ENTIRE CONSECRATION.

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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 mind and heart, my hours, my energies, my reputation, my worldly substance, my everything, without reservation or limitation. 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 please God by believing that the 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 the testimony of a good conscience 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."

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CHAPTER VIII.

FROM COUNTRY TỎ CITY.-TRIP TO ENGLAND.

THE annual session of the Philadelphia Conference was held in the spring of 1847, at Wilmington, Delaware. Bishop Hamline presided. Alfred Cookman, having finished up his 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 friends. The Conference was very full, it being found difficult to station all the preachers, and so, at the advice of the presiding bishop, it was voted to receive none 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. The young minister, however, had consecrated himself to the Master's cause, according to the order of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Church of his 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 Lambdin to the Delaware City Circuit, in the State of Delaware, with the Rev. Robert McNarmee for his preacher in charge.

DIMINISHED SPIRITUAL POWER.

77

Before I follow him to his new circuit, an important fact in his inward life 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 a similar but a more prolonged check during this session of the Conference. The explanation is best given in his own words. They are a continuation 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 description of endless progress regulated by endless peace! Fidelity to truth, however, with a solicitude that others may profit by my errors, constrains me to add another paragraph of my personal testimony. 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—that I should, under any circumstances, have carelessly parted with this pearl of personal experience! Eight weeks transpired-weeks of light, strength, love, and blessing; Conference came on; I found myself in the midst of beloved brethren; forgetting how easily the infinitely Holy Spirit 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 suffered serious loss. my next field of labour I proceeded with consciously diminished spiritual power."

Το

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 friendship-Mrs. L. A. Battershall, of

New York-I have received the following reference to his character and work at this time :

“Numbered with the most pleasant memories of the bygone 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 into a levity unbecoming a minister of the Gospel of Christ.

"Delaware City Circuit at that time embraced a considerable portion of the wealthy agricultural district of Newcastle 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 from 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 appropriation was made to pay his board, but he was expected to "stay around" among the families, remaining longest where it was most congenial, or where, from the means and kind

FIRST APPOINTMENT.

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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 best 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 quarterly 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 Cookman was again an applicant for admission, and was received. His first appointment in the minutes occurs this year, to Germantown Circuit, which included Germantown and Chestnut Hill. The Rev. James A. Massey was his presiding elder. The circuit comprised a very beautiful suburban region of Philadelphia. Germantown and Chestnut 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 surprising 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