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. Munroe, 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. The Rev. Dr. Nadal, who was then a member of the Philadelphia Conference, made a pleasant allusion at the time to the occasion in a letter to Mrs. Nadal.* The letter which quickly followed to Mrs. Skidmore will be chiefly valued as expressing Mr. Cookman's views of a controversy which was then quite active in the New York Preachers' Meeting.

“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, and the most undisguised affection, the * "The New Life Dawning." Nelson & Phillips, New York.

† Widow of the late Rev. Mr. Batcheldor, of the New Jersey Conference, and daughter of the Rev. Dr. Bartine.

MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR DECEASED MINISTERS.

311 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 favorite 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."

To his wife:

"HARRISBURG, March 15, 1867.

*** “This morning we had our memorial service. As one of the committee of arrangements, I had, of course, the heavy end of the burden. Among other arrangements, I secured from the city some beautiful wreaths of immortelles, which encircled the name of the deceased minister, with a record of the time of his birth and death. Three ladies, one in each aisle, brought them forward at the right time, and they were suspended on the wall in the rear of the pulpit. The conception was highly appreciated, and its execution was most successfully carried out. This afternoon, with about two hundred members of the Conference, I proceeded to Carlisle, where the college faculty and students gave us a most enthusiastic reception. I can not go into all the particulars now, but it was a splendid time—a literal ovation. We returned about half-past six, and now I am writing in the parlor, surrounded by friends, and obliged every few moments to lay down my pencil and respond to affectionate inquiries. To-morrow afternoon, God willing, I expect to go to Pittsburgh. This morning's mail brought letters from K- and Robert S―, who are very importunate in their solicitations for my presence and services. There is considerable interest, they say, in the Christ Church congregation. I am enjoying the Conference exceedingly. Our morning prayer-meeting is delightful-full salvation is the theme. Glory to the Lamb."

To Mrs. Skidmore, of New York:

"PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 1867. "When I said farewell to you, I did not intend that three weeks should elapse before the transmission of the promised letter. I saw you with my mind's eye, a patient invalid confined to the house, and I said if my poor words may prove a ray of sunshine to that warm, loving heart, how cheerfully and even joyfully shall they be penned. Conference, however, came

on, and, as you will understand (for you know you are about half-preacher), its scenes and services were entirely absorbing. Our session was one of unusual interest and harmony. The pastor of the Harrisburg Methodist Episcopal Church, echoing the desire of a great many dear friends (many of them my former parishioners), insisted that I should preach on the first evening of the Conference. It was a great trial, and yet, thinking it might be in the order of God, I did not dare to refuse. Selecting my favorite theme, viz., entire devotion to Jesus, I was blessed with unusual illumination and unction. Each morning we held a prayer and experience meeting. These services, though not very largely attended, were seasons of great interest and blessing. The friends of holiness rallied (as they always do in devotional services), and the testimonies respecting the power and preciousness of full salvation were decided and delightful.

"I spent the Sabbath of Conference with my Pittsburgh friends. Dr. Morgan had not reached, and would not enter upon his new field of labor before the first of April. This was a little to be regretted, as an extraordinary religious awakening seemed to pervade the entire community-something akin to the revival scenes and successes of 1857 and 1858. The other denominations, and some of the Methodist churches, were reaping blessed harvests. I preached Sabbath morning and evening, and again on Monday night, leaving for Harrisburg on the ten P.M. train. A letter received last Saturday supplies the grateful intelligence that at least two young men were influenced by my feeble words. Oh, how I joy to be instrumental in the great work of saving souls! The authorities (as we expected) have returned me to Spring Garden Street the third year. I am delightfully situated and most happy in my work. God is using me, as I trust, for the promotion of His kingdom and glory. Our Friday meeting is unabated in its interest and power. The Tuesday meeting, too, is overflowingly full. Both these services last week were unusually precious and profitable. Miss S― touched beautifully on the importance of bringing this precious grace to the attention of our children, relating the experience of a little girl fourteen years of age, one of her scholars. Oh, how I wish you could have sat with us in our 'banqueting-house!'

"By-the-way, what think you of the articles of Drs. Curry and Mattison on the subject of sanctification, published more recently in the columns of The Christian Advocate? It seems to me their tendency is to destroy definite aims and discourage distinctive efforts. How grateful we should be that, instead of expressing opinions, we can testify to facts that are matters of personal consciousness—instead of saying 'We believe,' we can humbly declare 'We know.' This expression of different views raises in my mind this practical

THE MEMORY OF NEW YORK FRIENDS.

313

inquiry, 'What right have men to be restrained by views concerning spiritual doctrine, when that doctrine illustrates and vindicates itself in personal experience ?' One thing is clear: those who are walking in this light and liberty are not perplexed with antagonizing views, but understand one another and enjoy rest. But see! here I am at the end of my fourth page, and just beginning my letter.

"We had hoped this week to have seen you face to face, and in an oldfashioned tête-à-tête traversed a much larger space than could be covered even in a lengthy epistle. This, however, seems impracticable. I can not very well absent myself next Sabbath. We are hoping that about the time of the May anniversaries we can steal away for a few days, and look again on cherished faces and familiar scenes that are forever embalmed in our affectionate remembrance. Our failure to spend Conference week in New York involves a disappointment, but it seems unavoidable. Will you not remember us tenderly to any of our friends whom you may see? In closing my letter, allow me to recur to your recent sojourn in our city, and say that we enjoyed it more than language can express. To hear your voice in song and prayer and testimony called up vividly the blessed past, and, with our eyes closed, we could almost imagine ourselves in New York, surrounded by as superior a circle of Christian friends as perhaps was ever associated together. Oh, if I could I would reach up to-day and every day, and, taking a great armful of the heavenly glory, I would fling it on your person and path!"

CHAPTER XVIII.

SPRING GARDEN STREET CHURCH. THE NATIONAL CAMP

MEETING MOVEMENT.

QUITE early in the Conference year of 1867, the thought occurred to some of the friends of holiness that it would be wise to use the "camp-meeting" as a distinctive means of promoting the doctrine. The suggestion met with favor, and a call was accordingly issued to those who were inclined to co-operate in such a movement to meet in Philadelphia.

A convention was held in pursuance of this call, and it was resolved to hold a camp-meeting at Vineland, New Jersey, with the avowed object of advancing the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. Mr. Cookman was one of those who signed the call; he took an active part in the deliberations of the Convention; he sustained by voice and act the conclusions at which it arrived, and, when the time for the camp-meeting came, no one entered more heartily into its spirit, purpose, and methods than he did. His feelings immediately before the campmeeting were freely expressed to his friends and to the Church. To Mrs. Skidmore, of New York:

“PIIILADELPHIA, July 2, 1867. "We thought to spend Conference week in New York-then our visit was postponed till Anniversary week-then a trip to Montreal on the occasion of the International Convention of the Young Men's Christian Associations was seriously meditated. All these plans, however, were frustrated, and, instead of the face-to-face interview, I must satisfy myself in a mere artificial and unsatisfactory way. In your severe and protracted ailment we have deeply sympathized-our interest, a reflection of the tender love that overflows the heart of our faithful Lord. To every body bearing the imrint or coming from the direction of New York, the first question has been,