Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-05-19
The Rev. George G.. Goodman.

the United States Senate, and subsequent
ly lost in the steamer "Presdent."
The following sketch from the reminis-
cences of the Hon. o. II. Saith, published
4 in the indianapolis journal, will be highly
interesting to all who remember the elo-
quent preacher and sterling man:
1t was Sabbath morning. The last of
the city church bells was ringing as left
my boarding house on Capital Hill, at
Washington city, for Wesley Chapel. 1t
was quarterly meeting. The preacher had
closed his sermon, when there arose at the
desk, slender spare man, about five feet
eight, dark complexion, black hair falling
carelessly over his high forehead, lean bo-
ny face, wide mouth, round-breasted black
coat, with velvet falling collar, black vest
and pantaloons. Addressing the congre-
CATION, he said: 1--WE desire to take up q
small collection for the relief of destitute,
worn out Methodist preachers and their
families. We appeal to-day to the hearts
of the congregation" " and took his seat
A large collection followed. I whispered
to Patrick g. Good, of Ohio, who sat beside
me, "Who is that ?" Don't you know
him? 1t is George G. Cookman."
The next Sabbath | was at the Chapel
again. Mr.. Cookman preached. | re-
| turned satisfied that he was no ordinary
man. The election for Chaplain of the
Senate came on few days after, and
without the knowledge of Mr.. Goodman,
| privately suggested his name to the SEN
ators around me. The most of them had
heard him preach. he was elected Chap
lain by decided vote over the Rev. Hen.
ry Slicer, against whom there was not the
least objection but he wanted to bring
Mr.. Cooltman more prominently before
the public. The next Sabbath he preach
ed his first sermon in the hall of the
House, to very large congregation, from
the text, "Thc sword OF the Lord and
of Gideon" He made a profound inn
preston on his hearers that day. which
seemed to increase with every succeeding
sermon.
1t is not my purpose to sketch themany
sermons of Mr.. Cookman during the time
he was Chaplain of the Senate, the most
ofwhch heard. He was a clear, distinct
and powerful preacher. The remarkable
clearness of his mental vision enabled him
to see and describe whatever he touched
so rs almost TO make Paul, Sias, Peter,
Mark and Johh stand before you as he
named them. His tone of voice, as he
warmed with his subject, and the tear
stealing down his check, were irresistible.
As a pulpit orator take him all in all, he
had few equals and no superiors, that |
ever heard. There was no place for a
choir where Cookman sang.ss His voice was
melody itself | heard him in the Senate
Chamber on funeral occasion of Senator
Belts, of Connecticut. The Chamber was
crowded. The President, Department,
Foreign Ministers, Senators, and Repre-
sentatives were there. I distinctly re-
member one of his figures of speech.
''As the human family come upon the
great stage of life, they find at every fork
of the road the finger board distinctly
pointing to the grave--to the grave -
There is no other road to travel from in
fancy to old age, and death but the road
that leads to the grave"
There was not dry eye in the Chamber
when he closed his sermon of one hour,
and sang alone the single verse of the
hymn
And must this body die
This well wrought frame decay?
Lie mouldering in the clayH
The session of Congress was about to
close upon the administration of Mr. Van
! Buren. The Inauguration of General Ilar-
rison was soon to take place Mr.. Cook
man had all his arrangements made to Wis
it England on the steamer President
The first dispatch from the new admins
! trot;o, ,roe 10 ba oop6loI 70 b:c cboroo
! The next Sabbath he was to take leave of
the members of Congress in his farewell
sermon. The day came. An hour before
the usual time the crowd was seen filling
the pavements of the Avenue, and press
ing up the hill to Representative Hall,
which was soon filled to overhowing, and
hundreds unable to get seats went away
disappointed obtained a seat early in
front of the clerks desk. John Quincy
Adams sat in the speakers chair facing
Mr.. Cookman. The whole space on the
iostrnm and steps was filled with Sena-
tors and Representatives. The moment
had come. Mr.. Cookman. evidently much
affected, kneeled in thrilling prayer and
rose with his eyes blinded with tears
His voice faltered with suppressed emotion,
as he gave out the hymn
"When marshalled on the nightly plain
The glittering hosts bestud the sky,
/. One star alone of all the train,
: Can fix the sinners wandering eye.
Hark Hark to God the chorus breaks
From every host from every gem,
But one alone. the Saviour speaks,
1t is the star of Bethlehem.
Once on the raging seas | rode,
Thestorm was, loud, thenightwas dark
= The ocean yawned, and rudely blowed
Thewind that tossed my laundering bark
The hymn was sung by Mr.. Cookmal
alone. / can yet in Imagination hear hi
/ voice, as it filed the large hall, and tn
: last sounds, with their echoes, died ava
:. in the dome.
n "And saw q great white throne, an
Q him that sat on it, from whose face th
a earth and the heaven fled away and ther
n was no place left for them.
: "And | saw the dead, small and grea
u stand before God, and the books wer