services. This society was pleased to express their appreciation of their retiring pastor by passing resolutions which are valuable as a tribute to him and as a hint to other ministers :

"Whereas Rev. Alfred Cookman, our late pastor, has, in the economy of our Church, been transferred to another field of labour

"Resolved, That we remember with great pleasure our relations during the term of his pastorate, and that we deem his unusual interest in our Association, and continued efforts to promote its prosperity, as worthy of particular mention and record.

"Resolved, That to his regular attendance upon our meetings, his courteous yet earnest participation in our discussions, his evident anxiety that our organization should prove of the highest benefit to the Church, and his constant endeavour for this result, is due much of its prosperity and usefulness.

"Resolved, That upon retrospect of the term of Brother Cookman's service, we are led to believe that the pastors of our churches would add greatly to the effectiveness of their labours by more fully interesting themselves in the established meetings and organizations of their charges; as an active sympathy in concerns already enlisting the sympathies of their people must afford opportunity not otherwise enjoyed of learning their dispositions and peculiarities, of securing a place in their affections, and of gaining confidence, respect, and influence—as also, by counsel and co-operation, of promoting wiser action and developing wider results.

"Resolved, That the name of Rev. Alfred Cookman be placed upon the list of honorary members of this Brotherhood."

CHAPTER XV.

TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEW YORK.-THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC AND THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.

MR. COOKMAN was next appointed, in the spring of 1863, to the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in West Thirtyfourth Street. Here his ministry proved highly acceptable and useful. The congregations were never larger than while he was pastor, and there were many valuable accessions to the Church. There are some persons still connected with Trinity, and some belonging to other churches in the city, who were the fruits of his fidelity at this time, and who are among the most useful and active Christians in New York. The savour of his piety diffused itself rapidly through all the departments of the station. He established a service on Friday afternoons, under his personal control, for the advancement of Christian purity, and succeeded in gathering to it many of the earnest lovers of holiness within his own charge, and some beyond it. These meetings were very helpful to the piety of the Church, and were instrumental in bringing not a few into the clearer light of perfect love. In their use his personal religious experience was also greatly enriched, and his ministry correspondingly nourished.

The most marked event of this pastoral term was Mr. Cookman's visit to the Army of the Potomac on special

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, organized for the relief of the soldiers of the United States, in addition to what was done for them directly by the Government, 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 Commission 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 drafted for its occasional services ministers and laymen of the first talents; and the good it accomplished, 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, 10 o'clock. "You will not object to a short note, I am sure. 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 for us to preach to them,

ARMY EXPERIENCES.

193

in the afternoon. Thereupon I hastened to Wesley Chapel, and heard a masterly sermon on the subject of the Transfiguration from my friend B. Peyton Brown; met any number of old friends; yielded to the pressing invitation of Mrs. T—, and accompanied her home to dinner. "After dinner Brother Scott called, and we proceeded again to the camp of the First Maine. The men were drawn up in a hollow square. It was a magnificent spectacle. They appeared in full dress uniform and under arms, accompanied by a brass band. Surrounded by a large company of Washingtonians, I held forth the Word of Life. It was an open-air service, and consequently very exhausting. Nevertheless I got through comfortably. The men were solemn and attentive, and I trust good was done. After the service I distributed some papers and hymnbooks, and seized the opportunity to converse religiously with a number of the soldiers. With Brother Charles Lane, my first class-leader, I then went home to tea. Oh how very, very cordial he was! I praise my Heavenly Father for his friendship and love. At seven I went to the Armoury Square Hospital, and preached to a chapel full of soldiers. Never have I addressed a more attentive or apparently interested company of men. They hung on every syllable. At the close about twenty rose for prayers. The power of the Highest rested upon the assemblage. We sang 'Going home,' 'Marching along,' 'Rest for the weary': oh how the noble boys poured out the tide of song! I thought while I was preaching to them, many a faithful mother and sister are pouring out their souls in earnest prayers for their absent sons and brothers. God gave me their hearts, and the chaplain is clamorous for me to remain and labour among them during the present week. I leave the determination of this to that faithful God whose I am and whom I

serve.

"This ends my first day of labour. Glory to God to-night for His mercy shown the very feeblest of all His messengers! Oh how my soul trusts and rejoices in the God and Rock of my salvation! To-morrow I move, as a good soldier of Jesus, just where my Captain directs. My foot has been very sore, obliging me to limp in walking; still I have not been hindered in any department of work. Remember me to all friends. Ask my people to pray for their absent pastor, that God will own and bless his humble labours in behalf of our brave soldiers. Kiss

my children for papa. Tell dear mother and sister Mary, and John and sister M- to remember me specially before God, and believe me yours devotedly."

"BRANDY STATION, AT THE FRONT, February 29, 1864. "Here I am at the front, within a few miles of General Lee's army,

We left Washington this morning

and yet as calm as a summer's eve. 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 débris 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.

Arriving at

an ordinary Here we have

than I had ex

"My companions in the service of the Commission, Brothers Hatfield and Watkins, were very fraternal and pleasant. Brandy Station, we found our head-quarters quite near, camp-meeting tent, with a front and rear apartment. our bunks for sleeping; rather rough, but better almost 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. However, 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 cannot 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 dispatched 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 circumstances, 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. Shut up in our tent, letter-writing was