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The counsel of Mr. Wesley, with regard to the spirit of teaching holiness, had evidently sunk deep into his heart, and undoubtedly had much to do with the sweet and kindly policy which he recommended to the Association :

“Does not the harshly preaching perfection tend to bring believers into a kind of bondage or slavish fear?

"It does. Therefore we should always place it in the most amiable light, so that it may excite only hope, joy, and desire.”*

Eager as Mr. Cookman was to avail himself of the opportunity of personal effort under the auspices of the Association, and deeply as he felt his obligations to the delightful fellowships into which it introduced him, and which were so signally helpful to his growth in perfect love, he after all prized the movement more for its general aspects, as a grand agency raised up without respect to individuals for the spread of holiness in America. It was originated for the furtherance of what he regarded as the "pearl of doctrines," and he believed that it would lead the Church up to a higher standard of faith and living, and so fulfill God's will. As late as September, 1870, he wrote in reference to his associates and himself in connection with the "committee:"

"Our motives are pure, our work providential, our success of God. Still there are some who would hinder the spread of scriptural holiness. Be it so. God is our judge, and in heaven we shall have our reward. It would have been much easier to spend my vacation of thirty days in resting at Cape May or some other place than in hard ministerial toil."

Mr. Cookman's attendance upon the Vineland camp-meeting, and identification with the National Association, did not abate his zeal for the camp-meetings held under the ordinary auspices of the Church. The summer of 1867 found him on his customary rounds to these favorite resorts. His vacation, as heretofore, was spent in incessant labor. A letter to his * Watson's Life of Wesley, p. 171. John Mason, London.

wife from Ennall's Springs camp-ground, Dorchester County, Md., is an index to the whole.

To his wife :

"ENNALL'S SPRINGS CAMP-GROUND, Monday morning. "This morning's sermon has just now closed, and I will take this opportunity to redeem my promise of a letter. Interested in all that concerns me, you will want to know respecting my progress since our farewell on the Susquehanna. The train took me first to York. After the lapse of an hour we started again, and reached Baltimore about six P.M. Dr. H———— and son were waiting for me. Quartered at his home, I received every attention and kindness. During the evening I called on a number of friends, sat up till midnight, and the following morning was driven in the Doctor's carriage to the steam-boat. There were a number of friends on board— Revs. Clemm, French, S. Evans, Tomkinson, and also a good many Baltimore friends. The sail was delightful, the dinner excellent, and at half-past two P.M. Sherman's Landing was reached. Brother Robert Thompson's carriage was waiting. Taking our seats, we had a pleasant ride, and met on the ground a most enthusiastic welcome. *** The tents and arrangements of the camp-ground are the neatest, coziest, and most comfortable I have ever seen. Brother R. Thompson has his two-story home prettily furnished with tasteful cornice and curtains and blinds. It is the most perfect cottage I have ever seen. Yesterday there was a great multitude of people assembled here. The weather having changed to a bright

and beautiful day, Brother Clemm preached in the morning on 'I am not ashamed,' etc. I preached in the afternoon on 'From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.' The large congregation was quiet and singularly attentive. I trust good was accomplished. There are not more than eight or ten preachers on the ground, but more will come today and during the week. There is great deadness among the members, and thus far comparatively little has been accomplished. I led the eight o'clock prayer-meeting this morning. We had a profitable meeting. Vineland formed such a contrast that it makes every thing else seem tame. We are treated here like kings and queens. Yesterday at dinner, roast goose, fried chickens, barbecued chickens, roast lamb, ham, potatoes, squashes, cucumbers, beets, corn, jellies, pickles, etc., etc. On Thursday I want to return to Baltimore, look in on the Waters camp-ground, and on Monday eve return to Columbia. When you write to our dear boys give them a father's love.

me."

Remember me affectionately to all at home. Kiss the children for

A sister-in-law, writing to his mother, Mrs. Mary Cookman, September 9, 1867, says: "Alfred looks remarkably well; he weighs now one hundred and sixty-seven pounds. He says he thinks this has been the happiest summer of his life, and that he has been fully rewarded for what many persons would call labor."

To his wife :

"PHILADELPHIA, Saturday morning.

"I do not know that this will reach you before Monday morning, when you start for Philadelphia; nevertheless it may, and I know it will be satisfactory to hear from the 'Itinerant.'

"Last evening I returned from the Eastern Shore. To say that I had a delightful or glorious time only feebly expresses the truth. I was received and treated almost as if I had been an angel. It was one of the happiest and best weeks in my life. There were about one hundred tents, beautiful weather, fine congregations, good preaching, and great success. I preached twice (Tuesday morning and Thursday evening), and worked hard all the time. My soul was in heaven. Oh, what precious experiences God vouchsafed me in that consecrated grove, and how wonderfully, how unusually he used me! This week I think surely I have been in the order of God. With the religious there was great social enjoyment. Last night, wearied out, having lost sleep and my voice, I reached home safely. C- had been very careful and faithful. After my Friday-evening meeting I went to bed, and oh, what sleep! I did not wake until eight o'clock this morning. Now I am ready for another start. I regret that we can not get to Shrewsbury for a day or two, but such a visit, under the circumstances, seems impracticable. The weather is cooler, and the friends are beginning to return to the city."

To Mrs. Skidmore, of New York:

"Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied unto you. Separation and distance fail to affect the family relationship. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York, on earth or in heaven, we are brother and sister still. I have had a glorious summer campaign. Vineland was, as you know, quite in the verge of heaven, and had only one disadvantage-it made every other service seem tame by comparison. At Ennall's we had a blessed victory for God. At Waters', near Baltimore, the battle was progressing gloriously when I left on Tuesday. Andrew and Mrs. K————, fully girded, were winning trophies for Jesus. I heard Andrew preach on Monday very delightfully from, 'And Enoch walked with God.'”

COOKMAN AND OF ALFRED BRUNER COOKMAN.

THE unremitting pastor had hardly rested from the evangelistic labors 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 1, 1867. From the time of his conversion Mr. George Cookman had been one of the most active Christian men in Philadelphia. Sympathizing with the catholic spirit which prevailed at the time of his conversion, he threw himself not only into the work of his own Church, but also into the general religious work of the city. His talents and piety were speedily recognized; and by the suffrages of all Christians he became an acknowledged leader among the young men of the community. He was elected to succeed Mr. George H. Stuart to the presidency of the Young Men's Christian Association, over which he presided with eminent success. On the occasion of his inauguration he delivered an address which showed him possessed of the native eloquence of the familyan eloquence which would have fitted him to shine in any profession which he might have chosen for a vocation. The ringing call of his peroration doubtless still lingers in the memory of many who were present:

"Pulaski, one of the brave Poles who espoused the American cause, and to whom, as well as Kosciusko, our country owes almost an incalculable debt, in one or two instances turned the fortunes of war against our enemies by uttering his habitual cry of‘Forward, brethren, forward !' here and there and every where, in the thickest of the fight. The failing strength of the

MR. GEORGE COOKMAN'S ACTIVITY.

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American soldier was often revived, and his arm nerved with new vigor, as he heard the inspiring voice of the undaunted general above the din of battle-'Forward, brethren, forward!'

"Young men of this association-young men of Philadelphia-brothers beloved in the Son of God, to-night I re-echo that battle-cry, and shout, Forward, brethren, forward! Forward, because God hath loved us. Forward, because Christ hath died for us. Forward, because the world, perishing, appeals to us. Forward, because the crown of life awaits us, and a seat at God's right hand, where our pleasure is for evermore.

"Forward, brothers, forward!"

As a Methodist, Mr. George Cookman was highly esteemed. He filled important trusts successively in the Green Street, Union, and Arch Street Stations. He was one of the founders of the powerful and prosperous Arch Street Church, having been the first superintendent of its Sunday-school when originally held in a hall, not far from the present site of the church. As showing his capabilities as a Christian worker, let the following extract speak:

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Connecting himself with the Church, he became at once an active and faithful young Christian. His great regret, often expressed, was that he had not started sooner, and, that he might redeem the time, he gave himself to every good word and work.

Literally wedded to the Arch Street Methodist Episcopal Church enterprise, he was superintendent of the Sunday-school, a trustee, a steward, a class-leader, an exhorter, and leader of Church music. Besides this he was an ex-president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Philadelphia, a manager of the American Sunday-school Union, a manager of the Philadelphia Tract Society, treasurer of the Pennsylvania Sunday-school Association, and in all these departments of enterprise evinced the greatest interest and activity."

The root from which all this official responsibilty and honor grew was one of deep, genuine, personal piety.

Writing to his mother as far back as 1863, he said:

"I believe, dear mother, that I am growing in grace and in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. I find religion to be all that I expected

*Methodist Home Journal, October, 1867.