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CHAPTER II.

THE REV. GEORGE G. COOKMAN IN AMERICA. THE BIRTH OF

ALFRED.

MR. COOKMAN was cordially received by the Methodists of Philadelphia, among whom he lived and labored as a local preacher, in connection with St. George's Church, until the following spring. He was incessant in labors, not only in preaching as opportunity offered, but visiting the sick, the prisons, and hospitals. He also organized a class of young persons, which included among its members John McClintock, Charles Whitacre, and William and Leonard Gilder, all of whom subsequently became ministers of the Gospel. During a protracted sickness of Mr. William Barnes, the preacher in charge, he supplied the pulpit of St. George's.

At the session of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826, he was appointed to Kensington and St. John's churches, Philadelphia. Falling thus softly into the regular ministry did not suit either the design or the wishes of the young hero, whose soul was burning for its mission to the Africans. He had left England to convert the negroes, and it was not to his mind to become a pastor amid the ease and refinements of civilized life. He was patient, however, and sought constantly, in the utmost self-denial, the guidance of God's Spirit and of His Church. On his twenty-sixth birthday he expressed himself thus: "It was the voice of the Spirit which first called my attention to Africa. I have from a child commiserated the injured negro; and for years prior to this my missionary feelings sympathized with them in common with the heathen world. Under the workings of the Spirit on this

MISSION TO AFRICA.

**

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subject, I came to the conclusion to offer myself as a missionary to the African colony at Mesurado. The conviction I strove against for some time, until the conflict became overwhelmingly painful and distressing. In this situation I called upon Mr. Bacon, one of the first agents to the colony, who informed me that there was a loud call for a Methodist missionary, and that the field was white unto the harvest. After solemn prayer to God, I believed, according to the light given, it was my duty to go to Bishop George, and lay the matter before him, state my convictions, views, and feelings. When this resolution was once formed, I felt instant inward peace. I went to New York and had an interview with Bishop George, when he stated that he had often wished we had an African missionary, and approved of the design; at the same time, he advised me to take no definitive step until the close of the year. Upon a fair statement of the case, it appears my way is not clearly opened to the African field. And as the practical decision is connected with such deep responsibility, it would not be advisable to move until the way be very clear. Bishop George thinks it appears probable that in the ensuing Conference year a very extensive field of missionary labor may be opened among the blacks on this side of the water, more so than could possibly be obtained in Africa. The agent is clearly of the opinion that a white missionary can benefit the general cause most efficiently by his labors here—at least for the present. I feel my mind much at rest; I have done all that appeared to be my duty; I have endeavored to follow the leadings of Providence, for I have good cause to watch over and be jealous of my own spirit. If no other result flow from this than bringing my views before the mind of the bishop, perhaps a point of no inconsiderable importance is gained to the great The heart of the benevolent old man seems warmed with love divine to the poor Africans." Immediately in this connection, he adds, "I had a good day, particularly in bear

cause.

ing a decided testimony for the glorious doctrine of Christian perfection. Oh! my God, hasten the period when sin shall expire and grace shall reign. In visiting the sick, I have found assistance and power, but yet the habit of my mind is not sufficiently spiritual. Let me plead and strive for a pure intention, a sanctified affection, and a holy walk. O Lord, help me to remember that for myself, as a follower of Christ, as well as a messenger of God, I must answer."

The persistence with which Mr. Cookman adhered to the original purpose he had in coming to America is truly admirable, as not only showing the depth of the conviction, but also the integrity of his heart and the force of his will. His preaching and speaking in Philadelphia had produced a strong impression, and his fame as an orator began already to be acknowledged. His ministrations were universally acceptable, and very much sought. There was a demand in the churches for eloquent preachers; and the brilliant career of Summerfield had prepared the people to appreciate thoroughly a young Englishman who promised in any degree to take the place of that seraphic man. It must have required in Cookman just such close heart searchings and earnest prayers as his memoranda reveal to keep him firm to Africa. It is not without significance that he yearned for deadness to the world and for increased spirituality. The record in regard to Christian perfection in this relation is truly valuable, as showing its vital relation to missionary work, and equally so as exhibiting in the father thus early in his ministry the fast hold he had taken of that doctrine of Methodism which was subsequently to become the distinguishing feature of the life and ministry of his son.

While actively devoting himself to regular ministerial duty, Mr. Cookman's efforts in the direction of Africa were not relinquished. "Some time ago I made an offer of myself to the Colonization Society to go out to Liberia as a Methodist missionary at my own expense. I am sorry to find that an extract

DEFEATED IN GOING TO AFRICA.

37

from my letter has been published in several of the papers, inasmuch as I could have wished to go about the matter without noise and pomp of observation. * * * I feel resigned to do or to suffer what the Lord may appoint if He say go, I am ready; if He say remain, I will remain and be submissive. I feel the kindlings of God's love, and am looking for a deeper and a holier baptism."

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His cherished desire, however, was doomed to disappointment. God had other work for him to do. As the sequel proved, instead of going as a missionary to convert the heathen -possibly to leave his bones after a few months on the sands of Africa—he was, by his advanced ideas and persuasive eloquence, to plant the seeds of missionary labors which were destined to spring up in ever-widening harvests to the end of time. Methodist missions were just then starting, and they needed in their first feeble beginnings such a heroic, fiery advocate as this brilliant and devout young man. He was not to be a missionary, as he earnestly and sincerely intended, pure and simple; but he was to be a creator of missionaries, who, in unbroken succession, should go from the American continent to all parts of the world. He was here, too, to found a family which was subsequently to be identified in all movements adapted to advance the salvation of the race; and, in the apostolic zeal of noble sons, was to project his influence into the farreaching future of his adopted country. The Almighty concealed from His servant at the time His full design, as he had done from many of His chosen ones before; but go to Africa he could not. His way was blocked. As was natural, the defeat of a purpose so long fixed upon, and which had wrought in him as an all-absorbing and assimilating force, could not but cause a painful disappointment. He did not hesitate to own it.

On November 6th he wrote: "Abraham went forth at the command of Jehovah, 'not knowing whither he went,' and Luther, Wesley, Coke, Asbury, were first thrust out, and led along

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by a path which they could not have imagined. Had it, for instance, been told Wesley when he was in Oxford at my age, that he should be the head of a large body of Christians; that he should approve and employ lay preachers, and stand up in the market-places and preach the Gospel without book, he would have thought the teller mad. And it has appeared to me, after impartial investigation of Church history, that the real, extensive revivals of vital godliness in every age have not been by preconcerted design on the part of the instruments, but by a series of causes unsuspected and uncontrolled by human agency, but directed by Him who has ascended on high and received gifts for men. It is a series of reflections like these which reconcile me to my present situation and circumstances. I had certainly resolved to go to Africa, so far as any volition of the human will can decide upon any question; and I confess with shame that when, from the statement of the agent of the Colonization Society and the advice of Bishop George, my way seemed blocked up, my heart rose in rebellion, as though the great purpose of my soul was frustrated. tion now is, Was the purpose of the Lord frustrated? But the great quesrather in progress of fulfillment? For if one part of our purIs it not pose be the preparation of instruments, then such a disappointment to my proud self-will may be the best preparation in convincing me of my imperfect judgment and frailty of purpose."

With such reflections as these, Mr. Cookman reconciled himself to what was now evidently the final subversion of his early plan, and his permanent settlement in America as an itinerant Methodist preacher. With a jealous watchfulness over his heart, he did not fail to see in the thwarting of his scheme the deep need he had of thorough proving in his religious experience, and of much correction in his natural tendencies. knew himself too well not to know that impulsiveness was a deHe fect in his character. "The thought and the action are with me nearly synonymous, and when a thing is designed, my bones

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