CHAPTER XI.

MINISTRY AT CHRIST CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PA.—INCREASING FAME AND USEFULNESS.

THE Methodists of Pittsburgh having completed their new and beautiful Christ Church, renewed their invitation to Mr. Cookman to consent to be transferred to take the charge of it. Their solicitations were seconded by Bishop Simpson, then a resident of Pittsburgh. Notwithstanding Mr. Cookman's love for his Conference, in view of the advice of the bishops and the noble enterprise at Pittsburgh, he accepted the invitation, and was transferred by Bishop Morris in the spring of 1855. It was not without regret that the people of Harrisburg parted with him. As evidence of the universal respect and affection with which he was regarded, I quote from one of the newspapers of the day:

"FAREWELL SERMON.-Rev. Mr. Cookman preached his farewell sermon on Sabbath evening. So great was the anxiety to hear it that the church was crowded to its utmost capacity at an early hour, and a large number of persons were unable to obtain seats at all. Mr. Cookman preached a discourse eminently appropriate to the occasion, and was more than ordinarily eloquent and impressive. He spoke with much apparent sincerity and feeling, and a large portion of the congregation were affected to tears. Mr. Cookman has labored in this community for two years with great success, and was respected and beloved not only by his own congregation, but by the people of our town generally. He was popular with all classes and all denominations, and his departure is universally regretted. He left Harrisburg yesterday afternoon for Pittsburgh, the scene of his future ministerial labors, carrying with him the heart-warm blessings of hundreds of true friends. May the largest prosperity attend him."

How Mr. Cookman was impressed with Pittsburgh before his transfer.

H

To his wife:

“PITTSBURGH, Tuesday afternoon, June 14, 1854. ***“About three o'clock the train came thundering along. Finding seats we hurried off, and until day-dawn dozed away the tedious moments. Then the 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 any thing I have ever beheld. Without 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. Well, I must say I rather like it. True, there is a good deal of smoke and the houses generally look cloudy, but it is not near as bad as I anticipated. The buildings are good, some of the residences quite elegant, and every thing seems to exhibit the spirit of energy and enterprise. The place strongly reminds me of many English cities which I have visited. It is not unlike New York, more like it certainly than Philadelphia. I fancy that like myself you would be agreeably disappointed in Pittsburgh. I have already traversed the city pretty thoroughly; among other places I have visited the new Christ M. E. Church, and do not think me enthusiastic or extravagant when I say that it is far, far ahead of any thing in the form of a Methodist Church I have ever seen. They are about finishing the basement, which is very handsomely frescoed and fitted up in elegant style. The audience-room will be most magnificent. I wandered through, as I desired, entirely incognito. If I can I will procure a lithographic representation of the edifice, that you may have some idea. Well, now, I hear you say, 'Just as I expected and prophesied. He had no business to go to Pittsburgh; a convert already.' No, dear, I would prefer to remain in the Philadelphia Conference than to assume the responsibility which would devolve upon the pastor of such a charge. Very much would be expected, and I do not want to be obliged to meet such expectations. Worse things, though, you may rest assured, might happen to us than being sent to Pittsburgh. So far as I am concerned, with my beloved Annie and charming boys, I could be perfectly happy in a cabin on the tallest peak of the Alleghanies. It is your presence and enthusiastic love which covers my path with sunshine and makes me a happy home any where. You need not fear, I think, a transfer to Pittsburgh. I am staying at the City Hotel, kept by Messrs. Glass & Chase, gentlemen who have treated me already with very marked attention and favor. I wonder how you all are this evening. I think of you almost constantly, and am the happiest when I can bask in the refreshing radiance of your sunny faces. Well, I believe I have written all that I have to communicate just now. It is, I fear, an illegible

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scrawl, penned in the midst of noise and confusion. Puzzle it out, however, and when you have done kiss yourself over and over again for one who loves you better than all the world beside. Then take up Bruner, and give him a dozen for his papa; then petty Kenney, and let her have an equal number.

Mr. Cookman was twenty-seven years of age when appointed to Christ Church. The new edifice, of the Gothic order of architecture, situated on Penn Street, was then the costliest church building in American Methodism, and was about the first decided advance in the new movement in architectural beauty in Methodist houses of worship. The number of members that brought this laudable undertaking to completion was small. They were, however, men of means, courage, and prayer. They felt that the right man in the pulpit would secure success. No higher mark of confidence could have been placed on Mr. Cookman than that he should be selected for so important a position.

The sequel proved the wisdom of the choice. Under his control, the enterprise moved off prosperously from the beginning, and the most sanguine expectations of its originators were fulfilled. Though young in years, he was a man of experience; courageous, and at the same time cautious, he showed both the ardor which prepared him to enter fully into the advanced views of his official men, and also the judgment to direct their earnestness with the steadiness and tact which insured the best results. His power to attract the people by his preaching was to be tested as never before. Heretofore his churches had been "free," and this was "pewed ;" but his ability was at once recognized, and his church was speedily filled. His faculty as an organizer was to be promptly and fully proved, and that, too, under circumstances peculiar and trying—but here, as in the pulpit, he showed himself eminently capable. It is doubtful if there be any surer test of the ability of a minister for administration as well as preaching and pastoral work than the successful guidance of a great and powerful Church, especially in

the forming periods of its existence. To balance all conflicting claims, to keep all the forces in accord, to incorporate new elements with the old without violence, to evoke and start enterprises into safe and effective channels, to impress all the workers and all the methods with a thoroughly spiritual stamp-all this requires talents of a high order, and talents well poised. The native sense and the admirable discernment of Mr. Cookman were never more displayed, before or since, than in the management of the affairs of Christ Church.

But while busy with his new charge in the first months of his pastorate, he does not forget the fond mother from whom he was so far separated. Could there be a more affectionate expression, alike creditable to him and to her, than this letter? I give it with its italicizing retained.

To his mother, Mrs. Mary Cookman :

"PITTSBURGH, May 25, 1855.

"Will's letter reached us this week, bringing the unwelcome intelligence that you have been seriously ill. At such a time we feel it to be a duty and a privilege to take up our pen and express our sympathy and undying love. Your children may sometimes exhibit a censurable carelessness and indifference, but believe me there underlies their conduct as enthusiastic affection for their mother as ever found a place in a human heart. The effect of your instructions, and the influence of your kind, gentle nature, have been to win every noble feeling of which they are capable, and if they were to-day severally interrogated who is the best and purest among human kind, they would unhesitatingly answer, 'Our mother!' I have no greater happiness than to sit down and, in connection with the eventful past, dwell upon those virtues which you so beautifully developed in the midst of your family, and think of that ceaseless and self-denying love which always shed sunshine on our home. It was and is a happy home! the remembrance of which shall be dear to our hearts through the entire period of our earthly pilgrimage. Thank you, dear mother, a thousand times over, for your gushing sympathy, your faithful instructions, your consistent and beautiful example, your jealous care and unremitting efforts for the happiness and welfare of your children. You have been not only a good mother, but the best of mothers. Our appreciation of your character and services increases with our age; and when you are safely housed in glory, we will often come together and wonder that one

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so pure and lovely was so long lent to us and the world. My burning tears attest the sincerity of the feelings I express-feelings which are largely shared by every member of your beloved family. Even Will, whom you occasionally deem a little headstrong and unmanageable, tells me in his letter that requirements which once seemed irksome to his independent nature are now regarded in an entirely different light. It is his highest delight to serve and gratify her whom he feels to be his best and truest friend. The loss of his mother, he states, would blot out every earthly joy, and make him almost wish for the oblivion of the death-slumber. Shall I ask you to excuse this spontaneous outburst of filial feeling? This, I am sure, will not be necessary, for while it has relieved my overflowing heart, it may, perhaps, kindle a pleasurable feeling in the bosom of one whom I would be proud to make happy. I hope by this time your sickness has been arrested, and you are able to attend to your domestic duties. When you feel that you can conveniently and comfortably take up your pen, we shall be most happy to receive one of your thrice-welcome letters. In the mean while charge one of the fraternity to act as your amanuensis, and let us at least know the state of your health and the course of domestic affairs. The children exhibit every day some new charm, some fresh attraction. Next week the Western Virginia Conference meets in Wheeling. If nothing should prevent, I think I will join a company of preachers and go down for a day or two. The Pittsburgh Conference meets in Johnstown on the 13th of June."

Mr. Cookman had been transferred, and had entered upon his work in advance of the session of the Pittsburgh Conference. The transfer to a new Conference involved a trial to him, as it would to any man of like refined nature, and it was with no little misgiving that he looked forward to the session. A transfer for the express purpose of being appointed to the grandest and wealthiest Church of the Conference, would be likely to render him an object of a somewhat careful and cool attention. fame had preceded him—would he measure up to it? His praise was in all the churches-was he proud and reserved? These and such questions would occur to brethren and to him. Methodist preachers are but men, and, like other men, they do not relish being dispossessed by strangers of the fields which their own hard toil has made to bud and bloom.

His

But it was impossible for a body of good men to have hard