1 LETTER TO HIS SISTER. 225 Secretary of the Church Extension Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is not too much to say that the whole Church shared in the feeling of sorrow here expressed by Mr. Cookman. The letter, which was written soon after from the seat of the Conference at Harrisburg, will recall to those who were present the tender fidelity which he showed as chairman of the committee on memorial services for deceased brethren. The beautiful service for rendering the occasion impressive was due to his thoughtfulness. "February 15, 1867. "We have had an unusually solemn week. The tribe of Levi, with its immediate adherents, seem, in the providence of God, to have been placed in the front of the battle. The arrows of death are flying around us thick and fast. First the self-sacrificing Beckwith, of the Bedford Street Mission, fell, with this sentiment upon his lips: 'I am safe in Jesus-all is well.' Last Saturday a daughter of the Rev. William Barnes went to Heaven; her last words were, 'I have fought a good fight.' Tuesday I made the address at the funeral of Helen Batcheldor,* and accompanied the cortège to Trenton. Her dying testimony was, 'I see Jesus.' On Wednesday we had the funeral obsequies of the lamented Munroe, one of the most useful and efficient ministers of American Methodism. It was one of the most impressive occasions of the kind I ever witnessed. Hundreds of ministers, great multitudes of people, the deepest bereavement, the most undisguised affection, and the most tender and touching eulogies. Munroe died gloriously. It was virtually a translation, while the character of the man and the circumstances of his death make the event a sermon. addressed to a continent. Personally I am greatly bereaved. Dr. Munroe was a great favourite of mine-one of my model ministers. My estimate of him is expressed in the resolutions of the Philadelphia Preachers' Meeting. Dr. Mattison's address on the occasion of the funeral was especially beautiful. I wish you could have heard it. In the midst of 'deaths oft' I cling to that perfect love that casteth out all fear, sweetly realizing that with my life hid with Christ in God, nothing shall be able to separate the bond. All is well-all is well." * Widow of the late Rev. Mr. Batcheldor, of the New Jersey Conference, and daughter of the Rev. Dr. Bartine. CHAPTER XVIII. SPRING GARDEN STREET CHURCH.-THE DEATH OF GEORGE COOKMAN AND OF ALFRED BRUNER COOKMAN. THE unremitting pastor had hardly rested from the evangelistic 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 1st, 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 layman uniting so many qualities of the Christian, the gentleman, and the business man, it could do but little 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 his other half, the complement of himself. THICKENING SHADOWS. 227 Laurel Hill was within the next few months to become even more sacred and precious, by reason of others who should be gathered to its silent bosom. In the spring following he was called as the pastor of Bishop Simpson's family to stand by the dying bed of their son, Mr. Charles Simpson, and to administer to him and to them the consolations which now more than ever experience had taught him to understand. He had seen its embrace receive his ministerial friends Munroe, Heston, and Brainard, his young. friend Simpson, his child Rebecca, his brother George; but the grave was yet unsatisfied, and the demand soon came for one even nearer and dearer than all the rest. His eldest son, Bruner, who had so long struggled with disease, and who at times had given signs of improvement with the hope of ultimate recovery, at last succumbed to the destroyer. The brave boy died March 2nd, 1868. Thus the shadows thickened around the devout pastor and his family. Yet in the deepest darkness he retained his cheerfulness; under all the suffering his spirit-as grapes when pressed give forth the invigorating juice-seemed to grow in saintliness both as to intrinsic depth and visible influence. "The darts of anguish fix not Where the seat of suffering is thoroughly fortified The following "BIOGRAPHY OF A GOOD Boy" was written by Mr. Cookman, and afterwards published by request in the Methodist Home Journal, and is so creditable alike to father and son, and so well adapted to benefit the youthful readers of this volume, that I insert it almost entire :— "BIOGRAPHY OF A GOOD BOY. "Our precious son, Alfred Bruner Cookman, brought to our home great joy, and for nearly sixteen years was a constant satisfaction and comfort. If there is such a thing as natural goodness, he seemed to be its fortunate possessor. His 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 of 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 the morals, habits, manners, and appearance of his brothers and sisters. Naturally dignified and thoughtful, he impressed all by his quiet movements, his perfect politeness, and his singular sense of propriety. "With these superior qualities of character he associated fine intellectual 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. Sometimes 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 remembrance of sermons, the numerous questions he would ask on Scriptural, theological, and general 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 himself 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 probationer in the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, in the city of New York. "His Christian life was marked by consistency of conduct and strict attention 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 COOKMAN. 229 the melancholy privilege of bearing his precious body carefully and lovingly to its last resting-place. "Since our dear boy's death we have found his diary, kept when he was but twelve years of age. A few extracts will throw some light on his character and life. 66 In January 8, 1865, he writes: To-day I have experienced religion. In the afternoon I went up to the altar, but did not find Christ. the evening I found Him. Glory to God!' This was rather a restoration of the joys of God's salvation. 66 February 2: To-day we had a surprise party at Mrs. T.'s.' Then he records what he and his little brothers and companions gave this humble and afflicted widow, and concludes the account thus: "Then we sang hymns, spoke pieces, Mrs. A- prayed, and we went home.' "About the same date he writes: Glory to God, the slaves are free!' April 3, he says: "This afternoon we heard that Richmond and Petersburg are taken by Grant and Sheridan; I had the house illuminated for the victory. Praise God for victory!' 66 April 15, he writes: "This morning we had awful news; President Lincoln is dead.' He then records all the particulars of the assassination, and appends the sentiment, Thy will be done.' "About the same time he records: 'My sister Beckie died April 10, 1865. We miss her. Pa and ma says she looked more beautiful in death than in life. She is an angel in heaven to-day. Sweet be her sleep!' 66 Observe, these are extracts from the journal of our Christian boy when he was but twelve years of age, and living in New York. 66 During our pleasant pastorate at Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, his health seemed better. He was able to go to school, and, as his teachers testify, was obedient, studious, and ambitious to excel. In his boyish sports he was hearty and very happy. Though some of his companions had more of physical strength, yet none of them seemed to enter more deeply into the spirit of the enjoyment than he did. His associates all said of him, Alfred Bruner Cookman is a good boy-good at school, good in the street, good at play, good in his words, good in 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 |