all eyes followed him until he came b fore your brother, they waited to see the result. 0^0^°^ people did weep as they looked upon two .who had nJm since hey met amid the light of the Cross-one as a peni save . As I write I think I can see myself as I was then holding my dear sainted father's hand (he was an "timS ^ce saw tr: '"'r '"' r^^^^' -^'''^^'^^ ^^ poVt^^: r; '°^^^"' '^^^^ ''' '''-'' ^^^^ ^^ ^-^^^ if CHAPTER XI. MINISTRY AT CHRTqt .>t,„ CHRIST CHURCH, PITTSBURGH.-i.xcREASrvr FAME AND USEFULNESS. ^"^^^^^^'^^ The Methodists of Pittsbumh h. • and beautiful church ren. ^i u ^"^ completed their new -an to consen to be anT T" "^"'^^^°" ^^ '^^ ^ook- Nothwithstanding Mr Co ^iV^ ^^'^ '" ^'^^^^^^ ^^ ^^• in view of the advice of the . °'' ^°' ^^^ Conference. prise at PittsburgTeacceld/i'^'^ "^"^^^ ^"^- ^e-ci b, Bishop^trnt trr^r ^^^"^- ^r i:ts::: :rtr-^ H;::is;^^ with which he wre^^^^^^^^^^ -d affection papers of the day :■!! ' '"°'' ''°'" °"^ °^ ^^e news- crowded to its utmost capacity r^-'ir " '^ ^"^ '^'^"'"^'^ --'^ persons were unable to obtain seat? af I Z' 'f ' " ^''^'"S^ ""'"^^^r of ch-scourse eminently approp Lte n f^ ^^'^ ^"°°^'"^" P'-^ached a ordinarily eloquent'andCp'e^^rve h! s"?^""'/'^"'' ^^^^ ^^^ "^a" centy and feeling, and a large ponion of T ''"'' "'"^'^ '''PP''^^"" -"- to tears. Mr, Cookman haf aC ed in '" f^^'-'^S''^^-" -ere affected with great success, and was respe ted and , '^^'""^"""y ^^^ two years congregation, but by the people of our '"' ""^^ ""^^ '^^ '"^ o^^n 1- with all classes L alfZ! 1 Uons ^iK^r^ "^ ^^ ^^P"" ^ally regretted. He left Hm-i.l.,,, '? ' ''eparture is univer- the scene of his future Lnt'S '''"■"" '°' '^'"^'"^^'' wa^blessmgsofhundrec^t?^^^^^^];:?^:"^ him the heSt! May uc largest pixisperity iiS LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. 11' I- i How Mr. Cookman was impressed with Pittsburgh before his transfer, may be gathered from the following letter to his wife : — "Pittsburgh, Tuesday aftcnwou, June \i^, \%'^i,. . . . "About three o'clock the train came thundering alone Finding seats we hunied off, and until day-davvn dozed away the te.lious moments. I l,en tlie scenery, wild and majestic, opened upon us, which of course we enjoyed richly and to the end of our journey. Some of the views in crossing the mountain transcend anything I have ever beheld. ^^ thout accident we reached Pittsburgh in good time, not near as much fatigued as I frequently am after riding to Philadelphia. You will feel anxious to know what I think of Pittsburgh. Wdl,' I must say I rather Ike It True, there is a good deal of smoke, and the houses generally look cloudy, but It IS not ne.r as bad as I anticipated. The Iniildings aie good some of the residences quite elegant, and everything seems To exhibit the spirit o energy and enterprise. The place strongly remind, me of many Lnghsh cities which I have visited. It is not unlike N w \ ork, more ike ,t certainly than Philadelphia. I fancy that like my- self you would be agreeably disappointed in Pittsburgh. I have already raversed the city pretty thoroughly; among other places I have visited the new Christ M. E. Church, and do not think me enthusiastic or exti a- A? u"?'"^,''^ that It is far, far ahead of anything in the form o a Methodist Church. I have ever seen. They are about'f, .liing I b, L? ment, which is very handsomely frescoed and fitted up in elegant style The audience-room will be most magnificent. I wandered through S I uesired, entirely r^cognito. If I can I will procure a lithogra, hie representation of the edifice, that you may have some idea. Well no I hear you say, 'Just as I expected and prophesied. He had no busi' ness to go to Pittsburgh ; a convert already.' No, dear, I wo Id pi'fer o re,^a,n in the Philadelphia Conference than to assume the re Z Mhty which would devolve upon the pastor of such a charge, 'vev much would be expected, and! do not want to be obliged to meet su h expectations. Worse things, though, you may rest assured, migl h pen to us than being sent to Pittsburgh. So far as I am con en ed wi h my beloved Annie and charming boys, I could be e ct happy m a cabin on the tallest peak of the Alleghanie It s your presence and entlmsiastic love which covers my pa 1, ll sunshine and makes me a happy home anywhere. You 'need fear, think, a transfer to Pittsburgh. I am staying at the CUynoS kept by Messrs, Glass and Chase, gentlemen who have tr 4d tj ADMmiSTRATIVE SA'/LL. ig along. Finding », I fear, a„ ilfegiij, ,„., ™ ' 1^"= lo comm„„ic„, j„« „„„. f^Mnn P„„|e,,„, l,o„.eve;,S whe ""-■'■,"''« °f ■■«i^'i »».! con- over and over again for „„. _ ° , "'""' J""" ''"e Jone ki., yo„r,df t="1e. Then r!;,,, C,L ',,!■'","" '"■''"»■ '1'" ■•>« 'he TOrM /-.. A-.,,,,,,, a,„, „ L, CrtS "nti;.'"'" '" "' M» ■• '"» ord.r of architect "I'.a.edTnp" 'f'^' °' *^ °°"''= collies, church build „ ' n ll • ^ '^''"'' ™ ">™ *e about .he fc. decide?a vatrrL'"'""^"'' ="^ "- •enural beauty in Method t\o„es of"™"'?' '" """'• number of members that broull, ^^1. d ,?"'"''• '^''^ to completion was small. iC w rl f ' ""dm^king means, courage, and prayer tL 7?' ,''°"'""' m™ of i" 'he pulpit „.ould 'secC sue ss M^.'-'T '^'■' ™- conudence could have bee,, „i T '«''" "'•■•* of that he should be selected H " "" '"■• *^'«"<"'» "«■> Tbe sequel proved the" ^/oTtH' ^ '"''™- control, the enterprise moved off * '°"'' ^''^''^'' beginning, and the most s"ZL P~^P™"=')' from the tors were fulfilled. Tho .h v' "P«'«'°"^ "f "s origina. Of experience; courjg ous rd !! ,'1' '""' '' ™^ " "'-■ he showed both the ardourTf- , '™' '""<= '^'"'tious. f«"y into the advanced t.st'tisTf "'" '° »'" the judgment to direct theirl "" """' ^"d "'^o »<• tact Which ins^e* h?;rritr*;;'"'^^'""- attract the neoDlebvhl. „ o«« results. His power to before. Here ofore'l I t'"?™' '° ''' "="'able to him and to her, than this letter ? I give it with its italicizing retained :— "Pittsburgh, May 25, 1855 a duty and a privilege to take up o'ur pen and efpre " rs ..^lt'° \ undy.ng love. Your children n,ay soLtin.es exhibi a ceS S '"e lessness and indifference, but believe me there underlies thTl ^ enthusiastic affection for their mother as ever ^^1 . , h^ ?"" "' and self-dcnyiMglove which alwavsX^ T" ' — ''^••o;..h the entire pen'od T^'l^^ ■^''^'" ^^ ''-- ^o our hearts -"//'-, « tnousanU tunes o-.,r, for you V f""'^" ^''""^- ->'"«■ "''■- '"struct,o,.s. your consistent . n be " tif "^' "'T'''''^' y*^""- ^'^'"^'""I and unremitting efforts for thrLnSnl 7"^^'^' y^"'" Jealous care Vou have been not only a good 2 " l'? T'"^''" "'■>'^"'- ^'"'^'-n. appreciation ofyourchLcS an si ' ■ '^'^ '"'' '/'"others. Our ;^en you are safely hou^d ^1 J;^';^;;^!"^ ^^"' ^"^ ^^^ ' -'' yonder that one so pure and lovely wasoTn °, " '""^'^ "'^Sether and h:ch are largely shared by^^ ^i h ":"^-' ' '■^'^••^•^^-•-^--'■•"«« i-venWill, whom you occasin^l i.' 'V° ^'""^ '^^"°^"^^1 ^™i)>- n-nageable, tells me in his /I" that reoui' ''" '""'^•™"S and un- "'Iv-soine to his independent nature ? '''J"""'^'"^'"^ ^vhich once seemed --nt light. It i. L 4^. St^^ "°" "^'"'"^ '" ^" ^""'-'y " ^ '^^els to be his Oest and tru ^ ^:^^j' %, ^^^ ^»^' gratify her whom he ^^•ould blot out every ear v i ' '"''^ "^ '^'« "^^'her, he states ol^Hvionofthedeat:Xt./°!sM;ilT^ '^^ ^^^^^ -'^'^ ^or'tS neous l,urst of filial feeling? Thf I f ^"" '° ^"^"'^^ this sponta- for while it has relieved mfoveTflowinrV""'-"'" "°' ^^ "ecessary. a P easurable feeling in th J Zl^T7l ", ' " '"''^>'' ^''^^^'^ ^^^^^ '""^'^ ^'oppy, I hope by th s tre "o ' "V ""; ' "'"'''' ^^ J>rond to you are able to attend to your lomes" c d t """.v^ '^"' "'■^^^-'' -^^ can conveniently and comfortably ake u, ' '^'^ ^°" '^^^ ^'^^^ XO" 'lappy to receive one of your Zv. 7 i ^ ^f "^ P'"' ^^'^ ^^^all be most charge one of the fraternit" to c ! °"" ^'""^- ^" ^'^« — v^'iIe least know the state of you'r hea hi andT ^"'^""^r'^' '"^"^^ ''' "« '''t The cmldren exhibit every day some "ew't "" °^ ^'^'"^^'''^ '-affairs. Next week the Western Vi 1 L ConSe ™' '"""^ '"''"'^ '-^"^^^'on. nothmg should prevent, I think I sh n ' ""'''' '" ^^^l^eeling. If ^r^:^— • ---^ ■ ^^^^^'^"':^^^ -^ ^ad entered Conference. The CZo Tn.lToT ''' '"^^'"^^^ trial to him, as it would tl 1 Conference involved a and it was ;ith nolfn,^ '"^. ™'" ^^ ^^^' ^^^^ed nature tothesessir :!tfeTf r ^'^^ '' ^°°^^^ forward - A .ransfer for the express purpose of being 1^' I; II f ! 122 I ■ ■ r ■ i.rrr. or alfrf.d cookmax. Wcnted .0 tl,c. grandest and wealthiest Church of the Conference, would be likely .o render I,im an ol.jeot o a meAat careful and cool attention. His fante Lcl p e- ceded hm,_would he measure up to it ? Hi- praise wis in all the churches-was he pro.d and reserved ? 'xh, and ^uch quesfons would occur to brethren and to him, Metho d.. preachers are but men, and, like other men, they do" not rehsh be.ng dispossessed by strangers o, the Be Ids which tl.=.r own hard toll has made to bud and bloom. But ,t was impossible for a body of good men to have hard feehngs toward Alfred Cooknran, He had onlv to the hearts of all with love and confidence. The i ■tsburrf, preachers were won by his firs, looks and words ' He m pressed them as a faithful preacher, with a singl eain" wi h c n Tp';;? '?" '""'^ °f "'= '^«""™. -d that he had go do? so' s t-'T '" "" "''^ °f '»'"■<'"• '^"' f- *e good o soi^ls. His honours seemed to sit so lightly unon m h,3 hole demeanour in public and priv.a'te Ls' qu ck?ess an'd r' """^^'^ ^"^ ''"P P-'X. "-t, with a quickness and generosity so distinctive of their class the ministers immediately extended to him the c„u.^;^ which henceforth made him happy among them, ' creled rr 1™ '"■■ '^°°'""''" ^^ ""'^^e work i„. creased, as from this prominent point the circle of his renu ation constantly widened From -.11 directions the calls for" t:lrrM°°''"' '^■^ «-We-rcquests for dedic i°; churche for addresses, lectures, and all kinds of efforts i^ aid of old and new causes. An address delivered during this period in Philadelphia at Music Fund Hall, on behalf of the Bedford Street Ms' s.on of the Methodist Episcopal Church, wis probab^ ot ^.V F.FFF.CTIVK SPP.ncir of the most effective of his hTe U pared, and was delivered in h;« i ''"''' ^'^'^"^^'-^'it^'ly pre- «'on -as deep, inredl e nY'^.'-T ''^^" The imp'res- oratory swept e v^t . 'd !nr I j''"^" "'"^ ^'-'--'t and the cause he pJe 2 ' '"r ''^"'°'^''^^ '^'-" ^'■^^-'- He ^'-y had not been 'p^ otr ; "" /f^^^ ^^'^"'"^^' '^ they hearts of the hearers Bact'.'°"''''^ ""'"^"^'^^^^ '" the a visitor, he came fre'i.hted withl' ?'"^" ^'^ ''^'■'>' ^'"'^"^J^ -on.mand ; his soul in cb est vm . "^- '""^'^^^ ''^ -"'^ ^';e destitute, and his t ^r b^:;;'' "^'"^^•'■^'---"^ glowmg with tlie love of Tes,,., ^ associations and place, the audience and i/ ' ,'' '°'' ''''^ ^^e hour, the '-^ -rely, if eve! hst Ho t"'^^'' '^ "^'^"^ ^^^'^^ ^^^X address. '"^"^ ^° ^ "^o^e powerful popular joh:rr;:;r;:t^:^j:- New York Conference will be IJ''"' ' "^^"^'^^^ °^ the views on Biblical schooir L^ T "'^^ '''''''''■ His l^ehind the times Yet the ' I ''^''"^''^ ^y ^^me as felt to be weighty bymanv m.^dT "' ''' °'^'^^^'°"^ -^^e ago. Even Lv thera'e.t ''"''."'" ''^'^ besides the Methodist who havl ' "' °'^'' ^'^"^^^'n^tions the positive benefit of the traim-nr? ,^"''^'°"i"gs as to It is feared by them that it end'. '^''°^°°"^^^ ^^^ools. to quench native fire to crel '° "^^'^ "^^" "^'-^^hine., ^vho will carry from the semTn ' T"'"''"''' °^ P^^^^hers manner of a ''faculty '' thaTw>^^ '°° ""'' ^'^ ^°"^ -^d gians, it will educate the suidJn; \ T ^'^^"'^ ^'^^°^- People to fit them as preache foft ^ ""^ '^°"^ ^'^^ "P ministers for this and com L. T'""' '"^ ^° ^^'^^ all respects, as effective anH ' '^'' ''^° ^^''" "°t be, in known in Methodism '"'^'^^'^^^ '' ^^ose hitherto i^'^ " ^s now conceded thif fl.«^i • , tnat theological schools 134 LIFE OF ALFRED COOK'MAN. =i I have become a necessity of the Church vpf t have the champ c^( ft, u , '^"^ '""^e who ino itars of thousands as sincerely devoted to .1,. aught know * ? .'', ""'' ■='■'"" ■"»» ''y nalure, for .hafhrbrallscld „™ " ""•■;"' '"""^ "P"" "'= ^-^ " ^^iTln^r/ ''"f *"'''' ^°"'" "^^^'- '^^"^'^ ^y l^-ting , i must gush out spontaneously from the soul • A.K wuh a fresh delight enchanting The hearts of all that hear, control." To his brother, Mr. John E. Cookman, he wrote :- „ T. u " Pittsburgh, July 22, 1856. associated with your future fh. !" v f I ^"°''' '^''' >'°" '^^^l ^^^^'-^X^ fear that businelf n he worlTwerf 1^^ "''''''''' ^^'" ' ^^^^ '° absorbing that you would be di'rtedTom'.T'.T " 'T'''^' ""'^ sphere. What was my iov then Vnt ? ^^' "'" ' """'^ "^^^"J sent employments fXuo ati'sfl t^f", "^ '°""''' "^'''^ ^^"^ 1-^' nature, and. in obed enr. V ^ the desires and ambition of your prep.ingy_i?::tx: — -^^^^^ - -^--e are placed. Thett"^li^T mT " ""u" '" "^^' '" ^'-^^'^ X^" adviL and assistance Sma; be in 1""' ^'"''""^ ^^"^^^ ^^^ ih impress you with the p^oSv a,?, ^ P"''""' "' ''^^ ^'^'"^ ^™^ ^ ^^^"Id for strength. Hide youXfTn r , '^"''n°' ^'^'"^ *<^ ^^e strong and you'shall not s ray ' "^umb L ^Z' 'V?fT'''' '''''''^' important a step as that wh Ih ^"'^ °^*^^ fatherless, in so ^tep that which you contemplate, will certainly and I regard it as md expressed "or those wlio that his fears voted to the f the learned >y nature, for )on his head :e, springing isable condi- .'nd beheved his ministry. nting; ul; ote : — ly 22, 1856. expresses but ou had always till 1 began to ittractive and 1 more useful hat your pre- lition of your you felt like the necessity n which you ier you such time I would o the strong ial direction, herless, in so :ertainly and f^^^^^;ff^sroms yov,vcE.r B,on,r.r:. '25 satisfactorily exhibit a sunerinf,.. r ~~ ' counsel, therefore, would b "'l' ^T, ^'^ '-^^ and most^v Let no idle, no secret si„. .^2^. ^^^ "I' A^ unto \^. c ebar you fromthe full realisation nfv^!^ ""' "'' ^'"''^^^^ or suffer ;^-.- Son. However in^e^ ;;;^:;::,;;;,7"'^f ^ i" ""^ ' ^"^'^'^' ^'^^ niay seem to yourself, thirc is no so t ''?'"" ''-'^''''ix^-'ts ";>' nval a Fletcher, a McCheyne a Cn 7V'^ l' '^''^'^'^^ >"" ^'"""W I''"^- I'un.y and zeal and dev.Sn A ', '' ''' '" ^'"-•''- "'"•'^^' ^^ra- ;^;jectof personal piety i„ C^l, ^^ "^^ ^ "" ^"-""'^°^'-' rest God wdl overrule all for your be e an h'T''" "" '"'' '"' '''^■ ^^ 'fli 'esiK'ct to the in.portanco J.\ ^'''"^• \ am not entirely clear or sat X | , , '"'''^^'-^ "'" '"^ college course t'>e I'hiladelphia High-Scl 00 sh ' n' ^"" ""' '^P^"' four years hi ;emen,ber. lu.uever.'hat you h ve n ! , "" - ' '" ^" '"'"^'^ '"''"^t. >al'.ts of study ; you ,„,e o'bt i,t ,r i ;■■ '?.'\^""-'--^''-' extent ferent branches of science, wl^h v , ? ^ "'""^ '"fonnation on the di^ budd n the future ; you l^ve eee el el "? " '°""'''^^'"" °" -'^'ch to ^.■eeofA.I3.. which ofcourse^Xt Sv'T^^-^r^ ^ I>> these respects you are very far in in '" ''"'^ ''""■' "'"^ ^n A.M. hose who are admitted to our Me hc^itMr "' ' '"^^ '"•''i-"y of hn^ o t e associations and influence :,;;:";"^>: . '^''-. "'he'n I I tiemble lest my cherished brothc , ,- ^^ " '^'""'' '" "^"^^ colleges. concerned, should be moved ofrrhe'sur. T ? '"''^"'^ ^ ^'» ^o deeplJ "te. as a substitute for a coll ge Is been"" ''""• "^ ^^"^'-^' '"'ti- Jere again I have my difficulti.f ho T r^"''"?'"'' '° "^J' """^'. but be to subdue that enthusinsn, i ,,,, f ° J f ■■ .^^^ ■'^^ inHuence woul, your charm and your po^, ^ ^"''""^ "'^1 Prove in the future the'ii:::;:^r;; ^'" "":>^r 'f ^^^^^""'"^^ - -y--' -pecting preacher, whose s. ,. one b a 'of LHaT t ^"""'^ ^^'^^ ^ '' ' Pl'ned.,s filled with practical and profi'^tabl 7 ,°'' '"''"'' ^^""^''^ci- s>ngle that his whole life is a strikiL truth-whose aim is so This one thing I do ^l^Z toe fhrZh" H '"'^ "!"" '"^ ^^^^ ^>e pra.rie ; I say I compare !uch lonl -o '""■''' '"^^ ^'^ "'™"g' Germanized student of divinity who n. 7" f ''''^'''^^ Metaphysical as cow as if he had been shi^ rinjt VtSl ^"""^^ '^^ ^'^ -"' ^-1 as suffly ,3 if his lips and heart a,fd a^s ^^T, '"\''''^ P^-bes There .s no kmd of doubt but I can fi^ Jr "'" ^'"^'"^"y f-'o^en. Episcopal Church who are not onlv .n , '''' ™'" '" 'be Methodist own and sister denominations Ihocan^L "' r^'''''' '° «'bers of ou and theological training ^^'J^ :3"'^7 ^^^ advantages of literarv " "' "-'P'^^^' ^'"^^-ever, to this matter, i li ift ffr: 126 1 ; ] m » 1 • Nj t Z/i^i5 OF ALFRED COOKMAN. would not determine for you. If von ff^l ti,nf n increase your mental disipline a.s no the t ci ^e cou\r"l '^ n"'' ulter a word of discouragement, but rather a he r< -";;""' t "°' rather inclined to the conclusion tha Brusrr n^ ^^^^^^^^ '"" prove the best school for the devlnmenfnf ^°"'f '.'-^ '^' ^". ^^^^ lectuai powers If you couiL';^:!Thr:u2rd^^^^^^^^^^ composmg, and exercising as opportunitv m-Vl.f .ff. f- , '^^"^'"S:' take an easy circuit, as'for insCrVil Igf Gr^n " So V^','"? would earnestly counsel that you seek wS nt^ P^fPf «> '« '-^'Iv-e, liberally and upbraideth not." ^ ^™'" ^°^^' ^^^° S'^'^^'l^ Pitsbu^h Conference m 1856 with a good showing for the year. Ihe number of members had increased fronf ninety to one hundred and thirty-two, and twenty-six probationer^ At the seat of the Conference he was called upon to peak Sort [ ""'^^"^^^^^>^ °f *e Conference Missionary S^wfote^rstlf:-!^^ '''''-^' '^-^^-^ powerful speeches to which it has bee tr , ij it Ilisl V"T' man is a gifted son of eloquence, and nature latHve exuberant fancy. His speeches abound in the mt g'^J^o 11™' and „, th,s respect he is said to resemble his distinguishe ^ ^ti™' Of Durbm, as a great thinker and a great orator, it is sLrcW ne e-^rv?o speak. He presented some most striking thoughts on the 'fh 7 r missions Cookman's speech might be saiS to abound w th t e 2 , n. flashes of genius, whi e Durbin follower] ;,. ^„. "'^" tneiigntnmg- of ponderous thought." " °"' '""''""^^' thunder-roll The same correspondent noticed Mr. Cookman's sermon on the Sabbath, in the Presbyterian Church, in these t "m"- e studies would uld, I would not 'd-speed!' I am '-, after all, will 'sical and intel- iter in reading, nd in the spring r Springfield, I ind the Church leaihen mytho- me and humble iarity and per- )ared to advise, d, who giveth 5sion of the 'wing for the from ninety robationers. )n to speak, lers, on the Missionary I Christian ttsburgh, and of the most sten. Cook- him a most ous imagery, 1 father. Of necessary to le subject of he lightning- thunder-roll n s sermon e terms: — of his peculiar gifts "dd X """ °^ ™ """ ""' °- These descriptions, while dup nii^ for .he e„.,„,.,s„ e.d.ed V ^e ToZ": u^c'^ r"' give proof of the hiVh n,. • . -^""^'^ °^ Mr. Cookman, held by one w o J^f L ' H''"" ■" "'"■* ^is gifts were They also show .he S XycT 1°'''" '°"^"™'=^- thus standing forward on th.T ^°""« """'^ter in in causes of fhe C n, g„ t'de '"S: ' :r"'"" '° "'^'^^ d.d .he though, of saving ^seiroH,'?™""'"™^^ to enter his mind. What 1 ern l , ? , '^ "^ "" ''^™ done to the best of hi^ atil itv Tf , ° "" *' ''"="^' ™s The following le.teto Ik "*'"""" '"'«'• v^i.ovviiig letter to his brother Afr \v;v ■,,-•„ force Cookman, on receiving the news 'Vh "" reveals the depth of his religious affec'i^^ 1 '" """"™ " Pittsburgh, ^°y''"- preacher of whom they Ld heard 1°" ?'""''' >'°""« «as disposed to be cheerfni [ P"'''' '° "f'e". and P-che'r was .ot'lo^ JL ^ C T ^ ^"' *^- ^"""^ grave expression said: 'I am he e , k ""'' ""'' "'"' » opinion is that the officiary of you °rh^°u™' ■"" '"^ nnstake in asking my transfer t/^v "" ''^™ """ie a i>ope it has been orde ed d ' " '"'P""^" '^"arge. I greatly the need o[ TdTo,l°? Z""' '''''"'• '"' ' Sel charge of the duties. HeThen 'I '° """ "P°" *' ''i- *e enterprise, and his beiie .latte ! "' ?^"''""^ "' for OT"' "i-ii i -■•'■■ i iff 130 /./F£ OF ALFRED COOKMAN. the firs. yea;,, of their history. Thus believing, he said he felt the weight of the responsibihty all the more, that its organ,zat,o„ should be a success in every way, especially in for gold"™ """"' ""'' *° "?•''"'<*'"« °f "« Church m",u"^j'"'S"' "P™ '''' '■'"'"' •''' ""^ "'^t Pastor of Christ Method^t Episcopal Church .he following Sabbath, and preached to a crowded ho.,se from the 6.h chap.cr and ,4* verse of Gala.,ans,-. God forbid,' etc. The cLs of Christ and the a.c mg blood of .he Lamb, ever beauriful a" d powerful to save, was the burden of his .heme on that day The tmnd young man of the day before was now as bold .n .he an„unc,a.,on of .he .ruths .ha, centre around .he cross as Paul, whom he so much loved, and upon whose hLa« he loved .. dwell. If tl.ere l«d been any doubt Tbou the propriety of calling .he young brother to Ae new cht^e .hey were a 1 dispelled by the impression produced uponle mmds and hearts of his firs, congrega.ion A good hapnv bro.her was asked, on coming ou. of churdi, 1 ^he though, of the sermon: .Ahr he replied, • there i no German silver about that-i. bas the true ring of the gelin: "In the organization of Christ Church membership from the v„ Methodist congregations in Pittsbu g BroA Wred Cookman performed a delicate task, in ;hlch t acted with the good sense and judgment of more mature years and experience. Under the inspiration of his coZl cration to the work of the salvation of sinner, Alfcd Cook man developed while at Christ Church some of the nobles." .rai.s of his manhood, and showed what was pos iHvl en the man IS devoted to his Master's work. The fervour 1 his longings for the conversion of sinners was always marked by a deep and loving pathos, expressed Z si gular , he said he ore, that its especially in the Church or of Christ ibbath, and er and 14th >ss of Christ Jautiful and )n that day. V as bold in id the cross 56 character »ubts about new charge, ed upon the ood, happy 1, what he :here is no he genuine Jrship from ?h, Brother which he 3re mature his conse- fred Cook- :he noblest sible when vour of his ^s marked 1 singular f^^lf^f^^^f^ oj^ ms SUCCESS. beauty and pronrietvIT^ ^ ' ™''ki»S a deep and J.,V "T"'^'' "'" ""''J' &"<^d i" l"ge-„fee„ so crowded ,af , "I "^'"^'--e'- >«« ™m of room. ™" 1'"™' had to leave for " One of the elements of l • was his love and devotion to t^ ff,' '"""' '" Pittsburgh the Church. He orgati'd ^ larl ^";"""°°' '"'"-'= "f =ee™ more in his elem«u tht^/^'^"'"' ='"'' "ever did he <^h'idren; and never .at re !''!" ;™*™S ™"ng the seemed to be happier a,d 'a'e „!„ ^' "' '^''"*™ -'ho he was talking to them-elther in •■'"™"™ """' "'hen eatechism, illustrating their Sr^ ''rr'''^ *^"' " *eir --e story that pointed a mo!" fc ",' " '" '"""« •he influ.^,cf o?; r;:l ;t •->'-' -e early under -d Brother Alfred tivedCenoXr'" *' '^'™^''' boys thus brought to Chri«" ? ° '^'= several of the "ow in the BaltiLre Co,lf™ ce "'- '^ °' "■'»> -e chri:rctcf;:::--'-;sahh th ,„^, ^,,^^^^^^^ ^^ who had charge of the iI,?H ^ '"' "^="^°' wife, responsible duties and relafe,, rrr™' '" ="' «' '"= ever faithful to the great tur' ^'™* '^''""' ''= ""^ Master abundantly Weld I'dr'"* "P°" '™'' »" his '"ccess inbri„g„,g„|'!' '"'",''°"°"ed him ,vith great eether, and esttbhshing'an "w "f "^""■''.' ■"™''«*'P 'o- ■n Pittsburgh. ^ objective point for Methodism *e"i";'srrd:t^?;rr;;?--°"--''^ -* "eans. The after-his.orro °t a"f-f T™"'^ "' ''^'^ 0- not forgotten his injunction -'; gtro^i^r 132 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. 1 I, ing their gifts, till now Christ Church stands among the first in the Methodist Episcopal Church as a contributor to all the interests of the Church." The Rev. W. M. Paxton, D.D., now of New York, who was the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitts- burgh when Mr. Cookman was at Christ Church, has fur- nished a very pleasing testimony to the excellence of his character and the usefulness of his ministry. After referring to some of the difficulties which Mr. Cookman had to meet he says : — ' " He, however, proved himself fully equal to the emer- gency. I now look back with admiration upon the masterly manner m which he met all these difficulties, and turned hostility into friendship. His humble, unpretending manner disarmed i^rejudice; his sincere, honest heart inspired con- fidence; his lovmg, gentle spirit won the aftection of the hgh place in the estimation of the public. His success became apparent upon the first day the church was opened, and b fore the dose of the first year he had dissipated aU opposition, gathered around him a large and influential con- gregation, and established himself in the regard of the whole community. At the end of one year, wh'en his firsttm of service expired, such was the desire, not only of his own app^i^L'i;:! ' '^'"^" ''-'' ^°"^^^^^-^ ^^ --- his wav^H'''°^' ''°'^ t ^^"^^"'^^ ''''' ^^"^^^^hle in even, way. He organized his congregation well, preached we7 and was instrumental in the conversion of many sou's But, beyond all this, he had a large catholic spi" wh^^ brought him into useful fellowship with his brethren of otTe denominations, and enlisted him in every good work He w among the ntributor to York, who :h in Pitts- :h, has fur- mce of his er referring id to meet, the emer- le masterly md turned ng manner pired con- ion of the ave him a is success IS opened, ipated all mtial con- the whole first term )f his own retain his •enew his in every bed well, ly souls, it, which of other He was in every sense a Methodist hut l,. , Mtionaiist : .-md abov. Ill T ,7"' ™' " ""'™" d™™'- " His resident i""^; b^ hlX ! Zt"' I™' '■ "'y oivn, an i„tin,acy snran- ,m f,.,° "™ doors of ripened into a warn, 'an'd s.i g' t^^S^M'"^" "°" knew of hi,„ ,he „,ore I loved 1 to H. T """■' ^ heart that inspired fr„« 7 '' '''"' "" honest ^pressions, e rof n ■ ?"' '™ "■"' "»' "" ''- npon. His re iri„^° . °' "'™ °'' "■''""''"•'• '=<"■'<' ^e relied believed in 1 ftreliln r'' """T '"" ™"'""'"S- «= it, and outof de 'Z "ff''^ ''"'' "" '^''P^'ence of .i-«h. and attio-n"^ H?™;^:! St^-'n 1 s^rL^rr *; ~ ~'o"" contnut^ionasontllro r r°" "' " - ""' '"'^ sury of heart-experience thafh. , , ''°" "'""eh trea. His s,»„,a„eo„ covers 't''' " '"''''' '"^ '"'= ^™°"»- Ws heart, and he deh^ o Zl T^ 'If ""^ " "- - Clous recollections of s„cl, J '"" "™>' P'e- his views and convict o s ' ZTT''\''' ™ '" ^" Perience he was so 2ch oJ a C t : T ^"' '" "'' ™- 'good times together » ""' "'"' "'"^ ''"'' "■''"y of ^eSLypt;;:":,';:: °;t'"™^ ""*"=-'■ - ^-^ h.s worth „ .£.„„.„„(.„„ StM,;' "'"'»«"'?»» »Cl,ri,,,»,, value as a Christian, his 1 fe ai«I t,^l '.? ' "'l'" °™'°'"' ^o his Of his worth as . ZmL«-,l kl ■" '"'" ''= ''»'"™' '«lifi='. durins his short resSrSht™!™^ ""■" "'"'"""™' '»">- us .-u ^ ihe assurauccs. Of his nl,i|i,y as 134 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. v\ ' n an orator, ilie large and di riminating audiences which have attended nim are the very best evidences. "Viewing the tenets of his Church in a spirit of liberality, austerity has not characterized his teaching; inspired with the social value of courtesy, his etiquette has not been based upon an exclusive code. Care- fully regarding the end in view, he has not perverted tlie gifts of oratory to the gratification of vanity ; but subordinating everything to the objects of his ministry, he has worthily maintained the dignity of the Christian teacher. Ignoring fanaticism in religion he has not failed to discharge his duties as a citizen. Marking the nice distinction between Christian morality and political ethics, he has saved his congregation the scandal too many have suffered where the sanctuary has been dese- crated by the introduction of party issues. Yet, with an ardent pa- triotism that finds a fitting response within the hearts of all who love heir country, and which rises too far above mere party to be subjected to IS criticism he has pointed out the breakers which threaten our noble Ship of State, and conjured us by his eloquence to cling to the Bible as the only compass by which she may be safely directed. l^or all this we regret his loss. Succumbing to its necessity, we can only, with the poet, bid him ^' '"Go, speed the stars of thought On to their shining goals ; The sower scatters broad his seed, The wheat thou stmvest he souls ! ' " He and his family took their final leave of Pittsburgh at the midnight hour. So intense was the feeling at parting with them, that large numbers of their friends formed a pro- cession and accompanied them to the depot, where thev took the train for Philadelphia. i ; CHAPTER XII. "■N-.STRV „ OREE. STKBET CH»C„, P„„.B,„„„._ REMARKABLE REVIVAL. Mr. Cookman's return fn P],;in.i i i ■ by hi, brethren of Z CoSlta:;i r"'""r"'' city. The Green ^tr.., "'^'^"''^ ^"^ the laymen of the seeling J^^Z^r Hlr'""^ ^"°"''' '" and his efficiency is a .v.„ri-? T i' "'^ "^ "" preacher building .hSirsuLr' '"'^f"'' ^"'^ -™'"<'"-- and ofaed ever; adt'.a'e ' T"' ' f "" P"^'"^"""' zealous nastor ^„„ ^"'"86 for the popular talents of the loving kSd and eel;'r'''f"''^ '" "'^ ^'="™'- ^^ith thongi, not retemiousT f ""'"" '™, a comfortable. Of hewers, T:ZZ'Z';^:^^f-^^-^^^o.,.y entered upon a career of r. -^"'''^^^'^'"S congregation, he fraught with proofs of J^- ™ ^'^'■^ "°« signally pett.a,b,a!r:r;e,iti=::?cat^^^^^^ '36 UFE OF ALFRED COOA'MAIV. sanctification — were ninrp liL-^ f),« Methodise, and ^JZ^Z^:^:^ °""''""' had no. departed fr„„, .he sonot he Z'T *"' the missionary cause. ' ' ''P'''^'">' '" ^^'^^^ ^^^ As an explanation in mrt- nr fv,^ Cook„,an a Green Sre«,> *^,'^"""™' ™««» of irr. H-Hn, .he .reaf:,- l^^S r X^":' Z "'l" .0 .he r^t^r :r r; — ? r r r' ever remo.e. which did no. feel .^p: r nl eforn °"" bl-s,ng, in rapid succession, rolled over .he la ^dM-'""' was at .he flood— it wis th„ ,h. ' ''''gion be s.ved ; t."?:: .rzr a^f :h1y"^^■"-' -^^ '° strong, wicked men, who hitherto hT ' """ ™'^"- ncr feared God-miurned „r ,h • """'" ''S^'^'"'' '"'" freedom of forgivcnes Itistt" ?"'' "" '''^J''''^'''' '" ""= 3f primitive itient glory ^t the close ambers and :ain of two nces in all in that for ess of Mr. took place t858. An of society I the cities ^let, how- of Divine ; religion en turned thronged ig-saloon, es, where lest peni- ries were list do to t men — ded man ;d in the had de- different mtagon- :h union ast this general SPIRITUAL CONFIJCTS. ^^^ '37 son'Il'?''"''" '° '•■■" ""'■■""™ '° »" '"'l'"™"' fee. of n.r. ^na, expenence, ,vl„ch rendered hi. ministry a. Green h .o^'" TT,""'"'""' *= ™-' P-Snan, ,4,d of ^i arjui:„i:itir:xr^^^^^^^^ advertency he lost it Thrn„,ri, .k °"^''' '"■ -3 .e.u,e. .Ji Ji:f jsLtvrr J s mind "a r;i""\ ."°""^' '"'^»"°""'«^ "»" "i^tn^ d and usef„l • !,„ ,; . ' "'™"' H.S niinistry was acceptaljle and useful he was truly devoted to God and His c.use 1„„ ye. he was ,11 a. ease, and his soul, under a de p s^'je " unrealized power, was often sorrowful The ,v,r of tendtns feelings marred his peaee and fritterc. h" tren , ," u.mos.'„ni.y a,:, l^^-rt t^r T^' ""° '"^ an question, but I mean that there had been progress in ^.encies of the ^TCX:^^::^^^^-^ 138 UFE OF ALFRED COOKMAy. A ■ Observation-all of which constituted preparations for th.t much »aigh.er ecu., whc " o* ba k „ "Th.T" ^ Alfred c:r:: 1? :ur ™r r;-; ™.^ ^""'' ^^"'^^ doctrine of " perfect lov!. ' li, , '" *"■'" f"' *^ rrcn that whStr!::^ o: Ait;^"";;,^j;fr::ri inexperienced months of his ministry LV^-^ "' na.ureofthe,vorkaccon,pli hed 2ta-he f ''"' '" ""^ panyineit but ,„ ,1,. . ^V *"^"''<'"<^«>i ^"om- Le^o'undel"d toh'oT'f ^^''^^"^ "W^h "= ™uld forth neither roi;esof°11'/"'''° '""'"^'^'^ ''• T"™- Ihosewho eiher for nf f '''«''™> "<=' *e arguments of wi.h hi.. ;rdwb,:i:vrhr™"' ^^^^ "' •» ^'^- continued so long a timeTi^^ T ^ '''°"^^ ^^^^'^ ^«- order Of ,ia=-;-tr;r,::„:: )ns for that ults became some great Jay seem a ■ the broad lot say that less in the linencc on - whkii is es through > that im- f purpose, any sense and which 2t for the ent stand 1 the first lit in the -s accom- le would Then ce- ments of to differ i witness Id have It it is a ■ lio have om the 3yment. of the can be £Xr/A'£ COA-SECA'A 770.V. '39 infinite wisdom and ^odnesrj. , „ti,; ''J "' ^""' even his errors, that by them h , n " ""• 6"°'' "a" and imrer hfe "* "'° a corrected «-fr;^ttrs^r:;:rr^:r™« the covenants of TonA r"""* ""= "^''"'^ ""> =» tered resournL ^a «""""■ "P *«"• <"l«"ise scat- .Hi'f::ti:;:r,SL:"'-»'-'--^^^^^^^^^^ was antagonL n I.f '"^"'•"«^' "»' »«"'« that I cerned. aL^^^te^d ^Xh isTt '' ""T' "- God. .Meamvhile I h J f , f '"^ P™P'e '>'-'arer usingtobacco: ndu enr^'V""!'; '"'° '"^ "»«' °f ably, gratification, a. the saVe tit ?""*=''' "=""'■ my nervous and socill natoe 'T/'^^f" 'o ^"i^^/ l^o.h "•-Id confront the ob i"2n f ? ""'"• ''''"=" ' sacrifice of my foolish habit r u, ' ™«^««tion, the oK-dience; I wouwLt ^ L^h ^'r.r Z T' °' were the result. Afterwnrri . stren^^th, and blessmg I would listen to stg I^^l '/r^Thif •'= "^"T'^^- Sood things Of God. yot.rreli,:„tesnI?';;i:;:l*: 140 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. tZ7^T' "'"^^^"^^ '^"^ not specifically forbidden Ire add 7,? r'"' ' '°"'' ^°°^^ P^°P'^ -hom you know cTnsclete T '""'^ T^T'^ ^^^ -^^-^ ^o quiet an uneasy Ifter 7-; T r "^''^^ ^'"'^ '"^° ^^^ °^^1 habit again ttn mv rT":- '"' ' "" ^"^"«" "^^ carnality rather than my Christian experience the benefit of the doubt It could not harm me to give it up, while to persist in the I found that after all my objections to sanctification as a d,s.nct work of grace, there was nevertheless a conscious lack in my own religious experience-it was not strong round, full abiding. I frequently asked myself, ' What fs' profess ? looked at the three steps insisted upon by the fr.ends of holiness,-namely, 'First, entire consecration second, acceptance of Jesus moment by moment as a perfect' Saviour; third, a meek and definite profession of the grace dudes'. ^'^^'^"^' '^^h^se are Scriptural and reasonable "The remembrance of my experience in Newtown sup- plied an over^vhelming confirmation of all this, and at the same time a powerful stimulant in the direction of duty 1 r.f i'" , '^ ''^" '"'' "^^^' "" preconceived theories,' doubtful indulgences, and culpable unbelief, and retrace my steps Alas, that I should have wandered from the li^ht at all, and afterward wasted so many years in vacillating between self and God ! Can I ever forgive myself? Oh what bitter, bitter memories ! The acknowledgment I make' IS constrained by candour and a concern for others It is the greatest humiliation of my life. If i had the' ear of d.ose who have., tered mto the clearer light of Christian purity, I would beseech and charge them with a brother's :ally forbidden liom you know uiet can uneasy d habit again. ce at best was arnality rather he doubt. It persist in the us enjoyment, ictification as s a conscious > not strong, Jlf, ' What is It I have and upon by the :onsecration ; ; as a perfect of the grace d reasonable iwtown sup- and at the on of duty, sd theories, I retrace my )m the light vacillating 'self? Oh, lent I make lers. It is the ear of " Christian 1 brother's WALKING IN THE LIGHT. interest and --^r...,n.^^^^^^;^:^~^^;;^^^^^ bitterness m the cup of their sweetest comfort ' years hive T'\'" ■ '"' ^^^^^'^--g Lord, nearly ten years ha.e elapsed smce, as the pastor of Green Street -.udi„g ,ae do/um, ;:d° ; t;t:tx : " abstain fo. Chris., sake. I Trust I wo^d do , i?^: je :,s":;;tT,:xv. t r'-^ '° *'^ -'"-^•■- J ay ue giormed. I agam accepted Christ is mv Savour from all sin, realized the witness of the same Sririf and s,„ce then have been walking in the light as Godtl' e hght, reahzmg that experimental doctrine of the fellow estify that the blood of Jesus cleanseth me from all J As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ve "' Hm, ; that ts, as I understand, ' Maintain the sam attode at:Lt„?sa™r 1 ^lTh^ ''" ^.^-' - -- consecration, implicit faitHlId'hr 1 "c:,Sor 'Z to walk m Hmi. I cannot afford for a single moment ever to remove my offering, ,o fail i„ looking mnolesus or ,o part with the spirit of confession "' ' °' '° profoundect gratitude fur that abounding grace which noi 142 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. !f \ on y bo e w h me, but brought me to see again my privilege in the Gospel, and „o>v for ten years has been preserving me m the expenence and blessing, and in tl,e profession of tW but marit, before ,t meets your eye it has been earefuli; prayer offered that ,t may be blessed to your spiritual profit As yot, lay down this humble article, will you not, for you; own sake and for the Chureh's sake, resolve to be entfrelv and eternally the Lord's ? God help and bless you T ' The candour, directness, and fervour which pervade this statement rnus. commend :t to every one. The " Tola co It inThe fdl """ ^'°"= ' '"' "^= °f '"•'-^ -= '""^ rll , 11 consecration which he sought to make to else Wth h,m whatsoever IS not of faith is sin; what he could not do conscientiously, he could not do at a I ; but le would have others to think and act for themselves i,^ do bN ul matters, bel,ev,ng that every man should be fully pe- suaded m h,s own mind. Mr. Cookman, in the presenmUon of the Chrtsfan life, was the farthest removed from a Ir ow and censonous spirit; he never raised artificial condrns self denial or performance, but rajier inculcated a broid deep, thorough devotion, under who,e enlightened impule he ,vas sure the newborn, or the wholly sanctified so 1 would adjust itself to the Divine requirenfents, .as of mie consequence t. him whether a brother accepted Iter ally h,s methods or opinions on minor points of p son" s essential fiuits. Here was a point which aided not ^ ht«e to give him influence over all classes of minds Nothing can possibly e.ceed the emphasis with which our A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST. my privilege ^reserving me sssion of this le testimony ; sen carefully id an earnest iritual profit, lot, for your 3 be entirely you ! " pervade this ' " Tobacco :o was in /lis to make to for any one n; wliat he all ; but he 2s in doubt- e fully per- iresentation )m a narrow conditions ; :s either of d a broad, ed impulse :tified soul, It was of spted liter- >f personal I in his life ded not o Is. which our H3 w.c f ,^;^'\P"^^^y —^ favourite expression with him— was from th. tu.e to the close of his life the disti tie theme ot his mmistry; not, however, to the exclu on nf od^r topics, but as comprehending al'l phases C I i,;' ru h penetratn^g and vivifying them with its light X orbed his best thoughts; it was the bu.den of his ablest e mons ; U was that which was best in him as a an whole ben.g was permeated with its unction; at ome o abroad, m the pulpit or the social circle in th^ Z u the seashore, at the altar of prayer o by he .^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ n^n^.h..., ..atmosphere of 4 li.;t^^^^^ In connection with his preaching talents, his skill as an adm„„stra.or of Ci^urch affairs, his aptitude with tt Lndav School, and hts engaging manners, this re-baptism "u" he Si r,t of power at Green Street was most opport ne Ir fully equ.pped him ai a good soldier of Christ for tl,T and eventful campaign which lay before m "rf'r .. .3 that .he details of a pastorate so re 1 Ju Lid'e« and mstrucfon are almost wholly lost for the wa >t n proper record! The words spoLn, the leedrdone are bearing fru,t m souls, and their only transcrir,t IsT , , and happy lives they helped to form ' ' ''"''' (il'l^ZKI ?°',™ °' ""'"' ■^"""8 «» first winter during this great revivil. it i;::!^ s I™ t'::^^ mg .0 tllustrate the style of his extemporaneous d[sc« and the character of those thrilling hotne-thrus. appeals by which he roused the consciences of his hearers- 1 ''' Tfiou fool, this nie-ht tin, .n,.i .!..,!! I.. ^ • • -, These words, contained in St. Luke's Gospel, twelfth chr npter, and j.i 1, "I il 144 L/F£ OF ALFRED COOKMA\' twentieth verse, constitute the subject of a sermon preached last Sab- bath evening in the Methodist Church, Green Street, below Eleventh, by the pastor. Rev. Alfred Cooknian. "Mr. Cooknian is among the youngest members of the ministry of Fhila-lelphia, and so too among the most promising of their number. His genius seems to be eagle-winged, soaring aloof from either notes o;- manuscript, and pouring itself out in an easy-flowing stream of elo- quence, as sublime in its flights as it is forcible in argument. " The popular appreciation of this promising young preacher is well exp'-essed in the immense audiences which usually throng the church in which he is stationed. On the present occasion the house was literally crowded. In attempting a synopsis of his able discourse, however, we shall endeavoui rather to preserve the chain of his argument than to give a faithful transcript on paper of his style of oratory. "The speaker here announced that the special point of inquiry to which he desired tfl call the attention of his hearers was, " 'IN WHAT DID THIS MAN's FOLLY CONSIST?' "'The most degrading epithet to be found in the vocabulary of language had been applied to the suliject referred to in the parable. " ' Such an expression (" thou fool "), coming from the source it did, must have had sufficient reason to sustain u. But here arose the diff.- culty. The great principle intended to be taught by this parable the reasonmg of the world was not prepared to receive. Here, indeed, was the issue. The judgment of God was arrayed against the judgment F unconverted man. '"To proceed, however, with the investigation into the folly of t' ,s rich owner of certain lands, we should be told, first— m vMidication of his course— that he had been a rich man ; and it was an indisputable fact that riches covered a multitude of sins I He knew, from the fact that rich men were almost universally lauded for their wisdom, that the pro- cess of fastening the charge of folly upon so distinguished a one of their number vvas no idle undertaking. Again, it would be pleaded in uis behalf that he had been industrious and persevering, and had, as a consequence, reaped an abundant harvest as his reward ; but the ques- tion here arose, " Do enterprise and wisdom, in all cases, constitute synonymous terms ? » He thought not. Moreover, he would probably be accounted a wise man because he had taken thought, within bimscK as to "what he should do." '' "'Yes, he had taken thought, and the conclusion of his thoughts had been that he would build new barns, and on announcing this reso- lution he did not doubt but that he had been regarded as the very wisest man in all that region. But, again, the world would give him credit for SERMOAr-TIJE RICH FOOL. I4S was then picturing to Ss!oui.' '""' """^ ^™ '" '^^ ^^l-ght he this'S. tliiw "ril'T' '''T ''^ ™^^'"'^*'°" 'h^ P'-"^o- of ing in his .inc. ^Z^£::Z^^ ^^ f "'^'^^'-Iv- of hi. splendid dwell g Z::T'^, ^^""'^^^^^^ '" ^'^er apartnlts his wakeful soul to regfons o eTn m' '"'^ P'"'°"' ^'''"^^ "°' '« woo engaged in countin^Z L v S.V f ,"~'i '""^ ^^'^■^ '°° '"^'^ his exc'-ted vision the f^dl T °^ '"' "'^''^'^'^ ' picturing before barns; devi.ingThe .a^l ^r^nSS"'""-^ '' ■ '"^ --'x-c-ceived regale his admhing friefd 1' ^-f ?'"'"'' '"'^^ ^^'^''^'^ '^^ "^^^"^ to erou. regions of tlfe un iscove^l L" "'' "'"'"'"^ '"'° ''^^ "•-'^^- sure yet to con^e, when lors" Lnlv a^ trr"f "^ ''' ^"""^ °' P'^'^' aroused him-a voice from , Z .^ hghtnmg's flash-a voice thuncleredinhiseT; hrtrnkl'^n "V''^ '^"'' "^"-^^ ^'--'-» ^^' /vy«/;v^ ^/ //,,, / » "^'^ doom-" This night !-% ,,«/ ,/,«// ha^d'^Ir^itt^l^t^r^onThe v^aTof^'f ^ "'^" ''^^ ■"'^-"'-^ had the rich man been at th midnllf banqueting-chamber than of Tarsus been more awe-stmcTS T^r'"''""" ^'^'^ ''-• S'^"! been stricken sightless froTht Lt I X^?'^ °^ Damascus he had this man been on hearing his unlooked f ^ ' ' "'-'^^'-'"' ^'^''^" '^^^ the night. Andwellitmig Itbeso H ; '"'' '"^'^ "'^"' ''""'■ of his vision into the vestibulf of e ernity^n ITT '''''" ^'^ "Sions of tamty that before the rosy dawn of ,7n' , ^'^ ? '"''^"^' ^"^^ ''^"^ ^er- sence of a sin-judging Jehovah wereT.' ^'^ ''^^''''' '" ^^^^ P^e- the wni^ con4i^ns msrcie. la. ■ was t/tat he had forgotten ihi 10 146 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMA?^. I W ^^^^^i^^^Xr^t:^^ r" Tt '^' '--^ -- -^^ their Father in I eaven O hc'rs 1 ' 1 '^'^'^ ° '.'^''^"'^^"'"ess offered >o transgressions, but he Li no te, "TT' '» P-^itence over .Knr pleaded for favours fro n. i L Di ^ hK^'ir^ '!' '''' '' "''''' '^^ others had p,ayed for l.ght to sle th uth f f ' , "^ ^'''^'' '^ °""^'-' for '< he loved darkness rather hnn r ' ''' "^ "° '"<^'^ ^'"^'■•e. and fro. all this it was C^;X'':T''^'''''^ T' -'" •' -Pp)ied to him. PpeiMt.^.iof fo,., Had been justly '" 'He had said, "Soul tni . fi,- nvued his capital ,ni^ake W.^"' '''"' '"'' '^^•■^'" '^^'' ^-™ --"- undertake to ati.',,-thefS"rei '" V"\"" ^'^ ''^^ «°»I was this !-ho of .ratifieation that ^"5d " t ^f^: ^^'''^^^""^ '^>'°«^™g it a species " ' "A fool ! " e.o'-^ .; ;. ■ > ^' '" ">'""8^ '" '^ ^^te ! did he not assiduouii; ^nrv'' ^^'ul^''' ^*'^f' astonishment, "and within himself vvhat L> si oukl d^ ' " v ^ ^"^'"^^ ^'^ '^^ "ot ask asked this ^juesl.,.n, and had i been Jl''\l' ''''■"'""'' "^"^ ^^ '^^d reply, l^e shouid haJe answered h^'f"'/'^' T"^'"''^ '^••°^''"^'-' *<> naked " ; but his inq,,irrh,d„ " I T' ''f ''""^^'-y ^»^' '^'^'he the but what he should' do' t hLbod;" AH :-^'"'".'° ^^ ''' '''''^'' concerning n.atters confined to this ^v.n ," "iqun-.es had been cities and duration of the soul.' Her tie ^n"?"^ '"'^""'"^ "^^ ^P- pause and then continued, that he 'hopeTSfhis'T''"' '''" '^Tl^'^''^'- consider the value of an immorfnl ^ > ! '^''"■^'■- '^°"ld duly -certain character of itV::;;^ i^glT^f ^'^^"""'^^ ^^'^^ ^'^^ a l.ttle point of time, with heaven fhn^^, if? '"'' ""' '' '^■^'■^' "Pon beyond, requiring but the X I ,"' ''''' '"'^''^^^' '-^-l -^-""ity blow ,t away for tver! ^ "'''■"''°" of Jehovah's breath to ^l^JSdgSCh;:;^^^.:^ S ?^ir ^^--''^'^ -'^'- prayed to God that this inquify might inldl " '"■"'^^ ' ™^" ^^^^ ga.n the whole world and lose LTotn sS ? '^'^' '"'° °"^ '^^^^^^ '^ '^^ also theS":^^^;:'^' ^'L^z^ri::: !'v'^""^ ^^^"^^ -"'> ^'»' had been his declaration. And v^Z "'' "^^ '■°'- ''"'"-'' >"'-V' whose breath was in his nost.t tt^^T^ "''^ '""^ ' '^^''"^ all known uncertainties, ///^ was the Zi • '' "" ""hKl that of of strong walls and iron chests mfglrbTsSv''""- P'^'"'' '' "^^''^- preserving a strict correctness in Tl nL r''"'"'"' ' '-^Pt'tation, by f 1 long watc'icl Iness ofierecl 10 ence over rhjir ins ; -others iuid praytr to offer, no such dfsire, 'ds were e\il " ; ad been justly i?se // • had for. lad beim co.'n- was this !— to ng it a species ^hment, "and 3 he not ask that he bad jMovinte to Jid clothe the o to be saved, ies had been ing the capa- an emphatic ' would duly der well the t were, upon and eternity 's breath to ily achieve- it a man (he learts) if he le soul, but iny years," or a being ind that of 1) by means utation, by '. might be r railroad- SEKMON CONTIiVUED. 147 .1 TO o X , "" '"" ■° ™'"= ''» 1»»« "■!"■ God. I!„, no I £ spondmg echoes of the groans of the tormented.' ''" The services of Mr. Cookmaii at the dedication of 148 LIFE OF ALFRED COOk'MAM. ^Uugh Chapel, produced at Washington the impression which the advent of a "Cookman" was adapted to make in the national capital. A correspondent of one of our Advocates wrote of the occasion :— ''I will allude to but one more point, and that is the dedication of the Waugh Chapel last Sabbath. The ser- vices were extremely interesting. The sermons, in the morning and afternoon, were preached by the Revs. Alfred Cookman and John Emory Cookman, both sons of the late amented George Cookman, who was lost on the ill-fated President. ' Both of these young men partake in a remarkable degree of the spirit and eloquence which cha- racterized their father, especially as seen in his little volume of published speeches and sermons. The sermon in the morning was a beautiful exposition of the reasons why the apostle ' gloried in the Cross,' in which the youthful speaker held an overflowing audience, among whom were many members of Congress and judges of the Supreme Court, ,n almost breathless attention for more than an hour In the afternoon there was another great crowd to hear John Emory Cookman, who is, I learn, only nineteen years of age, and who has been a member of the Church but one year. Both of these young men are destined ere long, if their lives are spared, to rank among the most popular pulpit orators m our country." Among the conversions with which God honoured the ministry of Mr. Cookman during this period was that of his brother George, who, though next oldest to himself, had never before professed saving faith in Christ. On th^ first Sabbath evening of January, 1859, Mr. Cookman preached a most solemn and earnest sermon on the word " Now " to an immense congregation, and at its close invited penitents to the altar. He was feeling that night an especfal sS \ I M/SS ANNIE E. DICKINSON. 149 tude for the conversion of his brother. The brother was seated ,n the rear of the choir (front) gallery, and, though the obstacles were apparently great, he deliberately arose, descended to the lower floor, and came forward to the altar and was converted. Nothing could exceed the joy of the pastor at this result, in which the brother who had been the companion of his boyhood was given to him in the fellow- ship of Jesus. The t>vo became inseparable workers for the Master-George rivalling in the ranks of the laity the zeal and usefulness of Alfred in the ranks of the ministry. If Alfred s ministry at Green Street had done nothing more than to give to Methodism and to Christianity at large in Philadelphia, George Cookman, as an example of piety and earnest work, it would have been enough. His career was destined to be short, but full of good fruits, and such as only few young laymen in America have lived. As evincing the manifold character of Mr. Cookman's ministry at this time, his adaptation to all classes, the attractiveness of his singularly pure and persuasive influence there was a young Friend taken into the Church by him' who has since filled no small place in the public estimation. 1 his thoughtful, ardent young woman found in Mr. Cook- man's spirit and instructions what her nature needed She came out from the Society of Friends, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. She showed a genuine piety an inquiring temper, and promise of marked usefulness! AVhat her precise relations to the Christian Church may be at present, I do not know ; but there is not a loyal heart in all America that has not beaten responsively to the truthful brave, and eloquent words which she afterward uttered in the nation's darkest trials. Her scathing rebukes of treason and her searching exposures of wrong, her animated, cheer- ful eulogies of libe.':., heroism, and the flag, have roused to '50 ITFE OF A [FRED COOA'AfA^V. R ' hatred of violence and to love ol rmht even whnr. .1 S;-sor.enl...i.d. I ren^ L^M- st^Lt JJick.nson. Ihe tnb.,e which she has kindly written to he memory of him who was for so brief a time her pTstor bundantly attests the depth of her attachmen ^r' " T and proves that her heart must be in '...n tin u fh " It is not au easy task you mark me \' 1 since I sat dow.-. i.y your brother L , " . " r ''"' ''^''' ^^ne by tlie sun, and list. „ed to a voi e th.t^'; , '"'° ' ^'? ''''' "■'^'•™'^'' 'i'-'"uiiy, as a stram of celestia mus c mirdit .-,11 Long years full of strife and care and toil v!^ r , • and .und . c,e.r as U.ougluhey sh^ ir;;^: ^;::^^^ righteousness-not (hr ^'r^^^^^^T:^ "^' ''"''"^ ^'^^'• season, M-ith tender vet n oulf , W , ^ °" '" '^^■'^°» --^"^J o"' of tl.e likeness of Mas e ^ "llnl" '? ""^1 "'" '^^■^'^^'^" •^''-^ ""« as to wear throt.gl/fle ,? ;;VT,Tf 'n "f "'^ '° '^ '''"" '^■''^ ^ soul to kno.- Him ' face to Jace. ' "" '"■'^' '''"'' '''''y ''-• ^'-^''ctifiecl " This was Alfred Cookman ' For he ,„, one „f thll '"" >■ ,"""'' "' " '''"'''' 1« '»•"- As It IS, I speak from my heart " Cay .0 His.ife^,rr;7,„J-; :~;';;3 ,,i,.h. breathes the child-like, playful snirit ,L , ^"''"^ "■ ^"^ a.i I) hfe. I can imagine the air of . „ci H™,,;, wuh which tiie presents of the ii.tle br.^he; .Jf "! I where the 5s Annie E. ■ written to her pastor If for him, } with the nee. Her ave gone \>y "•armed like things poor ill. voice seem 'relay. austil)le, an irsting after I and out of others into his Master, e sanctified w dim and his name, the atmo- tenderness pen Here ■ period s birth- ia, and 311 Stan t in his dignity- re ac- I LETTER TO HIS IV/FE. (/, " Pn.i.ADEir„„, T„«,l.,, „/,,,„„„, y„„„„,. ^ ,j was quite well filled. Brother F T Wnv i ^ ,, ''''"'■*''' Ten presented themsekU f ^' ^^'^> l"<-'-'''^'"'<' 'i" excellent sermon. Jitt- snail not go to heaven without her Iler minrl T ,i,- i • made up to w^alk with him in the narrow wav Si!, ri ' ''' " else, and . eeps almost constantly Oh ll^. u '^°"' '■""'''"S joyou. ., : ^The children! eb'jth well usM^'ft! "'''' "°" ^"' '" and thanked them very sincerelv The ^M [ ^'"'""'''' '" '">' J^"^'^^'' asks a, .eat many ^S^toJ^^ ::^t^:T^':'- .^-^ge she will live after the doctor cuts her witht t^l ' "^Z^? ^OT 'f ma s return, their little eyes dance with delight." ^ ^ '"'' °^ The young people crowded to hear him, and verv ,nn, . K. '''*'' "''^^'- biot her Geoi-FC At- nn« r .u ' ■ ^mony tnc.-a was hi:, ueoige. At one of the most interesting services eve. held in w lil isa //^^ OF ALlA^ED COOAMAM •-^'-ent friend. givi„,, ^ accou u , " I ';°"^'^^"^''- ^" ^^'"'ng to an :;>h n.y pen and with my s^lo, ^the '"'"•""' '"■" '''''^' *' ^^out -«re.l fcr it and prayed for i nee nmll T'^" -'r^ '""''-' "^ ^a.I tl'-efu-e could „„t b„t ' shout ' when hisl^ ' "'"''" ""'' ^^ ^"X' «"<' . 'Mr. Cookman always rej-arded ,,,1 "'' '■'•^""^^*'- P-e-st. a« it was one of the .2 1 4r?n"'"^"'. '" "^ "^ ^^^^ 'mp. laboured for the ^w of the A 'Jr f ' ' """'■'*'^' '' '^•'"•'•■^•'•. He -■: .1 'resente.1 himself n writing to an - •'"lid, • I shout >vent.' He had nd hy day, and ized. ""e of the hnp. lal career. He This wns the urch was asked -ookman's sue opJe^jood.'" CHAPTER Xill. THE UNION CHURCH, PHILADKLPHM.-SLAVERV AG.TATION. — CHRISTIAN UNION. l-ooKman far. He was appointed to the Union Church ,„ Fourth Street, ,„ March, ,85,. The Union cha^e il ,1 nex. oldest to St. George's in the city, and is surrou, ded by business houses, which have from year to year pre ed ™,^ terestdent population to retnoter sections [.is stin a strong statton; but at the time Mr. Cookman was sent to partially from ,ts membership, i, was a powerful organizl ..on tncludrng some of the most influential fam Ues of preferring to continue m connection with a Church with which they had been so long in close fellowship to joilg hose which were nearer their residences. The u2 was consequently not so favourably located for a large "in gregation; but its proximity to the hotels and its fee sel were advantageous conditions, and Mr. Cookma„rpop arity began immediately to produce an increased attendance upon the public services. aiienaance As indicative of the high estimate ir which Mr. Cook- ,"!; "'",f%."^' "'''■ I -"^ ^ brief extract from a iet.e, „f Mr. 1 nomas L. Mason, a well-known member of 154 /^/^^ OF ALFRED COOA'AfAA, p -') I! '! f !|i When Conference met, Cre;, S ee K ' f"'"' '" '^^ P'-^^^"'" of Union "7"f '"•'", and to acconnnc;, t"ot'?r'T"'^''"'^''^'^"-'-^^-'"I-" ^^Uh the umierstanding that at the . •^"'"^ ^'"'^^"''-^ ""e gave in «ent to L-nion-and so he.v. o?""'°" °' '"° ^^^^ ^^ "ould b^ 224. North Fifth Street, and parth v "r f '"'"' "'" "^"^^^^l it to a ^..on with open arms ancf ^ et™'^'^-'-'^- He was receivecl . good, our finances much improved R °"'' '^""S^^Satiom were tlie young. " ^ '^°^«'- He was particularly successful with Mr. Cookman had the happiness of h. • fnends m the congregation Thl '"^ '"'"^ ^^^^'^^ "^•nistry n-ho had long heid M ''?' '^°^^ ""^^^ ^^^ -teen. His whole Ztfoun " ''I ''^^'^"^ ^^^ ^' Ground genial hearth-s ones Ws s n .°?'. ''' gratification, ag-eable co^panionsh^l^Ser t ! rf "^'^ ^"^"^^'^^ were strengthened by jud ciousro , "'''' ^'' ^'^"^s thies. The Rev. An Jrew T " "' '"'^ ''"^'^ ^^"^P^" health from the act.Ve t I of thT' '"' "''^ ^^ ^^^e f. the congregation, anZli, ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^ ^-^er fnendship, to his comfort and n.' r^ ' '" ""^ ^^"tle Georgejn the first flush o splltjr^^^ His brother endowments of speech a^ s'g aHV^^'r^'^'^^" own mother, also, was one of wf fl I i? '"'°^"- H^^ often fed him with the Word of l r ^'^' ^^''^° ^'^^ ^o ^'^''- But now, as beLe anW '' T' ""^^ '^^ ^^d by -ore than si.e received To T"' ' ^''^' ''' ^^°-'^'^' "'isdom which, in his opinion h T!' °" ^''' '''^'P'''' ^^ ^ a fa.h Which knew noTb ? ^t aTel tV ''''''''' could quench, was to him no sH!ht n • ^ '"^''^ "° ^^'^^ers "^ - arduous a position. Th f oo^'^^^^ '' "^^ '^'^-S "ere, too, was the sanctuary in E. Cookman, t. if the appoint- )astor of Union. Ijt) insisted u.,on ds we gave in, rs he would be Eighth Street, lemoved it to e was leceiveJ '■egations wei-e successful with any choice ■ "nder his St personal ratification, ns enjoyed his hands ler sympa- by feeble 1 member '»d gentle s brother ^common 3^v. His o had so e fed by possible, ort of a oracular, o ^\•aters blessing tuary in SE/^MO.V A T PEM.VS GRO VE. the private house of Mr T ^rTZ^. ~T~ ' Street, which the pasto c/uld ,-. 1 '' '" ^^'""^ ^-'""'^^'^ and to which as ^f ^'^ "^"'^/'^g-r^ ^s very nn.ch his own, The eldes dat'luer o M l""' '^ ^^^^^-">' --^ted.' "Pon the decea e o her H "'^'''"'' ^^''- J°^^" K^^"' meetings for "I L s ' ir T "' "'' "^^^^"^ ^'-^ These ^n^etingstdleelttntLTr"'^^ '"^ '^^■"■"^^• gathering-point' for fh. , !'°''' ^^^'"^ commencement a -freshed; Ind issuing th^le .^wf"' 'T ^^'" ^'^^'^ of God, he entered unon Z ''''' '''"^''" ^'^^^S^^^ and labon-ous nafor f '''"'""^ ^"^'^-^ °^ '^^^ '^-^rge and success ' "'' ""' ^""^^^^^'^ ^--sed vigotr More than ever hefnr*^ i^\^c. ^ at Lome, was in de^^'a' ,?" W,fe7"' "" '="''■''' his own city or in anv otht ,T " ='™°™«d in was sure lo be gr" eTed b^ a . ^ ™ '"'"■■" °'='^''^'°"'- '^= jn. « .-..es waf ^ oltltj^::: "%,f ^ f^ " picaciiea about this time at Penn'q Cvr^^rc meeting in New Jersey :— ^"^^ "^^^P" " I recall a sermon he nrenrliP,) of „ ^'- te:.t 'Thy w,ll be do ' The d,rr'"""'''"^ '" New Jersey, on it. left th.. congregation a ^o^d dl' , ^T ^^u"*'"' "t' ■^^'™°"' -'^' h.s voice all was hushed into atttntio As •, . "' "! ''^,^ '••■^' ^"""" °f into the appeal of his discourse h^t, f ^""'^''''^'' ^"'' P'-^-^^'l on tears. People wept alouthlnren V ''''■'^' "^'•ong uas boued in passers-by on the 'edge S\ " J r'"^/'-""''"^ ^^e stand, and the preacher of the Ilicltite Frilnc's H ^^ 'T '"'"' ''"'"^' =^ "•''^^'^1''"^ g.-adually seemed ^.^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ ^-t, but conclusion he stood up and cHed with '"■'''''"' ""^'' '-^t 'he constraining influencJof the Sp it wA ' T"'',^^ '' ^'^''""S to the '" the den.onstration of the t i 't and w.^P "' ^'' ''°^^"' P'-'^'^-l tables right after the service b fir , ''"'"■• ^^'^ ^^'^'" '° 'he could not eat. We sat lookin " a, 1 " '^"V"'""'"' '^'^'' ^' ""'^ '^W<-" could not be controlled -'^ ''''' ''^'''' '-^"^^ "'^'^Pi^g tears that 156 -' ' I LIFE OF ALFRED COOK. I/AAT. During the autumn of igrn Mr r , ~~~ to Baltimore to preach at m2 bookman was invited was one of the churches foZ""^' '''''' ^^^"^^- ^^-^ Station when his fat was o™;" '" ^^'^^™°^^ ^^^^ was a signal for an outpouHn^ of r ""r''''' ""'' ^^'^•"g tl- Pubnc generally. nl7Z to 1 1" .^^^^ ^^'^"^^ ^^ ^esca.eopponun.,.oU.nJ^- ;S^-;X;^:f- .,. J „ y ^ '''^' '^ passing around feanng an unmanageable crowd v^b'.' • ° ''''^''''^^ '^^ ■'^e-vice went away who could not be a ICtt^:; •? ^"' ---^^'--vS I preached ' Pow^r ' in th. ™."^''^^^f' ^^''th sta.^ding-room - ^J^e afte„.oon mac "hr ^, , "r '"^' ''^"' ^'^ ' ^^^^^ ^'^^"Tu night • am hardly able to stagger!: *"?,.; r/n'^ '"^^'^^^ "'■^^^- -^^ 4' P'^ao^u me,t/njr for an hour and a h!lf ^ "^ ""' ^'" ^^ ^^d a moL I-ce. Oh the strong consolat n^h: e is i /'c^ ' T '^^^ '" ^-r^- accept. The friends vie vWtl eacHtr'' "T""""^ '^^" ^ ^^n possibly out or me on Wednesday. W to aH 7'^f ''"^' '-^"^^'-"^ Look <^h>ldren. Tell them to be very ^oS " '"'^- ''^">^ '^'^^^^ ^or the Again he wrote to his wife :~ << T _ I am sure you will nr,*- ^u- . J-sband. An Lee^Xleal^^t U^T ^ '''' ""^'^ ^'^ "^ '-^ly delphia about five p m On " ^^'^ '''''' brought us to Philf ^'71-' i" at the c S^e:i:::!''':'^r'''''^i^T^^ n^-iknig their arrangements to su wS M w ''"" ^"^' ^■'^•7 -eS were very well, and full of inq.Hr ,- , 'L''"" '^- ^^- ^ookman"^ 1 "Arnvng at the ' Fifth 111; ^e^f P— , who had everything very clein nn 1 ^^Jcomed by Lizzie etters and papers, I felt such a se, e "f ' r°'"'°'"^''''''^- ^aki^ up 1 I remembered this would not do and "Jk''^ " '^''^""°' '^'^ ^escnbed"^ sweetly realized that I was in the be^ of c '"' ""' "^"^^ '" Player Say.our came quickly to my re^ef "nd L ''''"^- ^^>' ^-Pass onl e "' -~-er of ii.,;^ -^; =c;:s;:r:Svt an was invited Church. This Baltimore City '■ His coming -d friends and more friends are ■ kindness that I s passing around • Although the tise the service, vening//««rt>^^j ig-room. Birth 'at night; night. To-day we had a wosi kept in perfect How delightful I can possibly ?ntions. Look kisses for the 'I'om a lonely t us to Phila- J) of course, I Mary were 3kman. All the children. •^l l>y Lizzie akirigupmy 'e described, s in prayer Tipassionate "orined into t — how in- A NT IS LA VER Y AGITATION. 157 describably valuable, is the religion of the Lord Tesnst M • • and enjopnent of its sacred infuences a.^ tlS^g ay'l^dT""" The Shrewsbuty camp-meeting was a favourite resort of Mr Cookman. He loved to meet the Baltimore Metho- dists whenever he could, and nowhere were his labours more acceptable and useful than among them at the camp meetmgs. He v;ill be heard of ag.in at Shrewsbury ' _ Mr. Cookman's pastoral term at Union, happy as it was in mos of Its aspects, was not wholly without trials It covered a period which was one of great anxiety and' per- plexity both m the State and the Church. The " irrepres- sible confltct " between slavery and freedom was fast ap. proaching a crisis. The elements of dissatisfaction and discord which had been rising and gathering, had assumed such It ,. ,,,,,,,,,, ^,^ ^^^^ ^.^^J^^^ ^^^^^^^-^d .torm The whole nation trembled with uncontrollable agitation; ev^ry ecclesiastical organization, and more especia ly the Methodist Episcopal Church, was shakin. o It. centre with a controversy, the sharpness of whichliad preapuated the most equable men imo bitter host, ty Hatred was fast taking the place of love, distrust of con- fid nee ; lifetime fnends were becoming alienated , section was arraying itself against section; Northern opinion was by side in the pew, or ate together, members of the sime r: s a^d^r^^' almost whoHy in their judgment o/t causes and the cure of national and ecclesiastical troubles It was one of those times of decision in which Almighty uod brings nations and inri,\..ri,,nio *„ .u„ ,__, ... "= ^ -i- — ..!..ii,«»c, lO iHc uur ur juaguient 'if . '^ • 158 I.7J^£ OF ALFJ^ED COOKMaN. and to which destiny hoidT^h^i^riil '■ ' The wises. „e„ stood bewLtd TZ.Tct'' "'''■ >vere wringing „,eir hands i„ des Jr or^ ', 't""'""'"'^'' in fury ; and even Radimk , , '^''"ch.ng their fists ness of .„e.r pr'cip e "e^ t, ^r Trf "'" '"' '"^"■ -hich their snceess th.at^ed ''„: ""..?'"^^.''™"^ exclaimed Mr. Hiniter nf v • Conscience," Senate, "has done , S grV ?'""' '" "" ""'■'=" States ciiiation or of the Un on ,' " "° ''°'" •"' '^con- -gainst us." I, 7as IZ' ■ T"'"" °' "« N""" '' free states Irad ™ ehed '""8'"™''' <^™-i™ce of the tolerate the e«e„si:?„f ^^^ '''^'^ " »"■<> - 'onger -"ndSSni'irij^r^^'r"'" 'aw.'and aVbevond 7 " ™r, P«"-ed by municipal except by the rct,rce'':r Lrf''";°"^' -"^'^^ mnnicipa, laws. Yet there tere ■ » „ t cTu f" conscience compelled them t„ ™en in the Church whose slavery in the CI urcl, bv r.^ ■ f," "'^"''es to abate .0 eniancipa e c? s- es' X" ^'7-"°"™* "^^-^ the State hrough the Ch'ch 7 '" *"' '" '^'''en clear . estimony and bv^uche;,"'"'' '" """'"«• "y ^ could conrntand, a publi sentre Tir^ ''T'' " ""^>' There were differences „f ™" "^ "abolition." «ener.al Conte '^0? 'h T,\°T 1° *' P"'"-^' "^ *« expel nrenibersrsi::; olIt!t'at"rr'tr""'' " though those rs:r;:.e^r:t^r' power were massed mostly along the " Bor, ler r r " en.hracin, the .alt.mor: ^i^'J^^"^^:"-^ ADHESION TO DUTY. 159 orable grasp. Conservatives ing their fists I tlie correct- :onsequences Conscience," nited States Je of recon- le North is ience of the 1 no longer repared to iQ\'^ of the es to be a municipal al process ned these rch whose to abate \ members to leaven •ing, by a e as they bolition." ^r of the hurch to ■ expedi- fferences Church, such a fences," >> \Vest Virginia, and Missouri Conferences, with contiguous Con- ferences lying north. The whole question has since been consigned by the " logic of events " to a dead past, and is of interest chiefly as one of the teachings of history. No issues which have smce transpired can throw the shadow of a suspicion on the honesty of the men who, in so great a debate, stood and acted apart. Time has healed-no, victory, in the happiest fruits of righteousness and peace, has healed— the breaches of the angry strife. But it was an ordeal for many souls which cannot soon be forgotten— a fiery trial ; and though It only consumed the straw, that the gold might shine with the richer splendour, it was not the less painful in its endurance. Mr. Cookman was among those who believed that a law should be enacted excluding slave-holders from the Church. ^Vhen measures were introduced to effect this change' through what was deemed the proper constitutional process,' he gave them his prompt and uniform support by voting for them. He stood almost alone in his Conference. There was a small knot of six of seven men out of about three hundred, and these were most of them men of advanced years. He was young, bright, popular,— the idol of his brethren and of the people j his early education had been in the South ; his principal friends were either slave-holders or their sympathizers ; his opinions seemed to impugn the piety of people who nourished him in infancy and youth • his vote seemed to fasten sin on those who were regarded as above reproach; the measure he supported must ex- clude many from the Church whom he hoped to meet in heaven, and even apparently blot with a stain th- memory of many who had died in the faith. But Alfred Cookman felt that he must do his duty. He would not IIW' I li f i ii 1 f, 1: , ;\ IlKri 160 Z//r 0/^ ALFRED COOKMAN. follow his principles to all their logical results; he could only see principles, and to them he must stand hitStotri '"'•'''" the piety and virtue of thousands hithe to and then mvolved in slave-holding; but of two oThim r\ '"r '^' '''''• ^'^ °PP-^-^^>' had CO- n re?h f" ' "^^'V'^'" ''" '' ^^>^ ^^^^^^ ^e should spare the feelings of friends, or do what he could to liberate fiv. mi ions of slaves; whether he should pander pmt of oppression, even though softened by religion or s n e a blow for universal freedom. He rose to t e Hsi of ^he hour. Cutting away from all social and persona entanglements, the man stood forth in an Jt .f I Wore h r'T '""""'""=" *' *^"8= «'■= P»ding before h,s Conference, he got domi on his knees in the pew, and, bathed in tears, poured out his soul G d fo l.ght and strength, and arose and voted "Ajef" H°l was the iron in his nature. ' Let those who think Ahred Cooknun was not a man of he truest and highest courage mark this. His forbe" ance for the weaknesses of men, his indisposition to insist , In pomts m which men differed with him, his great charit" winch folded in its arms earnest souls Ind dro p d ou ' o^ s.ght ,he,r accidental disagreements, have been constr ed mto a want of courage. Mr. Cookman never waited his force on men of straw, but when real giants were to Z crushed, he had the power to do it ^ In keeping with the vote thus given ,vas the sermon he preached m h,s own church about the same period ^Hed ™- r2, 13. As might be expected, some of his nearest friends and principal supporters were wounded, and did „o hesitate to express their displeasure. His only answerrall ANTI.SLAVERY SERMOI^. Its; he could of thousands but of two ity had come ler he should Id to liberate pander to a ' religion, or : to the crisis nd personal ct of moral Methodism, ere pending nees in the to God for i'^/" Here 3t a man of forbearance insist upon sat charity, 'ped out of construed wasted his i'ere to be sermon he iod, called rom Isaiah is nearest id did not 3wer to all such was, "I can afford to fo/rnve them" tt , which convin':: v ^Ty!::^ "^ "^^^^ wrote ,0 his bro.l,er "- '""" '^''™''°"- "■= „„ , "■'"'"MI-PHIA, Afe,mi„. ,6, ,860. managers of the Young Men'sCl rSnl A • ^ °'''""S of the held on Wednesday ev' ;ing I^^T^^:'^^: '^^^^ --^'"^ -- versary until the evening oFthe 3,7o De ."h. '''J'"^.^'^""^ ^'^*-^ -"- at Concert Hall. Had it l^een lel.i 1 f ' ''^'" " '"'" '^°'"'-" "^ nn.st have been the place se J A °'"'' "'"' ""' "^ "'^' ^"'^"-''es expressed that you .Lgh: t^ J^J^:^ ^^ -™- ^-^ was clined. Mr. Crowell and Dr K.„^ 'P^^^«'*- Dr. lyng has de- Christian young men to *he Hm,.c »/ ^ ^" ^'^^ relaiion of ti>« present crisl of our „t on I;;; ,'p^^^^^^^^^ ^"^'^ ^"'^ - be suitable. ""^ ''"'' "'"'"'^ ^ history, woukK T .},.;.^,^_ H LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. •'The value of a powerful illustration can scarcely be estimated I say this as an offset to the claim you set up, ^ Pay what thou mvest: I could do this m a fortnight of sermons, and, retaining Uhe fiiruiW be decidedly the gainer. You know, however, that I love to act generously ^o one IS more interested for your success than myself. It is my triumph to see you triumph. ' Cookman ' is the name which, with the blessing of God, I desire to float aloft, commanding the respect, confi- dence, and affection of the world. Family pride (I trust it is sanctified) has a ^yonderful development in my experience. My beloved brother never do anything or say anything that would lower that name one iota in public estimation If we desire our name to remain unimpeached and be increasing y honoured, then, struggling up above the infected at- sTnlhrf'r 1" '°""^""'•'''' ''' - «^-'' '" the clear, broad, beautiftil sunlight of God s immediate presence. Men will recognise us as Christ's • John, take my advice, and be satisfied with nothing less than a heart constantly filled with God. It is a grand idea and a'grander exp^itc o be co-workers with God ; infinite wisdom and illimitable power en- hsted in our behalf. It helps us to think, to study, to pray, to preach and to abour; it becomes the guarantee of inevitable and glorious sue! cess I mean all I write, and hope that you will immediately put this matter to an experimental test. ^ " But to the illustration. I have been turning it over in my thoughts and cannot call up anything that I think coukl be rendered more efre! tive than Tennyson's ' Charge of the Light Brigade ' at Balaklava I enclose a copy, which you will please preserve, and return when 'you have done with it. Its application to this light brigade of young soldfers ' for Jesus charging upon the flanked batteries of hell, would, I think be very thrilling. Fonoar^ the /i,ht ^>n^a./. ; ring the changed just here' How are dear mother and Mary? We have manv inquiries re- specting their welfare. Will you not all come to spend the Christmas holidays .n Philadelphia ? I think you might excuse' Mary at onJZl allow her Philadelphia friends a chance. The festival at Sansom Street Hall passed off splendidly. Among the rest, Mr. Reese Alsop was pre- sent. He scanned our crowd as if he ^^■ould find a cherished one Dr KennadayMs preaching this week at Trinity. No special interest is re- ported. The services are held in the lecture-room. The Tuesdav after- noon meeting is largely attended, and I think increasingly interesting. 1 he children s class is getting on nicely under the auspices of M— - "; ^''^ " vindicating the wisdom of our selection. Take jrood care of yourself or rather commit yourself, body, soul, and all, to Christ, and let //tm take care of you." srEEciiEs m miv york. 163 It could hardly be othenviiT^j^^TuirTrT^T reputation should attract attention in Lv?^""'"^ accordingly find him invited th^ er on dffll" T"'" ^' to speak at public meetings and n '"' °"'''^^'°"^ Pbia churches. In the a^um of 'S^T ^'^, ''''"'^^- anniversary of "Five Poi ! v ? ^' '^^^^ ^^ the the ladies of the Method? F "f ""'" ^'^^ ^^^ ^^ mc ivietnodist Episcopal ChnrrVi tu versary was held at the Academy 0^^^^^ Th. h'""' was very large and enthusiastic " ffis ^dH ' '"'' gentleman, recently, "I can never ^Lt "S "l' ^ Pnncpal figures-the child and the Bible !h '''"'' her diamond ring, the sinking shin-^lre ' s "?'" '"^ had heard them only yesterdav "A '''''^^ ^' ^^ ^ company with Mr. Geort h%, \ "'^f ^° ^^^^ ^^^k, in Philadelphia gentlemen To > ' '^''''' ^^^"''"^'"^ Christian's, waTt" ' T^ i^tL nr°" °^ ^"^'^ way to his wife :_ ^^^ following pleasant " Metropolitan Hotel, New York Fr-i^ " How very rrladlv rln T ^«- ' "^ ^'^orning. Pleasu.-e. fo.- I^'t fre l^.'iWbeTl^r !''^ "^--"'"^ *° -'^' ^" your other gentlemen, I enjoyed exceed h,^lvTh.°' '^''^'°'' ^'>'''*^' --1 to New York. Mr T-xvlor Z7T^^ Y ^''"'""^y '^'•°"> Philadelphia ;'-i' ^'''^- -^'-^ged In ^ I>nlee'^ "^ •!"= Associa- -cl has on,, ,ei, A.Ile f,'; : Tthe^f • ^^'""'■-^''• mission during elic iale civil war. ""'''" ^'°™- Mr. Stuart has not ceisprt f,.. „ i Cherish the n.en.ory Of hi ^MrcV"""^^^ ^"^ ^° k.ndly furnished to the Re thn E CoT" "' '^'^ -t.mate of his character and\vork as ^e " ' '"" at this time :— ^'^ ^^^>^ ""pressed him Phies-Dr. Murray, of SilieT nT P /'' '"'"^'-^^ "^ "^^"- •''■»^■-- and Dr. Hamilton: 'of Lonbn ,'0^ •, ^'^'!: '^"'^ ^-J^^' "^ Irelam! ; ervent and devoted n^inl.ste "f e C>o tlL ^^J T "^ ^^^'^^ ^ -°- ^'ummerfield ,doued with all th fcrv^u 'f h fi'"'' f ''''"'^'^''''' ^-^ of Methodism ; and no one coull . °^ '^^ ^''' ^^'^ I^enteccstal days ence without feeling thatTe "as Ine 7 "f " ''' '"'''"^ °' ^"^ '"«- to die wa.s gain. "' '' °"^ ^"^ ^^'^^"^ to live was Christ, and ^^^^^f^^^^:^^^ -. previous to the ■scenes of awakening. . ,f conversion ) ? k ^ ^ ''™"S'^ 't^ precious his nature and of g.te. V^^e ^e ^ t°""' ^^"^ '-^^ ^'- ^-our of t.me of revival, his name seem volunt^ , T '" '°""'^*^''°" ^^^ that o the eloquent and devoted yomi. 2 ^^ ° t"°"''^ ''^^'^ ^^'''^ that and power in the Union Tabermc e L T ™'' "'^'^ ^--^^^ "»^""n ^'"'•ing that time. A single seTmon'fh T """'''^ ''^^'^"^ ^^e city valley of dry bones was ill ' "the "" '''' ^''^P'^^'''^ ^'^'^ ^'^ '^e of whom heard him as she stood vho^tTe'te:; "'"""' ''''^^'' ^^ #, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT.3) ■ 1.0 Jrftt IIIM I.I 11.25 M 2.0 IIIM i^ IIIIII.6 niU^*^ x,*^ i iiUlUgidplUL Sciences Corporation \ #qN^ "% V 40^ ^\ <8*7«i. 6^ '^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 #^<^ -^"^k^^ .«^ "^ '^ :U^ ■0 X- ,/% S'. 5. f/l ^ i 1 66 LIFE OF ALFRED COO KM AX. •'Never shall I forget a 'noonday prayer-meeting' held during the revival, at which your brother presided With deep feeling he asked for special prayer for the only son of his father who remained still with- out an interest in the great salvation. You may judge with whirt fervour that request was responded to. A few days later word came that the prayer had been heanl anil answered, and that George Cook/nan was re- joicing in the iiope of the glory of God. He too has gone to the upper sanctuary ; but permit me to recall the fact that \\lien, by age, I was called to lay down the ofiice of President of our Young Men's Christian Association, its duties devolved upon this beloved brotlier, who was chosen as my successor. Very precious still to me is the memory of George Cookman, the second President of the Young Men's Christian Association. " Alfred Cookman was one of those xvho represented m tht mind of the Christian public the brotherly unity of the luhole Church of Christ. His light-hearted catholicity, and his unqualified love for all who held by the Head, were what gave him his place among us. On any public occasion when the churches of Christ were called on to unite in utter- ance or in action, he was always expected, and never in vain. " How faithful he was to all the interests committed to him inside his own denomination, you can testify of. I can say that he was one of those who made us feel that all these divisions were but regiments and brigades of the one great army, the hosts of the living God. " My own personal relation to him was one of pleasure and of profit always. He was a brother in sympathy, a friend in help. " When a sentence,"" at which our Christian world has not ceased to wonder, cut me off from my place in the Reformed Presbyterian General Synod, he was among the first to give utterance to his Christian confidence and sympathy, in a letter which I highly prize as a memento of our Christian friendship." Here also are words of the same import to Mr. John E. Cookman, ftv.m the distinguished and venerated Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., rector of the Church of the Epi- phany, Philadelphia : — "No argument in support of the reality and truth of the religion of * Mr. Stuart was suspended by the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church for singing such hymns as " Rock of Ages," and communing with Christians like Alfred Cookman. Ml TESTIMONV OF D,: R. NEWTOAr. ;th of the religion of — — -— — ^ '^^ ^^:ft;:rs^:!Lr:::;;-f-i.eh . f.r„i...b,.He^ iamentr-l brother. "^^n^'-^tent, so holy as was your loved and But '^^^^^T^ intimate persona, acquaintance with hi. who love the cause of Jesus ake ^Z f 1^'^'^°'™^' ^^here those stood side by side in sIZ.g tt p^ S ,e t"'; '' '°^f ^^' "'^ ^^'^^ name and the welfare of Hi:f blood boTht rl T\ °^ "''' ^'''''''''^ is gone, the recollection of those seasons i^'^ 1 "' "°" ''''' '"^ me. Hislarge-hcartedlovJ the Ti'ds oMe ".r' P'""""^ '° his a,ms ; the earnestness of his zi 1 / ^""''' ' '^ ^'"S'^"^^^ of "ntr,„g devotion, the unction and powefjlT""'" °'''^ '^'''' ' "^^ and said, were the points about himZt ahv^^''""'' '" ^" '^ ^''^ pressed those who came in contact wit' i„"S ""' ^'"'^'^ '"" seals upon his character that stamned hL I ''''""' ^^^ ^'°^^^ ministers, and won for hin^lt illa™ n"th" """''r^™ ^""'"'^^ the living image of Jesus is dea e t ^ , "''"''' "^ "" ^« ^^hom was a privilege to have known Jm l ''''y'^'^'S else. I feel that it character of your lamentedTolher !" "'"""^ '" ^" ''^^ "^^ ^"d Mr. Cookman comoleted In'c f«r«, * tt • the SDrina of rRf^r u ^ ^* ^"^°" Church in eminently useful. Mr. Ma.on says .- "^^ertheless "His Saturday -afternoon meetinp, wa^^. o Sunday-school children loved h.^'^fr; ruS, "wfha^r"" ^" ''^'^ s.ons to the Church in small numbers VVe heS T''"' '"'^- ings ;n the body of the church Thf. Protracted meet- many were converted and added to th'e rt,"t ^^'"f "'''^"^"^^nt. but this day. During one of these m. , T ' ^"^ '"""^ '•^"^^in to Hotel said to sonfe ft ends ^^^1'."^,^:^'"^'^ ^ '^f X boarding at the Union have some fun.' They oc^uptd the 7"\u ''' ^''''^°''^' '"-''"^ -"^ aisle. .^...>.^^ri'^£t£^;-h^^^t^^^^^ LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN, sinners to stand up, and, to the grer.t amazement of her friends, Mrs. C. stood up. She was converted, was a aseful member of Union Church many yeais, and removing to Camden, New Jersey, took a card and joined the Church there, wheic she lets her light shine still. "Alfred's life, his character, and influence in the city was all for good. lie was one of the purest ministers we ever had— the true minis- ter in the market, the home, and in the house of God. One of his most eftective sermons was preached on the steps of my house— to my son, Thomas T. Mason, jun., who was just leaving for the army of the Cum- berland. Taking him by the hand, he said, ' Tom, take God with you and all will be well.' After the terrible bnttle of Stone River, in Ten- nessee, my son was cut down with typhoid .'"-ver, and just before he died he turned to his comrade, Thomas C. Moore, and said, ' Tom, I am taking God with me.' " CHAPTER XIV. CHURCH.-PATRIOTISM AND THE CIVIL WAR. Such was the influence which Mr. Cookman had gained at P-ladelphia, both in and out of the Methodist Chu' h L It would have seemed wise to retain him in tht citv Tl came now a demand" for his removal t New Yo;k Hi! ame as a preacher had become so wide-spreTd as to r h. services to be in request in manyplace Xth o 1^^^^^^^^^ ' in Ph-ri Tk '" ''^ '''''''''■ H^ had been ZnZV, in Philadelphia, and he must make a change-" Whl IT toNewYorlf?" T-u ,• • ^'"AJJ^e — v\ ny not go New York vas sure ?? ?°" '' ^'^ ^"^^^^^ Church !n i''^""h''™e. wh.ch had been put m order for his family, he began to wht irh"dr*°'' °'""'"'"^^^ '" .he kervanS °f wh.ch he had been everywhere successful. He now found hurrself placed in a comparatively untried field. HeTa but one of hundreds of pastors of first-rate abiltty brough 172 LIFE 01' ALFRED COOK'MAN. f.1:ii to the great centre from all ports of the country. The con- gregations of tlie Central Church were devout, refined, and intelligent, but not large and overflowing, such as lie had been accustomed to. They thus lacked an impoitant element of effective oratory in a popular preacher, and also the con- tlitions so necessary to the extensive revivals which had so often attended his ministrations. Mr. Cookman speedily adapted himself to the altered circumstances, went quietly to work, and in the absence of all parade, addressed himself to the proper vocation of a faithful pastor. His diligence, zest, and wisdom soon began to be manifest in the growth of the congregation, in the deepening piety of the members, and in the general and har- monious advancement of all the institutions of the charge. The Sunday School instantly felt his magical touch, and the young men came around him as if drawn by an irresistible spell ; the whole people were warmed into an intenser glow by his benignant spirit. The following letter to his wife, touching the prospective removal into the new home, will be appreciated by all Methodist ministers and their families. One must go and ^ another come ; the parsonage must be refitted for the incoming family. It is a hard time for sick children and invalid wives; but the wheels roll on, and around must go wives and children with the wheels. The Methodist Church is a militant Church, and not only the ministers, but their families, must be regarded as part of the army, and must feel it no hardship to be always ready at the appointed signal to break camp and march. The reference in this letter to the preacher's class sug- gests one of Mr. Cookman's strongest points. No man ever possessed greater facility in the difficult and useful exercise of class-leading. The class of six soon grew to be LETTER TO /m IVIFE. \CZ ':':':!"' '"'^■•'"" " -^'^-S^'i in thTwork of continued real .a io T In Tl ""^'f' ''''^^ ''^'^"" "-^ ''^^''•^'^'''"""' -"' -itHin the last w ek TlTo " "'" ^l'''"''^">' ^'''''^■'""^ ^^ ■»^" -e in n,y night "'0,°' t -en' ,T"^'"''-^">'"f, '"^ '" >»>' ^-^^^^ visiting Mrs. 8Ul,r e ca n 3 '"■'J^"^ ' """"« "^ -' my hostess. much. After he I.'f T ?" ''^'"''' '''"'' ^'"i">'"' "^'-' -'vice very ini-i iiiL Class, 1 visited, in comnanv uiili \U-^ ^ ,1 next JIm.l.iy. TIk,, ,|,c- i™ „., ■ ' '" "'" t'"' ""' 'i" so thoroiifrhv home-sick- tlnf i -,„., . ,■, ^"^ "^'^t ^^<-t-K. I am another 'eek. My 1 vi 1 n 7 1 T' ' '""""' ^" '"""^"^ '"-■'- ne.vl „-eek. Tins evoni,,^ i, ,h „ ■ , ""' '""" °" ''» '«""" the excilemem of the last fortnight." '^ ^'^''''" 174 J. IFF. OF ALFRED COOh'MAN. M\ iMl The first year of the pastorate at Central passed usefully and pleasantly, affording every indication that the new minister 1 ad taken a strong hold upon the affections of his people. It was the year of the outbreak of the Rebellion ; and, perhaps, one of the most trying periods for all the ordinary methods of ministerial work which the American Church has known. It was a time when the pruning-hook was beaten into the spear, and the ploughshare into the sword. The war spirit had possessed the populations ; the great masses had risen as one man for the vindication and safety of the Union ; and from one end of the land to the other the strange noise of drum and fife called the young men to arms, and the highways and streets were thronged with troops marching southward for battle. New York was in a ferment of excitement — her streets were drill-grounds, her jniblic squares barracks, her Sabbaths fallen under the stern exigency of preparation for instant conflict. Amid such scenes it was no wonder if the congregations of the churches were decimated, and the spirit of religious revival repressed. After the first blaze of patriotic fire had spent itself, and the people had become used to matter-of- fact war— -found themselves humbled with disappointment, and settled down to the hard tug of persistent efforts — there came a reaction in the religious feeling, and an in- creased attendance of the multitudes upon public worship. Through this season of discouragement Mr. Cookman, like other faithful ministers, stood his ground, worked how, where, and when he could. We have seen that even before his settlement in New York he preached to the soldiers at Union Scjuare. It was a stirring sermon, full of patriotism, but, if possible, fuller of Christ. That service was but the first of many that followed — sermons and speeches which xtion for instant part in the one citv coulrl 1, ■ ^"" '"''' ■•"' ••'"'™ .He anniversary o ' tl^t^,.™ ^7' ""' '" '"= ""•"• ■■^' hearc. to utter [„e.e Ceartrrtl^r.^i^lr""^ "' ™ ^.ate th^vhl^'^i^Trr'"'' ")"-^'"'-i>™'efor .e to hononr to be I'e pal" r!>,'''^r-f '■'"■'"'''^''''"'^ ' "■■"' '"-•■ the site of the .Old A a?, *^'"'"^'' "■"''•'' »'""''' "POn favourite preachin«lceof,7-1l" ' ™ "-«"««!. "he " In thl l„.r ■■■ '"'"inoiis U'hitelicld. tn the lecture-room of that fhiTrrh ,. first noonday nravern,™,- r , ™' organized the It was coranTen Tb™ " ^ "' ""' ■"■ P'"'a"'--lpbia. city of Ne,rCk an'd rT h"^ "■'° ""'^ "'''''' '" "- of the privilege, ollhp'^r' frequently availed himself Arter hi^ ren,::it'f;,:;X -' --;y ""T responsibili,. ohL S ^",1^ "n it t'" "^""= *= 'Hat. in the hrst instance, the Xt i feb fr '° ^°^ W'stng; and many times have I passed If ,1,/ ""P''"' lecture-room, and glancin,, i„ if '^ " ''°'" "'f "'at Observed th;ee o; t:; p Ir; ^Jr'r d '""^'""^ '"' an outpouring of Divine i'flencetl^h' '"T"""'""' upon others. Those praver. T ' 'H«raselves and -ched the earTnrtre^'reSd^rt""'^ '"'^ almighty Saviour, and before 10^ he \ "" °^ '" the service in th», i„. ^ "^ """'''«' attendim; creased. I wa e„ I^^d" "'" '"^ ™"='''"»'">- '" of which do b es you C!n 1 7°"' '° ^'^^■"'■^ "^". after the remova T , "l^H ,1 ,^"^ "'^"^"'^y ■ and ■Ia)ne, Hall, the interest so rapidly i|' 176 I. IFF. OF AI.FRr.D COOk'MAW cxtcnrlerl that before the lapse of a week four thous;in(I l)crsons niiglit have been seen associated togetlicr for the purpose of piibhc prayer. "If tliese liumble efforts were followed by such special results in tiiat case, what may we not hope for after tlie patient and tlie persistent prayers that have been going up from this l'"ulton Street meeting, and from similar services, during a succession of years?' I have the impression that when these terrible i)rovidences which are associated with our present war shall have mellowed the great national heart» the results of these prayers will appear in a mighty and un" precedented Pentecostal baptism, when there shall not be four thousand or forty thousand only, but millions prostrate beneath the mighty power of God. And oh ! in the pros- pect of such an outpouring, may we not to-day linger in the midst of our great country, desolated not only by civil but s]jiritual rebellion, covered all over with moral death, and may we not imitate die example of the prophet, as with the voice of one man, and pray, ' Come, come from the four winds, O breath ! and breath upon these souls that they may live ' ? " As an encouragement to prayer for individuals, will you excuse me if I introtluce a passage from personal experience ? I was the eldest of six children, five sons and one daughter. The mysterious hand of God's providence buried my pre- cious father while I was still young in yon broad, deep ocean. My widowed mother— for whom I will even in this public way praise the Father of the fatherless— was greatly concerned, of course, for the salvation of all her children. Her prayers, which were importunate and consta'it, were heard in hea\en, and soon they began to be answered, as one after the other of her sons was brought into the king- dom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Four years ago we were, EFFICACY OF *PRA YER. ,7 as I trust, a united family i„ Christ, with one exception and that exception was a beloved brother, a noble, affectbna e young man, tweuty-seven years of age. He had C n , associate dunng life; we had played together as boj ; we' had slept .n the same bed; we had attended the acadel toge her; we had bowed at the same maternal knee ^d " I cannot tell this audience how I agonized for the sal- vation o that brother, and how anxious Las that w mi^t divided household m paradise. Morning, noon, and night I brought this interest to a throne of heavenly ^ace; ar^d one day I rose m the Philadelphia noon prayer'neeting and asked them to pray for that brother. Oh how they prayed - I shall never forget their interest and earnestness, and if I am so happy as to reach the glory-land, I think I shall find out some of those Christians, and will thank them for their united and importunate prayers upon the occasion of that noonday service. Only a short time elapsed when that brother, who was unaware that united prayer had been offered m his behalf, was found prostrate penitently before God, and became a subject of regenerating grace. He jomed the Church, and has subsequently come to be one of the most earnest, consistent young Christians I ever knew 'Before I sit down, allow me to speak of a circumstance which transpired in the neighbourhood of Boston. A few years since, two gentlemen entered a car in that city en route for the interior, and, seated side by side, they very naturally fell into conversation, when it transpired that they were both travelling to the same place; and soon, to their mutual surprise, they discovered that they bore the same name. Then they ascertained that tliey were both going to 12 178 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. \\ %■ t see an elder brother, one whom they had not met for many, many years ; and then the almost overpowering truth burst upon them that they were literal, natural brothers, who in the providence of God had met in this most extraordinary way. They had been separated from early childhood, and now, after the lapse of thirty long years, they had been most surprisingly brought together. As I have been sitting here and listening to allusions about heaven, I have said in my heart, ' That is my place of destination, and I hope, through grace, to stand triumphantly upon Canaan's shining shore.' And then, as you have used the term Christian, I have said inwardly, * That is pre-eminently my name.' I am a Meth- odist Christian. I do not attach a very great deal of im- portance to the Methodist, but I would place very strong emphasis upon the designation Christian, Just as my name is Alfred Cook/nan. I care not for the Alfred : I would just as soon it was George or Joseph or John ; but I cling tena- ciously to my family name. As you have made very touch- ing and beautiful reference to Jesus, I can say He is my Elder Brother, and I hope after a while to be associated with Him in heaven. It is a delightful truth that we are asso- ciated to-day, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, hastening onward as rapidly as time can bear us, — " ' To the house of our Father above, The palace of angels and God. ' " The delight which Mr. Cookman found in his family is manifest in all his letters. Those who knew him most intimately will recall that he never seemed so perfectly happy as when in the bosom of his home. The letters which he wrote to his children when absent on their summer vacations were full of sweetness. They did not lack good advice ; but were rather characterized by parental tender- ! ! Mill ■IAN. not met for many, wering truth burst brothers, who in nost extraordinary rly childhood, and ley had been most ; been sitting here I have said in my id I hope, through .n's shining shore.' istian, I have said :.' I am a Meth- great deal of im- place very strong Just as my name fred : I would just ; but I cling tena- made very touch- ;an say He is my be associated with that we are asso- t Jesus, hastening ove, i in his family is knew him most ned so perfectly me. The letters t on their summer id not lack good ' parental tender- "/^ domestic bli^!-Th li IV r T ''''' "° ^'^y ^' his favoured with uninL ^^ tdhe^LT t^^^ '""^^^'^^^^ ^^^ to allow sickness to ente the V^^^ first-born, Bruner was affJr, u '' ^^'^^'^ ^°" ^nd finally, after som; years of f ""' ' ^""'"' ''^'^''^ ^^ich few letters of thTs datl '^'"''' ^^^^"ated his life. A ani:.ated hi st 1 ^d 7thf 'f ^^^^^^^ ^-^^^^ wK^v^ Providence. HapnvTn tL u "^"'''"^ dispensation, .f in the shade. xTe^first tu^ T' '' "" "°^ ^^^^^^-^ resignation, and s v/d b° ''' - ''""" ""' ''"' "'^^ experience. ^"' '° "^^"°^^ ^is rapidly growing The following are some of the letters to his children:- " This is Saturday ni^ht vvh. " """"^ ''°''''' ^""' ''' ''''■ - getting ready for bedf'ani ; " S, '"'^, ^'^^'^ ^vans is asleep, n:a and precious Frank and sweet li 1^ ' ^^ n ''"''" '° "^>' '''^''^'- George been getting along this ZH hte ". "\ ''''"' '^^^^ '^^^ y- as little noise as possible ;ob;yn;'7H" f"' '''" ^"^ ^°°^'' '"'''' grandma to water n ; kiss Mozie and Joseberries before I dd you not like me , and sonie of these s Annie Cookman. , June 24, 1862. Sister,— We re- to know that you children, and in a nd Willie and the iday-school excur- ready, and went r of the boys and o'clock we stai ted, ning, the sun was and comfortable. the little carria;je, ral \\ater. About land. This was a Your little brother Wdli to f^e this I " V-'"™ '"'° '''^ ''"■■''■' The following letter to Mr. Thomas W. Price of Phih Cookman evmces the facility and heartiness with which Mr. Cookman could enter into the feelings of his friends No wonder such a nature should have touched depths and dra,vn^to tt affecuons which lie quite unmoved by'ordinary . , " Columbia, .4„^,„/ 5, ,863 Olancng through the columns of ycslcnlay's /„„,>„ „„ . , „ on . „o„ce of .he ,Ie.,h of you, <1.„ 1..L Annil cZiZ7 llZlf, us not a hltle, foi- when we hst saw her she wn, the .!,' ".'''"'"'I health. How often i. i, ,h, eu.se that our eherl! e" ontjirpl^:/ f:;eS h:;:,f '™'' "^""'"''- -- "= «- •» "^ -i-n hXx: " You will believe me when I assure vm. fi,„. »i • t. awakened in our hearts the Hveli::TnpCV ^d sc!:.^^^^^^^^^ ^- We recognised in this little namesake a living and breathinjr bond to bind even more closely that special affection which subsists betv^' our fan^,es We remember the interest and love with wSh .:^ ^ gardcd this last-boni, we are reminded of the unusual sweetness and l82 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAX. I i . 5 i 1 i i i H' lioiM.like a.oecl A !. . , . "™" "■'■■"» ">"™ »"<' "'ore or a since w« »:; c f,i;;::rf; "• ; "■' ■'"'= '»"»■ wi.o »,„e year: affectionate hearts. M-xv I 1 ,? ''°" y^"'" '^"'lei- and deeply will sanctify this dispenlSion: y^ 'iT 7 TT''-''''^''''^ ^-' solation and trrace -ind n .l ^ ' '°"«^hsafe you special con- skies ? I sho'd rhav b in t th: f::"^T,"' r ""''^""^^' ^-^''^ -"- Fc- about ten days she ^C:^l^^Z::^^^Tr f 7' ''''■ condition is still very critical T .l..n t u '^"'^ '^'^^'h- Her delivered, and also of the firl and !f '"T^''' ""'"'' '" he e..pressed on national .ff,?"" '""'°"' "''''■^^'' liave sustained a ma. ;he truths of our has taken from ', constituted her 2SS of heaven is s, eartli becomes e and more of a who some years now, as I doubt ■ into everlasting nctre doxology, ossess a deeper more heavenly in that has en- e another, then duce her to the efore. id sister ! My I' in your afflic- ay lighten the ler and deeply -keeping God a special con- 1 family in the >s of our babe. 1 death. Her these precious if should both Lrge, I must which he lions which risis of the visit with J was held I quote fVAJi SPEECH AT LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA. 138 from a report of it which appeared in one of the daily papers : — " FFLLow-CiTizExs,-This is to me a somewhat unexpected call, but I should feel myself recreant to every great principle of patriotism and of truth if I refused or even hesitated in this my native county— for It may not be known to many of you that I first opened my eyes upon God s world within the limits of old Lancaster ; it gave me a being and It gave me one of the best of wives, so that I feel under immense obliga- tions to It. (Cheers.) I say that I should feel myself recreant to every prin- ciple of truth and right if I hesitated to seize this opporturity to say in the language of old John Adams, ' Sink or swim, live or die survive or perish, I give my heart and my hand ' to these Union measures. It is my living sentiment, and with the blessing of God it will be my dying sentiment— liberty and the Union now, liberty and the Union for ever. (Great applause.) " It is useless for any of us to disguise the fact— the stem and startling fact— that this Union, which is so unutterably dear to our hearts, is at the present time in imminent peril. Thousands— yea, hundreds of thousands— of our fellow-citizens, organized and armed, are intent upon the overthrow of this, I dare to say, the very best government that yonder sun ever looked down upon ; a government which ought to be just as dear to them as to ourselves ; a government with which our own hopes and the hopes of our children and children's children are inti- mately bound up to the very latest generation ; a government closely connected, as we think, with the cause of liberty throughout the world, —for if our experiment of self-government should prove a failure, we are satisfied that it must put back the hand of freedom on the dial-plate of time at least fifty or one hundred years ; a government which, so far as we may judge, is one of Jehovah's right hands of power for the over- throw of despotism, error, ignorance, and everything which could hinder the coming of His kingdom. Thousands and hundreds of thousands of our fellow-v-itizens, with worse than Vandal-like violence, are mshing forward to destroy the superstructure of that government. Now the practical inquiry occurs, What is to be done ? The answer, it appears to me, is an easy one. " My fellow-citizens, what would you do if to-night at twelve o'clock you were to find an assassin in your bed-chamber, fully resolved upon your life ? I make no question but that you would spring from your slumbers and grapple with him, and not even hesitate to put him to death in order to save your own life. Parent, what would you do if a M r84 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. ') rebellion were to arise in your domestic cirrl^ ? \xr ij forward the hand of atUhority and atkly tell ZTcT "' IT"" caster, what would you do T nn Jnf^ ^ ^ ^''"^"' "^ ^an- streets to destroy vaCl property and"" "f *°"'' "" "'^ '" "'^^ no doubt that you would tak'oi th T '"''''""'^ ^'^^ ^ ^ ^'-^"^^ among you, and witThelinfr ."'''''''"'' •"'"^■'^^^'" r^^^^^^^nn.g nition driye dn pu own . "'""'' °'" "'^'^ '^' "^^ "<■ -"""" Self-protection woldd St^h a ITst 1"', ^''" r"'' ''' '^^'' sten^duty. As Luther remarked fn one occasion "^HyG^r^ ' '' ^ we cannot do otherwise ' Tlmffln^ "" ,'^<^'^'^'°"' May God help us !_ must be maintained icheers !);;rTr""'''°^'' °"'-^°^<^'"--t perpetuated in all its pulity S^inte^ JcLr I 'mT''''' ^ spent, hundreds of thousands of liy^s may be l?fi T u ,'"'">' ^^ ration may be blotted out. and still we iS 'l ^ U ,7 'f^f °'' 'T consequence that our nationality be vindicated V r f> , "'7 ^''' Now I apprehend that it is vAthZ ^ ^°°''' ^'"' '^^ee'-s.) assemblecfandassoitrthLrrnot '"'^ ^""''^'^ '" ^'^^ ^ ^^ wi^lhSSed^n^;:!^::^^'--^^-^^^^^ ment which occurred somewhere ne-r th. h , ,• ""'''^''y ""^age- England and Scotland, a roim?ch^} aL '°"" 7"'"^ "'^"'^ ^^^"''^^^^ at the head of his troop helvtff V"'' ^^ ^'^^ "^°"i^»' ^'^en, foe. His comradesT'at seS;rSTn """"''"^ '^'^'^^^'"^ '^^ with consternation, and WaVto lireTn ''Y"' ^"^-^^^^^^^^^Y ^ei.ed his soul immediate y filled 5th sorro h",."""; ^^''^"^-'"g this, managed with some'effo t to t s^ ^se f ' ^^"^ '' "^^ '^'^^^^^' '^^ the life-blood was fast gushinr^om Sf ^°" '^'^ '''^°^' ^"'' ^^'^^ was opening before him^,e seled L ^''?'"^ ^^'°""^' ^'"'^^ eternity head, shoutfd at the top'o'h yjce ^mX' '-^"^ ---^ '^ oyer his not dead, but I am looking to 2 ll """' ^ '"" "°* '^''''' ' ^'-^"^ .(Cheers.) So I am here this aff. ""^ '"'" ^'°^^ ^'^ ^'"'y-' dead. She has been wo L ^. ^Z flT,,''''^' °"^ ^"'°" '^ "'^ serve, too. in the house of her friendl 1-n'f "^ ™""^'^^^ ' ^"^'. ^b- you daughters and sons of Lanca e"-she nor/' T '"'• ""''' ''' sword in hand, she is looking to see thnV "°^ ^'^^'^.^^-"^^e'- dead j but. (Great applause.) She is looli . o a ce rt r'^' -"" '"' '''' '"'^• exigency, we will rally to the re"cue w,? ^ •'?"■' '" '^'' '^^ of of the RepubMc. we w'll come up u it'ed to rr/'''^' ^'^ ''''''''' '^^"r help of God. For. remember^l f IJ ^"^ °^ ^^^^^""^ '-^"^1 the cause of justice ; this is the cause o /reed """I °' '™''^ ' *^"« '^ the Union ; this is the cause of GoT (Cl^rs " \ • '" V""' ^^"^^ °^ ^J- onthesideoftruthand,usticeaniS:i '^';^:^2:^Z lid you not stretch Citizens of Lan- 1(1 rise up in these 3US life ? I make !les Still remaining the use of amniu- u would do right, this case it is a y God help us .'— 1 our government '6 preserved and Millions may be d, a M'hole gene- of the very first fl,' and cheers.) in view we are 1 a circumstance nilitary engage- which separates moment when, ly charging the i^ediately seized ^■itnessing this, was feeble, he 'ow, and while while eternity 'ig it over his t dead ! I am oes his duty.' r Union is not led ; and, ob- ad. Hear it, ^er dead ; but, oes his duty. this time of darkest hour •dom and the ; this is the cause of the 'od is always ', then— will APPEAL TO MOTHERS, WIVES, DAUGHTERS, ETC. 185 you not-will not all these young men and citizens, esteem it at once an obligation and a privilege and a joy to consecrate their energies, their substance, their time, their lives, and their all upon the altar of our country's cause ? (Cheers. ) " Allusion has l,een made to the patriot daughters of Lancaster. God bless them ! I see them in these windows, and assembled in the vicinity of this stand. God bless them ! Mothers, wives, daughters, sisters collected here, we have some faint idea of the sacrifices you are called upon to make, and of the sufferings which you, in the providence of God, must still undergo. Still I trust that at least an overwhelming majority of you have the spirit of that mother in the city of Philadelphia! wdio said the other day, 'What are sons worth without a country?' (Cheers.) I trust you have the spirit of a friend and former parishioner of mine in the borough of Ilarrisburg, who has sent six stalwart sons to the scene of strife. Just before they left home and their mother's pre- sence, they assembled in a photographic gallery and had their pictures taken, the eldest son standing in the midst of his other brothers, and grasping the flag of the stars and stripes ; and that picture left with the mother is an evidence of undying affection. I think, too, in this con- nexion of a mother in the State of New York, whose son the other day proceeded to the seat of war. He was connected with the Shepparcl Kifles, Colonel Fareira commanding. It so occurred that the younjr man s position was at the end of the platoon, near the curbstone, and the mother, anxious to be with him as long as he remained in New York took her place at his side. As the regiment moved along Fourteenth Street and down Broadway, that heroic old American mother walked w-Uh her boy, keeping step with him. To relieve him while she could, she took his musket from his hand, and stuck it over her old shoulder, ami so she marched with him, side by side, carrying his musket ; and the boy was so much moved by her devotion that the tears literally ran down his cheeks. < Don't cry-don't cry, my boy ! ' she said ; ' be brave, and then, with God's blessing, all must and will be well.' (Cheers ) So, mothers and wives and sisters and daughters of Lancaster, say to your cherished ones, ' Go, go ! ' It is like tearing the heart out of our living and breathing bodies ; it is like enshrouding our present and future vyith a gloom that must all the time be felt ; nevertheless, go and fight these battles of truth and justice and liberty, and God's blessing must be upon you and yours. (Applause.) "As th. last speaker remarked, it is a gloomy hour in our country's history ; but I apprehend, my fellow-citizens, that if we look over the events of the last fifteen months we will f*;!1 fi.,d re^v^on for thankful- ness. Is It nothing that that effeminacy which was beginning to curse '-■3J 1 86 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAhr. j« !i ■ m ik troubles, is receiving so .kctuj Tcheck ^?r:h "'?"""' l-atriotisai, which seemed almost cold To , '^"°"^:"g ^^at our flame, that that se„time„t;:;;i:i:t;atif ™S ^ bJf'"^"' pnncipal passion in the nation's heirt ? T v . ' ''°'"'' "^ that there have been more .ck nf , , ' " "P°" "^y^^^'^ '° '^'^X last fifteen n.ont Is nn n '^ r'" ''"""''"' '" '"''^ '''^"•' ""h'" ''>« is all this no;h;; ;^Vt tZ, ^^^^. CCheersO And crowned our arms ? Is it T^^., ''"'""'•' '^^^"^ ^'"^^ »« t'^e has that Memphis^ oL/V'dN"''nT' """^"^ '' °"^'^ ^ ^^ '' "^thing and winciiester'irvrd t\s'^^:;::,::rv^;,r"^'.^^-^°^^ '« -••' Richmond is. we trust 'and think, o to be ou s^ 'rcT"' T'/'^' noth„,g that that flag which we all love so much^',„f bX ^ ^' 'I Sri ::^::— ^Ah:f "^ ora rebe^risj:^ :i:"^ t^ \ Lred* :er;r oTtfefh^f ;'^ '^^' °" ''^^ '^^' ^--•^ °f J"'y nothing? (Sapilt) '^'^-'""^'^'^^^ (^''^^-•^ I^'' 'hat saM^r^;i^:is^'jrS^:^:^--yremarkable iron .,„ nected with thi^ egg. whid.lrl^lme^ :tthi^:^SnT;e^■ rude a presa he fll. i ' r ' ''"'""'"'^ ^"'""^'y '''^S"-^'«l with so ruby crown a, pea.cd Sh^ ,„ """' " "'"" 'l>""g. »»•! 1° ! « a»/.„ , ,.„ ;■,:::;; bS .< : r;. sroSi '" "r '*' "™' d amond rincr Sn 1,,^ ^ V ^ ^ magnificent marr age Go.rs p™^nct\t"7rt:rr> t:t°" ""°™ "■='»■■" °' crajed ,ri,h ,e.„ „„d clotted wfth blood butt ZITT '^/' of Sumter a secret snrmfr «,o= f , , "" '"'^ clisnmnthng which, like a h e d o? 2-1^1 ,.', "' ' "'^"- ^^"^ '-^PP-^^df of this great and gloWoufu^: ' T'""' ?'"' ^" ''^^ ^^"'^-'^ ^tate^ crrScS™^^^^^ .arragut.arant.a.S^B:^ti;^'::^r2::Zt LOYALTY OF TLIE NEW YORK CONFEREXCE. te ? Is it nothing infiiUy rife in our ies of our present lothing that our S with a brilliant t, has become a 'n myself to say ' land withm the (Ciieers.) And ime to time has i ? Is it nothing Norfolk is ours, ours, and that ;Cheers.) Is it 1, by the way, I '» who said to a e old flag the) I applause) Fourth of July 5-) Is all that ;able iron egg, is a legend con- •■ On a certain \M:en she re- sgusted with so • As it struck 3lk rolled forth another secret 3k the chicken ng, and lo ! a le ruby crown, icent marriage ni the hand of J— an Ggg all le dismantling >lk appeared, rthern States silver yolk of ;n we have a unter, Foote, dit, and per^ IS; hap. ought to name. (Cheers.) Now these goklen chickens are each one i,nngn,g a mhy crown of victory. McClefian, Vorktown • Hailed Coruuh; Banks. Winchester; Burnside, Roanoke Z^ '-^'S.lt'- Grant, Ports Henry and Donelson ; Buell, Shiloh ; Foote llm No' o and rarragut-not a very pretty name, but certainly a vrypre^^y Iced-has given .k New Orleans. Each one has contributed h^sr 2 to make up a great crown of victory, and when the secret 1' n Unt crown shal be touched, the ring of the Union will app'e ^st m broken and rendered more beautiful and valuable than em X Iv The cloud is vanishing from the day ; Lo ! the right is about to conquer- Clear the way ! ' "Men of thought, men of action, clear the way-clear the wav ' Our army at Harrison's Lane blessing of Heaven, to ^^^^'S^t:^^^ ^'i'- ''y ^^^ ^Von, of C;o., and our constituted civil au^^Ht^^l ^ ^j irtS';::"'^^^ ^''" '''^ ^^"'-^^ "i Tlnt,.),;i 1 ' ^ ^"J"'" ""-^ani'-' upon our neonle -ent, at the\sa.le J^^ ^'^:Z ""^^ ^^ °^ "- ^-vern- condition of public affairs ,i,w k? , ' '" ^''^^ P'*''''^"' '^'''■'-■al bearance, cauli^n, ^nd^^nullt ' '^ ^° '^ ^'''^'■"^^'' ^^'''^ ^-'-^^ <■-- ors^;t,I!:i;i;:;;;;::;'^U[:jj- ;f °' "'"^"r' '^ p°'"'-^ ^^^-t'- the Administration an i tJe of ' "" "T °^ 'H-iu.inating b.tween of almost every "rd meatn-e "'""' '"^ '''^""^'^" '" ''^ ^'^"^ has the maligniL,^ oiu ITlv '" rT '"'' '^°"^^' '^^''»^°"' ^^J^i^^ -Ives in opi. hSii;": o :sri; tdj'" '^" r'-"^«' "-- denuncKUion and ourLost deter^^S ;:;l::t:::"^'"^ ^' ^" ^'^'•"'^^' with^he'^:js'y;;i^Sir:::;r'^;" '^ ^'^''•'' ^-^^ p--*- peace ancl prosperity of oeo2'rv r^'t'?" '"•^"'"''^"^S ^-th the and discipline of ou' Church r/h' "* " 'T'''^"''*' ''°^'™-' 'WhatsLllbedoneforis ^tirp tbrp'lT '"' T'"" '"^""y' in thLe^en" : viva oft:t"tlnCa\'"7'"'"'^ ^"'' encouragement our public credit; in the d^rr^f n/ " " ^ '" ''' maintenance of -.and . and ./the .^^^s:^ ^^S::^:::^:^ ^^ v: rs of the Con- i adopted amid r the Methodist 3rk Annual Con- ing and iincon- ationality wc are J of Ikaven, to of CJod and our itli the regularly ii our people. and defend, the of the Govern- present critical with great for- )litical affinities inating between Ives in the ]iath treason, wliich ; arrayed theni- of our sternest t and practice tions, with the ons, doctrines, 'Xious inquiry, larly answered oln. President le a proclama- ern bondmen, indicating the liberty-loving the Universal 1. icouragement lintenance of especially in f our arms. ^fR. UXCOLN AXD THE METHODIST CHURCir. ,89 :^p:p'i=^^^^^^^^ : ;'X".dr rTT'""^'""'"^'^- "^ ^- ^^^^^ our puw.c rulers ; to look up,.n our army and navy mercifully t'ivin.r -success to our arms, so that this infamous rebellion may be s'pt v crushed, and peace, at once righteous and permanent, may re ur to I smde upon our American heritage. 'iy rtiurn toand the'fi^;] TTr '"'"T' '","'"' '^■"''''^"'y ^"'- ">°-^^ ^^ho represent us i„ the field contmues unabated, and that to all those who are sulTcr n.' consequence of the havoc or desolations of this terrib e w J^ ^f^ our smcerest sympathies and Christian condolence nf '.'/°H^'''''l '^'-■"I'y^fl''^"^'-' resolutions be transmitted to the President 1^ w ;:;i:;?!^^' ^"" '-' ^'-^ '^ "-^"^"^^ - ^"^ c......^r It was such action as this on the part of the Methodist niinisters, sustained by the laymen for whom and to whom they spoke, both at the ballot-box and on the battle-field that led Mr. Lincoln to say that no Church had done so much to support the Government in its efforts to maintain the Union as the Methodist ministers and people. It was not a httle due to Mr. Cookman that the declaration of the New York Conference, representing a large popular senti- ment m the commercial heart of the nation, assumed a shape so positive and incisive. It was but the emanation of his own convictions. The pastorate of Mr. Cookman closed at the Central Church with, the universal regret of its members. The young people had become ardently attached to him He had taken especial pains to draw together and render efficient the young men of the congregation, and for this purpose had organised among them a society called the " Christian ' Brotherhood," which held regular meetings for business religious, social, and literary exercises, and also took ^eneml supervision of the young men who attended the Church IQO LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAM. services. This society was pleased to express their appre- ciation of their retiring pastor l)y passing resohitions which are vahiable as a tribute to him and as a hint to other ministers : — 01 ^our Church, been transferred to another field of labour- the termtfl '^ ''"' "'" •"'-'"^^■"'''^■'- ^^'"^ ^'^^' l''^'--^^"'-c our relations .hning the tern of his pastorate, an.I that we deem his unusual interest in our Association, and continued efforts to promote its prosperity, as worthy of particular mention and record. ""uny '^Resolved, That to his regular attendance upon our meetings, his cour - ,us yet earnest i-articip^tion in our discussions, his evident anxiety thai^ organization should prove of the highest benefit to the Church. and !:;:fZ:.;r' '"'"""" '" '''^ """• '^ '"^ ""^^'^ °^ -'^ '^^^^rent; '^Resolved, That upon retrospect of the term of Brother Cookman's 7rl^:rr f '" '''■■"''" "^'''' "^'-' l^^^'"--^ "f °"^ ^''"^^hes would .add greatly to the effectiveness of their labours by more fully interesting themselves m the established meetings and organizations of their ch.arges; .as an .active sympathy in concerns .already enlisting the sym- pathies of their people must afford opportunity not otherwise enjoyed of learnmg their dispositions an.I peculiarities, of securing a pl.ace in their affections, .and of gaining confidence, respect, and influence-as also by widrJe:;^!""'"''^''"' °' ^"""^'"^ ^^^^^ ''^^''"" -^ ''-^'^p'-^e \Cvfl"^' '^'"' ''" """'" °'' ^'"- ^^^''''^ *^'°"'^"'^" be placed upon tne list ol honorary members of this Brotherhood." i Wi be placed upon CHAPTER XV. TR.N,TV METHODrST EPrSCOPAL CHURCH, NEW VORK -THE AKMV or THE POTOMAC ANB THE CHRISTIAN COMM^SS-o"! Mr^Cookman was next appointed, in the spring of .863 an use u Th"' ^.s nnn.stry proved highly acceptabfe ana useful. The congregations were never larger than I : : rss '"t-:-" «^= --^ -'-^'™ TifZ ?'"''' '"'' '™' '"^'''"Sing to other clu.rche, ■n he aty, who were the fruits of his fidelity at this th^e ^ap:ft^:ha,]^LT:rtitofittr rrre^ii^rr^riv^''"^^^^^^^^^ Urvkf r r "ringing not a (tw into the clnrpr respondingly „„„rished. ™™'"=''' """^ h,s n„„,stry cor. Cookman . v,.u to .„e Army of the Potomac on special 192 LIFE OF ALFRt>D COOKMAN. i'M I Mi I t I- service under the direction of the Christian Commission. He showed himself ready not only to talk sacrifice, but to go to the front, that he might cheer, in the capacity of minister and brother, the hearts of the valiant and exposed soldiers. The best epitome of his thoughts and doings while thus engaged is furnished in his letters written to friends at home. The Sanitary and Christian Commissions, organ- ized for the relief of the soldiers of the United States, in addition to what was done for them directly by the Govern- ment, were sustained wholly by the voluntary offerings of the people, and constituted in their work one of the brightest features of the war. Never before was stern suffering so alleviated by the tenderer aspects of Christian and humane sentiment. The benevolence of the country rose in a majesty and beauty which signally contrasted with the dark clouds of fratricidal conflict. The Christian Com- mission aimed not only to extend to the fainting warrior the delicacies which the body and mind so much needed, but also, and chiefly, the Word of Life— in the shape of Bibles, good books, tracts, preaching, and pastoral visitation. It draftee, for its occasional services ministers and laymen of the iirst talents ; and the good it accom- plished, while abundantly attested in the records of its history, cannot be fully known until all earthly accounts are written up. The following letters to his wife and children will be found interesting : — " Washington, Saturday night, lo o'clock. " You will not object to a short note, I am P"re. I am finishing my first Sabbath in the service of the Christian Commission. This morning I proceeded, according to arrangement, to the camp or barracks of the First New Hampshire. To our surprise and disappointment, we found that they had suddenly left the night before. Part of another regiment, however, had come in, and the proposition was lor us to preach to them A/fMy EXPERIENCES. dren will be 193 ^- Peyton Bro..; n.et nynu:loT ;;;,!""?" '"°r, "^ '"^"^' pressing invitation of Mrs T-— T'h' '^"'f,''' ' >'"-''^'"l '^ '^e " After dinner Brother'scott c'aiw ''"71^^"'^^ "^^^ '^°™e to dinner, camp of the First Ma e T] " nf ' '"V'' '^'"'"'^'^^ '-^S^'" ^° ^he It was a magnifice t "ct^Se T^^^^^ and under amis, acconXii t J "^ 7^"T^ '" '^^'" ^^^^^ ""'f""" -pan, of ^^^^^::^^:^^^^^ good was done. After the servleT,.':?" T' '""^^'^'•^' ^"^^ ^ ^'-' books, and seized th oppor 'ni v to "'' ^""'^ '^''•^'^'"^ '''"^' '^y""' of the soldiers. W t^Ct er'AVr'T" "''^""^'^ "'"^ ^ """^'-'• then went home to tea O To ' '"'' ™^ '^''^^ class-leader, I ;;y Heavenl, Kat^;^; h^^:^.;^;-^C^"i;- ^ i ' ^-'- N:vtz:^!r:sSr;;-r----^^^ panyorn.n. They hun^r^v;"^^^;^^^^^^^ -m- binge. W, »»„g -o-o ;Lte .«,""■'"' "f'" "f" ""= «»™- "■ear, ■ : „|, l,ow the „ ? ,, ° ' ""*'"S "long," ' Rest for the "« to re,„nh, .nS lair,amajXm T '"V*""""" ^^ "••«■»<>",„ for -.e.er.„at.„ of ,h. 7Z '^^^l^^ --^1^ J-] n.e;;'t"'',h7.:"s,e«':f'':r„,«'"' •" «°^ '-i^'- '- ». u™.s and rejoice, jhe ;::,?„:,t„^r :;x.L?Tr ""^ »-; move, as a good soldier of Tesi,^ in^f . '^'^f tion ! To-morrow I foot has been very sore obliSn" J" r""' "'^ ^"'''"'" ^'^^^^■^- ^X notbeenhindereJinany S^^^^^^^^^ l?^'^'"^ ' -^^ill I have friends. Ask mv neonl. fo T . °*- ^^emember me to all ownandbtssS St^^^^^^^ P-'o^. that God will my children for pap ril detmo I f ""' ''"^'^ ^"'^"^'■•^- ^iss yours devotedly." '^ oeioic uod, and believe me « BRAN-nv Station, at thk Fkont. FSruar^ 29, 1864. Here I a. at the front, within a few miles of General Lei's army. 13 \r: H ! - 194 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. and yet as calm as a summer's eve. We left Washington this morning about ten o'clock, and, after a most interesting ride of seventy miles, reached our place of destination at half-past two this afternoon. The country through which we passed wears an air of desolation which was dismal to contemplate : no fences, no houses, no cultivation whatever,— only the debris of destroyed property and continuous camps of soldiers. By my side in the car sat a Captain C , of Camden, New Jersey, who has been connected with the army since the commencement of the war. He was very kind and communicative, pointing out the scenes of several battles, and calling attention to various points of interest. " My companions in the service of the Commission, Brothers Hat- field and Watkins, were very fraternal and pleasant. Arriving at Brandy .Station, we found our head-quarters quite near,— an ordinary camp-meeting tent, with a front and rear apartment. Here we have our bunks for sleeping ; rather rough, but better almost than I had ex- pected. Our commissary prepared our dinner. When we sat down we could not restrain immoderate laughter. It was primitive truly. Tin cups for chocolate, tin plates, the brownest sugar, and no butter. How- ever, we got along gloriously. My precious little George would have enjoyed it, for there was plenty of good molasses to eat with our bread. The meal dispatched, we sallied forth and spent an hour very pleasantly in the contraband camp, which is quite near. As the Commission can- not give us work until to-morrow, we arranged for a meeting to-night among the coloured people. There is an Uncle Ben and an Uncle Dick, who are represented as most interesting characters. We have just dis' patched our supper— tin cups and plates, of course, but some butter and beef-steak— a right good meal. I have made up my mind to my cir- cumstances, and hope to enjoy and profit by them. " My friend Scott was very kind in completing my outfit. I think I have everything needful for one in my circumstances. My only trial now is my absence from my family. I think of you very frequently, and ask my Heavenly Father to watch over and preserve you all. My mind is still kept in perfect peace. God opens my way, and strengthens and comforts me as I walk in that way. Blessed be His name \ The brethren are hurrying me to accompany them to the negro meeting. Tell the Friday afternoon meeting to pray for me specially." "Camp Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery, March 2, 1864. " Will you not confess that I am a faithful army correspondent ? I believe that I have written every day since we parted. Yesterday we were confined at Brandy Station by the storm. It was one of the most dismal days I ever witnessed. Slmt up in our teat, letter-writing was ^_^L^GIOUS WORK IN THE ARMY. ,95 better unaeLan. Ir^lffi^'or n J it;:^'^ Vr '' ' ''Z army waggon, (of which there is no endf 31. o Ju P^''^^'" °^ entirely interrupted by the condit;:;:!::';,'^^^^ "'""^ '^ ''^'™"^' inter'tXS^jtSde^^^rlirr" r '^^^' ^ --' ^^^^^'"^ '•« into Im tent bade us hf" . ^ ."""^ "' ''"'■>' P^^'^'y- ^"vited kindly. His^hotoglpS e^:: ^'g ^^f.'^'^'^r ''T '^"""'^^'^ ^^' pression of a larger and more n,r ^1 ^ ''"'^''P' ''^'^ ^ive the im- illness has left I^ tlh ,7ut\ ''S^ ^ tf bl^ '' ' ° •'^'■"''^'- "'^ ^^^^"^ at the present. A careworn evn '"•"'^''"S ^-^ccllent health this wonderful when rc^idertrr '^'V"'"' '''^ ^-^ ' l^"t is his patriotic heart? He im.lir ^""'^^^ °^''''^ ^^'^'^'^ '''^■^'^ "P°" and kind spirit, rather it "ST "'' '"'^ '^'^ gentlemanly bearing called at tile same S^ ^^^^^^^ SS^ S f '^ ^'TT"^^" ^^ t.es here, occupying the position ; P ovost' M rsidof H r' •°''^'''- the army. He is an i>upH,v,„, , rr \\ ^^^'^^shal of this division of about 1,300 men. Besides the. h 5 "'^''""y '^''""^"'■y ""nibers Massachusetts bat.eHes and H -V ' "■' ^^^^ ^ork, Connecticut, and bering together 3^ Vtl^T^ n '" TC Jr'""!''^" "^'"°""'' "^' ""- advantage. It is not exac iVThr 1 " t ' '"' ^ ^"^ ^° '"'1 f^r their nevertheless it marie he ih .J l"' W." "^^^^ '^'--^ ^^^ myself. I did not dare to nnn-mm o^re^r.^^^f; h "" """'""'' '"^ ''''' hands, and, without anv ifrenrvf ' ''^ P"^ niyself in God's PCS. to do With nj z.^::;-:;:-- ;r; ^^ ^^^ ^"^^ "^ -- The^ffi;SJ':;::::.:::f3^'^7-'°« '"^ -eredwithcanvas. homes that wou\d„:;di US:? y;r ^ ^f ^ "^ = ^'^^'^ wives here, and seem dis,Led^ 5^/^^;,^^:^^ t'""' 'f menin their tents, converse with them, etc Itc win '"" '''" my time. A little while aM I wnll. 7 . ''•'/''" o^<^"Py most of N. Y. Fifth Heavy Aninery i v " r ^°°'^ ''^' '^^^ "^^"^y ^^ "'« tially met was singularly po^e .4l h'T "'"'"' ''''°'" ^ P'"''''''^"- of interest, showing me all the n '^'"^'-^^^"'-""S nie to various points gnns, etc. I was cl-eAd to in rod?'"?"""" °' ''"^''- '^^'-"^y ^-'-t delighted to find him 4^4" rin:,;-^"^: "^ "^T"' '^"^' ^™^ afternoon ? I have not as yet hea T "r " " '"^ '''•'''' ^^''^"^ "'''^ my correspondence will almost net™-, f '" '°"''- ^ '"PP°-^*-^ ^^''-^^ Our quarters here are .^Z^'"' ^^y '^'^^ Sood deallnt.nupt,.l Station ; but, never lumd thev I ^ T^ -'' ''" ''""'^ ^^''^"^ ^' ^•"^"^'y ' '"'-y ^'e better than 1 deserve. " iii 196 L/FE OF ALFRED COOh'MAlSf. " Head-quarters of Reserve Artillery, March 3, 1864. " I am sitting in our chapel tent, which is used by tlie soldiers during the day as a kind of reading-room. They find here books, pajiers, with all tiie necessary articles for penning letters, etc. It is very thoughtful and kind in the Christian Commission to furnish them with these'^ con- veniences. " Last night I commenced operations in this vicinity, jjreaching to a comjiany of soldiers who crowded our chapel tent. They were very attentive, and thirteen rose for prayers. I have a]i]iointed an inquiry and experience meeting for this afternoon, and expect to preach again to-night. I say 'expect,' for everything in an army is very uncertain. Owing to the soft condition of the soil, the corps of heavy artillery, espe- cially, will hardly be able to move for a number of weeks, and yet as I write the roar of cannon fills my ears. It may be only target-practice, or it may be the commencertient of an engagement ; most probably the former. Do not at any time be alarmed about me. I am lerl by Infinite Wisdom, defended by Infinite Power, comforted by Infinite Love. I do not allow myself to live in the future — for three weeks would seem lori'^ —but a day at a time I try to do my work, looking unto Jesus. " Our accommodatiom are not even what we had at Brandy Station. Our tent is about ten feet square. In that little space we do our cooking and sleeping. The former is supervised liya sui^ernnnuated soldier, who does the best he can. The sleeping was decidedly cold last night. I had to withdraw my nose from the air, which was full of frost, and roll myself up in a coil or bundle, to make all the animal heat available. Even then I spent some sleejiless hours through chilliness. I do not repeat these things by way of complaint— nay, I am too good a soldier for that. This is only a reference to the seasoning jirocess I am under- going. I feel very well to-day, and hope, with the blessing of God, to endure hardness, and .-n return to you in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace. Give my love to my dear people. Tell them to pray for me very specially. " " Reserve Artillery, March 4, 1864. " A few moments before dinner will afford me an opjDortunity to pen you a sliort letter. This, I am sure, will not be unwelcome. It is now one week since I left you. I am not soiry the week is gone, for. Provi- dence favouring, I am that much nearer my loved home. To-day it is blustering, raw, disagreeable ; most probably the herald of another storm. Last evening we had even a larger crowd of soldiers than the night previous. They were deeply serious. Six or seven rose for V ' WAITING UPON GOD. 197 r^LtTt' ^"r ''7"'"Se is the godlessness of the officers ; that is most of tlK-m, for there are a few honourable exceptions. I ^t n II and s.stc... The festivities were protracted until a late hour for one of n y last remernbrances was the strains of music. I slep^^' onTfort ah y last night, piled on the coats and shawls, n.ade myself ,'^3 .id got through the night in a refreshing wn v This -iftornnnn T ' Ijle on horsel^ck over to I.andy slation aiKlt^f^^ZLS^r for up to this hour I have not heard a word from home '''^'°"^'^"'=*^' lei sister M that I am waiting upon God ; sittinc. with a teachable spmt at the feet o'f Him who has said, 'Learn of^ne • \ want to be instructed in the deep things of God and furnish d unto every good word and every good work. I surrender mvsef into the are of my infinitely wise and powerful Father, trusting il a .^ He w 11 ead me into usefulness and truth, plenty and peace. 'l am s re ^Mll , but It IS sometimes a trial to walk blindly, not kncwin.. the how or the wherefore Bless His holy name, there is nothing, so for a I \m .M-e, between H„n and myself, and I trust momentary and sw L W T''. Vr'' ^''^"'^ '"y L°^^'- Kiss my children for the 1 XS papa. I shall be delighted to clasp them in my arms again. Lo o all. They are calling me for dinner." ^o^e to :"Head.quarters Reserve Artillery, March 5, 1864 "After writing to you yesterday. I borrowed the horse of one of the captains, and had a delightful ride over to Brandy .Station. T thouj lu of my boys, and wished that they might be here for a little while o eiw the privilege of galloping over the Virginia fields. At B ncW St tion I found a letter in .vaiting-the one you sent by the h.S ister M_ to Philadelphia, and while I tarried the^.^- a "ved bringing another written on Tuesday evening. 'I'hnnk vou ki, H ^ r these affectionate epistles. They come like ^d itan s l' S Z say that they were read and re-read. I was trry to h^.r of 2. tinned illness of the children ; perhaps by this timVL^^lr al ett:;" Leaving them in the care of our faithful Heavenly Fathe. , I feel assured ''I 198 LTFE OF ALFRED COOA'Ma ■1jV. that He w.ll order all things well. Remember that if their illness is serious or dangerous, you must at once telegraph for me. I'artinir with sister and httle 'Streak of .Sunshine ' nu.s, have been another tHal for you. 1 hat boy W ,11 would I > the life and light of any home "Last mght I preached again to a company of soldiers that entirely crowded the tent. I trust that seed was sown in their hearts which will spechly api^ar m the form of fruit. After the service was over, and all vvere gone I sat m my tent reading ; while thus engaged the curtain was drawn asule, and a soldier entering, glide.l to my side. ' Chaplain,' said he, I cannot rest-caimot sleep~I must have relief. Won't you pray fo me? Oh yes, soldier,' said I, 'n.ost gladly;' .nd after preaeliing unto him Jesus, we kneeled down together, and I poured out my soul in prayer for his speedy salvation. These facts are my inspiration and enco- ragement during this time of exile from home •'Last night I rested rather comfortably; my shawl makes a good pillow and my overcoat, thrown over my blanket, contributes to the warmth of my bed. To-day it is raining again ; most probably this will prove a repetition of last Tuesday's storm. Softening this Virginia soil, these rams will oblige the army to remain where it is. In my experience I am panting for more of God, more of Mis tnith, more of His holiness more of H.s power ; ' hungering and thirsting ' expresses my feelings'al ;i;r Gas^ei o7; ic:" " " ^""^" ^^-^^ - '- ^^^-^ °^ '- ^-^^^ ^^ "Artillery Reserve, Marc/i 7, 1864. "My last letter was written on Saturday. In the evening of that day we had an experience-meeting ; I would have given almost anything to have had you present. The testimonies of Christian soldiers melted mv heart to tenderness, and my head was literally a fountain of tears One and another spoke afifectionately of pious and praying mothers. A noble Oh.0 soldier said 'When I left my home, a dear, kind sister ga;eteS little Testament, drawing the book from his side-pocket and holding: it up. I had not been a member of the army long, before I realized I must have a friend. Who should be my friend? I opened my little Testament and read of Jesus. Oh what a Friend He has been to me ' This book has been a great comfort to me in my absence from home It IS full of sweet promises One is, "In my Father's house are many mansions, etc. I, I fall on the battle-field, I believe I shall Jtl occupy my mansion in the everlasting kingdom of God ' " But I caiinot begin to tell you all. It was one of )/^e hours of mv life. Twelve or fifteen rose for prayers, and all testified ■ It is good to /1/^A/V DISCOMFORTS. 199 evenl Ti^-^^.^^f^^ I.preached in the afternoon, and again in the tent w?; nJ' T T '' .'^""•'"'^""y °" "^^ '"'-■■••^^^<^- Last night tl, tent was pacl^- ^ '''""y'll again and again our tent must be nros- ";: Hvi.?: ^Xn-rn^ °^^^".' ^-'^ ^^ '■- ^'- «^ ^^'^^- wind still linrrer in the n ., ' '""/"'"^ " '^ ^""^^ '-^"'l "^''^'y- '^''^e When the L . . ^^ ^'' '""'' "^"'^ strengthens and blesses me >» ntu tne time comes to return home T eVnll f,>„i . • ■ my face and directing my s ens to L I. T ^ ^"^ '" '""'"^ " S,XT„ N. Y. Hkavv Artillerv, Saluyday, Mar,,, ,2. ,864. We have had a long, ,Ii,„al vara-stom. Ycsterdav „-, h, 1 ■ .u ler, ,he CO.,.,; s::,T;„ a'^:n: s 'rm':: ""^? °"; ""'■^- •™'' SMO en to twice or thrir, tl„i, „ • , ^ eonililion. The streams are its depths. I hi, k Ler' ! a ^^'°, ,"T' T""" ""= »" '» "'"«' "> i:s-j:rr££t^-rrrt:'-- marches I thinl." ^ ■ "* a.cumpanymg tlicui in their proposed arches. I tlunk, however, any movement of tlie army now would be 202 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. an,l c.,„„„., u, fc.,,oJ»EVe = r Xr^if; "" '"',"'^:",' great tenderness and unction J rpnl ! •" '^ '"■^^'-''^ '^'"' nearness to the Saviou Oh wh.T n t"Y °"'" '^''''^"'^"^^" e^^'"^' fellowship of Jesu r y-,. S^t T . ?• ^ ''° ^"'''^""^ "^^ '°^^ -"^ preserves, egffs, cakes etc M^i i V,, f ' "P'''^'' '^'^'ckens, help oursdvei' He ^o, Id be . l^Y " ' 'f/^ '"^'^''"^ '''^' ^'^hall Perfectly delighted hls'vs' A .- '''•^'""''^ '""^^ ^'^^^ '^'^' ^^ has. kind arlmyfam,;. hom '-' O^ ' ';'"'', ' "°" ^''""Shtful and kind and ge'erous'a^d "b e ! So T n /f^lef"^ ''''', ' '^ '° - To-morrow is the Sabbath of the Lord Oh th it"'."' "'' u''''''' day of my life ' " ^^at it may prove the best "^^-^'^^^^y Reserve, AfarcA 19, ,864. about you, my dear boys ! w7en I tee tht :nl V^ ''^^'" ^ ''^'"'^ evening parade, and hiar the d Is TeaJ the^nHfrT "^ '" ^'^^'^ wish you were here to Innt „^ '"ns ^eat, then I think about you, and astride of a ni e ho se I thinr", " '""'"^ '''''''■ ^^^'-" ^ g^t Imve a ride When I lie T?' ^°"' ^"'^ ^^'^'^ ^^^ ^^--^ ^ere to and pray our klluiea l^Ti^^^^^^^^^^ "f ' ^ 'f' ^'^^ y-- absence. ^ '" '^^^ 2°°^ •^^''^ of you during my Ra,.iua,. R,v„, .,e sr„;\::- .;u:r ;rt s^r oZ'"" "= From hk Church. v: I.OVJXG WORDS TO ClfllDREK. lough • remaining, is as I)aliny as the heiimatisni in my xnd on. My foot afternoon it was a Jn the subject of interest unabated. got up last night is he prayed with exjierience great out the love and nto our little tent ■apples, chickens, ting that we shall lalf that he has. -' thoughtful and thing it is to be ny daily epistle, y prove the best ^rch 19, 1864. itool is my table, ;ry often I think iwn up in their about you, and i. When I get ou were here to link about you, f you during my came that the ere crossing the . Orders came 3tice. Accord- laversacks with Pa thought he ^^^ 203 "n,"';,t ™iFir '" '"'"'■ , '^"■■■" """ °'"'"^ ■'- «"" T w,i. r ?• '^^'^"''.'- ^'"■'^ mornnig the regiment is all ready. Whijc 1 tlic otl>all, Copenhagen, and other sports intcr^s^d tie li "f-lk; S accdcnt occurred, and we returned to the city ahout e n o'd cUn Ih' lioth he and Sis have new portelnnaLs V 11 '"T ' '""'V'^ "''-''■• and Sis six. He is per.cJ.y S^^l^^^^^^^:'^ -Ion t your mouth water for a kiss? On the second Snl.h.^ r T ^ (loth) I expect to be in Harrisburcr Perhn., , '^^"'"'^ .^efore I J brin, ma and the ':irt C^^^E Td^ b Xu^ Sdtys'"^'"^'""^^^'""- ^"°^'-^^^- ^iveourlortollf'i;: ^ "NewYork,>/;.i9, ,864. Did you ever receive a letter before ? Now remember that fhi ■ fc all yours so that when mamma has read it to you, 2 can 1,'"" a.ul put ,t m the envelope a.ain, and carry it about in'J^^^ot, Li say, This is papa's letter to " Little Sunshine " ' WonV ,\L 1 , M» .low ,»„. „,«, „, ,i„„ ,„, , -r,, '; LT j'^h": chairs kcq> II, their places I the old valise stays in ih, , I ,' ^.^^ .11 Uiatthe locomotive is ..^::^ZZr^'^\:Z cars to Columbia ; nobody asks for my lead-pencil r^os. ; or for a shee of M'J,.p.r now ; or for a ioo^ roM pictures in now. When \Z:t^, down a the table he is all alone. No little darling Will sU do ' alongside and wait for his buttered bread, or perhaps for a Httle sin nf papa's coffee, which you know is particularly nee WZ^ ^ papa ? Never mind.' It won't be'lon^ 1(vo or" thfee ween' ^Z T pa will get in the steam-cars again. iL old Vr^i; i g: < ct" clui ! chu - and after a while he will come to Columbia. Then he w li look out of the car window, and there will be bright-eyed lit le W 1 " on the ence waving his white handkerchief, shoudng, 'Hurrah, boys But I hear my httle boy say, ' What will you bring me ? ' KiL--^l so many sugar-candy kisses. Don't you love mylis.es? f am .u .v: ii'l myself— .u-com- excursioii toStatcn ce time. Swing's, -■ little folks. Xo even o'clock in the 'our little brothers but I think a little to c( me when we his little brothers e has hail her larj^'e • little girl. //•;// la's study as ever. .l)out twelve cents, re. Now, Frank, ! Sabbath of July le time the week /■ill you be jjlad to ir love to all. Ijc Jii'y 19, 1864, mber that this is ou can fold it up your pocket, and n't that be splen- 3 quiet now ; the le cupboard ; no 'ion to go in the ; or for a sheet of When [lapa sits Will to sit close for a little sip of 'n't you pity poor ; weeks, and then J--' will go 'chu ! L. Then he will yed little Willie ' Hurrah, boys ! ■\\. be splendid? ' ' Kisses — ever ? I am sure I BEKF.AVED OF A CIIIID. 205 love yours. I wish you were here to give me one of those rcxl rine l^s^Z^ "n n "" T ""'^ '^" "•^^- ''•^■' -n^i ; Fmu d V T r; '"' 'T ^^-"''"^'^'''-^ '° "--'e Frank a,. 1 i;'" ^-— -• Tl"^ afternoon he expects to atton.l Dr. falnuM's ^eetmg. and perhaps afterward ride out to Harlem and seegr.an I . lenl 1? T '■ "tr\j^ ?■■ '' "'«'' ^'"''»^"-"- ^^■'•"•'"'' ">•->' l-e ^ever s r>ke your dear little sister-no, indeed ! Never nuarrel Wth A the table do yqj, eat w.th your fingers ?-no, indeed, but with your fo k I),d you know it ? Willian. Wilberforce Cookman is a pe fe tt e gentlen.an. When I get back ,0 Colun,bia. I will a.k n amm an,l aunt Beck.e and grandn.a, an.l if they say you have been Tg " 1 pieces. Now don't you laugh-it is so. I will put it in that fal li.tL hajK and you shall A^el-'it is ./«.' Now'l must cl<:e Wilb ' letter. When mamma gets through rea.ling it, then give her a splendid k.ss, and tell her that is from papa ; and then go all around a give every one one of your best, and tell them all it is from your kar^a Good-bye, my little darling." ^ »^ Before leaving Trinity, Mr. and Mrs. Cookman suffered a deep affliction in the death of little Rebecca, a child three years and six months old. She was absent from home when she died. This was the first time the Destroyer had invaded their family circle. The father thus touchingly alludes to their bereavement :— " We have just been placing in the cold grave another beautiful gem to develop and re-appear in the promised resurrection. Our sweet little Rebecca ,s now in the special keeping of Him Mho looks down and watches all her dust till He shall bid it rise. I have many times sought to comfort bereaved parents. God, by this providence, has been betl preparing me for this part of my ministerial duty. Our precious darling was mcoinparably more beautiful in death than during life. Losin- all her baby-bke look, she presented the appearance of a lovely little'girl --her features regular and perfect, her face little wasted, and indescib- auiy sweet m us expression ; indeed, her exceeding beauty in death was 206 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN: ji n .: -Ij \\ m wlTot'^K^""'?''''' T"'""'^- ^ '■'" '"-^'-^y ^^'^'-^^ '-^ '"^1 i' i^ to bury one " 110 lb bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh. ' " Returning from the grave, the heart-stricken mother could not res ran. the audible < Farewell, my precious darling !' I thought 'Yes >mt,l vve meet again in a tearless and deathless realm.' Oh how pre- PeTon ' ^"".f''' ' '^ *° "^^ ""^ ^f'^™"°" •• Th^ blessed Third I havrn"TwT u^- "''■■' '"^' *^°'"'"°^'^ '"^^^''^^ tJ^^ comfort of God. ILTrr^rr^M: l,^:,-^-^-- - - — - t,. prayers of those Thus closed the pastorate at Trinity, and with it Mr. Cookmans ministry in New York. The General Con- ference, at Its session of 1864, in Philadelphia, had ex- tended the time that a minister could be appointed to any one charge from two co three successive years; but for reasons which seemed sufficient to all concerned, he de- clined a re-appointment for the third year, and accepted a pressing invitation to return to Philadelphia. He and the Trinity people parted on the most agreeable terms, and among them to this day no name is more revered for the fragrant memories which cluster about it than his ! i l1 it is to bury one nother could not I thought, 'Yes, Oh liow pre- 1ae blessed Third i comfort of God, ; prayers of those i with it Mr. General Con- )hia, had ex- ainted to any arsj but, for rned, he de- d accepted a He and the 3 terms, and /ered for the lis. CHAPTER XVI. RETURN TO PHILADELPHU.-PASTOKATE OF THE SPRIVG OAH.EN STHKKT CHUKCH.-AMOKC THE CH^KEN The immediate cause of the transfer of Mr Cookm.n agam (.865) to the Philadelphia Conference s' soon Z eavmg ,t for New York, was that his services ^t arnestly sought for the new church which had been re ted n Philadelph.a m Spring Garden Street. Severalof h^ former panshtoners at Green Street were active m/ni erecting the new church, and they felt that no one" as o well qualified to build up the new charge, to give i con sistency and stability, as their former beloved pastor. oM Cnlf ^^^^"^^'P^''-^' he hastened to the session of his old ^Conference at Harnsburg. Thence he wrote to his , " Harrisburg, Jl/an/i, 1S65. last night. ' Oh M? vas a e vy SZ bul 'r ?" "''^^ °.^ ''^^^^^' of my Master, a., ^as M^ J^J^' ^^''^^^Z ''^ ^ ^']^ -^^ grateful this morning. We have commen e7an eig o'c od""^ "^' meetmg this morning; the season was very ble ted t^ !77' .nterested rn every step of my progress, and 'so HS^l' go be o" Tuesday night I left Philadelphia wi.h nnitn , „„„,, '.^ ^ '""'" ^^ brethren. Comfortably ensconced in a l^erU; J^ sl^e^:;:^:;:;'^ 208 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. J < \ s ■ t dozed until Harrisburg was announced ; proceeding to our friend C.'s I met a most affectionate reception. The brethren at Conference were very cordial ; business was rapidly dispatched, and a ])lace assigned me on one or two committees, and at the close of the morning session my appomtment for evening was announced. During the day I met friends in every direction ; they were as cordial as tliough I had been their pastor last year. God has given us a strong hold upon the hearts ol this people. " The duty of preaching last night involved a terrible trial. I would rather have taken severe lashings ; but I dared not refuse-it seemed to me that it might be in the order of God ; and what is my will in com- parison with the Divine will? My Heavenly Father knows how simole and pure was my motive. I had a good time-xh^ brethren say great good was accomplished ; but this morning I feel like a whipped child indisposed to look anybody in the face. My soul, however, is full of tender love for Jesus; I cling to Him with increasing affection and devotion. Happy, if Thou, my Lord, approve.' Pray for me • I want that this Conference time may be a Pentecostal season for us all." Mr. Cookman's welcome was, if possible, even heartier than on the occasion of his return from Pittsburgh. It is doubtful if any friends are like the heart's first friends. His early associates were now more deeply attached to him than ever before. His re-entrance into their ranks was hailed with delight ; and he, as was natural, felt again the tran- quillizing sense of home, which gave him a new spring for his chosen work. The reception which the people would give him could not be questioned, in view of his popularity when stationed in the city and the enthusiastic greetings which always met him on his occasional visits. His brother George wrote in the winter of 1863 to his mother after one of these brief sojourns : "We enjoyed Alfred's visit hugely. He is a prime ' fellow, and his trip over here was productive of great good. I never saw such a sight as the Monday evening he preached at Green Street— altar crowded, and some thirty or forty in the congregation rose for prayers. ^Ve are AMONG THE CHILDREN. 209 going days." to have him back to Pliiladelphia some of these The Spring Garden charge presented the most favourable conditions for Mr. Cookman's resumption of the Christian ministry as a pastor in the great city of the Keystone State. The new, capacious, and elegant church, with every modern facility for effective church work, was admirably located to accommodate the growing population in the north-west section of the city. It was thoroughly manned by official boards full of energy, zeal, and liberality. Its success was assured from the beginning. The new pastor's name was a tower of strength. The pews immediately after the dedi- cation were rapidly taken, and it entered promptly upon a career of usefulness such as has been hardly surpassed by any charge in any of our great centres. Among the features of the Church was its large and well- conducted Sunday School. No minister ever more highly appreciated the Sunday School as an arm of pastoral success than Mr. Cookman. He was in the truest sense in all places a part of his school, regarding himself as responsible for a close contact with it and a most intimate knowledge of Its workings. He felt that the same heart must send its pulsations through the whole congregation, composed alike of adults and children. His habit was to know and to be known to teachers and scholars, to meet them on the most familiar terms, and so to inspire them with affection as to be able to utilize them as instruments and as materials for the incessant supply of workers in the Church and additions to Its members. The secret of his great power with children was his love for them. This the children could always see and feel, and hence he invariably enlisted their sympathies. He was one of the most successful talkers to youth America has known. His tact in awakening and keeping attention, U :i w 210 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. i ! 1 by presenting truth under^the. drapery of description, or in the form of illustration, or by some apt question, or by the flash of gentle humour, or by a tone of solemn appeal, was really consummate. Who ever knew an audience of children to tii-- under him? Who has not seen congrega- tions of them, wearied by some prosy homilist who had preceded him, suddenly electrified as he rose before them, and his look of familiar sweetness and voice of melody caught eye and ear? He was never happier than when before the upturned faces of his "little brothers and sisters," as lie loved to call his youthful auditory, or when, sur- rounded by a throng of them, they plucked familiarly It his coat to catch hi.^^ notice, or when, seated at the fireside of his own or some other Christian home, the boys ;md girls drew about him to listen to his naive and simple stones. It is saa of the celebrated John Charlier Gerson, who was Chancellor of the University of Paris, and the theo- logical leader of the reformatory councils of Pisa (1400) and Constance (1415), that, after taking a prominent part in all the great questions of his age, he retired to a convent at L3-ons, and found his chief delight in the instruction of children.* Alfred Cookman was never greater than when in Ills humility he stooped to be the companion and friend of Christ's httle ones. Talking one day with a lad of one of his charges, he said, " AVillie, do you pray ? " " Yes Mr. Cookman," was the reply. " When you pray, what do you pray for? You know we must have an object when we pray." " W hy, sir, I h..e a very bad temper, and I pray to God to help me to overcome it." " And does He help you?" "Yes, sir, I think He does." Such was the affection * Lange's Comm. on Matt., p. 323. THE PASTOR A .YD THE SUXDAY SCHOOL. 211 v^tfoTr'' "? """' ''" "P"™'-'*"' *<= ■^hiklra, and youth of his parishes. It may not be amiss here to present at some length in his own words his views of the relation of - the pastor and ^ Way^chool." The report, though not^^nt^::;; his ^^il'^'f"1 ^'•^■^.'■-"/'■■^f -^^'"g '1^'^ tlieory of this relation, but to Hve ri::ct:t ;•;'""'.' >^' '""^^r^--^^ "^ >- «-» experience k •■'yui^ 10 cauy out his convictions on this subject lis school be intimately interested and identified with it He shonl,l possible, know the name, secure the confidence, aic eta^. the ,S ' Uons of every child in his charge. To further thi^ he n ay Ss rotl" the chool from tune to time quietly, unostentatiously, taki^ the h day ' or < TtV ^^'""^"- ^'^'-^'-'^T, I hope that you are very well to- "The pastor should also recognise his scholars in the street ami .t eir homes, as well as in the schoolroom. The speaker 1 "ichaied )Hs children to run up to him and take him by the hand in the n. aiKl^. make themselves known whenever ^d wh^:;!;' ;,;:; ^l^ 1 si bn V TlV 1"-''"'°''' '''''^"' ''^f^^'- 'l"e preparation, he shall speak a word of loving counsel, warning, or encouragement ' \ n due preparation,' mark, for there can hardly be a grearei i.ke t, , ^suppose that this exercise re<.uires little or nt prcparad^i 5 Newton, that prince of children's preachers, had \oId him hat^." 212 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAM devoted as nuicli time and labour to liis 'cliildren's sermons' as to those whicli he prepared {ox the great congregation. The reason wliy it has come to be a received truth tliat so few are adapted to talk to cliildren, IS because so few take the time and thought necessary to prepare tliem- selves for the work. Then, after thorough preparation, tliey must put themselves in sympathy with their youthful hearers, and should aim rather to talk to them than ' address ' them. " In connection with tlie service called ' Children's Sermon,' Mr Cooknnn has found it advantageous to encourage the older scholars to suomit to lum, the Sabbath after they have heard it, a report of his sermon, which may be longer or shorter as they may please. He re- ceives it, takes it home, carefully examines and corrects it, marks it 'very good,' 'excellent,' 'good,' according to its merits, and signs it carefully, ' Your affectionate pastor,' appending his name. The report IS then returned to the scholar. The idea has proved useful in several very obvious ways. "3. As a third suggestion, a pastor would find it helpful to him and his school to have a week-day meeting of a children's class, over which he could have supervision in the matter of Christian duty and walk In most of his charges, Mr. Cookman had held such a class on Saturday afternoon at three o'clock. Punctuality is insisted upon, the roll called, and absentees marked. If a scholar is absent two or three weeks con- secutively, without an excuse, his name is stricken from the roll. After singing and prayer, and singing again, the ]iastor asks a few questions bearing on practical rehgion-as, ^^•hcther they have remembered to read their Bibles daily, and ]iray to God morning and night since they last met, the answers l,eing given by raising the hand. In such an exercise the speaker had been impressed with the fact that so few of his scholars ^^•ere accustomed to pray twice a day. They are then encouraged to stand up m their place and recite a passage of Scripture on a topic announced the week before, or one having the name of Jesus in it or one beginning with A, R, C, D, etc., going regularly through the a phal^et. An opportunity is then given to the pastor to reply person- ally to the scholars, giving a short word to each on the text thev have recited perhaps, and then general remarks to the class for fifteen or hventy minutes, with the aid of the blackboard, concluded with sinking. Tliese exercises last three-cjuarters of an hour, never exceed an hour. Tiac s and children's papers and rcwar.l-cards are then distributed, and tlie class separates. Each child is taken by the haml on partin-, and some such sentiment expressed as, ' I hope you will be found obedient at home, kind to little brothers and sisters during the week,' etc. •'4. Asa last suggestion, the pastor should be concerned to organize FAMILIAR LETTERS TO HIS BOYS mons ' as to those reason why it has I talk to children, to prepare theni- n, they must put and should aim I's Sermon,' Mr. older scholars to , a rejjort of his please. He re- ects it, marks it its, and signs it me. The report useful in several ilpful to him and :lass, over which y and walk. In :lass on Saturday I, the roll called, three weeks con- the roll. After a few questions lembered to read t since they last such an exercise V of his scholars n encouraged to ifure on a topic f Jesus in it, or rly through the to reply person- e text they have ss for fifteen or ed with singing, xceed an hour, distributed, and on parting, and found obedient :ek,' etc. ned to organize 213 who'lT'l t'\'°'"^'"''-' °'" '^'^ '^•''^^'''^'■■'' '-''"' '"'^'"^"-''•« «f tl><-' ■•-''•qer classes who m.ght choose to join it. This class may meet during the week to Se^dn!"' T^^' ''^^""- '''''''''^^' organized!: it speaku s cha.ge, winch promised most important results. It meets on Saturday evenmgs. The first hour is devoted to the lesson, in as" ,1 an wermg quest.ons, using the cp.estion-book as a guidl, but notC fimng then^selves to .t. This exercise is made a free, familiar inter- change of thought and inquiry. The next half-hour ;f one weel s devoted to teachers' experiences, the relation of encouragements an d. couragements. or to prayer over the work. On the next week tl^ ^ i^oJ T r " '" ""'"""^^ ""' '''' P^''°^ °' '^^'' biograplucal or other sketches of .ehgious mterest, making it eminently practical. On the third n,eetmg two or three short essays, written by Scholars, are read On the fourth, after the regular exercises, committees appointed by the m^^l Tr ""J"^^'-^-^"^^ '^ -■< --1 ^'«-'li-l-nt members, on'new conduct separately) on sick and afflicted church members, on tract d stnbut.on, etc._al make their reports. Thus an interest is taken in a the work of the Church, and the pastor is training helpers all around wWh h? n , '""'"' "'^ ^''' '''''''' ^'''' "^ ^°"^^ «"^h efforts, by which h s flock, young and old, shall be kept employed in the Master's "For a pastor to neglect the command, 'Feed my lambs,' and thus to turn aside from a held ' white to the harvest, ' is to indicate a strange unfitness for the very work to which he ought to believe himself Divinely called beyond any question." Several letters of Mr. Cookman to his children have already beeia given. I insert others here, written about this date, as illustrative of his manner of dealing with his own children. His children were summering at or near Columbia. " This letter is for ' Posse kin,' as ma sometimes calls you. I expect you are having an elegant time at gramlpa's-rolling your hoop, fl ing your kite, playing with Rollo, and helping grandma to make gardem You must not eat up all the gooseberries and cherries and currants before pa comes to Co umbia ; if you do, pa will lay you down on the floor! and he will tickle you-oh, how he will tickle you ! I hope that yoii are a very good boy, that you obey everything that aunt Beckie tells 214 LIFE OF ALFRED COOh'MAN. \^ ■ you, that you say your prayers every morning an.i evenint^, that you never quarrel wuh little Bruner, and that you keep away from the r.i oacl and r.ver. Woul.l you not like to see the liltle siLr? SI e a >Snnpson talks a great deal al,out Bruner and George : he says, ' Boys W.11 brnig Frank and the little si.ter. Then you will take Frank in the gan en and show him the flowers, won't you? and you will put little Ann.e rn a carnage, and take her riding. Then pa will get a i^ carnage and a live horse, and with his little boys he will drtve out in tlu. eountry. ^yon•t we have a good time? Now rememb o t a good obed.ent boy, and pa will bring you a pretty present. Giv a kiss to grandma, grandpa, and aunt Rebeeea, and all the rest. When let you give it a k.ss for pa. and let it be one of your very best kisses Pa and ma send you a /ocowo/ive full of love. " " Bnmcr's letter came to hand this morning. We were glad to learn tl^t you were qu.te well and enjoying yourselves. You must be v y good boys durmg your stay in Columbia. Make as little noise and trouble as possible. Grandma and grandpa are both old, and the eSe annot bear as much as they once could. You must try 'and remei^e tins ana ,,,,,^^ ,,., ;„ ^^^^ ,^^^^^ ^^,^ .^ ^^ ^^^ .e qmetly m your chans. I think you ought to take a part of every clly for reading. If all study and no play makes Jack a dull boy then all play and no study makes Jack a very good-for-nothing boy Sele on,e mterestmg book, read more or less every day, and^'when I come o Columb.a you can each one report the number of pages you ha"e ad, for I shall certainly ask the question. Do not quafrel wdth o"e another ; such conduct is disgraceful, and especially between brothers This sp.r. often leads to blows, and blow-s to serious injuries, and evln deatlr. Notlung could grieve me so much as to know tha my bov" d>d not feel kmdly or affectionately toward each other. Always be S'lrLTsi'''"' ""' '^"'"'"'^ '" ^°"'- ^°"^'^^-''^^'°" -^l ^P-t-nd "Another thing-never forget that you are young Christians members of the Church. The eyes of others are upo'. yol iTZ't siyose that you w^ould tell falsehoods or say bad word' or ^ake w In d d not belong to you. But remember that angry tempers and a g^ uo.ds are mcons.stent with the Christian character. You have not fefl your religion in Philadelphia, but taken it with you. Let it nfluence you to n-a^vour Bible e..,cry day, top-ay tJnre tiJs a day, and to go o MEETING FOR PRO^MOTION OF HOLINESS. 2IS cla -meeting ev.ery week. Ask aunt Beckie if she will not take you ^^.th her ; and thou^^h ,t may be a trial-a great trial-yet for the sake of your dear Saviour consent to the trial, and resolve to attend a class- meetmg every week. In this matter take your father's advice. He knows what is best, for he has been through all your experiences. Read this letter ov^r and over again, think of and remember the advice we ^nSZl. ^''i'^';'''P''^^'^^'^read a little n.ry day, don^t quarrel, act Ue Itttle Chrutmus, go to class- nweting. About going down the country, we wd see when I go to Columbia. This morning we are all Cr "This ^ MT "'° "^^ '^"''^ ^"^'^ ''' day yestiday, seems better. J his is probably owing to the agreeable change in the weather Mamma says that when it suddenly becomes cool you must not forgei to pu on thicker clothing. Will scalded his foot this morning, and for a while was a lame and crying little soldier. But petroleum and flour have cured hnn so far that he is now out of doors playing. How is l.ttle sister Puss ? Let every brother give her two kisses for me. I am glad she was pleased with her book. Of course she will read it all through, and be able to tell us all about it when we meet." A meeting for the promotion of holiness was promptly established at Spring Garden; but for sufficient reasons Mr. Cookman allowed it to be removed to the Methodist Book-rooms, in Arch Street. He by general consent was continued the leader of the meeting while he remained in the city. This " Friday-afternoon meeting " has become an mstitution, and is resorted to by persons of all denomina- tions from far and near. Mr. Cookman also frequented, as when previously in Philadelphia, the meetings under the conduct of Mrs. Keen. The first year of the pastorate at Spring Garden was one of solid and abiding usefulness. There is no record which acquaints us with the details of the devoted pastor's labours, but the minutes of the Conference show increase in all departments. As evidence of the high esteem in which the pastor and his wife were held, the congregation, on the 6th of March 1866, the fifteenth anniversary of their marriage, gave them s h n 2l6 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. a "crystal wedding." Their home in Wallace Street was crowded u-ith the members of the cong .gation, who brought with them many tasteful articles as mementoes of the occasion. A presentation speech was made to the happy pair by Mr. Alexander Irwin, to which Mr. Cook- man replied in his usually felicitous style. He was much moved while he spoke, and at the close called ui.on the company to sing, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," and then offered prayer, Mr. Cookman never appeared to greater advantage than amid those scenes, when he was surrounded by the com- pany of his friends, drawn together in honour of himself or of some friend, or for the advancement of the social culture of the Church. He was commonly the central attraction of all such gatherings, not so much by his official station as by the charm of his person and character : hand- some, dignified, and affable, he moved among the circles which he frequented with a modest grace, an instinctive recognition of the claims of others, a kindly salutation for every one, an evident appreciation of all that is best in his fellow-beings, which, while it showed him to be a man of "Cheerful yesterdays, and confident to-morrows," also made it manifest to all that the source of his cheerful- ness and of his friendship was deep in the springs of a pure nature. ^ Mr. Cookman's close sympathy with the Young Men's Christian Association during his former residence in Philadelphia will be remembered. He shows himself again on their platform, and speaks in the following timely and earnest words : <■ Ecclesiastiavl history tells us of one of the ancient Christians who, rJIE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIOX. 217 wlien summoned before the tribunal where he was to receive his sentence of death, was a.sl^jd, ' What i.s thy name ?' lie immediately respondul, 'I am a Christian.' 'What i.s thy occupation?' He answeml, ' I am a Christian.' < What is thy native country ? ' He answered, ' I am a Christian.' ' Who were thy ancestors ? ' He answered, ' I am a Christian.' And to all the inquiries he responded consistently in the words, 'I am a Christian.' Sir, it is with a feeling akin to this that I appear upon your platform to-nighl— not as an American, not as a Methodist, not as a sectarian, Mr. President— I am a Christian. I glory in this worthy distinction ; ami in the presence of men and angels I announce the fact, ' I am a Christian '—a humble member, an un- worthy representative of the Young Men's Christian Association of the City of Philadelphia. " Allov/ me, sir, to congratulate you and the friends of this worthy enterprise upon the brilliant and truly inspiring scene which greets our vision and crowns our anniversary. Certainly these Christian labourers are encompassed about with a great cloutl of witnesses. Look at them silting in these boxes, occupying this lower floor and yonder gallery —filling the entire house, making it appear almost like an ancient amphitliealre, which, during the i)rogiess of the Olympic games, would be crow led in every part, causing the place to look like a living, breath- ing structure. It shows how dear to the heart of every Christian is the cause of Christianity, and the welfare of every instrumentality intended to promote th j interests of religion. These young men shall rise up like a race of young giants, showing themselves mighty in pulling down the strongholds of the wicked one. Now we have in the midst of us the Ark of the Covenant. Upon our banners are inscribed the words, ' Christ and Him crucified.' This is the motto under which we success- fully battle. It is true, we still want the baptism of fire— that fire which shall constantly burn in our hearts, that shall glow in our countenances, kindle upon our tongues, and shine in our lives. "Mr. President, I was greatly excited by the cordial welcome you extended to these delegates, hailing as they do from \Svt North, South, East, and West. Only a week since I was in the city of Pittsburgh] and spent there one of the happiest evenings of my life. That such may be the case with you all to-night is my earnest wish. But a few years have elapsed since the veterans of 1812, hailing from almost every state in the Union, assembled in yonder hall in Chestnut Street, where more than eighty-three years ago there was prepared for publication to the world the memorable Declaration of American Independence. Finding the room too small for the number present, they adjourned to the Chinese Museum, which afforded them more spacious accommodations. ai8 i I I.TFE OF ALFRED COOKMAAr. Soon .1,0 stentorian v^, eoH e fe '"" "'" T' "■"""^"' "I--'-'- vns. audience sprang ^Ih^Z^t^'^'Tr """ '•'"'•""^- ^^'-^t "■'"; "-ir sholts S i..;'^ic^^:^r''';;^ *;;''?- "''-""y vocal coming in imme.liately alu-r wl ' , ^ "^ ""'ti^ore veterans, enthusiastic joy. Ami n„ v J 1 ,, *■';' "'"' 'he wil.lest shouts of con,in, n-on. the batt Isrour o "l "to^"-. 7"''"'" "'J^'^"^ ^l^^'^' -« «haii nevx. acijoun, ./«,.! Tnw^^^^ ''7" '" ^ convention that wili announce the nan,e.s of I V ;'«::, "^ ^"^ f "^'^ "^ i^X' ^ew'iorlv; another anrel. at ano. . 1 m, """ ^^^^"cinti.-.n of Men's Chn^st.an Associafio of C'"\ ;;•;;■ — - th. ^•o„„g fons of Baltimore, GeniiantownnnHM "''"'' "^ ''''^ ''''*«'cia. coming to mingle together rt' Par Ci^e rS' T F!""''"' ^" such may he the case, and that we mav a T w • ^^""^ *^°'' P*-'-^"' that shall never know.dissolutk)n ! "^ ""'^ '" '^ ^'°"'' "^ ""'"" nflhc delegates inient exjK-cted. nnci tIiL« .shout of ItiiililiiifT. That :t' literally vocal more veterans, ildest shouts of esus Christ are convention that shouts of joy, Association of ficc the Young of the associa- her places, all fay Cod prant bond of union CHAPTER XVII. SPRING GARDEN STREET CHURCH—CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE COLOURED RACE.— VACATION AT CAMP-MEETINGS. The session of tliis Conference of iS66 over, Mr Cook- man hastened to the help of his brother John, who was stationed in Poughkeepsie, New York. He found him in the midst of an extensive revival, but greatly prostrated in health; and although he was himself just out of an arduous winter's work, he could not refrain from enl.tmg earnesdy into the work on his brother's hands. To his wife : — " Poughkeepsie, Monday, March 26. . . . "We found John in bed, a victin. of diphtheria and creat nervous prostration. Last Wednesday the doctor was very much alarmed \ estercky morning early, ,ain in the afternoon, he had very bad spells. This morning, ho^vcver, he seems better, and we hope wdl recover rapidly. H,s people are earnest and united in the prayers for the preservation of his life, which seems to them exceedingly valu- ab H,s labours have been singularly blessed. It is estimate,! that neaily three hundred have professed to experience religion, among whom are a la,^.e number of heads of families, and strong stalwarf young men. The end is not yet. ^^'^'wart ' ' I preached yesterday morning on the cloud of witnesses. After the sermon the altar was surrounded by gentlemen and ladies, who pro- posed to join the Church on probation. In the afternoon we had a prayer-n.eetn,g with an altar full of penitents. In the evening I preached on ' Ve wdl not come,' etc. The altar was again filled with mourners, and SOI ■ 1 .. ^ "^ 3me occupied the front sen This morning, and every 220 LII-E OF ALFRED COOKMAX. ' ! If so that he is entirely laid isi.le Tho f. • i Tuesday, the remnant of my days.' " ^ J""-^' ''"'^ ^^^"d The successful close of the late civil ^var, it will be re- membered entajled upon the nation problems of reconstmc- tion second only in nnportance and difficulty to that of Z; Thf 'h" f "'t" ""'"'^^ °^ ^^^ ^-'-» Govern "f the f'eed col ''^ " "" ''' ""^"^""^ °^ "^^ -^'^^-^^ ot the freed coloured race to the new order of things The Shirr 'r-'^^°f -^ ^e again reduced to'slavery Should he advance in the essential conditions of freedom to the possession of those civil rights without the exercise of which herty IS but a name ? Such was the question which m ^%(,G forced itself upon the tnte lovers of the country and of humanity for a speedy and practical solution It cannot be denied that the first stage of transition from bondage to freedom was to the coloured people of tl e South a period of fearful trial and sufi-ering. « The reaction which f,Howed at the waters of strife, upon the exuSn of the passage of the Red Sea, has been fitly described as the likeness of the reaction which, from the days of Moses downward, has followed on every great national eman- cipa ion-one very just and beneficent revolution-when the 'evils It caused are felt, and the evils which it removed are felt no longer.' " * Many of the worst results of emancT pation, which the ^nemi^^ had predicted and * Stanley's "History of the Jewish Church." ~ JUSTICE TO THE NEGRO. 221 d, is lield in the and perhajis on nee last Tuesday, 3i"et niy presence before Thursday, ment, \m, unless 2nce, I reckon I sant labour while 3ice, and 'spend it will be re- of reconstnic- ty to that of neral Govern- f the relations things. The 2d to slavery. )f freedom to e exercise of lestion which : country and msition from ople of the rhe reaction e exultation y described the days of :ional eman- ition — when it removed i of emanci- -dicted and their friends had feared, fell upon them. They wandered about in multitudes, without food, clothing, or shelter. Their irresponsible and defenceless condition exposed them to sickness and immorality. They were tempted to drunken- ness, theft, and murder. It is not surprising that they, like the Israelites, longed at the " bitter waters " for , ^ "flesh- pots of Egypt." When in bondage, they felt only the evils of their sad state, and anticipated in freedom naught but the sweets of liberty. In their recollections they dreamed of their snug quarters, their hoe-cakes, their merry evening songs and dances, but forgot the chains, the whip, the ex- tinction of manhood and all its ties ; and thus, as they saw in the present only privation and peril, no wonder their hearts failed them and hope well-nigh died out. ^ Many of the advocates of freedom were also alarmed. The old, oft-repeated sophistry, that the negro is incapable of self-government, seemed loo well supported by the abuses and shiftlessness which could not but follow upon the heels of a people suddenly liberated, without the least education in the habits of self-help. It again required the foith and nerve to insist upon the rights of citizenship for the black man that it had originally required to demand his liberation. Mr. Cookman was among the number who stood forward quite early in the reconstruction agitation for the bestowal of these rights in all their fulness. "Philadelphia, Juucd, 1866. " Last night I made a speech in the largest coloured church in Phila- delpliia. Two bishops, a book agent, a missionary, an editor, etc. (all black), on the platform. Justice to the negro and justice to the traitor was my political creed announced : duty to their brethren in the South, the exhortation urged. We had a glorious time. I thought of our honoured father, iiow he would have revel'ed and kindled and flamed on such an occasion or under such circumstances. " This suggests your inquiry respecting colonization. My impression IS that colonization belongs to some future providential development. m. ir u --i I. •! i 'i 222 l-/F£ OF ALFPED COOKMAN, God is using the African race just now to teich „« o i > r • • ancl^n^n brotherhood wi are not 1.^:^ ^^^JtS- P mcd yet, and cannot chspense with the lesson-book. When we tre d.sposed to do justly in every particular, then I rather ev^-cth r^onc^nce W.11 open some gold mines or , .il wells, or sometl g e s . e African coast, or m some other locality where black people can be l.ve, and so we shall work out the problem of coloniza Uon !u the present tnne they are not only important for testing our nteirity iu w ^lth\"f """^ ""■ "'• ^^ "^'^^^ '^-y -- fndispensS (; Z wealth and prosperity. I think colonization must be left to pZn . and te coloured people themselves. We cann:t f^-e , e j I il would be unwise, unkind, unchristian ; and to colonize a 7.^7^:,^, doing ,s like emptying a river by taking out a bucketful now an I tE en Let us live for the present, faithfully discharging the duty of tirmssh": hour, which IS to educate and elevate a neonle wlfnl ^ f abou., multiplied wrongs, tedious bond^: ^St^X^S:^ them a special claim upon us. Give them the spelling-book th^ Bible equal rights before the law, and the elective fraLhise^as their vnln of defence, and then leave all the rest to God. In such a cTse T u? i "^^^^i ''' ''-''-- '' °- -^° - Himsei^i^s;;;:;:;:; appreciation of her children. A. time leaves its'mark upon c^^.^ form our love seems to be gentler, tenderer, and more sacre We feel o say, 'Handle her carefully, speak to her lovingly pom ;il 1 unshme possible over the remaining years of her eartiri/s;joun 'Oh e enjoyed beyond expression her presence in Philadelphia SL ne^e; before seemed so beautiful in my eyes. I felt as if I ~A / T every day. My visits were always too short for n ysel S, bl"' , with the best of His blessings-and He does, for Hegi^:e.^ nSf , -xt to this He gives her the enthusiastic love of KJ " '2;;:;:^ We give her her vindication before she is taken from us, ,at 'l oS^r ""' ^^"'"' ^^*"^"'^'^'"^' ^-'"^- ^"'^'^'-ye. tt b^; "I have written you a long letter, and yet I have not said nearly all ^at ,s ,n my heart. My soul still trusts and triumphs in God 'o Idv^tfon 1 '' '"'" " ''''''' ''^''"""' '''' P--— and power ;f full The stimmer of i866 found Mr. Cookman, as t.stial turned "evangelist." Instead of spending the vacation X lesson of justice istructed or disci- ■^^ ^Mlen we are ^ther expect that something else in k people can best nization. At the )ur integrity, but lispensable to our eft to Providence e them away ; it as we have been I now and then, ty of the passing ■hose unrequited degradation give book, the Bible, IS their weapon 1 a case I would (finitely just and n dear mother's s she is in the upon face and re sacred. We ' ; pour all the sojourn. ' Oh, lia. She never nted to see her God bless her ;r Himself, and 'oted children. . that slie has -yes, the best aid nearly all ill God. Oh power of full , as usual, le vacation ^£TrEJ? TO A PROMINENT CITIZEN 223 month as a holiday, he went- ^^ " ' . meeting, a herald o'f :^t^^;Z!^' '% ''''^'' you vacation ? " said one of \.\. « , . ^ "'^ °^ ^^'^'^S rest, you go to a 1 h.^! '^'^ ^'^'^''''^ ' "^^^ ^'on'^ if you wefe " ot. Trr: s ^"' ''''-' "^°- '^'^- rest." He replied, << I cannT e^ o:^^?'^'^-^^^ '"'' must preach. The Gospel is free/' ^^^^^^^^on. I A letter to a' prominent citizen of RoU- active layman of the Methodist^iscona 07",' '•"' '" city, indicates the extent to whi h Her 'v "' " '"^ at the Shrewsbury meetin. .^ i\ u u ?' ''"'^ "^'^"^ subsequently sought :!1 ''^^'^ ^''' ^^^^^^ ^^as grateful and eneouragl^g. '°'"'' ^"^ "''"^^ ^''^-' '-^-1 the strongholds of sin J^'utZt'' "'^^ '" ^'""'"^^ ^'«-" a brother's love and earnestness //I// a! . '?"'''■' ^ "■°"'^' '^'''y' ^"th ^'«W.' Do not allow any a l^Uo'"^^' '^ ?'' '"'''■'^'^"'^ ^^ /-'-- <^^ the experience and profesic";;:: ,!"?"""" 4° '"" ^^^ ^-- for the C/..r/.'. sake, for the wo-^l's iSe fl T" ,^-/^-"^'^- -^^e, doctrn^e, for the sake of that ./;-.>, "X 1 v ? ' "^ ^'"'^ l''"'^^''""« -uls-for .11 these reasons do, lb L^eHtr '• '"" "'^°" y^" immovable, testifying humbly but defi if ?' '°"''""' -'^^^^^'f^^^ '-^n^l cleanseth from all sin' ^ """"'^ '^^'^^ '^he blood of Jesus "Let no one think for a moment that because To 1 i prayer, and granted him a deeper work of T . ""' answered his hope for an exemption from rS enini^ ' 'Y '''"''''''-' ''' ^^^V will come, but if L are ' looH^u^XT^"^' ""' '^^'^-^- These ^oc,, and that is the impo.t ^n^ r'^^l; t^f" 'f '^--^- "^^^- ness, be concerned about fe,, /,^,>,' Fi, / °^'°"'^''^' °'- '^^'^■ """^^. 1 11.1, A „,y consccnuion entire? i -3; I ' I . 224 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. c, ■• fT ' n.{ " '"'"""^ "'"^' '"'"' ''■'"' ^" Jesus as my perfect Savumr? Yes. Then ' all is well '-I am on the Rock. The Rock may be ,n tl,e valley or on the hill-top, in the clou.l or in the stuihl^e - t matters not ; if we are on that sure foundation, all is well. It is not darkness or temptation or trial that separates the soul from Go'\-it th27,u;t six!' ''"' ""^ "'"'""^ «o»l« adopt as their motto, 'Any- and'i?"''?^' ^.7^"V'' '^/ ^^"^P-nieeting were among the happiest and be. . of my l.fe. Can I ever forget some of those blessed cenes and seasons ? Sabbath morning-Sabbath evening ; Tuesday momb^ -luesciay n.ght in the preachers' tent ; Wednesday momhfj TZ f so reluctantly wuhdrew myself from those hallowecl'privi S' Ok' I reme,nl>er tt all. It supplies a rich feast of memory It co, trains" i th,s monjent .keartfeU^lory to tke La,nl>. I shall n'ever J.: t^ • : ,, ' / ^f^^-'-'^^^'^lx^ry camp.,neeting of 1866. My Baltimore friends, alway precous, never seemed so dear before. Oil ! I want to .valk with them upon the King's highway of holiness, and after a while spend at. etern.ty w.th them in the .^veet groves of bliss. Convey to ay whom you may meet, assurances of my Christian affection, and believe me, beloved brother, yours iox full salvation.'' Another honoured layman* of Baltimore, alludincr to Mr Cookman's labours at the same camp-meeting, wrote subse- quently : — "I owe more, under God, to Brother Cookman than to any other bemg for the experience which I now enjoy. His sweet voice, ringing out so clearly, ^ Be ye holy; was the first to awaken m my mind an anxious inquiry on the subject of Christian holi. .ess. He led me into the higher life-into the possession of a brighter and deeper religious experience Now that he has fallen, I feel more than ever like being true to the doctrine which it seemed his special mission so forcibly to proclaim." A letter written to his sister, February 15th, 1867, will be read with interest because of its references to the deaths of cherished friends, especially that of the Rev. Dr. Monroe * Mr. John Ilurst. LETTER TO HIS SISTER. Chu^ch shared in the lltZ '° ''''''''' '''' '^^^'- from the seat of the (^^n L^ ^'tT ^'T "°" '''' to those who were presen H '. ^ "'^"'■^'' ^'^" ^^^^^" showed as chairmaLTrcrmiue ''^'^^ "^^^^'^ '- for deceased brethren. Tk^Z^Z "" "'T"' """^^ ^'-ccas.n impressive wa;d:;:rt;:ZS^^^^^ placed in the front of \L b^ Se ' l^f,? "^'-'"- ^^ ^«d. to have been around u. thick and fast, f! ihellf "'T' "' '^''"''^ ^'^ ^V^S Bedford Street Mission, fell, w th t Ws elr """ '""^ ^"-"'^"''^'' "^^ ''- safe in Jesus-all is well ' LVstS^f"' ."''"" '"^ ^'1« = ' ^ ^m William Barnes went to Heaven her lafw ', ''"^'''" ^^ ^'^^^ '^-• a good fight.' Tuesday I mide'the ad T'' '^ ^''"^ ^'^"i.'ht Batcheldor,* and acco^paS the^^^JV^'r " '"""' °^ ^^'^^" testimony was, ' I see Tesus ' n w f Trenton. Her dyintr obsequies of 'the W^^^ Mu^e^'tro?^/^' ''' ''' ^""-' efficient ministers of American Met^odis" n '" ""^^ ""^'""^ '-^"^ mpress.ve occasions of the kind I ever w t'essed n "T f ''^ '""^' ters, great multitudes of people the 111?^ """dreds of minis- disguised affection, and the mos^ tenctTn! ^T"""''' '''' "^°^^ """ died gloriously. It was virtua v T , " ""^ '"'°Sies. Monroe the man and L circumLaTceTof his de"! h .1';^';;''^ ''' ''^'^'^^^ ^' addressed lo a continent. Person.llv I ' ,' '''"' ^ ■"^^^™°" Munroe was a great favourif. .f ^ " ^'^^^''^ bereaved. Dr My estimate of hirist p T dlTh^' T^"' "^ '""^^^^ "--^er Preachers' Meeting. D ' Si on .T. "" °^ '^"^ ^'^iladelphia funeral was especially beautif I wirf'" T, ^ °^'-"^'°" «^^'- the midst of 'deaths oft ' I dL fn ^°" '°"^'^ ''""" '^'■'^'■^' "■ In fear, sweetly realising at wC 111 hf^"! '^ '"' '^^•^^'^''' -^ '^'l j^^ii^e to sepaite th;b:ir '(^it wiii^r^^^i^^f^' '-"'"^ * Widow of the late Rev Mr Pti i. ] i r T~ ' " ference, and daughter of the rI Dt BlrUne. "' ""'^ •^"^^■^ ^^"- 15 CHAPTER XVIir. SPRING GARDEN STREET CHURCH.— THE DEATH OF GEORGE COOKMAN AND OF ALFRED BRUNER COOKMAN, The unremitting pastor had hardly rested from the evange- listic labours of the summer, when one of the heaviest calamities of his life fell upon him in the sudden death of his brother George, which occurred October ist, 1867. The death of this Christian man, though sudden, was not without premonitions. His health had been precarious for some time, but immediate danger was not apprehended. He lived, however, in constant preparation for death, by living in constant devotion to God and duty. He 'was almost literally translated from the scenes of his earthly activity and joy. Wide and deep as was the sorrow felt at the loss of a lay- man uniting so many qualities of the Christian, the gentle- man, and the business man, it could do but iittle to conduct from the heart of Alfred the ache which settled upon it. Rarely had two brothers been so joined from boyhood ; and, subsequent to George's conversion, their fellowship had been of the most intimate and intense character. There was the most perfect natural and spiritual kinship— they thought, felt, and acted together; and when the one fell it was like tearing from the survivor I113 other half, the comple- ment of himself. rniCKENlNG SlfADOlVS — ' 227 should be gathered to iKI„Tf' ^ '■'"'°" °^ """"^ »lw f"g he was'can Ja X XoT b\ '" ''" ^^""^f""""- 'o -and b. .he dying bed rrt? of t^tr s' '™"^ and to adn,inis,er to him and n Ih u ^™P'°"' which now „,„re than Zr T "" ""eolations understand. He had ,7 ''P"'™"== ''ad taught him ,0 'erial friends " , ^t HeJ '""."" "==''= »'' """- «end Simpson, hlrhndt T^ t "1^ "^^ ^"""S •he grave was yet unsitisfieT !,' , " °'=°''«'= ■ >"" fcroneeven nearer d^ .t. I^.h '""" ^°™ ""= -.Br„„er,,vh„ had so lonr^^Idwiftd- "'"""' who at times had given si'.„s„r '"'''"<^' and of nltimate recov'y, at fa ° ;'""™'7™' >'"'' ">■= ""Pe The brave boy d.ed Marir „d 8^8 '^, the destroyer, thickened around the devout m t„ ^ , ""^ *'"'°"' the deepest darkness heT !, u ""'^ '"' ''"'"">'• ^et in the suffering h,s,rif , 'cheerfulness , under all the invigor'.i„;j ~„,edT "" ''""«' ^"' '°"^ as to intrinsic fe^t^LK;'. "bt l^Z!'' -'"'""- ^"* by M^ 'cS: !r r ™ °^ ^ '^o™ '^^ ■■ - written ' theJ/,.w2,i;rl^:™fj P"''"='>«' "yeques. ,n father and son, and sfZ";. , ," '? "''""''* ^"ke to ---fthis\.o,:!c;itrri::itr:;r:r-' " BIOGRAPHV OF A GOOD BOV y ■■'^tun yta.s was a constant satisfaction and 228 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. comfort. If there is such a thing as natural goodness, he seemed to be its fortunate possessor. Ilis instincts were all in the direction of virtue and propriety. Strictly conscientious, we never heard of his uttering either a profane or an obscene word. No one ever suspected him ol anything like falsehood. As our memory serves us now, we cannot recall a single act of disobedience to his parents. In the family circle he stood as a faithful little monitor, constantly careful respecting Jie morals, habits, manners, and appearance of his brothers and sisters. Naturally dignified and thoughtful, he impressed all by his quiet move- ments, his perfect politeness, and his singular sense of propriety. " With these superior qualities of character he associated fine intel- lec aal characteristics. His feeble health, extending through a number of years, had hindered somewhat his literary culture, nevertheless few boys of his age had read so much. He was a voracious reader. Some- times we would chide him for his application to his book, and had literally to drive him into other exercises. "In the use of the pencil he evinced great taste and skill. An amateur artist of Philadelphia, after looking at some of his productions, congratulated us on his superior talent, suggesting that it furnished promise of future fame. "In his recitations on the occasions of anniversaries and public meetings (exercises that he always enjoyed), he was graceful, impressive, and popular. It is a significant fact in this connexion that his last, and one of his happiest declamations, was ' The Burial of Sir John Moore.' " His thoughtfulness revealed itself in his attention to and remem- brance of sermons, the numerous questions he would ask on Scriptural, theological, and gtneral subjects, and his interest on the vital question of his personal salvation. " Five years since, when we expected him to die, he professed to experience on his bed of sickness the forgiveness of his sins. When he partially recovered, one of his first wishes expressed was to unite him- self with the Church, Accordingly, on the first Sabbath of 1863, when he was ten years of age, his dear mother led him to the altar, while his father had the exceeding joy of welcoming him as a pro- bationer in the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, in the city of New York. " His Christian life was marked by consistency of conduct and strict attentiorv to religious duty. His prayers were never forgotten. His Bible was read every day. His class-meeting was regularly attended. Fond of his Sabbath School, he was always in his place, and for his teacher and classmates cherished a special love. Those classmates had ALFRED BRUNER COOA'AIA.V. 229 "Since our dear Loy'.s death we have found his diary, kept when h> ;s^ch:;r :s;^^^^- ^ '^^ --^^ -' ^'^-' ^^ ^^^ ;; In ZT"'' ^' '/^^' ^' ""'" = ' ^•'•'•^y ^ ^^^^ experienced religion In the afternoon T went up to the altar, but did not find Chris i he evenmg I found IIi„. Glory to God ! ' This was rather a e'tor. t:on of the joys of God's salvation restoia- ^ hu.h,e a.i a«iicted w:i:;^'':^^tSdr hrs;:^,f:- ^Then we sang hy.ns, spoke pieces. Mrs. A— played, ^nd ^e w:,; J About the same date he writes: 'Glory to God, the slaves are " April i, he says : ' This afternoon we heard th-vt Rirb r,.„ , , Petersburg are taken by Grant and Sheridin r L 1 1 K.cb.nond and nated for the victory, 'praise God foJ vict'y' ! ' "' ^'^ ''^^^'^ '""'"'- " April 15, he writes : ' Tliis morning we had awful new« ■ Vr -a . Ln>coln is dead.' lie then records all fhe par icurar of 7,. ' '"' tion, and appends the sentiment, < Thy will ^done ' ""'""" J About the same time he records : '' g°°^ '" ^i^ word.s. -^oocHn his temper, good in his actions ;— and so he was. None knew him but to love him. None named him but to praise.' " Soon after he came to Philadelphia, three years since, he helped I 230 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAX. to establish a boys' Sabbath-evening prayer incut in;,'. At this service (luite a number ol his young friends professed to experience the pardon of sin— among the rest the son of our beloved Bishop Simpson. Thus his life flowed along beautifully and lovingly and usefully, until the latter part of January last, when a deep cold fell upon his heart (his feeble organ), develoj)ing in the form o{ poicaniitis. His Ulncss was attended with great pain, obstinate fever, and freciuent oppression, that soon robbed him of strength and flesh. Sitting in an upright position, sometimes foi days and nights together, with his feet fearfully svoUen, he nevertheless possessed his soul in beautiful patience. No one heard from him one word of murmuring or repining. Every day his Bible was carefully read, while in hi* devotions he would insist on kneel- nig down, despite all his disability, and would .pend long seasons in communion with God. " To his father he gave the assurance that his 'rust -was in Christ and Jesus was precious. When asked if all was well in an eternal point of view, he answered, 'Yes, sir.' " The last day of his life, March 2, reason was trembling on her throne. He seemed oblivious to the presence of relatives and friends, and was, to all human appearance, the subject of intense sufTenng.' This of course terribly taxed the sensibilities of his sympathizing parents and kindred. Concerned that he should have relief, the family were called to prayer. They knelt around Bruner's dying bed. They asked God, if in accordance with His will, to save the dear boy from his apparent suflering, and to give him a moment of consciousness before his death, that he might indulge us with a look of recognition that would be a last precious legacy. God mercifully heard and answered our prayer. Very soon the dear suffering boy sank into a quiet slumber that continued until near midnight. " About ten minutes to twelve, with respiration intemipted, he suddenly opened his large blue eyes, never brighter or more beautiful, and looked around lovingly on his parents and friends. At that moment a ray from the more excellent gloiy darted upon and quite illumined his face and form. This halo was perceived and enjoyed by every one in the room. His greatly afflicted mother, with his hand clasped in hers, said, ' I give you to Jesus, Brunie ; I couldn't give you to any other : oh, say, don't you know me, my angel boy ? don't you k low your precious mamma ? ' He gave her a sweet smile of recogni- tion— the legacy desired, the prayer answered— then closed his eyes in death, and his beautiful spirit was with the angels. " Our glorified boy ! We praise God for the temporary loan. It made earth more beautiful, it makes heaven more attractive." kl iliis service :e the pardon inpson. Tims illy, until the his heart (his 'is illness was >pression, that ijjht position, fully s\ ollen, ^o one heard • lay his Bible ■iist on kneei- ng seasons in as in Christ, in an eternal ibling on her and friends, ise sufTeriiig. sympathizing f, the family bed. They ■ar boy from ;onsciousness f recognition ' heard and sank into a M-rupted, he re beautiful, s. At that m and quite enjoyed by th his hand In't give you ? don't you of recogni- his eyes in y loan. It PRAYER AT THE GRAVE OF HIS SO A'. ,31 It is not often that extempore prayer i.s oftered at the grave m these clays ; it is even more seldom that a father is known to offer audible prayer at the grave of a son. Some m.e after the funeral the body of lirt.nor was privately interred tn the presence of the immediate family, on which occaston Mr. Cookman prayed with great unction, tender! ness, and faith. An aged gentleman,* of the Society of r rtends, who was in the cemetery at the time, attracted by the funera , stood at a respectful distance from the scene and as he listened in silent, subdued wonder at Mr Cook- man s prayer, he said substantially to himself, " If the grace need°it"''V'"r.'"'\'°""'° ' '"^^^^"^ '''^'''' ^'^^« I need ,t. He after^vards sought for this power, and found t. At the time, he and Mr. Cookman were utter strangers to each other, but subsequently they became intimately acquainted and Mr. Cookman had the happiness of greeting him as a brother in Christ. Subsequently Mr. Cookman wrote him : — • . . "I am so deeply thankful and sincerely joyful whenever I lunk of you-brought in in advanced life, when the chances all s!ene, to i,e agamst such a result. And then th^ I should h h^d any , "e fes 7- ir?""""^'V"- '""""'>'" '"'^ '^'--^ consumma in My soul smks down ,n adoring love. You will realize great rest in comm.tmg the keeping of your soul and little all into the hand your Almighty Saviour. Feel that He is carefully preserv ng wlut you ^^ZT^- '""'; ^"'^ '''' ""'" ^- clll/berately t^'-lfu'lj ^^Another letter to the same gentleman is appropriate "Wilmington, £>ece.-m/vr 24, 1870 J^IT"' to acknowledge the receipt of your most welcome letter and at the same tmie wish you a very happy Christmas. Will it not b^ • M Mr. John Jay Smith, of Philadelphia. ^ mi i iif i I 232 UIE OF ALFRED COOK'XrAiY. ln::Zl'''''' °"'^ "^ "^ '""'"'^'y ''^^' «--- '>y this merciful miracle of His wondrot.s j^ra^e Prai!e Ili n .. . ' n " ^'"' '' implicitly, love Him with a ch 1<1I k ^ont'm.ally, trust Him shall bow in His HoHf l T' ""'' '" '^ '"''^' ^^'^ile you last pages record fiat .jyl^LT^^iun Saviour's fppt I , . I . , ""'^ «^'''''' s'»mg at the uni,rf.m V t CI ;""°t' ''"™^ ^^"'^J"" ''-' y- -i" 'a Reference has already been made to the deaths of the Rev Newton Heston and the Rev. Dr. Brainard. Mr Heston pastor of the State Street Congregational Churc'' Philadelphta Conference, and a close friend of Mr. Cook- Zrch M^c't^^''';7 "^"^ *'^ Methodist Episcoal Church, Mr. Cookman did not withdraw his love from hhn itrn .';"'"" '^^ ^^ ' ^^^^'-^^ and when Mr Heston fell suddenly in his work, he very sincerely mourned his loss. He preached a memorial sermon in the Spring Garden Street Church. This sermon was afterwards pub hshed by request of the trustees of State Street Church, and remains a generous tribute of his brotherly affection. DK. BRAINAKD. 233 Dr. Bramanl was for many years one of the most active and use ul pastors m the Presbyterian pulpit of Philadelphia. Kmdred sympath.es and labours brought him and Mr Cookmanmto frequent and genial intercourse. In a private letter to the editor of The Evangelist, New York, V. >^ook- man referred to Dr. Brainard in terms which th editor .as because he lived f.'% generous, ov.njr soul. I am a better man heaven more attactt.""' ""''^ "'"^ "^"^^ •'^-^•^"'' -^' -^^e.s In the autumn of 1868 Mr. Cookman was called upon to TZT ' tT ''^ """"^ °^ '^"^^'^^^ cherished mini! ter, the Rev. Thomas H. Stockton, D.D., -astor of the Church of the New Testament, Philadelphia, a man whose reputation for piety, eloquence, learning, and patrio is: . as broad as the continent. Dr. Stockton and his father had been pu^u nvals in their youth, while Alfred was a child after.-ard the devout and seraphic Stockton and the son were brought mto the closest fellowship, and sustained"" cacli otncr a relationship as familiar and tender as that of 234 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. father and son. Mr. Cookman was accustomed, through the last years of the Doctor's feeble health, to visit him fre- quently, and to sit at his feet with the utmost teachableness and hsten to conversations which, for far-reaching wisdom' and spiritual insight, have not been excelled by the words of any divine of our times. The Rev. Alexander Clark, editor ot the Methodist Recorder, who rode with him at Dr Stock ton's funeral, writes, " I shall never forget his tender, brotherly words in the carriage as we rode together in the funeral processions. . . . How those two conse- crated souls loved each other ! Now they share the great glory together ! " ^ CHAPTER XIX. GRACE CHURCH, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.-THE NATIONAL AND OTHER CAMP-MEETINGS.— MISSIONARY JUBILEE. With the spring of 1868 the pastorate of Spring Garden charge closed-three years of arduous labour and much suffering, but of as decided success and joy as any minis- terial term Mr. Cookman had yet spent. Long before the session of Conference the question of his next appoint- ment was agitated. Committees from various churches within and without his own Conference, waited on him with urgent demands for his services-among them one from the new St. John's Church, Brooklyn, New York. As we have seen from his correspondence, he did not wish to leave the Philadelphia Conference, but desired to regard it as home He was, however, induced to consent to go to Brooklyn if the bishops thought it advisable ; and for some time his transfer to St. John's charge was regarded as a settled arrangement. Meanwhile another claim sprang up in a call from the new Grace Church, Wilmington, Delaware. Both churches were as substantial, capacious, and beautiful as any yet erected by the Methodist Episcopal Church; the claims seemed equally balanced, and both invitations were to him certamly highly complimentary. The opmions of the bishops 236 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKM iX. i;T 1 i deeded for Grace Church. As this Church was in his own Conference, no transfer was necessary, and hence the a,> pointment was the more easily effected. Many of Mr Cookman's friends in New York and Brooklyn were sorely d.sapponited in the result, and no one felt more sincere^' grieved than himself that what appeared to be the wisesi judgment was against the removal to Brooklyn. While the matter was pending he would often exclaim, " Oh for a voice from heaven ! " Again was his lot cast with a people who had shown great zeal for the cause of God in the erection of a superb and commodious structure for Divine worship at a cost of «;2oo,ooo. It is doubtful if a more beautiful pile can be found, or one more admirably adapted in all its appoint- ments for the service of religion. The exterior of the build- mg, the tout ensemble, is very imposing, while the interior arrangements .re both tasteful and convenient, with every possible facility for public worship, for Sunday-school work, and the equally important social meetings. Grace Church IS really the ornament of Wilmington. In building such a house a heavy debt was incurred, and there conse- quently devolved upon the newly appointed pastor a cor- responding care ; but as was his custom, he went ch^erfullv to work, seeking to affect the financial conditio, of the charge through its spiritual life. Wilmington, with a popu- ation of thirty thousand, and a Methodist population of twenty-four hundred, offered a delightful field for the preach- ing and social talents of the new pastor. His ministry began immediately to impress the community, and very soon a large congregation filled the Church. Persons of all classes and professions, of every religious denomination becarne either regular or occasional attendants upon the preaching and the social services. The Sunday School, with .V. 1 was in his own i hence the ap- Many of Mr. ;lyn were sorely more sincerely be the wisesi: yn. While the im, " Oh for a ad shown great > of a superb ip at a cost of j1 pile can be ill its appoint- or of the build- le the interior ivenient, with Sunday-school 2tings. Grace In building 1 there conse- pastor a cor- -ent cheerfully iditio'i of the with a popu- population of or the preach- His ministry md very soon irsons of all enomination, Its upon the School, with G/^AC£ CHURCH, WILMINGTON. 237 its large rooms and efficient cmJ^i^d^^^^^JT^j^^^TI^ tions, and in all the elements of str.fgth and ^eTf;.'opT;: The customary meeting for the promotion of holiness was estabhshed. Such a meeting was now with h m a n cessity not only of his ministry, but of his personal rehg.ous hfe. He must gather some of his flock and ofTe sht'f '^'°T""'''' ""''''''' ^^^' ^"^° ^h^ ^^°^^«t fellow- hip, for the distmct purpose of conference and prayer upon he great object wh,ch he believed to lie at the very founda- Z t"f 7;^"^^-^ Church growth. When a Lie dis- sent from his opmions and plans was expressed-thouoh feehng sometmies that he was misunderstood-he would smiply reply to the suggestion of friends that he should explam himself, ;< Oh ! the Lord Je.us has my repnta tion m H,s keepmg; I have committed it all to Him and He wdl take care of if There were those in the charge who were not prepared to accept his teachings on Christian purity ; but who as time wore on espoused them and became the strongest supporters of his ministry and his warmest personal friends. The Wednesday-afternoon meet- mg was soon an institution of the Church and of the citv and comprised among its habitual attendants members of all the orthodox churches, of whom none were more constant and prominent than many of the Society of Friends. ^ .odiJ* ?"^"ufi ^"'"^f y'^'^d ^^^'-^y^ had a charm for these godly, thoughtful people-probably on account of its ex- ceeding simplicity and spirituality-but never before did he obtain among them such marked influence as in Wilmington 1 hey feasted on his words with as much regularity and * as ills own members. They took him to zest their hearts and i ; 238 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. homes— a partaker of their quiet,''unostentatious hospitality, breatliing the pure atmrsphere of their simple piety, he returned their kindness and confidence with the benefactions of a spiritual prince. The pleasant impressions received by Mr. Cookman on his first appearaiice in his new charge, as told a letter to his wife, were more than confirmed by succeeding results. "Grace Parsonage, Wilmington, Del., April (), 1868. " At my study table again ! in one of the nicest, coziest studies I have had for many years. You want a detail of proceedings, and, as I am a systematic man, it will be better to commence with Sunday Preached twice ; in the morning on ' Old Patlis,' in the evening on the • One thr- needful ' ; administer-1 the Sacrament and made an address. It was a glorious day ; congregation magnificent ; Sacrament the most blessed service of that kind I have enjoyed for years. Friends seemed in highest spirits, and my soul praised God. Monday our goods were delivered at the parsonage. I unwrapped the furniture, unpacked the piano, my pictures, and a part of my books. Monday night and Tuesday it rained like a young deluge, and as some of the goods were getting wet, and I was almost alone, I concluded it utts better for me to unpack a little more. The house began to look like home when J. started on Tuesday in the rain for Philadelphia. " At half-past one or a quarter to two R and the children arrived. I intended to have taken them in the steam-boat at foiir p.m but they had ordered their carriage to the depot, and so, after lunching m the city, we left again in the half-past three train. The friends had carriages, exper-og us by the steam-boat, but we anticipated them Proceeding to the parsonage, we took the ladies a little by surprise. It did not, however, make the slightest difference. The children are delighted with their new home. Frank says it is delightful, u.td thinks his ma will enjoy it very much, and indeed, everything is very pretty and very comfortable. It suits me. The trustees and their wives gave us a most affectionate welcome. Supper was provided and served— fried oysters, chicken salad, ham, rolls, Maryland biscuits, sliced oranges, cakes, tea, coffee, etc. The evening was spent most delight- fully. About half-past ten, when they would leave, I proposed some singing, and then knelt down and offered our new home to God. It was a season of interest and comfort. " This morning I have been arranging my books, while Rebecca is s hospitality, lie piety, he benefactions bookman on i a letter to ng results. pril(), 1868. 'ziest studies I ings, and, as I with Sunday, vening on the ade an address, nent the most 2n'ls seemed in ir goods were unpacked the lay night and le goods were better for me home when J tlie cliildren at four p.m., ifter hmching e friends had ipated them. ' surprise. It children are il, r.ud thinks s very pretty ir wives gave ind served — ^cuits, sliced Host delight- oposed some to God. It Rebecca is CAMP.MEETING AT MANIIEIM. 239 they are all invited to a birthda/party at Ser B s If h' ""r^ >s favourable I think Rebecca and the ch 1 Ir „ wil, 11"'^'^ excursion to Philadelphia to-morrow in the ^eam loaT r "'' seven a.m., they can have nearlv .r^v.„ ;, ^ ^am-boat. Going at says I must tell you tS are mattre '" '^^ '"'y- ^^^'''^'-■'^^ every bed, piHowsV ev^ b:d, X 1 ^ e^ryTel t^'' T'^ °" .I^ty^_^wlesday.r=-tl^\-^ The summer of 186S opened auspiciously, and Mr Cookman entered, about the middle of July, upon the cus^ tomary reh^ous campaign. The first camp-Leting s ter County. 7 he location had been selected by himself The attendance from north, east, west, and south exce de' all expectations-the friends of the cause came together from the remotest parts of the country. ° Mr. Cookman, as might be e.xpected, was everywhere present and active throughout the meeting. He wa. sdected tc» preach the sermon on Sunday evening. The responsi- bility he felt to be well-nigh insupportable, but after utlusual time spent m prayer and meditation, he chose his subject and went to the pulpit,when to his surprise the conviction wa forcibly made upon his mind-« You must abandon your sermon and tell your experience." He yielded reluctantly what seemed to be the Spirit's guidance. As he pro- dded to nan ate the manner in which God had led him .....cicularlymto the blessing of full salvation, the impression upon the congregation deepened with every word, until the effect was overwhelming- The immense audience was m ml ill 240 LIFE OF ALFRED COOh'MAN. \"t I -^ ill! entirely subdued, notes of victory rang over the whole ground, and throughout the night from every tent might be heard the songs of spiritual joy. The ensuing autumn and winter found him steadily de- voted to his pastoral work, with such occasional outside engagements as claimed him throughout his career. Very soon a gracious iuliuence began to pervade the congrega- tion. All the means of gracr^ increased in the numbers who frequented them. The meeting Jor h. -uiiess eve.- not only in numbers but m unction, and wori -xl like leaven through the whole religious community. The ctdiiiary prayer-meetings were thronged, and awaker.ings and conversions were of c mmon occurrence. Before the winter had passed a deep and thorough revival of religion took place, and many acces- sion, were made to the Church. The revival thus begun continued with more or less power during the entire term resulting from year to year in the salvation of penitent sinners and m the purification of believers— in view of the results of which one has said, " I believe eternity alone will reveal the good he accomplished at Grace." While the congregation and Sunday School generally shared in the blessed fruits, the students of the Wesleyan Female College participated largely in them— very many of the young ladies were converted and established in the principles and habits of a Christian life. The Fiftieth Anniversary (Jubilee) of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held in the city of Washington, on Sabbath and xMonday, the loth and nth of Januaiy, 1869, and Mr. Cookman was invited to take part. He preached on Sunday morning at Wesley Chapel, spoke at a platform meeting at the Foundry in the evening, and on Monday evening delivc; i one of the ad- dresses at the continuance of the nn.ii^ ;-. ,,y proper There MISSIO.YAJ^y SPEECH. er the whole tent might be 1 steadily de- ional outside areer. Very ;he congrega- numbtrs who \'- not only in n through the lyer-meetings ions were of assed a deep '. manyacces- thus begun entire term, of penitent I view of the ernity alone While the lared in the nale College young ladies s and habits Missionary held in the he loth and s invited to at Wesley tidry in the of the ad- )per. There 241 had been four oT^able addrel^T^T^i^T^^;^ mg before Mr. Cookman was mtroduced to the audience, ^m-ssi'^ "' t'' '''' '''"'''' ''''^ ^^^^^^ -' "«^hi"S l^ut subject had been exhausted-that there was nothing left for hnn to say, or, ,f he found anything to say, that he would have to say it to a worn-out and retreating audience. With con^r^J'^ °^'"'!,' " '"' fir^t sentences he conciliated the A correspondent of T/w Chnstum Advocate wrote • " The address was pervaded with the blessed Spirit of the Master and at tunes in rapt delight the audience wept and rejoiced • have felt that they had been with him at the feet of Jesus receivmg mstruction and comfort for further effort " Another correspondent said of it : " His theme was the rue missionary spirit. His melting pathos and indescribable weetness of tone won every heart to the missionary cause. It IS mipossible to express the power of his address upon the audience gathered on the occasion, and the limits of our paper forbid any attempt to reproduce the words or thoughts presented." MrVo^^'"^^' '"'^''' '^ '''" ^^^issionary cause lay near- M . Cookman s heart, and enlisted-as it had done with his tather-his deepest sympathies and strongest efforts, to give extracts from this address as published in the Annual Report of the Missionary Society. After introducing himself in his hard-pressed position as a gleaner, he said :^ " And now, sir, looking round upon the field, I do not seem to .cc -x ^tandu,g stalk of truth, These brethren, with their bright blldeTor 16 242 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. their keen sickles, have been gathering tlie harvest-they have even earned u to the mill. They have ground it out in their clo'rdT Zrr.r "f'"''; -'7 ''''''' ■"--"■-''-^'l it into nourishi g ami delightful food, and U has been dealt out among the people ; yott have ent'rVv'lTfi'.' '^ ^'^' ""■"'"^' '''"'' '" the' evening,' and 'are no^v entrtly satisfied. It seems to me that it only remains to return thanks Zl^^ T^\ ''.'"'' "'^"•J'y'"S my -seat, that we have been engag«l dunng the day n. the inspection of our great missionary sh J : Its keel, us tmibers, ,ts planking, its deck, its machinery-a most magm cent p.ece of machinery,-its pilotage, and its larde . 'om-flai are flymg our officers are in their places, and all that we are neec ng ldv:7:te;T' '^ '^ "™-^«P'rit, which might be entitled'uS After showing that Hberal contributions of money might be made m the absence of the real power necessary to success, he continued : — " What is the missionary spirit ? Is it an ordinary interest in or a kmd of genei^l concern for, the heathen abroad, or the heaThen at home?-a cold and calculating love for those millions that 1 a e so on^ too long, hngered in the shadow of sin and of death? N. Js . s"t a spn-,t as that would never convert the world-has never ils'trate itsdf as the secret spring or motive power of self-sacrificing Ic cessful endeavour m this world. There must be love, it is t r e bu then let us remember it must be love on fire; it must be love in a Obrrrifln'^f '' 'r '"^"^■^''"'' ''^'^■^'''•'^'"^"' aH-controHi g nntk T ^^ ^ '"' '^'' '"'««i°"''^'y quitting his home, kindred e. d offhe'" ;T"''°™"^ '^°"'"'^^- "^ '^ ^^''"'"^ t° '-^bide i^^ tt e. ds of the earth, encompassed by heart-sickening idolatrous super- stuton and crime. Wherefore? Is it because of a simple concern lespectmg the temporal, or even spiritual, welfare of those by whom he may be encompassed ? Nay, I insist it is rather because of the cT ist gjven and Christ-like love that burns in his heart and literali; co,™ h. life Oh, sir ! , is the missionary spirit that crosses broad seas that clambers cloud-crowned mountains, that traverses far-di tl; regions, that sails around the world if it may save but a single so r J tie missionary spirit that breathes miasmas, that bears heavy burdens that chal lenges adversaries, that imperils precious life, that lau^l s al .mpossibihties. and cries, 'This must, and this shall be done ' ' ui£ t.v. ■it — they have even their close, clear, :o nourishing and people ; you have ing, and are now s to return thanks J, I have thought at we have been : missionary ship : achinery — a most larder. Our flags ^t we are needing, It be entitled the money might necessary to interest in, or a the heathen at liat have so long, Nay, sir, such never illustrated •ificing and suc- , it is true, but St be love in a all-controlling, home, kindred, to abide in the lolatrous super- simple concern ise by whom he 2 of the Christ- ;rally consumes ies broad seas, •ses far-distant ingle soul. It heavy burdens, that laughs at 'lie 1 ' It is the T/^l/E MOTIVE OF MISSIONS . ■ 243 t^:S^^ ^'^^ .?"" ''^^- -^''fi-s, and dies, if it .ere said, there n. y be H^eS, ,S7f "" """« ^°"'- ''^''' '' ' ^^^ve ^vhere there isLt a ^In^^l^'ZSZ ^Z;!^!"^^-^' '''' Inquiring, then, how this missionary spirit shall be ev cited and maintained, he replied-" First bV Z . r ," con^mplatW^^ and proceeded further to discuss a more vitafcond^on -:^' are acquainted with t ' „ it ies' jf .h" , '''T'' ^-^'<='-^'"-s, who this subject not only from vea n '^ '^'^^''^'^" ^^'°''^1. ^ho hear of they hate nc.e of'thoTexe isls or? """ '"^'""^''^' '^^^' y^^ That is true-that is un leS: , , s" weir" °' "'""""-^^ '''' ' ' elusion that something more is indi 1 n .^ '^onstramed to the con- . tjon. What is that t:r^;;'Tr^^^i::;; f-^P'e--i^'era- |v.ng sympathy with the blesse'd Lorcll ,s c ti,t A % """" ■."' "" hecloseof these anniversarv exercises this t?;, ""'"' '''' ''" joy to come, and where I should HI .?, "I^''' '""'"Ss me where I to Calvary. I throw the arm of m ^ •""' '"'^' company-that is, cross of Jesus- I dr nk n Tn / ^ ''^''''°" '"'"^""^^ "'^ consecrated syn.patiin^'i^::::-,^-;r'^r^r^^ cross-from the measure of that fe lin^° Lnh H '"?'°'"' °'" ''^^ life of the Divine Redeemer-Iorr^ >nHuences the heart and with what different tl " • imv T T "^'■'l "^"" '''' ^^■°'-^'' ' '^'t now Christ's heart, I se with His -Is '"' 'T '''''''''' "'^"' ^ ^'^^^ -''h Christ's energies; no^ am is o j to"' '" ""'^ ^° ^''^'^°"'- ^''^ sacrifice or dTe-;,ything a" T'ttn/'^ '"' T 1° "' ^'"•^' ^ our sin-cursed worid up to Z7 Tht' ""' ''"'''''' '" ^''''"^ speaking is a vitalizing princ^Je- i] i .T •""'r '^ '''^''^' ^ ^"^ .eigning, not (as my br^otlL, Z^a 1;^ ^^^^ t''\ ■ '' '' ^^^"'^ somethmg better than that. We can ho ^^ "' ' ^^'^'^ '« i M n 244 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAA\ of plans and of theories; infidelity, as u, all know, is given to hoastinn am to , cfact.on ; both of then, laying special stress upon the hnn^nS ratiier than iijwn the Divine. "Bin, Mr. President and Christian friends, after all their proud vauntnig, pray tell me M-hat heathen shores they have ever visited for purposes of mercy 1 What fun, ,al pyre have they ever extinguished ? \M.at dumb ,dol have they ever cast down from its pedestal? What na.on have they ever lifted up from its barbarism and degradation ? \\ hat profligate have they ever reclain.ed ? What sorrowful lieart have they ever cheered? WIk re to-night are their earnest, .elf-sacrificing m.ss.onane.s? Where a, e their organizations fur the amelioration of human .suffermg and the extu,sion of wholesome and blessed truth in the world? NVhere are their Pauls, their Harnabases, their Wesleys, \\dberforces, Iho.nas Cokes. Asbury, Howards, Phebes, Dorcases ^ightmgales, and Elizabeth Frys ? I ask it with confidence and .vitli Christian exultation. In vain I wait for an ans^^ er-there a, neth none bn-, we must come to Christ ; we must drink in Plis spirit ; for it is there, and there only, we will find tlie source and the fountain of this missionary spirit, which !. so needful ai.l so indispensable. The theory and practice of missions, as I take it, can be expre..cd almost in a single sentence. It is love to the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who has bought as with His bloorl, drawing forth the stream of human sympathy, human affection, and human endeavour-a sti .am which, by an invariable aw of nature and of God, seeks the lowest place-for, let me say to you, that CJinstian compassion, like Christ's compassion, always flows .' wn- ward, and fixes upon those who need it the ;- ,.t. Was it not >;' with Paul ? The love of Christ constrained him, au.l lie counted not his life dear unto him so that he might but glorify his Saviour, propagate His Gospel, save immortal souls, and finish his course with joy. " Mr. President, that jr eat man had been to Calvary ' As - e heard remarked this mu.ning, with him it was a master'passion in death. I lingered in the dungeon, I looked over the shoulder of that great sen-ant of Jesus Christ as he wrote his last epistle that he indici, 1 to a faithful apostle, and I read with the speaker this mo. . the'se words : I am ready to be offered, and the time of my dep '• i. t hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my cou. I 1 kept the faith Henceforth there ,s laid up for me a crown oi .,:.h-teou,: ness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.' Here my brother sl^i^ped ; but I read on a little farther, 'And not for me only. There came out his mis.-ionary spirit. That would have been too narrow, circumscribed, and selfish for that g,-eat heart. ' Not lor me only. Oh! Puul at that hour look in the hundreds of millions M/SS/O.VA A' y ANTICIPA TIOXS. 245 11 to boasting 1 the hi'imn their |iroud T visited for ■xtingiiislied ? ;stal? Wliat degradation ? ul iieavt have elf-sacrificing lelioration of ssed truth in leir Wesleys, IS, Dorcases, ice and .vith ometh none. rit ; for it is main of this The theoi-y ahnost in a ist, who has m sympathy, an invariable e say to you, flows (' WW- not s A-ith 1 not his life ■opagate His . . As ^ve r-passion in Ider of that t he indicted 31 -y these wi ' i- It I I ' ->! .^hteou.-. t that day.' Vnd not for would have eart. ' Not of millions His';;:;!;!;!":^:'^'""-' ''"^ ^^ ■"'^ ""'y- '-"^ ^^^ ^-i 'hose that Io^^ " Mr President. I am not by any means despondent or .liscouraL'cd • t on the contrary, I am full of cheerful hope and of C r i ^ ' 1' " ' Clear the way I A brazen wrong is cnimbling into day. With that right Shall many more enter, smiling, at the door. With that wrong Shall follow many others, great and small, 1 hat for ages lung have held us as their prey Men of thought and men of action, Clear the way ! ' distant when from t... watch-towers of Asia, once the land ofLnl many, there shall roll ow he exultant cho. k 'Onri i , . , . the ^vatch-towers of F d'str c^ed ' ■ 1 ' '"'^"" ^'''"' chorus that shall be responded to by the angelf ' One L,/ one faith one bapttsm. one God and Father of all, who is above dl ami "l uoth ?;^s:;:gur;/ *" ''"'- '- ^'°'>' ^'-*"-' -^ -itrs " Mr. President, these eyes of mine may not see that day of rantur^ • but .f not, then I expect with the great'cloud of witnefses S^^s.^,' yonder upon the .dory- illumined battlements of immortalitv and ^n shall crowd a little clr He with all I'tl f— 1 I IP' 346 LIFE OF ALFRED COOA'M.I.V. Ills Christ. Oh, ,ir 1 „ ,1 '" 1 1 r , ■ '""l."'"">» »' 0»r I.„,,l a,„l „f "-., and ,„ ... . „,„, a.v„,„, fH„,„ "ziliilrXrj;:; " '"•■■' tho». concluding reference, .oTiLr """ ''""' ""' 4^.irc;:::r:^*::::,rn^rr-ii,-.ff*^™- its territory i„ Delaware Marvhmt A I ■ ''°''"°" °' tween the Delaware and S^ea'ke if ^"S'"-,'^'"* ^- the Peninsula, had heen s " oT „ .Iff "'h""? ^"°"" ""^ the VVil™i„po„ Conference The n v [Cr "^7 "f^" first session in Wilminfiton Mr r ^°"'^'""« '■*' i'' Conference, and was ^I poi' edl 0™" ChTTf '" '!" second year He tl,„c V •"" '° ^'"^ <-hurch for die i.> a lead?n„ ch'J' 'T *""''"" '^ ^'^^i'V member self vigorouslv to ih, . , '" ''^ """«• I'e addressed him- eie™en^.soft:re:s;rrC„dr^°"'"^^'^°"-''- callt^e'ISirt^uZtlr r''? "T""'^ *^'^ ->"-' ' New York. \Z success 'f I, ?""'' '"'''' "'" S"«°8a, Vineland and «»::■;? hetirnesHnT T"'"^^ ^' , jc v^anaaas, and even from England On retunnng home from Round Lake, he barely .00k Miiging tlmt tlie if our Lord and of lay, as tlie result vc to be a U'C't ' cause." ile, healthfiil- d tears, that so painfully fie is on the the conflict, ou." >8 the Phila- at portion ot lia lying be- d known as lenominated nee held its ained in the irch for the ig member md, with a ressed hini- Uion of the eir annual r Saratoga, leetings at location at 'n the sub- ncourse of ?h all the ■rely took ///S UNTIRIiYG ACTrVITY. ' ^^ "^ time to hr„sl, from his feet tlie dust oT^field before hT was Off ,0 another. He attended a. leas, fou can !!.. ngs ,„ . e Peninsuia-hastening from the Camde: u" r' Ennails Springs, and thence homeward ,o ijra„dy>vi„e Sum- them ^ °wfh n "n"" '"°'' "™' '^'" "' «"' *™«h Txcted ,1, 7 "° f™"'- ^-"'y^^'"^ his presence excited the utmost enthusiasm, .and both preachers and ,S.r h.?'" "' '^^*'^'"" -* - "»-i""y and mtentness whtch rendere.1 his services during this season ever memorable for the marvellotis victories aclfieed or he cross of Christ. The hke had not been known Lhi dme A°s'::: G^'r '" t^^ ^^^^'-^^ °"' '^attie.ground :. of the'fSr • T; L-«-0". Cooper, and other, carr dthe'l'T"""':^ ""'" ^°"e' "^ '™n'I>l>, which earned the 'oldest inhabitants living " back to the former days, and made them feel that modem Methodism was si instinct with apostolic lire. As evidence of Mr. Cookman's power in pr.ayer, an inei- I'h ; u "r'^:"^" '" *'^ "'^"'"8 '^' given by the Rev captain D had presented himself repeatedly at the altar of prayer One day a. the close of the morJng ,er! vice the Captam came ou. of the woods, where he had b en BrX Col"™" ""'"• ""' '°'^='' ^8^'" =" *^ •*- B O.I er cookman noticed him, and immediately called attention to him. < Now,' said he, ■ God has pro, lised o to the test. Turnnig to Brother A , he inouired ' Do tive. He asked Brother E the same ques.ton, and he II i ! i 24S ITFE OF ALFRED COOKMA.V. •iToTf " 'n" ""'™''""=- ^™"'" Cool<™..,„ said I also bel,eve God's Word and His promise ' Am id profound s,le„ce the company bowed in p'ray" Broth r foii^wed'T '/""/?""' ^— ^™*" Coohnan Ollowed. He carried the case of the poor penitent riirht to the Cross, and jns. as he closed his earnest prayer,-' While glory croivned Ihe mercyseat.' God's blessed Spirit witnessed with Captain D 's that h. ™c?e:rd f?- ?^ "'^P'™ P"' '- "-«■ in'o h de :, °P^"'>- I ^^^as to be rewarded openlv nnH t am,d th,s vast assembly-Cory be to the 1 'fb .Broth"': Cookman took the Bible, and wrote in it • IMcNeil', XV a -:rsp:x:red^-^^ many people Th7l: u'" '^'' ^°"version of so appropriatS' as a Ze Jl ^^'^':^^"^-"-' ^^ its a place for camp-meetings. The most CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. ookman said, nise.' Amid er. Brother ler Cookman lenitent rigiit prayer, — — 's that he nto his side- said, 'Now minting to it. f a friendly Ws passage, closet, and ^r which is hall reward and I am, ' Brothe.- il's Woods, ' life,' and frequently lained up ting peni- than at He had t to that on of so al of its he most 249 ri'riif "n"" '';"•'"' -'^'""^ '''' P'^^^' thousands on ea th and thousands m heaven had been brought to bv t mT' '"'• '' "'' P"P°"^ ^° °^^^^^-^ the occasion Dy suitable services. _ At Brandywine Summit, a k^v dys later, he was preach- ing and working with equal power. It was not enough for him to deliver one of the sermons on Sunday, but he must occupy the pulpit the last evening of the meeting. He was h^ k ; ; '' " '"^^'" '°^'"^ ■'' '-^"^^ -hat p.ofit it would be ialU, about th£een,nuS;:;, plot! "^'^''^ ^ '"'^^^'^ ^^'^ a^mini..er.a to " The children's meetings, held during the progress of the ciirn nn.l under the management of Rev. Messrs. CookJan.'ciyn^e G "e ' " Pancoast, were of more than usual interest. They w re . ^f m e occasions of amusemeat in storytelling and pleasure in sin ^inrbu f . most searching appeals were made to fhe children, J pS;! im ' followed, when score, presented themselves at the altar fo™ver^ 3 n^y were converted Nothmg durn.g the meeting was nC mpr" Ws and gh-s, tr.^. . ^..^ ; ^^ ^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^^^J^ s ic^swie feid ;;:" '""^f\'^ "" ""'"'^"^^^ ^-^'- -»-'^ th ..e^^^rta^L;:::^^^^ ;n the mKist of this exceedi.:^;;Sg:t;;t::::^;:-;:?- ^ and, while many tears were shed, shook hands with each .n 1 w l^^^ In_ connection with the children's meetings referred to a pleasing incident which occurred while Mr. Cookmaa was '. i.'J ink iiii 250 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. ! ■•! death, said :- ' ^'"^ immediately after his y^^^-- • • . I shall never We' on -f^ ^'^^ ^°'- '""^ P^^' ^ve church-that was when I' le^Mi ,1. '""tu' ^^^^ "'^'^""■"l ^^ that presented himself as a cmdi d-itl f T" °'^ ''"' °'' °"'y '•'igl't years as hundreds besides. 2lttt:X^!T'''''- ^'y heart melted'hen; and heard him ask tLe Ch rch ? he .hTf ""^ '"""' '"^ ^ <=1"'^' fo cl- I saw the loving father tnls^' 77' 'f ^^'""^ '"'° ''^^ Chnst when He said, 'Suffer littirch Id en t''" '' ''' ^'^''^ °' |-emembered that in^t^ ."rd'-rfThaTlU^l^'r^^^^^^^ ' ^^''^^ '^^ ^^^^ ' Oh, yes,' he said ; 'he i abou t vtf ^^ ^"'^ '"''"^'"^^ faithful, fied boy. ' " ^''^"^ '^^eJ^e years old now, and is a sancti- While on this subject it will nnf h. ■ extract from a si J speech 1: 'f^nX^ Tr' ^" one occasion at a Sunday School convention !L'^^ ''' "^ i^^e\Z\fZ ^'Sn.StS.;:r^,::1 'rr^' '- confidence m to heaven lay through the terS'ff^'^^'^''^'"°' '"^"^^'^ ' "'-^ ^vay a.e might be brought to a slvi gllTecl '^f '^^ '''''''] ^' ^ ^^^'y as an illustration the case of a bov who ^ 'edeemmg love ; citing -'- was a pupil in the Sabb thiCo, T """'"' '' '''' ^^^ "^ '^^ an exhorter, afterwards a m i er of tl I C 7 \'''''^"' "" ^''^'■^"''^". -..s.a.hi3.ithmtheX--lS;t;:^- w: t ^:V:LZi:f;-^;;^ -^ his.,, and those niterest then., cannot but feel grateful th^h '" ''"''^ '^'^"''-'^ ^« God, since perhaps to th.s mayl^e In ib d t^hl" " T^^ ''''''' ^^ entertains for th6m ; a sympathv whi h ) sympathy which he hearts to beat with holy aX L t .- ''" '"'""'^^'' """^ '°"'"'"' said, 'Suffer little chilcLi^o Ze tto mf .^'"'' °' ''^'^ '^^'°-- ^^^ mentioned, A ^itely after ]ns phia, daring the or the past five ccurred at that ily eiglit years, irt melted then, J like a child, t lamb into the >o the spirit of unto mc and sked him if he lained faithful, md is a sancti- to insert an his lips on confidence in ve 'the way n at an early love; citing e age often, a librarian, stood before in the hearts ; and those e power to ly called of y which he ly youthful iviour who CHAPTER XX. GRACE CHURCH.-SKILL IN THE PASTORATF.-NATIONAL CAMP-MEETINGS AT HAMILTON, OAKINGTON, AND DESPLAINES. The caaip-meetings over, the devoted pastor was once more quietly seated in the bosom of his family, and again engaged in those regular pastorial duties which to him were more congenial tlian all besides. It was in vain that he vvas invited to step aside from his chosen work into an educational institution : whatever might be the advantage of a settled home and school facilities for his children his m.sion, to himself at least, was clear. The imnSil;: n rrT'' ''"' '° '"' ^"^P^^I^^bly precious; to feed the ttock of Christ, an employment beyond any other which the Church could offer him. He was invited to Philadelphia to speak at the anniver- sary of the Young Men's Christian Association, held in the Academy of Music, November 30th. In the address which he delivered, one can but be struck with the great theme which seemed more and more to fill his mind, and which he deemed so important to Christian workers as hardly to be omitted without recognition upon all occasions-dependence upon the Holy Ghost. ^t^penaence heard '^In?' ^7'^^ ^""'^ ^'''''''' '^''^^'^'^ '"''»» ^« h*-' was ; they heaid beneca and the excellent truths he spoke, and deteriorated in I, II ■ 'I H I 252 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAX. ¥l H fi ft the Word ; it hr.s the hm u^ "'" ""'>' ^''°'^t '» it. It has Spirit or 6od th^t ^e t tcf'T '^"^' '"' ^^ ^^^ '^^ H^^^ -o.-ld i,s dead, ten-ibtLd I trt 1 T-"''^"' '^ ^''' ' '^'^ ''- what I mean : I take it t'ntt 1,1' ' ""'' ""*• ^" i""stration of galleries or under the'i::;:/ r:;;;;"!;"''^^ '" '^"^ °^ ''-- that fundamental truth 'Tho^.W^y ', "^ ''"' 's familiar with heart and .oul and mhKl ': ^ ,1' w"^",^ ^ ^°^' ^^'"^^ '^^ ^^^ Jew many of this vast audienc ^^ ,1 do L^ r1' /''''' "°^^ ^ '^"^ heart an'- ^'°"-' "--'^ not love God with all het^ e tf t!' T ^^ ^ ^"^ yet they do God ; let them ask for the abili v let ^ T" ' "^'^ '""''^ '=-"- ^^ and Him crucified; let them l 'l > "J. ''"^ '" the name of Christ strength, His stren^.h h i.'! ,!; ' ' '^"■"'^'^ -'-"- "PO" God's to their prayer the^Io y Ghl Sf be"'" ''"'■'^ •^'-""'^- ^^ •'^"«-- only know to love God\s thev , . , ^"''"' '"'' ''^'^'^ '^ey will not -ill love God with all the! ^ It n"^" '''" '^'^^^ y^'-*-' ^^^ 'hey -inds, but it will be an eTpeSn'e i I T °"'^ '^ ^ ''''' '" ^^-^ a blessed saving power in the!; lives. ' "^ ' '' "'" ""^ ' l--^'"' tns supernatural power; it s nets?;rv I' "'''' this Divine power, - truth to the minds and hear:nLr.rX:frLrt ^^:'^z::t^^ ;;r ;r 'un:"-'^^ ^- ^^^^ - ^-p^- nature and in the power of Hi • ' '''T' "■^' "^akes us strong in thoughtful, attentive' aucLl s ^ t Sint ?';; 1T T ''^' ^"^-' consecrated to the service, and then f ^T ^ '''""''"• ^"'irely with Omnipotence! I cha iZ l th T "^ ' ^ ^'^-^''ker ideal of character, of ex^e^^erc!; oft;'- '"" '" ''''''^' ' ^^ -Wime Tile Christmas festival was a delight to Mr r , and v-as ahvavs it)nrn,..,Vf i , '-'^"S'^t to Mr. Cookman, va). appropriately obserN-ed by suitable religious V. lias been listening centuries ; and, as 'ecn getting better ^ver tliat can be lost in it. It has it lias the Holy is life ; for the In illustration of 1 in any of these t is familiar with God with all thy • that now ; but 'with all their if appealed to the disposhion ; ^ No«-, mark, but yet they do t these come to name of Christ nee upon God's ii^. In answer n they will not ^'ears, but they a fact in their ill be a power, churches and Divine power, ly and njiply '1 ''Ve ha\e to Is us, inspires ;s us strong in ot this quiet, ^e ? Entirely A cc- worker wore sublime Cookman, le religious CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. 253 and social exercises. His house, with its intercliange of gitts and salutations, was a scene of cheerful gaiety ^Vith his own children and the children of the Sunday School he mingled freely, reminding them by his innocent mirthfulness that the religion which Jesus was born to establish is fitted to make everybody happy. The enthusiastic and tasteful celebrations of the season on its annual returns while he was at Grace Church were among the pleasantest occur- rences of his pastorate, and cannot soon be blotted from the memories of his young parishioners. In March, 1S70, Mr. Cookman was re-appointed for the third year to Grace Church. His delicate tact and tender thoughtfulness as a pastor were happily illustrated quite early in the year in connection with the last illness of one of the devout ladies of his Church, Mrs. Bates, the wife of Chancellor Bates, Mr. Bates's note, accompanying the letters written by Mr" Cookman to Mrs. Bates, afford the best explanation of the case, and also offer a very just tribute to the worth of the faithful pastor. "The lette,s of which the enclosed is a copy, was xvritten by Mr Cookman to Mrs. Bates during her last illness, at a period when a failure of voice precluded her from conversation with frieids-hence he occasion for h.s g.vmg her pastoral advice and sympathy l,y Liter t was most gratefully appreciate by her, and often read with expressions eceh-. n if '7 " 'Affectionate confidence and regard, andcordially lecen^i and lested upon h.s counsels ; and this letter, together with \ sul«..,uent one written from New England, of which aL a copv is enc > this, did much toward inspiring her with a more cheerful <^ of pastoral affection, l;reathing the very spirit of Christ W.^sdf,an« containing sentiments worthy to be written in letters of ^ It IS a memor.! - U... the departed far n.ore precious th^ ill ( Jl I'i «B 254 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAA\ r ' ..V " ^^ILMINGTON, May 31, 1870 if it had been deeme;, p Ictic: e I Z. '""''", Tl' ^'""^ '"^J"^"''^' message of love thron^rh 1),; ^^^ ^''^' occurred to me that a hence'l ta.e alL'S tZ^^^^^ '^ ""-'--. an! •side of yo„r ],appy home th.t arrrn, fl "'" '°'"" ^'^"ts out- not fail or for-e o D.e on 7 ^""'^^"ed for your welfare, and that do not.i,lln,i;::^^f:^" -!:^-^--othatFa withdraws you from the active n t L r f ''' ^'^Pensation that mysterious/ We will not p.^ umpu Hv '""'" ""'' '' ^''-'^^^-''^ providence. At the sane i rt^ i [ TT ^-^P'^^^'i-' -^ this l-ncethatourFathe. ^ ^:^^T.^:Z^::^ ^^ — . cover H.S ways, but there is light on the o hor V^V °"''' '^'"^"''"''y to reveal the fact of mystery-H< u with wS '^'' cloud-light fons and trials of the passiL our '"!^.;'^'*;7 ^^y meet the ol>liga- trace,' and remember t'hat Jn le K^in ' 1 IT Tf- ?""^ '"' ^-"-' as safely as though we underslL'eTer thing "^^'^^'ir T"^^ the secret place of the Most Hidi shnll oi , ^ , ^''^' dwelleth in Almighty.' ^'' ''''"" '^^'^^ "»^ler tlie shadow of the 'May I affectionatelv counsel tli^f ■.! reliance upon Jesus fur U^^ ^:^ ^^ ^^"^ "^^^ '^'^^'y the wUl of God moment by m^mem-aye ^^^ ''^'^-P' ^11 andla-,c it better than all beside for ,'7 r^ '"'" ''"' y'"'' ^''"^-^. and the fully saved is, it w le'the f TT '''"^^" *'^^ "-^ved them, and are obliged o su mi^to !vh ™T" "' ''' "'" °^^"^' ^''^^'-^ find that same wil .Jj/J« th m "J they cannot change, the latter they would nut change ' ""'^ '^''^^'"'^^'"y «"bmit to what ;::r;"£rhir-^^-:^^s^^^^^^ arbitrary, never wrong. I i a ZvfS f"' ^^'-^^ "'"' <■-■ '' - -ver and love. '"'^>^' ''^^ ^^P^'^sion of Divine wisdom "As you sometimes indulge in prosnecHvp vi • rest of your life shall be, in the fullest and 7 . "' '"^ '^'"^^ ''^'^ '^'^ life-a life hid with ChWst in GcS!!: ife t. :S1 Jt""' ' •"'^^'■"'^^'' m Its results, concerning itself princinallvr '" 't^«Pe^ences and those around you, and linking tdS/:':^ '^T^ -"■-- of -.- ^ture. Take this o^ortuni^ tLl^h^j^- 1:::'^-;^! « ^^'V 3h 1870. in your affliction, cl very frequently, lave offered you in rred to jne that a unwelcome, and some hearts out- 'fare, and that do Father who does dispensation that fe is profoundly qilanation of this I by the remem. -louds frequently the cloud— light meet the obliga- I'here we cannot we are moving hat dwelleth in •shadow of the ;it and steady you accept all nto your heart, en the unsaved )f God UHthoitt nge, the latter bmit to what your earthly e fullest sub- cellent will of for it is never ivine wisdom that all the a consecrated eriences and f welfare of miph of the )f God P"ive.^ HAMILTON CAMP.MEETINCr. 25s two sentences may be provable n 00^^^ These " Excuse the liberty I t n,s take i , V "'"'^ "''^"' ""' «'"™"^ 'i^^ a word in season. In any se it wi '"'• 'u '°"- '^>' "°'^ -'''>' '-' ••emembered with sympathy 'n, Ivl ",' """■''"'-" ''''' >°" -- attache-l pastor." ^ ^ ^ '' '°'' '""'' P'^y^^' ^Y your tenderly affectionate pastor ; and n'ot o W h ^ 1' i"T" "•^'--'^"-"' '^X yo"'" also in my prayers. Many times in 1 is on'i '? ,'" ™>' "^°"SlUs, but reminded of you in your feeblen ^ a. M ,' "' '"'■'^^' ' '^^^'^ ^'^-" He would be with yol. and bless you ani ml "^ '""' -''f '° ^°'' '"^'^ and glorious passage in your earSy hi" ,^!"^ ^f^- ^ -^-al most wonderful time at our Hamilton r\, ''""'^ '''''''"e ''^'''^"y a the kind I have ever attenJ^f SriS^ ^' ^ ^^^ T'^^ °^ from all the surrounding states and th " . attendance is exceed, I think, anythhtg 1^^^^^::^^'^^'^^-^^ ministers and people are conr^vn,.,! .^ ^^'tncssed. Hundreils ot Gospel. The commumt; "t^ cUori: V"' n'" '''^'^^ '" ^'- and less demonstrative tLn that Tn the" MiirS tuTh^'^'i"^"^^ They can and do meet mind with mind but n^ . >m ^''''''• untouched. They want Holv ChnT '^'" ^^^""^^ *e heart ously giving it to't^J^ V^^^TS'^^r'' 'fr^' ?^ ^ ^^"-■- this extraordinary meeting will be far^lfh?^ ,'"' '^'' '^'''' "^ my dear sister, [ do so 'mur:i ' ' tir'" 17^ """'; °' ' being shall be entirely filled with Pn ] I ^'""' ^"'' "'^^ole particular, ancl tastm.^tl ^^p^e^t tr'^St " f ' r'" '" ^^'^'■>' eternally the Lord's. ■ Peiiect lo%e. Let us be altogether and "I thought that a breath of love from Nmv p., 1 1 • , moment's refreshment to you in your Ticf rl ^ r " "'^'^^ ^ring a love to the Judge, and to /our sonJa", dal;;,:,:;:., " "' ^^"'^'"^^^ Mr. Cookman's judgment in dealing with the sirt proved not alone tn the feminine gentlfnesf w , Thid hi cotdd anttcpate the needs of the cultured pious ladV b t also m the force and skill with which h. !JZ a, - the hardened and impenitent man. When he'was t' t o^e^d m i 111 -^1 ' m ■ b s *■ -ill 256 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. at Trinity, New York, a gentleman called upon him and requested him to visit a son, who was ill. The young man had been very wayward, was still obdurate, and refus^ed all religious counsel and prayer. Mr. Cookman went, but the young man declined conversation -wished to have nothing to do with him ; but instead of insisting, he immediately withdrew, with the quiet, loving remark, " Well, my friend you may refuse to let me talk and pray with you, but yoii cannot prevent my praying for you." This kind word had its desired effect. He called again very soon to inquire for the invalid, and, to the surprise of all, was welcomed by • him and invited to pray. The visits were repeated until the young man professed to be converted, and died confessing his faith in Christ. *' From the last letter it will be seen that Mr. Cookman had already, thus early in the summer, entered upon his yearly camp-meeting tour. The National Association had determined upon three camp-meetings for the year 1 8 70— the first at Hamilton, JMassachusetts, June 21st; the second at Oakington, Mary- land, June 1 2th; and the third at Desplaines, Illinois, August 9th— all of which Mr. Cookman attended, preach- ing at them all, and labouring with the untiring zeal which had heretofore characterized him. His impressions at the Hamilton meeting have been already partially presented. At the meeting alluded to in this letter he is reported to have said, " How I joy in that Divine declaration, ' Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.' This has been the very best Sabbath-day of all my earthly Sabbaths. An isolation from the worid in the sense of non-conformity is the secret of spiritual power. I am able and I am willing to be a witness— and if alone, I would hold i i * f >on him and e young man id refused all -vent, but the lave nothing immediately 1, my friend, you, but you id word had inquire for t'elcomed by ted until the i confessing )okman had n his yearly upon three Hamilton, ?ton, Mary- is, Illinois, ed, preach- zeal which have been uded to in oy in that my name, 1 the Son.' my earthly i sense of I am able 'ould hold ADDRESS AT O A KINGTON. 257 up this banner." The Sunday evening service was assigned to hm., but, mstead of preaching, he narrated his expe- rience. i^ der^r'" M™T'"r' ^'^'"^^^°"' J^''>' ^^^'^' "^-^ H-vre l?Tl 7 "^' ""'* '''' '----ously attended. At 2 th. T '' f ^^y^^-^"^^^'"S-^ Mr. Cookn^an, address- ing the friends, spoke in substance as follows :- His Divine tuition. Blessec S,^ ^ii,/ " ''"' Tf''" ""''^^ Trinity, p.-occedin, ft-on, the P^ ^ ^2:^ ''^ "'7^'^ Thee, we worslup Thee we „rW Th ^ ' '" '^^'^"'"^'--'lije fellow.ship with Thee, ::; Tnt' Tbe'fi ^ i;'; '7^" ^''T' "^' "•^'' and constantly, with a 1 this fulne s Oh , '' '"' "'"^ ^'''^^'' " ' Come, Holy Gliost, for Thee we call • Spirit of power and blessing, come."' To accommodate the numerous friends of the national movement m the West, a camp-meeting was also hdd a Desplatnes, Ilhnois, near Chicago, on the 9th of August Some estimate of Mr. Cookman's ministrations at ihis meeting may be formed from one or two facts conununi- cated by John Emory Voak, M.D., of Bloomington who was present at the time : ' aispcnacd by limi 1 • < ui luc ab '7 |!i tl 258 I./F/'J OF AI.FKED COOKMAX. " I never shnll forget his scnrion on the theme, ' Entire Sanctification.' Surely the Holy Sp.rU s,,ole Ih-,!v Ghost made intercession in his sou with groatnngs that could no. i,.- uttered. He was in audience vvith De, y-aye, more, he had ],old on God, and it literally raised him from his knees. I never hen. I such a fervent, effectual prayer, and it prevailed, as many will testily in tlie Day of Judgment." This communication, together with Mr. Cookman's own account of the meeting, affords ample evidence that he never sought the entire sanctification of believers to the neglect of " calling sinners to repentance." Besides attending the National camp-meetings, Mr. Cookman was present at the usual number of local camp- meetings through the summer, and performed at every one the same almost superhuman work. He could allow him- self no respite, but flew like a herald of light from place to place. Ennall's Springs, Talbot County, Brandywine Summit, Camden Union, Ocean Grove, and possibly others shared his ministrations. • ' He wrote from Ennall's Springs to Mrs. Cookman:— /./■rr/:A\s- ro mrs. cooa'man. v Sanctificntion.' hearts, and won meetings I ever ion often iirged (1 of the coiivei- r iiis experience. I have written, rui miiitd, I am ncliliention as a •en wont to view ■uired at the hist ' nui.^t part ; all thouglit of leav- ot close without Jesus, and for prise of perhaps scone seemed to uch as I never ercession in his vas in audience lally raised him 1 prayer, and it )kman's own :nce that he svers to the etings, Mr. local camp- it every one allow him' from jjlace Urandywine iibly others, man ; — 259 praye.meeting last night and U.;:::;, •:;^J^ , S^.^'^?,,^-"''^"'^. >'- many hun-ry souls here nml r i,. ^ ^-N'^Liaiij. 1 heie are a gn.,d ;i>enf to th; i;,essed '::■•! ' ^ ^^T ^V"^'""^ ^"" -"^"^ loving inquiries respecting your welfare V t, n T '"'"^ '^*'"'^''' affectionate welcome at tl.. I, , 1 r .? ^ "'""''' ^''^'' '"'^' '^ '""^'t l«amif„lly_te,., hi, d„Z S,„ , "V,'^"' ■'= '"■■'■••"» Wni^'lf on ».ho.„. Mf,o,,,,,,..;;,riry;:t:^;l::'« ,;-»::: ur^ , , " McNeill's WooD'; "On another hattle-ficld ' Arvivr-.l t, 1 • , *^""'^^- o'clock, a.er a four hou J Vid^r ^I. r tm """" T^' journey, especially ,he ,/./„;,,, This a "id th.r I '"^"'■"' "'^^ meeting decidedly than the one in lurches, 'o ''"'~" '"^^''^ most enthusiastic. Tin, morm, ^ I el t L. ' , U „,'^"'' "'-^^J'^'"" '^'^^ was really one of the most precious and n '^r , ^^"^ ''""'''''^- " enjoyed. Brother ( )uigg, he " lii f 7' 'f''^^" ''''' ' -'-''• and Brother John Fie^lhlrXno f The Iw ' 'his morning, in interest, and presage victory Pres lent Vil T '^ '''"''''''^ arrived last evenin.. Will fL. n ^'"'' ^''^'^ '^'■^' '>'-''-^- great deal of attenU n. he"t t" "'"'""""^' "^^' '•-'^'- =^ Friday morning. They thi.:^ S^ite iXr::;':^^: ^ If'S""? are mvolved. J shall be better able to judge to-morrmv. " "-'""■' ' a i The fourth son, William Wilberforce." IMAGE EVALUATrON TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I If 1^ 11:25 1111.4 IIIM M 1.6 Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4£^^ ^ ^ fV iV \ :\ '''O'^'a V"~ ,v 4^^ m?. C/a 'i 1 1 i I CHAPTER XXL 'V •!i GRACF. CHURCH.— THE PENINSULA CONVENTION, Mr. Cookman was appointed chairman of a committee to arrarge for a Peninsula Methodi.st Convention. Indeed, "the conception of the Convention," in the language of one, " was his. He was the presiding genius as well as the moving spirit." At the call of the committee the Conven- tion assembled at Smyrna, Delaware, on November 15, 1870 and continued for three days. The topics discussed were: The Methodist Episcopal Church— its active and relative growth, and its present position on the Peninsula ; Education— its claims upon the Church ; Working Forces of the Church— local ministry, women's work, young people's associations, etc. ; Relation of the Church to the Moral Questions of the Day— Bible, Christian Sabbath, and Temperance cause; Family Re- ligion ; The Sabbath School ; and The Spiritual Life of the Church. These themes were se\erally treated in one or more written pi.^ers and by open discussion. The first topic elicited many valuable facts concerning tlie past and present status of Methodism in one of its chosen fields. This Peninsula Mr. Asbury "-as accustomed to call his garden for Methodist preachers. It still retains much of its original Methodist simplicity. To no one in the Conven- tion was this statistical exhibit more gratifying than to Mr. SPIRITUAL UIK OF THE CHURCH. 261 riON. nmittee to Indeed, nguage of veil as the e Conven- :niber 15, Episcopal s present upon the ministry, Relation ^y— Bible, mily Re- ife of the n one or The first past and fields. call his uch of its Conven- n to Mr. wo.tr "■, " "° '''^ °"^^'^^ °' '-^^ '--^diate .arish "oik had he spent so much energy as on this; and'as he contemplated the status of the Church, its nu.nerical, social finar .al capabuities. his mind was impressed with a sense of he great importance of a rebaptism of all these forces by the Holy &p,nt, for the "consolidation, instruction, and in- spiration of Peninsula Methodism." of!lrr,"'''fr^""'' ^° '"-^ ^^^^-^ '^'^' "'i^he Spiritual Life of the Church was assigned .s his theme. I give the essay which he read entire, as containing some of his bes thoughts on the relation of holiness to the Church :- "THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE CIIURCIt' '■ The spiritual life oj this Church, that is, the life of God ck-velonir... ■n the cxpenence of In i„,]ivi.h>al members, is its highest and b. s ^ -a^e, a,Kl because of the i.nportan. rc-ations and h™h p t ^ race at Ja gc can. possibly asp„-e. It linKs itself intimately and indis solubly wuh personal character, social order, family c^^ I, .tioj prosperuy, and our worl.l's complete redemption. Aow, will It not occur to any observant mind that this spiritual life hke our jatural life, may exist in various stages of .levelopn^:;;?" ' In hospital, for illustration, may we not fmd a patient paralysed nable o do anyth,:,. and yet life flickering, in its socket? May we no find other invalids, feeble, complaining, scarcely able to st.ancU, no willing to communicate, knowing little of the j^.ys of life Z vei no actually dying F It may be they have brought JhLup.. hems ,ve as tne consequence o. their own folly or neglect! There has been some emptation, comparatively harmless to otht-rs, but injurious otlm and they have balanccl the gratification it has afTon led them aga nsl .he fearful results t at have .leveloped, and so they have carna it - calpably clung to the doubtful indulgence until the cfTcct is as wc ' e ' n ! <' I II 262 Z//yi O/' ALFRED CCOKMAN. ISHll l.tlk- «|,,e...c for Divine Ihing, , li„lc ,|is,H„i,i„„ „ „ ^ K „^ • ". ™n„c,, |,crl.,i„i„t. ,„ „o,lli„o„ ; |i„l. i,„„,,„ i„ , „;,"';, »".! roioia, ,„ „.„,!,, i„ ,h„ vinelii,: .:'■''" ' "T "?""'■ I.anl„e., in ,ho b,.,, ba.ilc vich Ti „„ ' ' n ^ "' -T!' "'"' "':'""; ^:ir "- --'^ "-' -=■ »"■■ .'- r>:»,A;':r?,r ally an o/TonM,,., I„„ „,„„ fre.inc.n I, , |1, i '■'''■'"l'; "f""""- »,,«,„» or cish, millions „f „,„. A,„„,.i„„ ,„■„,,„,„„:"" "'""^«--- A.«ri^inir';;--r^:t^--:;-;;»-':--«i^- «.--".»ui^7:«,^-r-ii:i^--:;L;:: ame of us by jfess to be the . or folly, or life is feel)le mie hoi)e, but jijylessiiess ; ■se llienisclves c means and race and the ^ ami thirsts tliat works, and endures 1 come,' said 'lave it more itulation and Church that the spiritual ations have ig occasion- Methodism, 1 ployed her niination of emained in- unserved by noted by an ng constant th that the !i, has been iganized in Methodist upon tins V influence Benjamin ■IS, whose died with iirling the , present, n\ of tlie e opened ORIG/.VAL^ SIMPUCITY OF METHODISM. .63 Simplicity ? e H tldft r M I'f""" '">' '""^■'' "'" '^^ '^^^^ (lie mfi of (•,.," ■, ^ means ol giace that were or fdnallv -'imposition to C a^de'or U-el^ '" TT °'"'' '^'^''^ ^^^^ '" ^ conforming to the s^oAn. '■'"■'■'''"'^' "^""' "*" '''^- "'^^ -capons, Methodisnt on the Pen n !h 'T'"^^''' ^^^ --' - fashionable world, ciu.r..es ; still e;i-:::;:':,:;'^r;-'xr::ft:^'^'i' r-^-i yoes in for earnestness of exme Sinn on r^ salvation; still .l.e New Te„.,„ ,„ >,!,,;". '"■'°" ''"»'^™~-. "P '<> *»i of wAvwl r™, " ,ri„'»;'!f;,'"^''r ' "'""'■■;' '"■ ma, have ,„„,, ,„ ,,,, ,„ U.^" , "^ "wo'l k" i t™'!:" '""' "■■■ nuii^, 1.-, uiLic not an ajjing « \ '#. 264 IJIi: OF AIJRED COOK'MA.W '1 t 'Ji \ » s™.'.n.i ,.;:t,,,-L '"L^ J ,,r;i'' - "'"''"^'- » '«« « of Christ in the fullcs. senso ' ' ^'^"^'^"'^,'-0''' --^"'l conccrnol to accejn a broader an cl™ ^ 1,, '""'"T^^ ''°"" ""''"'• '" f'"'"' -«'' - nature-par a^.e so ^ e D ' """l '"'""" '"'"'^'^^'-^ •"" ^'"'^ ^^i-- andpatii., a::^iit,-r^;::;"' '-fy- -• .entleness, Is this different from the -nae^iceil ^ ""'^" ""'^ ^^"' ^^l^' No ! it is only more of h-,; ^ conversion ? We answer, a ' :fer/cr 3^ J^ "^TT '""^~- ^^^ -"-^i-s hear, it i abide L„r sl^a^^^.i,:- ^^ rr^ Hi. "'h;':' '"^' "T^"^^ " responsibility of our cnnplete sal va ion K '^'.T ""'' "'" ""'""'^ on di,.,.ed theories or ' thi,::;^;'^;,,^- ,;; l^: ^ '"f, 't^ Christians? ''""' '" °"'- '^■^P^'n'^nce as professing necessari, dependent upon r;j;£tL;:;-;S^:-:-^^^^^^ inCHKR SPIRITUAL LIFE. ! know is prejii- wonls Si-asoHcd y of our words I Imritiiig and l, and ever- I — a conseera- d indulgence, ian obedience '"•ist by faith save us, but so exceeding isonalile and ""i-adictl^ a)td ^vitliout any led to accept f'od, and, in f the Divine gentleness, "le will ask, We answer, !s hear, it is presence to s the entire asting time ^^k. Is not ■is not this professing love God, ect love is tiie point 265 that our consecration is imperfect our love is imperfect, for it is then a divided, winch is an imperfect love. We walk in the path of obedience, nit we do not ahv.iys stand up an ^ber Christian hfe for which we plead involves an entire consecration Ol ourse ves to God, and this consecration implies the use of all we the Duine gory. It wrnes on our hands, our feet, our senses, our bodies, All sacred to Jesus. It uses our understanding, judgment, imagina- lon, memory, conscience, will, and affections, all as bekniging to jt s It holds the gifts of God's providence-such as time, h^altl, energy icputation inlluence, home, kindred, friends, property-all as subtr! mate to he will of Jesus. It takes the entire man for Jesus. In his ife It makes him temperate, gentle, careful, humble, earnest, honest, iberal, and loving. In his political relations it makes him as conscien- lous and pure as in the ordering of his private religious life. In his nismess it hits hnn up from the mere drudgery of a respectable but ebasmg selhshness, and, filling him with Christian prilicioles, and linkmg all his secular transactions with the Divine service, it nLdceshim a co-worker with tJod in the world's elevation and .salv.-ltion In nundy U erects the altar of clomestic worship-supplies the inspiration ol a Cluistian example, dilfuses around the atmosphere of love welcomes the presence of Jesus, and thus constitutes the home as the house of God and the very gate of heaven. "3- One other suggestion is, that the spiritual life of the Church needs to be more enduring. " Confined at present too much to sacred places and special seasons, he tendency ,s to impulsive, spasmodic, nregular, and unreliable religious life. It glows in the summer amid the halloaed privik-es of the consecrated lorest. It burns in the fall or winter when revival fires ) ,1 I I ■ ' i, Jl Ji> 266 are b] Sahljath I si L//''£ OF ALFRED COOK'MAX. lazing upon our Church altars. It >ay, or in the class-room or in the •■onf,^ ,oun,l, full, regular, satisfying, steadily -a iile that is as consistent at home as auay great matters, as careful emits fitful gleams on tlie prayer-meeting : hut a little things a wor]( ni nicreasmg religious life lome, as faithful m Church and th will never hear of as Church need e world— ah! this is th "1 a transaction that the Jlazoned Ijefore the e jnire and ai)i(ling life that the in one that shall he 1 aMdeintnd^Zt^"- ^f'^^'''' *" "- ^Pimual presence our l..bitau;.ij ':!"";■ '• "^' "^"' "' ""■• ■^""'' '"-King all spirituaii^^n^a , ^,'^™-^ "*'f ""^ ^^'-- -". -'"- practical-more endunng ""'""^ '''^'^^'"^ '""'•'^ Divine-more " Brothers, is not this our need ? Obs,^rv,. ,..„ \ cation— says Dr A hnl ^t„,„>.,,. ■ i' , . '"- "<^'""- -l^ntire sanctifi- potential iJe^f ^1^ I^C^^:'^:^^:!:^- '" -T' ■rresistible, a flame of lire. It made ou f^ 1,^ ^ , "' ■"'^^'''>'' sn^ power and an almost unp^l^^ ^^^^/m S' Z^" if^I hold u,,o„ the consciences and hearts of the unstecl in ,•,.?' t.es. 'Wherever.' said Mr. Wesley ' t^ wo - ? T"'""" revives, the work of God revives in its'diffe u b tchl '^'l^n^'T these la!:.? Obse r ::r th^'^ '° «P>-eacl Scriptural holinei oJer .^Pentanee, ^ith. i^uLiul,':: e^X^^'r^^'l;./^™''"^ that U IS spreading Scriptural hoHness. aI, e e .Jlie '', T join with us to do thi< n,.,- „ -i • . ^ ^^'^"g'-'"-'^' churches CIIRISTIAX UiXJTY. glcnms on the meeting : iiut a iig reliyious life '. as faithful in action that the 'iieil Lefore the ig life that the iiilual presence '1. bringing nil <-' will, ami the ; Divine— more not i)lead for —we hold that re the gifts of ''Ubstitiitcd Ly insist upon a has been fixed Not able to say to those elves, Let us >o\ver. Wliat vaiting for, is our high and intire sanctifi- ivas the great L'liers mighty, srs an aggres- lay. It took at comniuni- sanclification 'This,' he 3 the people lioliness over > promoting ^iiig, claims L-al churches "Stand, is to -fl by faith, III a specijic vi-'i/ic ami a 267 Oh brothers ! successors to Coke and Asbury and Abbott and Oarrettson take up and carry forwa.d the banner of holines. that they P antec. ,0 faithfully in this region. Methodist people of the I'cnin.ula wh<. m the niuM of heree fires of opposition have demonstrated .0 un- demab ly your evil and ecclesiastical loyalty, clinging with a heroic vo on to your mother-nation and your n.other-church, cov-enant that tlu, lu.tonc ground, already glorious, shall be made more glorious '' Rekindle the old fires, rekimile them in every county, in every tovvn.hip, ,„ every neighbourhood, in every home, in every heart lake the entne reg.on for God. Bring its warm hearts, its growing wealth, us multiphed comforts, its rich abundance, its acknowledged advantages, and lay all upon the Christian altar. Ask, believe, and ril'n'V'T'"'' ''''''''■" "^"'^" ''"'y ^^'^"^f- ^^< ^^-'t'' "" "n- lhr.r ,"'""'"' °^ '1'"""^' '"'^'- l'^--' ^■l'"'-ch and territory vv hm the Innus of the Wilmington Conference shall vindicate the anguage of prophecy: 'Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the 1 and of the Lord, and a royal .liadem in the hand of thy (iod Thou halt no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land be termed ?crTh ?o M r'r'r'^'''^ '-""^■^ Hepluibah. and thy land lieulah ; lor the Loid delighteth m thee, and thy land shall be married. ' ' I quote from the published proceedings an account of the conckiduig service of the Convention :— " The Communion service that followed forme , stm red /'7'"""'^r"' ""^y '"' ''"■'I^"-^^-'' '" have their iiaj,mcnt ^tUI redolent with the fragrance of tn.il, \vi thnsw'u „e-,cr p,rt M l'>e last lime! We separate h t i k nn,e.s do, going .,rtl. for the per^-rmance of th^X ne : I^lS tl.c assurance that our home is before the throne, and that ' Wo shall meet again, Meet ne'er to sever ; Meet when love shall wreathe her chain Round us for ever. ' / <- l^<..n.t maicn beats. Home, brothers, home ! ' " The tide of feeling l,.d now reached its highest point, and, overllow.ng, the entire congregation sprang to thei^ leet, when Mr. Cookman, grasping the hand of the P:,.isco- pal clergyman on his left and the hand of the Presbyterian pastor on h.s right, proposed that men.bers of the Conven- tion and all the Christian people present should clasp hands and join to smg— ^ " Say, brothers, will you meet me On Canaan's happy shore?" I> ihc SL-nlimciit how pleasant it scene I fancy I jelicnl churches ; 1 (.'hutch retains ig, sweetly har- inlallihle i)le(l|,'e tlic^e Imllnwed r box (if whicli occurred to me to have their When we come our fraj.jments, eat Head of the lot the precious promise to fill never ail meet :he truth that but it is as the will, but with It MlXISmv AT 117/M//VGT0X. 269 sky-ret'irning ■s, home ! ' " ihcst point, ng to their the Episco- 'resbyterian lie Conven- ;!asp liands It was a beautiful scene. Tears were flowing, praises re- sounchng ail over the house, as, with thrilling tones, the large audience pledged themselves, singing again and again — " Hy thef;race of Clod we'll meet you Where parting is no more." A member of the Convention, the Rev. J. H. I,ightbourn in a letter, says, "Mr. Cookman's closing address, thou^^h' impromptu, was one of the most beautiful and dn-illing'Jo which I ever listened." The time drew nigh when Mr. Cookmnn's pastoral rela- tions with (irace Church must be dissolved. He probably had never been more useful for a single term. With a magniltcent church building, a large con,Touation of thoughtful, sympathizing persons, in a city small enou^di to be easily compassed, and yet large and actiNe enough to afford variety, surrounded by a community of generous hospitahty, and assured by the most marked results of the usefulness of his ministry and his acceptability with the people generally, his days had glided along most deli^dit- fully. No great sorrow had entered his home or his im- mediate family, except the death of the aged M- Bruner which was in the course of nature ; and really the term al Grace seemed as a day in the lightness which love joy fnendshi}), and success had imparted to every burden ' He loved the people, and they loved him. The services he rendered to the cause of vital religion and good morals will not soon be forgotten by the citizens of Wilmington The Rev. George H. Smyth, late pastor of the ^Vest Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware, has kindly furnished some of his impressions of Mr. Cooknian while they were neighbouring ministers in that city :— I 270 /.//•/-• or Al.FRIin COOKM.IX. I xvas my ,,nv,Ic«e to lal.our in the city of Wilmington, Dolaunrc sulc l.y suie w„l, Hro.hcr Coolunnn f.,.- n,.„o than .wo j' ars C i year of h,,.. rcs,.l.„ce there wo were often thrown together in ,le ic nieetitiKs, nn,l met at social gatherings. <"«-votional " The same unhroken uniformity of a calm, ^a-nial temperament ever i-ineren..ha.nLehin/i.S;Z.t:-:;;:ir:^^ ;;;^ - -ring, .,., at the ^^r;-!^::;" ::^z^^tt Union prayer-meetings, held the C : ^ ^ Z 1::^: ::7\' "'^ amusing incident occurred. . M. r " ^''"' "''''" •'"> platfortn, and. as a suppresse,! sn.'ile , a:scHl II'""" T ""'"' "" ""■' never forget the efforts he made to pres^r"! 1 . TT''' ^ ^'"" his face, and his whole i.o.iy s nH,, ulV ^'T^^ ^'^ '"' '"'"''^ ^^" afterwar.1, • I did want to J t'o h 'nl "'^''""■- '^'^•' '""''^ '"^ could laugh ! • ^ ' '"'^"™ '" '^"'"'•' l^'--^^-^- "I'ere I " And yet, willi ail his pleasantrv nii.l .v.o v enjoyment of the social tr'therh,^ V 'eadmess to contrihute to the devotional atmosphere. '' "" '^''"•"''^' ^■"'"i'>"-'^lly a '' In m, place .li,l he seem more at home than in a ,>ravor.meetin . wore k,K.di„.. s,.,„«i„,e, », ,l,c Sr f ":., '"'■■■ '7 ''°"'''•■■ " In this way, without calling on any one or nv,r; •;;.-'■"•-" ■■'••-■■■K:v;:;rL;-:,-s ..iBii TKnn-n: to i//s uskfui.xess. ngton, Delaware, ywis. The last lior in devotional emporanient ever -■ssed a peace the acquired, stoical iifliiences, for he everything that iin and dignified naffoLied in his lid laugh till he e in one of the year, \\ hen an i seated on the meeting, I shall his hands over 'Oh.' said he jdaee where I mtriliiite to the roni a spirit of Cooknian. He le eontiniially a )rayer-nieeting. ; and heautifal rne>t pleadings spirit into all lile the jieoj.le \»ould start a •cation as if it in their knees 1 \\ith earnest )' one to speak me could keep ;ople are to be urch, and as- 371 »::»:;:n:';,;::;;,:'^,;r;;:;;,:,r^; -; 1^7^^^^^ The followitig tribute, in harmony with Mr Smvfh'« statement, appeared j„st before Mr Cook.n n" rl V inu;!s:i^:„^::;rs:t;::;r''T,;e?M" i'"-^^ '''- -^'"^ -'-'-y ^bour. of great a.:eepta„i,it , ald^ di! , ^1 '"Z:^ '^T'^f^ first pastor in the great ^^-ee ^Ie.hodist Kpisc^^U Iw^^ T"'' ' I'cauffu church, we think, on this eontine t-^l^ i.'^'''^'"':^^ learSil eyes, ami i.ra.crful whiles iLi II ,i '^ '""' '"'" "'"' of ...e grave, a„l !,'„„, I^'ly" J^" fi^ ~ "'.™;; °- "* ^'^ whom he has been neculiirlv u ,.f„l „> ! », "- ^'"""f^'' ^" Kin,, will be deeply affete A ! , " .'"^ ^''"^"^ "^^^^ '« ■ccpiy ailLcted. May good angels go with him ! " 272 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAX. The partin- interviews of the beloved pastor with his Church in all its departments— the general congregation, the Sunday School, the social meeting— were deeply affect- ing, but with none more so than with the chosen circle of persons who were in the habit of attending the Wednesday afternoon meeting. Mr. W. S. HiUis, a minister of the Society of Friends, in opening the Wednesday-afternoon meetmg at which Mr. Cookman was last present before leaving, felt impressed to select the -xcount of St Paul's last charge to the elders of the Church of Ephesus, Acts xx 17, etc. ; and as he read the verses concluding, "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him • .sorrowmg most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more," he ^A•as overcome by his emotions. Mr. Cookman and the whole audience wept and for some time the sorrow was so uncontrollable as to make it impossible to proceed with the services. Alas ' how prophetic the selection of those words ! m'^i' istor with his congregation, deeply afifect- 3sen circle of 2 Wednesday nister of the :lay-afternoon 'esent before of St. Paul's phesus, Acts iding, "And kissed him ; ' spake, that -come by his lience wept, ^liable as to ices. Alas ! CHAPTER XXII. GROUND.-NATIONAL CAMP-MEETINGS AT ROUND .„ .£ AND URBANA. For month, prior to March, zS;;, Mr. Cookman's mind ntnt. He had been mvited to Boston, Mass., Chica^ 111 Nr;:"N r:;r^'T"' ^•^•' '''^'^^^-^ ^^^ iNc\vark, N J., and pressed earnestly in all these cases to men'r''", /''°''"'^"°" ^"' " ''''''^''- "^ undoubtedly meant, when he returned to the Philadelphia Conference to remam n. u for life but the division o/ the Conferee L 1868 had unexpectedly thrown him out of ,t into the Wil- mington Conference, and now his Conference relations were aga.n unsettled. .So imperative seemed the demand for his se.vices m certan. important churches in the controlling centres o population and influence, that he finally yielded hough reluctantly, to higher convictions of duty-m regard o the freest mterchange of ministers throughout the whole Church-and consented to be transferred to the Newark M.tT'i?' ""t "'' '^'^'""'^ '' '''' ^^-^^-1 Church, Maiket Street, Newark, N.J. This proved to be his lasi transfer and his last appointment in the Cnurch. At the next roll-call, at the name of Alfred Cookman. instead of the round, full, silvery " /,.;-,," there would be silence and tears.' i8 Hi 274 L/FJ; OF ALFRED COOKMAN. In view of the frequency of Mr. Cookman's transfers from one Conference to anotlier, and of the class of churches winch lie generally served, a communication from Mr. John Thompson, of Philadelphia, will be found pertinent. A letter from himself to a lady friend reveals the same earnest desn-e that ever attended these changes, to know and follow the Divme will. An incident also occurred before he left Grace, while his mind was yet undetermined as to the course he should take. There was a little prayer-meeting at which were present some of his closest friends. He prayed earnestly to be du-ected to go where God might will-to suffer or to die for Hun; and requested his friends to make special prayer. The next morning they all said " Newark." Tlie Central Church, Newark, gave a cordial welcome to their new pastor. He found a large and handsome church edifice, well located, with a thrifty, active, and generous membership, disposed in every way to promote his comfort and usefulness. Within a few brief weeks he was ensconced with his family in their pleasant home, and he was as deeply immersed in the duties of the pastorate as if no change had taken place from one charge to another. The facility Axith which pastors go from church to church, and with winch the churches accept one pastor after another is mexphcable to persons outside of Methodism. The only explanation is, it is law and usage-ministers and people ha^•e become accustomed to the system, and, content nith Its workings, they acr.pt it as a matter of course, and as the wisest arrangement for the whole Church. The prompt and cheerful accpiiescence in the plan does not, hovvever preclude the sharp pangs caused by the severance of pas- toral relations-many times the pastor's heart aches for the absent tlock, and the people's hearts yearn for the recent -1 m^ QUICKEXIXG POIVER OF HIS MINISTRY. transfers from is of churches "roni Mr. John pertinent. A I same earnest ow and follow- before he left led as to the were j^resent rnestly to be ?/' or to die for pecial prayer. il welcome to Isome church ind generous e his comfort as ensconced ivas as deeply f no change The facility :h, and with another, is . The only and people content witli 'urse, and as The prompt ot, hort'ever, mce of ]xis- ches for the r the recent 275 pastor-but soon the new pastor and thTnew peoTe p iH -i: T':' '"''' ''-'' '''''' ^' '^ p--"^ '-'- a' sil n T T7 '^"^^'^--^^ of former relationships P St h h' "' " '" P"" "^^ ^"^'- -^—- of. past which IS ever present. As in every previous charge, so a. Central, Mr. Cookman began very soon ,o see the elTects of an earnest ministry in a qutckened Church, an increasing congregation, and the general s,gns o the esteem of the people, -fhere seemed to be every reasonable indication that in coming to Newark he was in the path of duty. Far-reaching as w.as Mr. Cookman's ministerial influence by reason not only of his fame, but his actual pastoral .and occastonal series in the Church, he never became too great or the httle du.,es of the p,arish. Outside engagemen" as.de the work wh.ch was due to his own people in their proper organization, visit.ation, and instruclion Here a Newark, as elsewhere, the spring and early summer were devoted to regu ar pastoral calls, to the formation of such Mps as would facilitate his own usefulness and develop the t lents .and graces of the members of the Church and con greg.ation. He believed in woman's work for the Chtnch and for humanity; and as a minister was alw.avs succ rf d " winnmgthe affections and confidence of the fadies ofte Church and organizing then, for high and beneficent ends. tne heart of the living, working pastor. Reference has been already seen in Mr. Cookman's corre- pondence to Ocean Grove camp-ground. He had beconTe harmed ,v„h the spot as to buy a lot there, buildin. . cottage upon ,t for the accommodation of his family He m 276 L/F£ OF ALFRED COOKMAN. J. i. ' i» !■ was particularly fond of the sea-side. As with his father, so with him, the ocean possessed a great attraction-he could sit by the hour and look out upon its restless life, and com- mune with its never-ceasing music. His highest physical spirits were excited when he was laved by its waves or walked amid its breezes. He was only too glad to avail himself of the capital opportunity which the Ocean Grove Association afforded of uniting a summer residence with the facilities of religious culture upon the sea-side, under con- ditions which would be free from the objections of ordinary fashionable watering-places. The modern innovation of combining the social element of the family life and the devotional element of religious worship in the camp- meeting was pleasing to him, as meeting not only his own want, but also a want which he believed to be very generally felt among Christian people. Some such resorts had long been needed, where healthful air and innocent pastimes could be had, with cheapness, plainness, and sobriety, associated with such religious exercises as tend to keep ahve the pious habits and sentiments of the home left behind; where the moral feelings of those who prefer the stricter virtues will not be constantly shocked with customs whicli are a violence to good taste, to say nothing of sound morality and vital religion ; and where people can be practi- cally taught the union which should alxNays subsist between social and spiritual enjoyments. The first notable example of this peculiar feature of the camp-meeting was set by the company owning the Wesleyan Grove Camp-ground, on Martha's \^ineyard Island. Massa- chusetts. From rude beginnings the Martha's Vineyard Camp-meeting has grown until it has become a vast water- mg-place, with additional grounds adjoining under different companies. W^iole villages of cottages have been erected, CAMP.MEETING AT ROUA'D LAKE. 27/ lis father, so n — he could fe, and corn- iest physical ts waves or lad to avail cean Grove ace with the under con- of ordinary- novation of ife and the the camp- ily his ov/n •y generally "ts had long It pastimes d sobriety, id to keep home left > prefer the th customs g of sound 1 be practi- st between ure of the Wesleyan d. Massa- Vineyard ast water- r different n erected, many of them at much cost, with all the devices which necess.ty and taste can suggest. It ,v not an uncommon thu g for fomihes from remote parts of the country, and of all the different rd.gious denominations, to go thither early in the warm season, and to remain till autumn. The success of Martha's Vineyard has caused similar efforts m various sections, both on the sea-coast and inland, within ^e past i^yv years. Prominent among them is Ocean Grove Ne.v Jersey. Mr. Cookman was greatly pleased with its success ; he prized highly the moments he was able to spend there u. the summer of 1871, and those persons who had the happiness to be with him through those brief days will long cherish the memory of his personal and ministerial mfluence as among the most pleasant of their lives The first trumpet of the summer's campaign summoned M. Cookman to the sixth National camp-meeting at Round Lake, fhither the hosts of the higher life were movin- ■ the prospect was for an immense meeting, and the responsibihty of the National Committee was correspondingly great • it was felt that none of the active members could be spared' - least of all the man whose modest presence, wise counsels persuasive speech, and holy character constituted him to the cause a tower of strength. He was not well ; to his rather enfeebled body and worn mind it would have been delicious to go at once to the sea-side-but no ; among the promptest to start for and reach Round Lake was Mr. Cookman. Lhougn young in years he was a veteran in service and as the war-horse snuffeth the battle afar, and in the' first noise of the tumult forgets his stiffened joints, so this our hero of a hundred victories, with the first step upon the field of contest, with the first notes of God's Israel preparing for the charge, forgot all his wounds and weariness, nnd from begummg to end was in the thickest of the fight, himself % given. It IS not the elo(iuent men of tliis world th,. ^ro. r ti>e'^t::;:;e,t^irtL^-ir or.::^;,r°'^^' ^--^^^ ^^ motionless as statues. The hour of Zt ^'«q"™ce men stood dinner-bells around the in os'e belntr- T"' '"' '''' ^"^^^ '^"'^ -person m that con^re^atSr^o^rre telTempted'^rr-l '" epicurean feast. In that moment there w^.s fSod Z tL ^ ^' "J religious nature being dispensed with n I fh i. }^ "'"''''^ ''"'' the wants of physical nat'tw r u' h etl h X;'' ° ^"?"^""' ^"'' perfeet report would utterly mar the beautv o t ""T"}'' """ ™- and a perfect report wou^d fail tot TeyVny ^ eloquence of his style and the tellinrr effect nff- , ^"''"^ men and women to ' be filled with 2 H , f "^P•'»'h<-'"c appeals to print the mere words bu In "? ^ ^""'' ^""'^ '>'P*^^ '^""^^ I rest. Antago- servitors. The lerfect home. Clmracter in its es ; and a cha- Fir.st, holiness ; , gi'iitlcHi-ss ; no jentienc.ss — and lironounced in and wisest on '•itJi the Spirit ife ; second, it o accomplish ; unction of the [ion, What is tible influence to whirh it is fitors of great )on the hearts Iterances of a For this I -St bounds of ce men stood le gongs and ^ngour. But away by an e moral and oquence, and ilii. An im- 's utterances, the glowing c appeals to r types could clothe them lie speaker's Jiearts and CHAPTER XXIII. THE LAST CAMP-MEETINGS. — FAILING HEALTH. SERMON. -THE LAST \ViTH the camp-meeting at Urbana, Mr. Cookman's public- services with the National Committee ceased. Some of the committee, during the season, moved farther westward, and held meetings in a large tent at Topeka, Kansas, Salt Lake City, and in different parts of California ; but he was not able, for want of time and strength, to accompany them. ^ Mr. Cookman returned from Martha's Vineyard, spent two weeks at Ocean Grove, and then brought his family home, and early in September was at the regular work of his charge. The great spiritual preparation which he had earnestly desired for his fall and winter work had evidently been granted; his mind began promptly to unfold plans of increasing usefulness, and in all the public and social services there was an enlarged attendance and a manifest deepening of religious fervour. The special service for the promotion of holiness, not hitherto appointed, was now established, and from it the happiest results were antici- pated. There was, however, one drawback to the pastor's plans and expectations-a disturbing element had thrust itself forward and demanded recognition-a strange element I 282 I.IFK Of AU-RED COOKMA.Y. 1 m \\m wi o V. r,, r • f ^'^ '"'"" ^" ''™ ^"" -'-"^ had lo , tr"""""" "''^ 1'"^"'-' constitution Vir.„, r 7 r >" • ^«"'"™"«l hitlKTtO tO rCCUVCT it, 'oo X J ::;'?;" "' -"■■-"->■ -ilc bo,, str™,. loo,o,l H ' ' ''""'e' ■■"'t' "I"-'" llie strin.. was ^Oad finished what fo™ r' su ™ t ! «:;:",;!:', '■■■"■""'■'^" i-aste„ed-,he p..atuto decay orhisT i, , S" " ■™'' um„e"' J:*"° "' -■;«-'" ca„,>„,eeti„gs during .he miner seasons be wholly commended ? 'j-he difficuhv „f ::7- z "":"': '- •] "- ^° ^"'' -^ «"-' ^--''^ ' -; woriV ^ u*'" • "'''™ ""-' '"'^ 'o '!"•■ t-'lu'rch and to the It Tr^: ,.f ::: r;"'; - -" ^--^"^ '^ -^ ""^ wjju leei It most deep y may be (omivpn if tu sn,s^t .nditions ,vh.ch, huL^niy Lsid^ri^^ " Oh, sir ! the good die first, And they whose liearts are dry as summer dust Burn to the socket," is an utterance which gratifies a sort of vengeful feelino- w en we see the good stricken down in their ,^^aZ Tr ants Th ^^ H ''' ' '"^ '' '' "°^ ^^^ ^ Christian'; needs the wisdom of age as well as the ^eal of youth T If. ' -^i.l.-ifcSSV.- i.f r .- -.T. „,^,- .-_ is reckonings, 1 and reliable, ^I constitution to recover its Iiard work, it ic bow, strung le string was nan had gone r's campaign d begun and )owers. whicli begin followed step M-holly from lis character, of his death, "se of attend- i during the difficulty of "uits is very and to the is weighed, t'en if they , may have rdust eful feelina: ine and the Christianity se of God )uth. T,ife PRUDEXCE IX WORK- DF.MAXDED. 28i IS the order of God, and, except where it can be clearly pomted out as a duty, it is not to be unduly exposed limes may come, calls may arise which demand its Jiopardy and even its sacrifice as the price of conscience liberty, humanity; but ordinarily God is most glorified when, by a due observance of the law of health it is prolonged and preserved in cumulative perfection to advanced years. 'I'here is no reason why a holy man should not increase in holiness and usefulness until old age, and present, though in a different aspect, ciuite as beautiful an exemplification of the force of religion in the aged as in the young, 'i'his is a view of the subject (luite necessary to be looked at especially by youth. There is something peculiarly fascinat- ing to ardent natures in the halo which invests a rapid, fiery course and an early, triumphant deadi ; but to other minds there is something repellent, as imi)lying a logical connec- tion between a life of the highest devotion and a premature death. A devout man may conscientiously refuse incessant, overtasking labour, and insist upon the hours and days of relaxation, for the preservation of his health, in order that he may thus offer to God a larger and more effecdve service. St. Paul had a desire to depart and be with Christ, which he felt to be far better for himself, because he would thus sooner be free from suffering, and be present with the Lord ; but he yielded to the motive of usefulness to the Church as a reason sufficiently strong to control his personal preference, and consented to remain in the body. The desire for the greatest usefulness may lead one man to such intensity of action as to preclude intermission of labour, under the impression that time thus spent is lost ; while the same desire may lead another to the strict ob- servance of vacation, as more economical of time, because if^ 2^4 i//w Of Ai.rm.ii cooA-f'A.v. t'l r«t here L- • „ '" ' """'" ''• " '-''»"' '"••«, ir n,,,' ^"" ""»""""' -. "Some rc,,a„,l „„, personal conduc,. especially i„ vie v . ' ITstZld .e extreme care witl, which be canvassecUl ' ioL of el,g,o„ a„,I morals, ,».„ f„, ,„„,„, ,„j others tTteasv say .ha. /„■ should have acted dificren.ly in h ,s"c' " tm,e and energies ihan he did. While he ,vas n^h/ "iness of his vigour, fame, and usefulness, hsfe„dued the heTlf"" '" """,*™'' •'^™''"« '- >■-»:' which ? °f "'"'"•" '° 'I'e same mental and bodily work to continued, only in „„ in,e„ser Xre/ to'T "■ ''!'"''"' coulf have hi ..e :, J'^T °' *'' --".--""«. he labours could hw. x-" , ' '"/.">onth each year, his couiu hav^ „.,... ..,,,„mucd, ,r all likelihood, for m^ s/:lf-sa cr I filing n/: ro 7/om - of an equable " Labour here, rest and more alike governed ■ Inniian race, to possess the ily saved from what is ordi- Jnservation of nan hfe must :tical religion, liglicst i)erfec- rit. igh conscien- otions of in- preference to 3d sense and questions of •rs, is it easy n the use of was in the friends used 'acations in lily work to He thought lent to pre- that, while 1, the mind :itcd in the e pastoral eetings, he h 3-ear, his iihood. for 2Ss many years, for his phjsical resources were truly remark- able; but .t was not p.ss.I.le for a man. even of his bodily powers, to go di.cctly fn,m the cares of a charge to the herculean work of five or six mm,, r,,,. .■ 111,1 f« . ^"' "7 o"^ ^'^ <^a'»l>nit-'i.'tings every season, and to ,eturn unu.e.hately to the exacting duties of the pastor., ., ,vth„ut detriment to his health, and probable premature decay of his vital force, Ik- did not realize his danger m the beginning, and with each additional year his zeal became so absorbing as to consume him ; so that I beheve h.s course was finally one of deliberate choice, taken ^ith his eyes fully open to the worst consequences. I cannot aj^prove his elc< tion on general principles I may accept it as that which God's Spirit pointed out to him as h.s proper path ; -nd, in accepting it, I must be carried away with admiration for so sublime an embodiment of that ancient, heroic, self-sacrificing devotion which inspired the apostles and confessors of the primitive ages, and which stil ,n these modern times impels scores and hundreds of believers to brave the pestilence, the savage, and the deep for the Cross of Christ. Surely no one can turn away from the career of this saint of God, after contemplating his self-sacnficing zeal for the salvation of his fellow-men, and say " the age of heroes is past." After all, it may be that one lesson, in addition to many others, .vhich Divine Providence meant to teach in the history ul His servant, is the greater moral beauty, the richer blessedness of a zeal which consumes, in contradis- tinction to the dwarfed religiousness which the thought of self and the love of ease engender-low principles which alas ! are too prevalent in our day. Soinotimes extremes can only be met by extremes ; a low stoop is necessary to reach a deep depression-so Alfred Cookman may have been a sacrifice to an excessive zeal, whose force, 'all the I I I ' '•I 286 LIFE OF ALFRED C00h'MAA\ ^1 11 a t! Ill v ,': h {^'■^S?; W m I' ' , greater by its contrast, shall kindle the breasts of others and arouse them from a too utilitarian and cold policy fo,^ the u'ork of saving a selfish world. But the day is passing-the sun nears the west-the shadows are lengthening : enough of my reflections. We will hear more from him. Some one remarked to him during his last illness, " Perhaps you have worked too hard ' W T\ "°' r 'T' ■'"''"'^^"^'>' ^'^^^^'""^ «f >'°- 'wealth." Well he replied, "I do not know-I have enjoyed my work; I have not been conscious of overtaxing myself I had but one life to live here, and it M-as for the glory of J esus ■ and He has abundantly recompensed me " The last article which came from Mr. Cookman's hand for publication, was a prefoce, written at the request of Mr. W . S. Hilhs, of Wilmington, Delaware, for a little tract containing the account of Dr. Coan's labours in the island ot Hilo. The tract was afterwards published. The article was conveyed in a letter to Mr. Hillis :— "Newark, N.J., Octoha- ig, 1871. "I ought perhaps .to take a season of rest, but i,, my relations ba.h fam, y and ecclesiastical, this seems impracticable. I !a m h ,1 the best of fathers, and He is pledged to the supervisio f tl my interests Uhat may be His advised to ' to be open, LETTER OF THE REV. /, /'. nUXN. 287 and so he toiled on-hoping, though not v.^^^^^^^^^^^~^, of ear, that wtth the cold frost of autumn his stren. h would return. He would at this time, after being out thro.;^h he day making pastoral calls, co.ne home and throw him- elf on the sofa utterly exhausted, and say, "Sometimes I tlunk my work ts nearly done, and when I take my bed i may be my ast sickness." Then agai. he would rllly, and alk of hts plans for the future. He still moved quite reely among h,, ,,„,,,rial brethren. As late as the firstl^' October he was over to New York in attendance upon the reachers' Meeting, interchanging greetings and showing all h.s wonted buoyancy of feeling. His hearty grasp forlt'ten''"" '''^'''''''"' ''^ ^'^'^ ^^^''^^'^'^ ^^""ot soon be While instant in labour in his own charge, he was ever read), s.ck as he was, to render outside help to the ministers ot neighbounng cities. The Rev. L. R. Dunn writes :— .n-.'',;^[!"'"fV'"'"'"'!7""l'''^"'"'' °"'^'- '^'•' ■•^■^"■"«l l»s ^vork with CluMch, and knownig intimately its official boards and its entire mbersh,p, I can safely say that never before in all their his ory y labourmg wuh greater unanimity, with loftier inspirations ad ^^ith more assured promise and hope for their future enl r.a.nuu prosperity. Every movement he made everv wo .1 J"'"-\'"'"' •^"'' meeting he held, and every sermon he preX ^led t^ d S, aT afterwards connected with another o^onr church^^l ^^ 1^ yersmg w.th me after his death about his goodness and ,nn v ^ -- . he waiued^r:;:- ;^- - -- ^ ! ;i; 111 i i 288 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. I ■! t n my chaige, and he had promised to .pend a day with me He nml"- ,"'''"^ ?," ''"^"^"°" "^'^^''"S- -''' '-'ked /ery sweetly and r mneduS the 7 "'"''' °"^^^ ^^^'-^^ '^"'-^ '"-"^s, and «T''"^^"^^"P^^'^^^' and, imperceptibly to hunself and hts fnends, he was so ready for the ascent hat It was wtth difficulty he could be held to earth. Walk- ing out one evening with his wife, as he looked up to the heavens he said, "Those are my Father's stars "-1" That IS my Father's moon." A short time before he was taken s.ck they visited a house where they saw an oil-painting of a jaint just entering heaven ; lingering by it, he said, "How covet her .'-she is almost within the gate"; and then requested his wife to sing— " Oh, the city ! oh, the glory ! Far beyond the rapturous story Of tlie ages old and hoary— Oh ! 'tis heaven at last ! " He gazed in transport as he seemed to fancy her just entering the heavenly city. ^ The month of October, with its keen, crisp breath, was t^st speeding away without reviving the flagging steps of the ii v: s of extra services ly with me. He very sweetly and salvation. After tual friends, and he house he said is last summer I m to give way.' sus and His love, e preached with rmon seemed to iness of Mr. I of plans for II his thoughts lOved in God. tmosphere of imperceptibly or the ascent arth. Walk- :ed up to the irs "— " That le was taken painting of a said, '• How '; and then cy her just breath, was steps of the /-/.ST PUBLIC SERVICES. 289 weary invalid. nT^i^v perceptibly woak^T"^^^ a tendance upon the National Committee in NewTorL b.,t the middle of ,„e mon.l, he made a call al ht b otter, house ,n West Thirty-fourth Street Though ble, he ,va. very br.ghtand cheerful. His whole conver tt '™s,"V r ^T?"" "'= =''"'=• TI-. visit pro ed he last. Two days before his final illness he attended a N::t"" H*' ".f"^ '"^^■' ''=*°'''^' Episcopal Chul Newa,,.. His ankles were then very weak, but such was his devot, ,„ .H, Master-s work that he could notrcfuse to ^ At the close of the meeting he gave his experience from the conrr.nce,.ent of his religious life, dwelling especially upon home, two of h,s warm friends walked on either side of hira to support his feeble steps. He said .0 them, " I knowU horit'T^'^M"?"" "" ""= """""'^ of holiness, but I though I would do my whole duty then; I feel this may De my last opportunity. " ^ On Sunday, the 22nd of October, he performed his last ^ll "^T ."' """^ ^"^^ "^">^ ^"^^^^ -^^- i" health, I would he to die, if it is God's will, with my armour on and preach by my death as well as by my life." He often spoke of the Rev. Dudley Tyng, with whom he wat tS mately associated m Philadelphia, and said, " It was glorious to die as he did, for his dying testimony was yet echoing through the world.'; He even said he <' would prefer to die be substantially gratified. His work and his life were to sTrion'of r fi '"'' "" ^° ""' '''' "^-^ ^ff-tive sermon of h.s whole career_a fitting vindication and illus- tration of the power of the docrmes he had preached and hved-a death which, for its singular spiritual glory, is clestmed to be spoken of while the annals of Christian saints ^9 i i ^ Pi i', 2go LIFE OF ALFRED COOKALAN. shall be read, and which for its wondrous force will be quoted and dwelt upon as a Divine inspiration while there shall be a Church to cherish tlie memory of the good, or a trembling believer who shall need cheer amid the stern struggles of life and death. In the morning he preached from Mark iv. 25, " From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath "—a very solemn and effective sermon. In the after- noon he visited the Sabbath School, as was his custom, and shook hands with every teacher and scholar. ToVvard even- ing he complained of not feeling well, and Mrs. Cookman was very anxious to get some one to fill his pulpit for the evening service. But he would not consent-saying, " I thmk I have a message from God for this people • I shall preach from 'the faded leaf" As he arose to announce his text, he held in his hand a faded leaf, saying, " This is my text : ' We all do fade as a leaf.' " Several persons remarked afterwards to his wife that - he looked like one transfigured " A lady said to her husband, "She did not think that Fletcher could have looked more seraphic." As he finished ' his sermon his feet gave way, and passing from the pulpit he handed the leaf to a friend, saying, "The leaf and the preacher are very much alike -/,.//;^," He limped home and when his wife received him in the parlour he was almost distracted with pain. As he was assisted to his chamber he remarked to her, " I have preached my own experience to-night,—' Fading as a Leaf.' " The physician in attendance pronounced the disease ma/gia, or acute inflammatory rheumatism, the pain bein^r confined to the ankles and the soles of the feet. There was also a torpid condition of the liver, which added very much to his discomfort. The next few days were accompanied with intense suffering; but he was heard to say "that while Pj;! force will be on while there f the good, or mid the stern V. 25, "From that which he In the after- s custom, and ToVvard even- Irs. Cookman pulpit for the ; — saying, " I )ple; I shall to announce , "This is my ons remarked transfigured." it think that ^s he finished n the pulpit leaf and the imped home, e was almost his chamber 1 experience the disease e pain being There was i very much ccompanied "that, while HIS LAST ILLNESS. 291 his whole lower nature was ^^^^^^^^^^A^^^^^^^^ nature trmmphed in God." At times he would be so 'l led wiA the Sp,nt as to burst out in the midst of hi ngu h ufferTn . ?""" '' ^"^ attempting to describe his sufferings to me he used the following language: 'If sad he 'he bones of my feet were all teeth, and ea4 one had what we call the jumping toothache, it would give you some Idea of what I suffer.' After conversation and p aver when I rose to leave, he grasped my hand, and 1 ki g up so lovn^gly n. my eyes, he said, ' My precious brother how I love you ! I have always felt a special nearnes to you ever smce I have known you.' kt, great a Ws sufferings were, he seemed then to have no idea h wis so near his end, but talked freely of his plans for tleTuture and his hope of a speedy recovery " ' After about one week of almost constant pain, approach- ing sometimes to convulsions, alleviated only by siTt m ervals of ease, he became apparently convalescent When a lull in his sufferings took place he'was very br'ht and cheerful, and he manifested the keenest interest in everything which occurred around him both beyond and within he house. Every little incident in the outer world was referred to with the liveliest appreciation; while the acts of kindness performed by those in attendance upon hm., even of the most trivial kind, were received with the sweetest look of pleasure and gratitude. Always to the question, "How are you?" he would reply, "I think I am a httle better." After rallying from the first paroxysms of suffering, he had his books and paper brought to him and employed his time as he was able in reading or being read to, and m writing notes to his friends. His Bible wis daily by his side j when he was unable to read it, either the 292 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. I n \<''i children or his wife would read it to him, and he would respond, "There is nothing like the Word of the Lord!" or " Oh, how precio-s I" At his request his daughter Annie read to him the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel of St. John —always a favourite chapter with him. She said to him one day, as he was suffering with pain in the back of his neck, " Pa, are you not afraid that it will go to your brain ?" "No, darling," he answered, "not unless the Lord Jesus would have it." October 29th, one \veek from the time of his prostration, a meeting being held by the members of bis Church to pray especially for his recovery, he dictated for them the following note : — " Mr. Cookman wishes me to say that he appreciates more than he can express the sympathy and love of his dear people. He loved you all very tenderly before his present illness ; he feels that he will love you much more in the future. This a Sabbath of great physical sufier- mg, and yet it is proving, doubtless in answef to your prayers, the most precious of all his life. He says he is Christ's suffering little child ; and with every sharp, keen, excruciating pain, he feels that Jesus presses him even more closely to His great heart of love, and lets him realize the power of His Divine sympathy and tenderness. He says, ' God bless you all !-the kindest, dearest people that any pastor ever served. / t'aaiui and he would )f the Lord ! " aughter Annie el of St. John ; said to him e back of his your brain?" le Lord Jesus from the time le members of f, he dictated IS more than he He loved you lat he will love . physical suffer- nir prayers, the 3 suffering little n, he feels that Df love, and lets enderness. He that any pastor CHAPTER XXIV. THE LAST HOURS—SWEEPING THROUGH THE GATES. It was after reviving from one of the severe paroxysms to wh.ch Mr. Cookman was subject, about one weekZ the first attack, that he had what may be regarded as a remarkable vtston. He found himself just inside of heaven He was first received by his grandfather Cookman, who said, When you were m England, I took great pleasure in showmg you the different places of interest f now' welcom Lamb ! He was next received by his father-whose features were as distinct as when he saw him in his boyhood days • he also said ;|^ Welcome, my son, washed in [he blood of . ? .7'"^ ''^ '^°^'^^^ ^^°^S-^ ^-k him in his armf and said Welcome, my brother, washed in the olood of he Lamb !" And lastly his son Bruner received him with the same salutation-" Welcome, father, washed in the blood of the Lamb !" Each one of these in turn pre sented him to the Throne. When he told his wife of what he had seen and heard, he remarked, "That was an abundant entrance." She asked him if it was a dream He replied, "No, it was between sleeping and waking." Saint Stephen is not the last of God's suffering, dying servants who have seen heaven opened before their entrance into it He was often heard to repeat the simple words,- 294 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAX. " V\w a jioor sinner, and nothing at all, Jesus, Christ is my all in all." He now seemed to understand as never before the expres- sion. "Perfect, or purified through suffering." "I have known for many years what it is to be washed in the blood of the ^Lamb; now I understand the full meaning of that verse, ' These are they which came out of great tnbulaiion, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' I used to maintain that the blood was sufficient, but I am coming to know that tribulation bnngs us to the blood that cleanseth." His mother, who visited him frequently, reminded him that the Saviour suffered m His feet, to which he afterwards often referred. "You know the nails pierced His precious feet, and He can sympathize with me in my sufferings. ' In all their afflictions He was afflicted.'" To his son Frank he said, I he effect of this sickness is to draw me closer and closer to the heart of Jesus," The last letters he wrote will be read and cherished as well-nigh messages from heaven. " Newark, N.J., Nm^ember 6, 1871. ''I am still the prisoner of the Lord-but oh, ^hat an honour ! Mhat a v.lege ! what a joy ! Infinite Love :s my Keeper, and the Lord's P son-houses are incomparably more desirable than the gorgeous palaces of wickedness. ^ {,<-uu^ " This is now the third week of my affliction. Lying on mv Inck am grateful to be able to use my /.L/ in commuigSS" e t nends whose tried affection is cherished among my' heart's riches t easures, and the expression of whose sympathy's L soothing am ^elcome. \V hen our Christian boy was wrested Lm us, no voice w" more tender, no heart more sympathizing than your own. We Ime not forgotten it-and now that it pleases' the best of fathers to affli^ i' ,. t " ""' '""""^ '' '^'' ^^""''^" '" ''''' «»^' to^l'e Divine re tlie expres- 5." "I have 1 in the blood aning of that 7/ tribttlaiion, white in the lat the blood at tribulation mother, who the Saviour ften referred. ;et, and He ' In all their ank he said, ;r and closer :herished as I'cr 6, 1871. honour ! what nd the Lord's tlie gorgeous on my back, with the dear leart's richest soothing and no voice was n- We liave lers to afflict ing to know to tlie Divine HIS LAST LETTERS. 295 rrec.nus sister, your ],rnytTs have reached the Throne, and the gracious ans^^■ers have l)een hle.sing n,e both in my bo--• 0I>, how sooth- g to feel, hour by hour, that the soul has been washed in the blood of thelamb and to experience the Inspiration of that perfect love that castelh out all fear that hath to-ment ! These, with other lessons, have fa, Iful Lo.d has some ulterior meaning in this aflliction that is not as ye fully or satisfactorily revealed. I want to sit like little Samuel and ■ ll' eU '"";,' "'n'^'^^^r'^^r- '''' ''''^'' ^-•<'' ^"'- '^-"y-v- vhe.e.t leads. "i our allusions to the grassy hillocks in the Cly.le Cemetery were most tender and touching. Truly, as you intimate, those acred mounds become our earthly Pisgahs. They lift us above the raptliouTly " ' " '' "'"^'"^ '""'"'"''y '''' ''''' ^"^^ -''-^'l-^^^ " ' Canaan, fair and happy land, Where our possessions lie.' " Let me thank you, my dear sister, for your gentle sympathy and strong and valued affection. 'A world in purchL for ucl. a fri would not be too dear.' Your beautiful lettc'r was read again aiKl ta in my sick room, and in every instance it lifted me up in my hoS and feelmgs. Will you not remember me most affeitionat dy to ^n beloved daughters? We shall still indulge the hope of sharing w them the hospitality of our itinerant home. " ^ " Saturday, iVovember ii, 187 1. ''Tarn writing this note in my bed, to which I have been confined for three weeks. For some months past I have been far from well, but ms DEATH-BED I/VMA'S. 297 ow exactly what lisiiensation. It lliy for sufferinjr 'lib or hathe ihe the power ami ion suflering — in my intellect. 1, for when my tailing through t triumjihed in i were when the iroimd me. It ion for the ten Oh, how sootli- in the blood of :rfect love that •r lessons, lla^■e think that my that is not as e Samuel, and, )r Thy servant I would follow i in the Clyde intimate, those us above the md anticipate ympathy and iuch a friend ain and again my thoughts itely to your sharing with '■ II, 1871. een confined om well, but at the close of my sermon on the evening of October 22 I felt my feet giving away. I limpe.l home, went to bed, and fur about nine days was almost distracted with what my physicians entitle.l mialgia-^n acute form of mflammatory rheumatism. The i>ain was confme'd to my ankles and the soles of my feet. It was just as if the back part of the feet were Idled \Mth teeth, and all at the same time affected with violent jumpmg toothache. This, of course, made my feet so painful that I could scarcely bear t<5 have them touched. Then the pul>ing pain in the painful feet, cotuinuing day after day, so involved my whole nervous system that towards the last it was almost like convulsions. The only relief that I got was through morphine and chloroform. For ten days I have been relieved of the pain, but still am very sick. Only once have I sat up, and then returned to bed with a raging fever. Fever bloody expectorations, sore throat, torpid liver, disor.lered kidneys' absence of all appetite, hemorrhoids, and great weakness, are my symptoms at pre-cnt. My physician, Dr. Nichols, a skilful and ex- perienced practitioner of the old school, is very faithful in coming to see me twice a day. Then my precious wife (God bless her !) has been unremitting in her attentions. Day and night, like a loving angel, she has hovered over my pillow, studying my wants, anticipating my wishes. Oh, I can never repay her for her self-sacrificing and unwavering love ! I fancy she looks thin through her constant nursing, but she would not permit any one to take her place, and I am sure I do not want any one else. " Above all, dear mother, I have had the precious Te.us with me during every hour of my sickness. When my pains were most, severe He ^^■ouId let down on my soul such a weight of glory that I was obliged to break forth in strains of praise and joy. Oh, precious mother, how invaluable is full salvation in suffering and in the prospect of eternity! To feel that the soul is washed in the blood of the Lamb and to realize the perfect love that casteth out all fear that hath torment ! Oh, this is more than all the world beside ! " But I am weary now. I can write no more." Through all his sickness Mr. Cookman retained his fond- ness for singing, and sometimes would have his wife and his httle Mary and Helen on his bed beside him, joining in such hymns as " Rock of Ages," " Oh, how I love Jesus !" " I shall be satisfied," " Jesus calls me." His voice never seemed fuller and sweeter. One day he was so much better If^ 208 I- /IE OF ALFRED COO KM AX. as to be able to be out in the sitting-roo.n. Lying on the sofa or rechn.ng ,n an easy chair, his face wore a most hcavxni; expre.^. and his remark upon everything arou^^^:^ 7 .J '■"■■' ''"'" "•"!'< ">« "ay a,ain.' Hi, wifc remarU-d " Corlainly •; b„, h. seemed io d„„l„ i.. „ ■■ Oh, i[ was love, Ii „M» wonilrous l„v<. ! - .-.nd other spiritual songs. He retired abo„t „ine o'clock and that was the last .in,e .he family sung together. ' becndomg? I have been mn.lwg n,y fncds." When ould to. ha"'" """°"''"'' '" """ ^° "'->•• »■"• ">••" eould o. have an enemy,-" No,- he remarked, " 1 do not know that I have, God has been very good .0 me bu you know .here are some very special friends " Never was Jtr. Cookman more devoted .0 his wife and ch, dren .han now. Having consecrated his child en "o God fron, the.r birth, he confiden.ly trusted the, .with .l.e. Heavenly Father. Every day he wished eV bo, Afred,whomhe called his sunshine, he would have o., h,s bed and play with him by the hour. His little TOle satdto h,m one day, "Papa, do you think you m ev bathe „, the ocean again?" "No, darling, /reckon these ee. ,v, never touch .ha. gravelled walk again." He even aught h,s boys .0 reci.e pieces, heard his daughter Ann " rente a h,m„, was so cheerful that all though, him cot vale cent and, n,deed, no one though, hitn critically ill until .he day of his death, ^ III THE SWEET IVIl.L Or G0/\ 299 ing on the sofa, most heavenly ? aroiinrl him L'man walking used to walk, n-" His wife l)t it. On the ng present, he nine o'clock, ther. what I have 'ids:' When and that he cl, " I do not I to me, but his wife and children to them with d them all 3t, his baby- would have little Willie u will ever 'ckon these He even ;hter Annie t him con- ritically ill On Saturday, the nth of November, Dr. J. M. ^\•ard, a member of the Presbyterian Church, visited and prayed with him. The Doctor afterward gave an account of the visit in 77ic GnUe to Ilolinas. "I s.nvv our .Icar Urothci Alfred Cookman ju^t tw.. days before he left us Commilling to me at that time tlie care of his weekly nieetin- 1... the pn.iuoiion of holiness, he .id.led, ' 1 simll be out .na ueek or two, and u.ll resume the care of it myself.' .So he .h.ubtless tlumyht ; but the dear Lord had other service for him above. 1 le was sitting; in his chair by the lie.lsid.., jijs face glowiny with heavenly briyhtne-.. To .s])eak was pauiful to him, fi-om soreness of the throat ; and yei so full, even to overlloumy, was his heart with the l<;ve of Christ, that he could not refram n.m talking. .As truly mi^^ht it have been said of him as of one of old, "Ihc love of Christ constraineth me ' ; for his utterances were such as the Holy Spirit only could give. " In answer to a ■ '"'»=«' ^avebr„s:a'z;:.rs^"' "'--"^ '- - •"- ' here r ;" ' l" tl ""'"« "^ ^" ^-'^ "-f^^"- .0 .earn .,. ^ons He" „' ^X: "r'"°'^' ''^'"^ the hands of the Heavenly Zi„"T„ ?! """"« '" "embers he used s.bsran.Lfy' se >™rd7.4y Vt'h - very dear eo me ; my wife and children a,V very pre of h::trdesi ' \ > siresf "';: '° "-^ °' ^^=- «°^ Sun of rLV"" "™' '™"'""S. "The beam of t sun of Righteousness are shining around m^ ri„ ,, around !" He requested to be sung-! ^'"^ '" W«ak and wouiidetl, sick and sore ; » and said, ■■ That grand old hymn ' Yes I am ,„ i, . wounded, sick and sore." ' ' ™'' ^'"' CALMNESS AND CONFIDENCE OF HIS LAST HOURS. 301 ' Would I live ) Thee.' " To said, "I wish IS been to me s of Him as I my intensest to me that I iomething by ter usefulness hands, trying am sitting in of his official 'My Church ery precious ; ^ God I love )r die. God ry precious." ahvay, even ng the Rev. lurch visited er there was autiful day. -t the bright tms of the Glory all weak and He was very earnest all day in praying for the ministers and the preaching of the Word. In the afternoon Mr. McDonald visited him again, and they conversed closely and fully on the subject of holiness. He said among other thmgs to this friend, " I have tried to preach holiness • I have honestly declared it ; and oh, what a comfort it is'to me now ! I have been true to holiness \ and now Jesus saves me— saves me fully. I am washed and made clean. Oh, I am so sweetly washed in the blood of the Lamb !" That evening he became extremely weak, and so sensitive to pam that he could not bear the least noise, and yet he was tender and quiet without the slightest manifestation of uiipatience, and so considerate that when he heard the voice of one of the brethren in an adjoining room he asked to see him. The friend remarked, " Why, my pastor, you are all ready— collar on and wrapper on." " Ah ! " he replied, "your pastor has not much strength : the outward is failing, but all is right within." Quite early Monday morning he asked his wife the ques- tion, " Where will you live— in Columbia or Philadelphia ? " Affected to tears, she replied, " Why do you ask me that ques- tion ?— I could not live anywhere without you." Seeing her feel thus, he sweetly said, " I thought I would like to know." This was the first morning he was unable to shave himself; he was very weak, and he evidently was impressed that his end was approaching. He asked his wife again, " My dear, if the Lord should take me away from you, could you say! ' The will of the Lord be done ' ? " She, startled at the ques- tion, replied, " I feel that you belong to the Lord ; I have always felt so, but I do not believe He is going to take you away from me." He responded, " God's will is always right and best, dear." "But," she said, "how can I live with- out you?" He replied, "Jesus caii be everything to you; I !■?»■■• -^ ■.!, !'1i 302 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMA!iet to Jesus, mother, I owe everything to you. Your holy in fluence your godly example, your wise counsels hav made m the Christian and the minister that I am." To his brother John he said, '' John, you have been a mercy to m --^^^^^^^^^ .written on your brow. My friends are all' mercy trme' I n not afraid to die. Death is the safe to endlss ,l2y . Ian. .^she.t .. the Mood of the La,n,r He desired to see his sister-in-law, Miss Rebecca Bruner, who had just arrived fiom Columbia, Pennsylvania, and after inquiring for Ihe loved ones at home, he said to her, <- This is the sick st day of my l.fe, but all is well; I am so dad I it preached full salvation : what should I do litht i ^ If you forget everything else, remember my testimoTy- Washe. r. XHK BLOOD OK XHK Lamb ! Jes'us is dalg vill never leave uH of promises lent at a time, I shall be with nd be the first m. While she e remarked, as , but it belongs n — fred, to be in it seems like es, there are p.m. she left apposing him good-bye, he said, "Next ^owx holy in- Is have made o his brother ) me — mercy iiercy to me. ndless glory ■ esired to see just arrived ring for the the sickest lad I have 3ut it now ? testimony — is drawing HIS DEA TIL 303 me closer and closer to His great heart of infinite love " To his wife he said, " I am Christ's little infant; just as you fold your little babe to your bosom, so I am nestling close to the heart of Jesus." Shortly afterwards his eldest son, George, returning from New York, came into the room ' looking up to him, he said, "xMy son, your pa has been all day long sweeping close by the gates of deaths At his request he was removed to the other side of the bed, when he remarked, " How sweet and quiet everything seems !— I feel like resting now." Very soon he became sick, and imme- diately an efflision of the brain took place, when he became insensible to outward things, and within about four hours, at eleven o'clock p.m., surrounded by his fomily and the trustees of his Church, he died, sweeping through the gates of P '.-adise, washed in the blood of the Lamb. Thus, on the 13th of November, 187 1, passed to the bosom of God, in the prime of his life, one of the most samtly, earnest, and useful men of modern times. His dying testimony carries us back to the glowing record of St. Ignatius, when yearning for martyrdom : " Suffer me to imitate the passion of my God. My love is crucified ; there is no fire in me desiring earthly fiiel ; that which lives and speaks within me says — ' Home to the Father. ' " The intelligence of Mr. Cookman's death spread rapidly, and was everywhere received with astonishment and pain.' His most intimate friends, even those who had seen him during his illness, were shocked at its suddenness. The thought of death had not been really associated with one who had moved so recently among men with a vigour which promised a long and healthful life. The shock at his sud- den death was only exceeded by the universal grief which It caused. It was as though "one were dead in every house " where he was known or the odour of his sanctity I i I Ul'/IM ^r' '. 304 /./F£ OF ALFRED COOKMAN. had entered It is a question if the mysterious loss of his mteres^ exc ted a n.ore general and profound grief. "When I heard of h.s death," writes a gentleman from'philadelphL I spent a week silently m tears." Exclaimed an old coloured woman m Wilmington when told of his deatl. Dat man gone straight to glory." His family, his Church' tne churches which he had previously served were over whelmed with sorrow. From private' persons and pubHc bodies from both the secular and religious press Tere teemed the most tender expressions o? regr^a^d cot The funeral services took place in the Central Church ?.;" T^'r'/"""'' '' '"^^ P-'^^-' - Thursday te 7l\^ V 'f;r"g.—t appeared the next we k in l/ie hau York Christian Advocate:— the feeling tiiat a very afflictive anTn!T' '^^^/PP^^red subdued by upon the L,rchan7thfS;^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^'^^ Cook:„an. The plate on the' beau i J cS told h" °' '^^""^ deceased to be fo.ty-four ; and pure, s.^et flow J te foni:,! "f a hundred clergymen from f'r anrf^ornea, On ' 'T '"''''P^ affecting sights of the occasion was the Me ch dren of o" T ""1 brother about the coffin and in the process, n,ev 1 noToldero'"'? to appreciate the fulr.ss of their loss. The chu ch n,H . /'^ gallery, choir-was heavily draped in moum,-;5 and c oX ' in e "' part, nKluding the aisles, out into the street, bf a deeply yl'th'''^ congregation. In the pulpit were Bishop Simpsof' ^Rf D wS Talmagc, Dr. Porter, Dr. Crane, Rev. Mr. McDonald and others the altar, also and a considerable portion of the centre of he church 'wl "Rev. S. Van Benschoten read Psalm xc, and Mr. Talmage i Cor. FUNERAL SERVICES. 305 inrouyhout, the bishop's manner was very subclii,^,] n^.i,., i, . ,.'-*^- to repress the rising of a great sorrow ' °"^'^ '^™2«''"e After the services the remains were carried to Philadelnliia accompanied by the family, members of the National Camp- meeting Committee, and a large delegation from the Central Church. J hey were deposited at the house of Mr. Frank Cookman, whence the next day they were escorted to the Umon Methodist Episcopal Church in Fourth Street, where additional funeral services took place in presence of a densely crowded congregation. As the clergy walked slowly into the church, the strains of the " Dead March from Saul helped to deepen the solemnity of the scene An anthem was then sung by the choir, and the Rev. Dr Nevin of the Presbyterian Church, read the Scriptures. Rev t' Dickerson announced the hymn, "Servant of God, well done which was sung by the congregation ; and the Pev Dr. R^ttlson offered prayer. The Rev. T)r. Suddards, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, after reading another Scriptura lesson, addressed the audience, in which he made feeling allusion to his intimacy with the Rev. George G Cookman, and paid a high tribute to the excellence and usefulness of both father and son. The Rev. Andr^nv Longacre next followed in an extended address, relating ^to the character, labours, and death of the deceased. The Rev. Mr. Alday, pastor of Union Church, then spoke more particularly of the last sickness of the departed. The closing address was by the Rev. Dr. (now Bishop) Foster 20 / "^J 3o6 ,i! I LIFE OF ALFREo COOAWAX. Of Drew Theological^eiJ^TN^T^ ~- substantially as follows :— ■' ^ ^' ""'^'^ 'PO^^^ brother with these-he;:::!!:;,:;^ ^. ^'^-'^' "^ ^,4 ou.- of scent.nc research ; of the power fn 7\ " '"^ '■°3'a"y of />/^.'//.r/; great principles. Tl.^u.h aTn n , .' ^''''' ''^'^"'"^^ =^"^1 gras, intellect, the range and s. ^of '^ rn''"' "'"'' ^ ^'-'- ^^^ wonderful gift, ^here is rotl^v ^f f''''''^^^' -- ""t his n,osf -antmg in this; he seen^ed 'iXlnX''''' ' ""' '"""'^^ ^^^ -^ strangely touched. "^ ^" '^ ''•''c^ "hose lips were "But he belonged to a royalty rarer hv f.r „ s^raphc royally of earth. He w^s not . i "" ''"^ "'^ "^'^'''^--the re ...xsthe brother of John who 1 "' '"' ''*^ -- Johannine. from whom he drew h s i ;« .atio ,' TT '^' ^^''^^^'-'''^ '"--'^t. ^-letcher and of Payson-th 'b " ", ;, ^' "'°-"S«' ^^ the race of permitted to grace the earth. '"'•'' '"">''^'^y ^J"*' ''.^^ ever ." When the brother prayed thii tl,» -'ght fall on us, I said, ' Am j o f, T l''' ^"■'■"' ^"^l^-- eloquence or pulpit powe so much ^"". ^^'^"'^ ' -^'«t '"'« niantl of and sacred cl-.lracter '^ '^''^ '?''-'^'' m.^gnanimous, holy, co:,' '-fmony the men of the Church during tha L^' 'T' ' ^ ''^"'^ "^""^^n -< ministry ; an/ ami was not, for God took him:" Iji^^ If 1 CHAPTER XXV. ESTIMATES OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF ALFRED COOKMAN. We have thus seen the earth close over all that was mortal of Alfred Cookman. I have sought so to weave into the narrative of his life the traits which distinguished him, as they appeared not only to myself, but also to others, that now there seems but litde. need from me for any special characterization of the man or his work. Yet it may not be amiss, before dismissing a subject which I have studied ^ with constantly increasing interest, to briefly sum up mv thoughts. ^ ■' It has seldom fallen to any man to possess a nature in all respects so admirably attempered as his was. He inherited the physical and inteHectual qualities of both his father and mother, the distinctive type being possibly rather that of his mother than his father-having much of tlie father's fiery creative energy, he yet partook more largely of his mother's strong common-sense. In body he was more robust than h.s father; m intellect he was less bold and incisive, but probably equally sure, and even more tenacious.- From a child he was healthful. When grown, in person he stood about five feet nine inches, and was well proportioned, with a full, round chest, a head of medium size, not a prominent for.head, surmounted and surrounded by rich, glossy black 3K ALFRED it was mortal :ave into the shed him, as ' others, that r any special it it may not have studied sum up my nature in all He inherited is father and 2r that of his father's fiery his mother's robust than incisive, but is.- From a 3n he stood tioned, with a prominent flossy black HISAPPEARAiVCE, A'A TURAL.VJiSS AND MODESTY. 309 hair; his eyes were gray, large, and full, with a gentle, lustrous, rather than a piercing look ; his nose was straight, with sufficiently distended nostrils; his mouth wide, lips moderately full, well set, but not too tightly compressed, showing an expression of mingled tender- ness and firmness; a chin round, smoothly shaven, and massive enough for strength— the whole face just such as to make you say when you had the hastiest view of it, "There is a marked and trustworthy man." With a ruddy complexion, a sinewy form, a steady step, an erect carriage, he looked like one born to command ; and he did command. Mr. Cookman's fine physical fibre had much to do with the exquisite delicacy of his feelings. Truly natural, with- out the least artificiality, he responded healthfully to all the works of God about him, and was never more at home than when surrounded by primitive scenes and primitive people. He was very practical ; the farthest removed from an aftec- tation of superiority to common matter-of-fact life, he ever manifested a keen zest in all the ordinary occurrences of the family and the world. " There was nothing human which was foreign to him," in the sense that whatever interested his fellow-men interested him. He never fell into the mis- take of a morbid sentimentalism which shuts itself away from men and things under the plea of contempt for man- kind. He was truly modest, shrinking whenever possible from observation, and " wondering what the churches saw in him that they should desire his poor services." The lowest seat suited him best, and was invariably taken if the choice were left to him ; and no man ever more surely fulfilled the apostolic injunction, " In honour preferring one another." (Generosity was strongly marked in his character. While 310 J.-'F£ OF ALFRED COOKMaM, !!> i^f his fr,ends he was unbounded i„ his d votion. He r , ,M xxr tI" '" ,""•' ^"^'^^ " "'o '- ™- '- -'' no™a ef; if ' " ''"■'"'^ '"""'^ "'■" charming as a pas.or- eniamt^l h . r """ °' "'' '■"'•■'"'»"''• «= instantly be irt „;' '"'"'","■ <■" "■' ""■"■idening increase- because he never seemed to forget or overlook any one he had ever loved; and into the circumstanees of all people -vhether of joy or grief, he could enter with an easeTiH directness which made all who werp tl,„ sympathy feel its genuinenet I ri g\ sZ"!"/ ''^ gentleman called to tell him of the death Z'^^'V. =ssr°t;sitta:::£r! ;=:^.---Hed^.e.^ A day or .wo afterwards the child was buried. iVvas a This generosity of heart made him very kind to fh. n It was not an uncommon thing for him dther to ^ ' impulsive y. The one tenth «f i • -^^"^^ '^^^'^ ■ostrictiy Wious irrb'revZrdrerifr larly received its tMe defosil as his Dork.t ■ 7 '^ stated dues on account of salary or from L'" "' Closely joined with this dedicat^n Zjtl^tZ'. proportion of his income ,o God, was a ZZCtt /I/S FIJJAL AJ'TECTION, 31' t an enemy, to ^. He rould niich for their as a pastor — •as constantly ig increase— k any one he >f all ])eople, an ease and pients of his St sickness a is boy. He lings, and in vill ache. It i sympathize :hing hf>art." • It was a bed he was ived family, ing on such o the poor. send or to md oftener panied the ape under )end itself dedicated r as regu- eived the ^ sources, d a stated th in the care of Divine Providence. There were times when, with a large family, he was reduced to great straits ; hut he would always lake his burden to the Lord Jesus, and somehow, often i.i a way wholly unexi)ecte(l, relief would come. During these exigencies his liberality remained the same to others. " Their need," he would say, " may be greater than mine." One of the most lovely features of Mr. Cookman's cha- racter was his filial affection. He revered the memory of his father, and loved his mothc- with a devotion which led him to sit at her feet as a little child. The recollections he retained of his father, which were sedulously cherished by the mother, invested the departed parent with a halo which, to the fervid imagination of the son, lifted him to a region ideally apart and unapproachable. The fame of the father ' 'as the son's natural inheritance, and as such he sought to preserve and improve upon it. And it is doubtful if Chris- tian biography affords many instances where a guardianship has been more faithfully rendered, or an inheritance more legitimately and substantially enlarged. Alfred Cookman will live in the Church of the future as in all respects a worthy successor of his father, the Rev. George G. Cookman. That the son owed much to the father cannot be denied ; but where has a son so well maintained himself on heights upon which his father's reputation placed him ? More, however, to the mother did he owe than to any other human being. I may repeat the thought of another and say, Mrs. Mary Cookman was mother of the body and soul of her son. What Wordsworth so justly and gratefully said of his sister, Alfred could have said of his mother ; — " She gave me eyes, she gave me ears ; And iuimble cares, delicate fears ; I fA '11 _^^^^ ^^ '^^^^^^ cooa:v.,a: A hean. the f„„„,ai„ of s,vcet l.nrs An.l love, and thouKla,a„,lj„/..' withal dovo,i,„ o h !r : ^™"""" '™'""""- ■^■'" ^™cd her wit", °eal forK- ' ,^ ""' "'■«" '■''™"")' »"■ ^or„. She neve a owS 1 ,: "'r"' 'T" °'' ''" «"'- -ever ceased to lookZ ,„ h , T'"" ''"• ""'' I-™" ''<= .-.s confidently rTylln^r '" ''" """*^ '•'S* ''= could heart; and to th f c, "f , """? '^"'""S '"^ "Pon her largely traced .ol X Z tZZ '""'"""^ '""^ '« manner, but also the , ,h,l r ^ ^""''' "' '"" "^'"^ and which distinguished hi o!:^r " """ ""^^'^' '""«-"' '".ii. upon a soun'd nl: basIsT S """-■ «^"«- considerins the mint ,„ i "'''iraate the man without natural ani sZ^::^,2:T f"''- "' ""* "^ marked from the begin„i„r Th, *'"■ ■■'"^™"°" »■•» -en, but it was en,i'e yfo oT ij '%'.' '"= "^ "-' certainly shown him to h/, t T' ""^ P^Ses have ''-•hoLife; .rter,ilV';^t^»2^-- trough intimately, and whn «.^r« n , ^ '""''^^ '^'"^ "^ost and opp:;tu„iti '^fTbLtLrt^H'^ ''"'"'°' ^="- *at he was one of the o L "o" me'n fs ^ '°r "" *" rLrLTe- :? h- - --- -- 1:~ ;n .he -er^inXtttrtuTc:;,^: "sr religious condtion din aff^^* u- ■ , '^""^*^- ^nat his / not.e,uestion:d^trt?ptt:rr:,,:ti'T..;-; \': A/OA'Al. AXD IMEIJ.ECrUAL FORCE. 313 <^y\vy, firmness ndeiiicss, and inwardly con- ed the happy 'sly and con- rs of her first- and hence he -igehe couhl as upon her 'nee may be lis mfnd and 'le judgment Cookman's *'• Religion ource of his !ian without >f both his faction was ue of most pages have on through V him most good sense • the effect rom moral so import- 'sregarded That his , lition can- It claiiTi it rather as a glory, that the distinctive energy of Mr. Cook- man was spiritual rather than intellectual. But I am not willing to concede that this energy was so exclusively moral as some assert. He did not owe all he was to religion— no, not to that highest type of it, Christian holiness— in the sense that he could have been nothing, and would have had no marked power without it. He possessed by nature a very vigorous mind. Its structure was such that with the ordinary opportunities of education it would have put him in the foremost ranks in almost any profession he might have chosen. He was endowed with all the essen- tial elements of success— a discriminating judgment, a retentive memory, a vivid fancy, a strong imagination, which saw things most clearly, a sympathizing heart, a power of application and adaptation; these, un-' . to .1 handsome person and a voice of wondrous compass and melody, must be accepted >is the faculties which onhnarily warrant success. Genius, in the highest sense, seldom falls to mortals ; but if in its usual and lower sense it consists in the power which enables a man to see things as they are, and to transfuse them with a glow whi< ' makes other men see and feel them, then may we clai .. it for Mr. Cookman. What he talked about people saw and felt. It is true that he has given no proofs of profound scholar- ship, and that he has left no evidence of fierce intellectual struggles and doubts. Hut it will be remembered that his career was thrust upon him, by a Providence he could not disregard, to be a preacher rather than a theologian. The work of the evangelist was definitively pointed out as his mission, and not the work of the student. His vocation was consequently to make history, not to write it. An actor in one of the most important crises of the American Church and nation, he has let't to others, who may have the leisure and \ I \ I i: i t /'/^-^^ Of>- AU^A>,,n COOA'AfA.V. V. I P"Wic service, an itrZ' '^ " '"''■'"'''' ^ he ".-ght have been as n^ed „ 11""°?°' *^ «""•"• versatility of his a..ai„men™l'f';"^ ",""= ''^"''"' ■■'"'' eloquence. '°' '"" Wu'ar and efiective ch":h*Ve;:"i:;'„St™i":[ *' '^°"''"- °' '^^ .■^e history of his rehgio ' .h tl:' 'iT "'" '""™' '" d.sbelief, crises of fearfuJ n„eS 'in. , """'^P"™'' <" ■nftilible signs of a strong '„ SdT sthl?""""' "'^ '""^ an orthodox word imnnt H f '"' regarded as Christianity, that nt Z cl ' Tvo;:';.','''' "/""«'°^ and original thinkers who h,= . '"= «"<^e of able Of mortal doubuou wt 2^ ""'"^ ""''"S" ">e 'h.oes which the wisdotfof a4 *s'sft" "? ""'-^'"^ •""" approved? Jfso MrcZl Judgment upon and - a fact that nran; ^f the grtrt "'"' "^ '^^'"^<'' >^'" " times have never LL7,f f °* °' ""e^e and other " So far from s' some ofT ^^ """ '''"^^ "' ""-'■ vision is mostintni;i:::„7 ;:e;sr: f T'-^^^ '^'"'- from such anxious sou, L7CT,T^Zr'7' there ts no such safeguard asainst ,1,. ™ *at such perplexities as a hearfZ ™'" <^°"^equences of leisure from itself ' " " P"'*' humble, and 'at wefneTdnr^rtrLiit' ^-tr "'^ '--'--"^ -vo'^oft^ris'llln^----^^^^^^^^^ preaching, this power was exert./ ^\ ''''"'"^' ^"^ he-ofthe«oiofc:isrrirej:,dZr:ft ins EARNESTNESS AND ORDER IN WORK. have so nobly H'ide-spread a of the study, 'e depth and ■ and eftective trines of the id disquiet in St spasms of arded as the regarded as at orthodox rade of able ^ the thioes tals of truth ■ upon and ^d. But it - and other '■> of unrest, lose whose ost exempt -lieve that quences of -, and 'at "dgments -Ilect was 1 work of office and ing, and inds and ity of his 315 oftce he was fitted by the gifts and graces just discussed. This fitness made him ready and able to use, as circum- stances required, all the legitimate meann of ministerial usefulness. He despised no means, negle d none, which could give him greater access to the hearts of the people. His invention was ever at work to impart freshness to old means, or, if necessary, to devise new expedients of exciting attention. He was among the first Methodist pastors to issue printed addresses to the congregation, or cards such as his "League of Prayer," to promote revivals of religion He usually spent the forenoons of each day, except Monday m his study, and the afternoons in pastoral calls. 7 o the sick, the bereaved, and the penitent he was very attentive. His visits were an effective instrument of his great suc- cess as a revivalist. He would follow up closely those who in the congregation manifested a desire for religion, and the result of his careful attention to persons thus exercised was that they seldom failed of obtaining comfort. Underlying his thoughtfulness and persevera.ice was his prayerfulness and faith. "I knew him," writes his wife, "when in Wilmington and other places, during a season of reli-ious awakening, to stay up until near daybreak alone iri his study, pleading with God for the conversion of the people • and when I have gone to him in the night and entreated him' to rest, he has said he 'could not, so great was his burden for souls.' He believed in intercessory prayer, and often remarked, 'Jesus spent whole nights in prayer i" The Rev. Mr. Inskip, speaking of him at the memorial service Ocean Grove, said: "His great strength he got from God at the mercy-seat. . . . Perhaps on no other occasion was this more apparent than in that wonderful season of prayer at Vineland. A halo of gbr^- was around him He rose from his knees with his hands heavenward, his eyes I 316 LIFE OF ALFRED COOICMAN. under thrarbrlee'DTL^r P 7'"'^'"='^ '' -' "3 knees, with his hands raised, asking God for^™' °" Instmctively I opened my eve, wrfn, r "^^ .""^^^^e^. and reaching up as high IsL ^oufd eemeZ '"T" blessings asked for • pnH ^k r , > ' ^^^^^^ to grasp the • he thanid God Igaln or r^ Ho' °" '': '"^^ '^^^•"' me to see such faith that wouMjusfrelcnn^ T ' '^' God was about to give ! " ^ ^""^ ^^^ ^^^^^ Prayer and faith were never lost s.Vhf nf • u- tions for the nulnit R« [^^t sight of in his prepara- luc puipit. He sought d rectinn nf r^^ i • , selection and elaboration of his topics tnd / ^ '" '^' upon God for their effectiveness h; ^'^'"''^'^ than when preaching. ^N^:^l.,f;:ZT\ ''''''' t've, he was at tin.es borne away by a Mo/. " TT which swept both preacher and Lwi ^ ^^'^'"^' strength. Mr Cookm.n T n '' "P°" ^'^ ^^^'^^less or n^physic^'r;'::^ t^^ ^"^^^^ more substantial facts o revektion sTl ^'' ^ ""'' ""^ -mple language, and enliven't:^^^^^^^^^ ^ythec^tJi~Lrr:;r^L:triif: Barnes, of Philadelphia, was exceedingly fond oftX; I •ng, as affording to his mind one of he bL 1 ^T"^' ■n .he Cfdheld'" ThTcr ^cS "he t^o^rof 7™^ was a constancy recurring ..enre^whiiXtre::^;; V. 'ver the ground ^ gentleman of occasion : " I leland; it was r were holding r. He was on for blessings. om his knees, to grasp the knees again, » good it did arid get what I his prepara- ' God in the -n depended ever happier and ins true- holy feeling, its resistless -t profundity Plainer and m usually in ral imagery, vere appre- iijoyed also R-ev. Albert his preach- xamples of Cookman's ee Persons i of Jesus, repeatedly CHARACTER OF HIS PREACHING. J17 dwelt upon the person, office, and work of the Holy Ghost, It was by no mere novelties he drew the masses— the common people heard him gladly, not as they rushed to see a show, but expecting from his lips the word of life ; and he gave them bread, the vital truth of God, to feed them, and did not mock them with a stone. His popularity in the pulpit was not due to meretricious ornaments, or to the low buffoonery that caters to a vi< )us taste, but to what he was as a holy man, and to he said as the ambassador of Jesus Christ. If his themes were few, they were chosen conscientiously, because he believed it was impossible for a man wno preached to save men to stir from the cross of the Re- deemer. He did, however, present these themes with great freshness and unction. " To me," said an eloquent minister, who knew him well and heard him often, " he was one of the freshest of speakers." Whatever of light from nature, art, or jxissing events could be shed on these topics for their more forcible illustration, he sought and diligently applied. Nothing was more apparent than that in the pulpit lie was a thoughtful man in a thinking and active age. BiU, above all, did he make the invariable impression that his trust for the success of the Word was upon supernatural help. The hearer who did not gather this failed of the sim])]est teach- ing of the devout preacher. The whole effect of the man was, that whoever might be the instrument used, it is God who giveth the increase. The effect of h-'s evident reliance upon Divine aid was also heightened by his free, natural, and forcible delivery. His voice and gestures were always suited to his subjects— now low, slow, and tender, and anon rising into vehemence of sound and action with the cumulation of thought and feeling. Ample preparation having been made, !' li ?i8 LIFI. OF ALFRED COOA'MA.V. -eded boa gave and recei/ed ^i ^" , t^l:, '(, as a preacher, take him all in all he h./V -_*c.ve poplar d.eo„r.a.„„:^.t ;:i:rr:; trusted h™. He Ta " ;„s™ ;:::" 'r/"/'^' ^"^ '"^^ P-i.y in the minor as well a ^re . : ^ ra^ ' h""''' "! was always seasoned with sracr h^ T ■ V ''"'"='' the flavour of hnn ^ur he wt M r *' ™' ""''*'''="' '° 'bitterness, coarsen ssa'ndr ;!%:'"', '™°^^' ''"=" .ee^rrrr^h^r.:'!^^^^^^^^^^^ .if - attuned to the harm,%n„ „<■ ^ ^°f' '"'" u to tne narmony of sweet sounds, he vet esteemM sav)ng men preferable to all the del.Vl,,. ,/"^'=teemed ifforrf T^:, .V L ■ aelights which art could ^flord. Th,s hought ,s admirably pointed by the substance yJrZ:T ''' "* '"■" "' «- Battershal , Ne; «:^adeCt. ^ "^ ""'""^^ ^' ^"""'^ ^-<''» StreeZ marked to me on one occasion that 'the c uknre f' T' beautiful within proper limit was all well and ^ooT bt hi ■ the pulpit un- y of the sermon md as he pro- It is doubtful d his superior >unger men of ill express the opie, and they k, a model of His speech indifferent to emoved from nperate in all ion offence — es. With as ny soul ever yet esteemed :h art could fie substance hall, of New fden Street, isoriousness nd yet with Lil Christian )erilled, re- ture of the od, but he f souls of ure.' " on did not ained fully _^^PI^ACEjNTIlEJffSTORY OF THE CHURCIf. 3,, his position as a citizen of the state. To hi.^'^~ before lum, "poHtics was the body of religion- • and L ever took the liveliest interest in the great socll and po fti I questions of his times, as closely related to the welfore o Chnst s kmgdom and the race. He was decided and active in the Temperance and other humane reforms, giving to them not only his countenance, but his cordial sZ-p^rt' Mu " ess d,d h.s calhng as a Methodist pastor exclude him from ^e most mtmmte fellowship with all the people of God He was UKapable of narrowness. ,Ie loved the ima^e of Jesus wherever he saw it, and was happy to count among us dearest fr.ends and fellow-workers many ministers and laymen beyond the pale of his own denomination. In no slight degree did his truly catholic spirit help forward the deepenmg unity and spirituality which are now pervading he several branches of Christ's holy church. And it mat be safely affirmed that there is no name of American Methodism of the present generation more ardently revered by Christians of all denominations than the name of Alfred Cookman. In assigning him his place in the modern Church the distmcfon which I claim for him is that of a marked illus- tration of the doctrine of Christian holiness. Whatever may have been originally in the mind of God concerning hun, evidently the providential circumstances of his life tended to mould his character and to shape his mission for this end. He was not disobedient to the heavenly calling He can in no sense be ranked with original men-such as found new systems of thought, new societies, or even new methods of activity; his rank is with the class .vho afford he material, furnish the facts out of which systems, socie- ties, and methods are constructed. As a fact, Mr Cook man's lite is of incalculable value to the student of the great I' r 320 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAX. problem of Christian ethics. No mind, however critical, can contemplate so stnkmg an exhibition of moral purity, in its direct relation to the Gospel as its efficient cause" and ignore the mportance of the Divine element in the great process o elevating the human race. While to Chrisdan inquired ^ith an animus to know what is the utmost that the Gospel of Christ can accomplish for a believer "n Jesus it is an instance which must excite the highest wonder and eight as affording another example of the practicability and beauty Thetl" ^r rl °"" '"" ^'^^ ^'^°"S their'own circles' fellows, ifted him up to shine as a clear, steady light by the very pathways of busy people. ^ h ^ ^y me And this, to show what Christianity can actually do for know ' P""'^"^g P^'^'-' •« -h^t the worid most needs to in r; ''"V "'Z-^^''""' P^°°' °^ '"^'^ ^-h as is given m the case of our fnend, is worth a thousand speculations. Ihe danger of our age lies in the direction of sinking out of ight as a reality the agency of the Holy Ghost in tb^ Teat tTc ""r':"'- "^'^ ^""^^"^>' ^^ '- -duce the^ great Fir t Cause of salvation to a series of subordinate and incidental causes whereby man is manipulated into a new life. 7 he scientific spirit is reasoning God out of the pro- cess of saving the worid. An idolatrous worship of intellect n eatens to drown in an incense of thought, culture, ideas, the s ronger part of human nature, the /...;-/-_out of which are the issues of life. It is sought in some localities to pohtely bow out of society the Gospel of the cleansing Wood, of regenerating grace, for a new Gospel of "culture- Mr Cookman s life is an attestation of the abiding strength and the spnng-like freshness of the old Gospel It is an example of moral and spiritual purity, made such not by the mnovating process of the " schools," but by the HIS CHILDREN. 321 power of the Holy Ghost, through the blood shed on Calvary. '• It is the old, old story of Jesus and His love." As such I have sought to present it to men. It may be that greater men have died without any such extended record of their lives ; but I doubt if any one has lived among us more worthy of careful mention. He embodied in himself the attributes of humanity most necessary to be known, loved and imitated. These attributes had their rise in the cross of Jesus Christ— a source accessible alike to all persons. He lived and died an example of the reality and power of Christian purity— one of the r^ost beautiful specimens of a natural, simple, yet divinely spiritual manhood which it has fallen to this or any age to possess ; and as such he takes his position among the departed worthies of the Christian Church. Mr. Cookman left seven children :— George Grimston Frank Simpson, Annie Bruner, William Wilberforce, Mary' Helen Kier, and Alfred ; Alfred Bruner and Rebecca Evans having died before him. Mrs. Cookman, his widow, and the children, have their permanent residence in Phila- delphia, Pa. BY THE REV. ALFRED LONGACRE. There can be no doubt that Mr. Cookman's personal character entered argely into the elements of his power. It was the substratum on which his ample influence securely rested. It is difficult, however to distinguish in him the simple natural endowments from the pre- cious gifts o. Divine grace, since grcce began its work so early in 21 n IF^^ 'i' : mm if ■ f': otihI h 322 Z/FE OF ALFRED COOKMAU. in him was but the /earn of tt rT. ??' ""^' '^'' «"t^™nl grace feelings within. To'X o , t :^:^:r T ^'''' ^"? '^"^ friend— ^ "^ "^^ '^"^^ Tennyson callj his " The sweetest soul That ever looked through human eyes. " m Conference that did cost him somethinrrU 1' f ^''^ ^^^'^ ^°'^^ convictions as a teacher of the t nM ^ "■ ^^^'' '''^ ''^^''^ ^^^'"'^ attended with trial and .1 ena ij, f""T '"T'' '"' "^''^ "«' """ doubt where Alfred Cookman Id or"''' f'' ^'^^'^ ^'^^' --'■ ^o ' this was with no slndow of K , '^"''"°" "'^ '^""^cience. And •'meekness of rsdom''witUheT<.°' self-assertion, but in the "sweet reasonablenesTof Cl'lst.'- ' ""''"^^^ ^"^ gentleness." the His character ^^as rounded and well noisprl -,.,1 .1 also a deeper under! vintr wisdL ! ^ ' '''^''^ "'''^^ ^^''^^ it imagined, b'ecause it SflJ ^ w .Tv ZZ "'" '""^' '^^ -" was peculiarly a man made to be loved ^ ""obtrusive. Altogether he his quick sympathies and 4 m t ^est lere S ' " "•' '"'^"'^''P' the love we gave him Fp,,, I ^ ^"'^" '" ''etinn for greatly belovl^ InThe ch ,r h The l' 1 ""' 'f "^ '^^ ^^^^^^'^ - - standingly, for I have twic f^ Ln.mit r ^ '•'^^^'^ ""^'^^■ then visiting New Z one of T "' '^ ^"^'^ '^"'^ ^^'•^- ^aniline, of years, hfweve: "I"' vi ws werrur°rr"-\ ^°^ ^ -™^- doctrine. But about thirteen year a "hi 00 • " '"'P^'^' '° '^' 't again, and he entered into the clear enin "'', "'' '^'^"^^""^ ^^ experience. His convictions on h " biectT" f '' " ^ P^''^^"^' -- -ce remind you ^;-:Er^r i;ts:^i;f i A MODEL MINISTER. 323 »• As we knew lie outward grace spirit and fine ^nnyson callj his le or mean, in- thers. His soul and unselfish, here were votes , as there were t were not un- dy had ever to " iscience. And n, but in the jentleness," the re was with it new him well Altogether he liis friendship, i" return for widely or so [ speak under- intervals— his le dearer and Sod. It was uence was so ire sanctifica- trs. Hamline, >r a number pect to this awakened to s a personal hat time the 3n all fitting ■stood. Yet ling of self. exaltation. He never failed to disclaim all goodness in or fro 1 himself ; but he rejoiced always, and with exultant faith, in the power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse him from all sin. His own faith and experience never seemed to separate him from others who did not ihini< or feel as he did. No one felt at a distance from him by reason of his holiness. It was a holiness that attracted, not one that repelled. He has supported this Scriptural teaching with all his consecrated abilities. To it he has given the most cogent of his arguments, and still more effectively his almost irresistible powers of persuasion. But his life has been more powerful still. Men might, if they pleased, oppose his arguments with doubts and objections ; they might even turn away from his burning a]ipeals; ,but no one could question the living purity of the man, the practical embodiment of holiness in his life. In the shadow of approaching death -he expressed his joy and gratitude that he had been permitted to experience and to uphold this great salvation— the fulness of the power of Jesus Christ to save. And he has gone. In the golden prime of his days, in the fresh maturity and plenitude of his beautiful life, he has gone from his work and from us, who have loved him so well. Recollections of Alfred Cookman, as a preacher, by the Rev. James M. Lightboum, of Baltimore, Md. :— " Alfred Cookman was the best model of a Methodist preacher I ever knew. He was, in the highest and strictest sense of the word, a gentleman. True politeness springs from the heart— such was his. He was as gentle antl respectful to the humble poor as he \^'as graceful and polite to the most refined and cultured. With suavity of manners he united firmness of character. While his spirit was most loving, and his nature gentle and extremely sensitive, he was a hero in the cause of truth, both aggressively and defensively. " As a camp-meeting preacher, Alfred Cookman was a prince among his brethren. An announcement that he would preach always insured a large congregation. A sermon preached by him at the Camden Camp, upon the subject of entire sanctification, will never be forgotten by those who heard it. It was the clearest exposition of the great doctrine I ever heard. His appeals were irresistible, and swept 324 LIFE OF ALFRED COOKMAN. •-in angel, and I.is voice ran.: ove T'Jr'" ^""'^ '"''' '"^'-* '^^^^ of to .nany Laodicean hearts ' ll ivt J Sv!", ""'i"' ""^'"^ ^•""^''^''°" camp-meeting efforts." '^'^'^^'^ '>ave been known to follow his A tribute from the Rev. T. De Witt Talmage, D.D. .- .o;:?:i:::s.^re^:::t:;:d' in t:r^^ '--' r -- '^^ '^^ --• nothing so much I ever hear Wm sav or ^" H -'V''''' ''y- '' ^^^ that so in^pressed me as J^ Tie Aft IrJ;"'' ^ """ ^''^' impersonated. I met him often on the n ^r ^r *; °^ "'^ ^''^P^l lanthropic meetings. To be w in ^ ?'' °^ ''^'Sion. and phi- saw him the more' I loved him Hil"" '°i '• ' ''^""'- ^'^^ '"-- I tengrainsofmetaphysiclnnd "1 ''T?'"^' "''"^^ '"'' '"''^''e up of grain of Gospel, but'w h h, n S"' r'"''" ^^^'^^^P'^^ '« '- circle of three feet around tll^aol^f Zl"'' T' '" ^"'- «--P - there was of Alfred Cookman "^ ' ''"'' ^°" *"'^'= '" ^^^ that spmt. and die at last his beautiful ^T.Z^^.::t^^ ""^ °^'^'^ The Rev. Dr. W. M. man's preaching :— Paxton's estimate of Mr. Cook- ^^r^l:^:z:Tt:^ - -r'-''-- ^^^ -mons glowing, eloquem. Hi pu pU no ^ ' r'"'' '"'"''""^^ '^""'-"t. largely in two things :_ ^^ ^''''''' ''' ^ '^^'^''^'^d it. consisted " ^- ^" the happy faculty which he hiH r,F ■ ■ cast to all his thinking. Few me havri, ^'"""^ '" experimental .^^ng an their pre^hing S t^ilr ^ " h ^^^^ ^ '^^ ^ ^" - £ aUir ::;:s^tr iss; ^-^- ^h- , i ,_, who. I am told, was in his Sy un " £ ::. ''^ ^''^.^'"^-i^hed father but when his voice was silenced fhlr ' 'P'""' °^ eloquence- remen^ber to have-listen "r 'atl e. f "'''^'•^P'-°d"<^«l i" his son. I at his beautiful pictures for ly w e " r'^ ""'f "'' ^'-^^^ ^'^^'g'^' panoramic painting, before my vkw f;?;'" '''^ '^^^ P^-^^ '^^^ volume of his sermons will beUSed b ,?""'' °^ '°"'^'' ''''' ^ Pwousncd , but permit me to suggest. V. rew from lieaven. was like that of ^nying conviction 'wn to follow his ge, n.D. :— le like the sound ine day. It was /er saw him do, ; of the Gospel ligious and phi- d. The more I not made up of lilosophy to one I presume, ished fatlier, eloquence — 1 his son, I Teat delight passed like irse, that a to suggest. REFERENCES TO HIS CHARACTER, 325 also, tiiat a small volume of pictorial illustrations, gathered from his sermons, might do great good. It occurs to me, however, that it is quite probable that many of his finest things were never written. The faculty being a gift, and not an acquirement, I can well understand that it would be fettered rather than assisted by the pen." From the Rev. George S. Hare, D.D., the successor of Mr. Cookman at the Central Church, Newark, New Jersey : — " I first met Alfred Cookman in Pittsbuigh, Pennsylvania. lie was vei7 open and frank, and went at on^e to a warm place in niy heart. The thing that struck me, outside of himself, at Pittsburgh, was that he was so entirely loved, and almost idolized by his people. I could easily tell why, from the impression he had made on myself. I met him again soon after in New York, where I was a pastor, and he had come to speak at an anniversary. I do not remember to have had any further inter- course with him until he .succeeded me as pastor of the Central Church, in New York. I had removed to Trinity, in the same city, and of course we saw much of each other. I think the relations of an old pastor and his successor were never more delightful. Knowing the Church by heart, I had an opportunity to observe his influence upon it —to see how quickly he won all hearts, and how entirely they came to confide in him as a friend and teacher. He followed me also at Trinity, and our relations remained the same. We were true friends and brothers in our work, and Alfred Cookman never impressed me but in one way— as the gentlest, purest, and most sincere of men. I am again his successor, but never more will he succeed me. I came here under the shadow of his death to a broken-hearted people. It is doubtful if he ever accomplished more for a Church in any full term of service than for this Central Church of Newark in the few months of his pastorate here. He was ripe in his holiness, and his influence fell like a power of God on all around him. His triumphant death sealed it all, and left tht Church so chastened in spirit, so in love with goodness, so aspirant toward purity, that it has been but an easy and joyful task to lead it on to good and noble works. His memory here is as sweet and prec.ous as the memory of mortal man can be. I attempt no estimate of his character, but I give these few impressions of an influence which has fallen like sunshine on my way, with gratitude to God that He gave me Alfred Cookman for a friend and a brother." w n ll M[ i 326 I./F£ OF ALFRED COOA'MAJV. th! """""r^ T'"" ''^PP'-°P"^'>^^'y ^lose these testimonials to the worth and ..efulness of Mr. Cookn.an, nor the history than ' ' T^ ;! '"' ""'''' "^y P'^^-^^^"^ ^^^k to record, tun by ,„ot,ng the reference made to his character and address dehvered by that gentleman before the late General of tr.T ^'-^f^ethodist Episcopal Church in the city bLc^ Ch^rk Th ''"^""^'^ characterizing Bishops iiakcr, Clark, Thompson, and Kingsley, the Rev Drs Matt.son, Se.all, McClintock, and Nfdal,''all of vvhom h d died since he came to America, he said — "And then I think of a later loss than these-a blame- charm for me, whose saintly spirit exhaled so sweet a fra- C lit'a T ''T'' '■''-'' '-'' "^^ y^^' -^ ^^^^ -nt we e 1 fe , 'T^ """°^' ''' ^^h°"^ ^he everlasting doors were lifted, as he was stricken into victory in his prime and chariot of Israel, and go 'sweeping through the «ates washed m the blood of the Lamb/" ^ THE END. ^'"'°" and Hazel), Printers, Wi^;ri;;jl^,bury. Hoddcr and Stoughton's Publications. New and Cheaper Edition. MEN OF FAITH ; or, Sketches from the IJook of Judges- IJy the Rev. Lifuk II. 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