American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-12-29
Cooks last Letter to his Family.
VIRaIRIA. Dec. II, $50.

NAAt OeNs 80 W.
Dear Wife and Ohild--For the last time
l take my pen % address you; for the last
time to speak 70 you through the tongue Of
the sbssnt. / am about to leave yod and
this world forever. but do not give way to
grief. Look with the eyes Of hope beyond
the vale OF llfc, and see the dawpinr Of
that brighter morning, that shall know no
clouds or shadoWsin its sunny SKY, that
shall know no sunset To that eternal
day, l tfhst. beloved 1, am going now
For me lbers waits no farof and unoer.
tain future / am oplY going fIom nv
camp on earth 10. . hppsir heaven. from
the dark clouds of sin and grief ID the
clear blue skies. the flowing fountains and
the eternal Joys Of tha, better and brig htsr
land whose only entrance is through the
valley Of death; whose only eternity is the
tomb.
oh. yesl think that am only going
home, going to meet my Savior and my
God. going to meet my comrades. and to
wait aod watch for you. Each moment
passes. every tolling bell proclaims that
this world is not our home, We are bu,
pilgrims here, iournsyiBg to our fathers
home. Some have loog and weary road
10 wander, sbadowed with 6oabts and
fears. They often tire and faint on lifs's
roadside. yet still, all wearied, they must
move along. Some make more rapid
journey. and eenplete their pilgrimage
in the bright morn of life. They know
no WEAKNESS upon the journey, NO ills or
cares of tOilsoms age. II MY comrades
were and are among that nEmber, our
pilgrimage is nearly ended. We can al
most see our home. A few more hours
and we shall be there.
Sure II is hard for me to leave my loy-
ing partner and my little one lingering on
the rugged road, in which life's storms
are bursting; bu. cheer up. my beloved
ones. The storms will soon be over,
through their lingering shadows you will
see the promised rainbow. 1t will whis-
per Of happy land. where all storms are
over. VIII you not strive to meet me, in
that time Of uuending sunshine? Oh yes!
/ knew you viii. Thst you will also try
to lead our child along that path Of glory;
that you will train him for an entrance
into that celestial city whose maker and
builder iS God.
Teach him the way Of truth and Vir.
tue. Tell him Of what his father left him,
ere his infant lips could lisp my name
Pray for yourself and for hin. Remem.
her, there is no golden gateway to the
realme OF pleasure hare. but that there il
one for the redeemed IN the land that lies
starward. There Thops we may meet,
when you have eomplsted your pilg. image
in this road or life Years will pass on and
your journey will soon be ended Live
so tha; when from the verge Of life you
look bach, you; may feel no vain regrets
of bitter anguish ioI nisspent years.
Look e God in all'youf tros5les. and
cast yourself on him when the heart il
dark and heavy with sorrow ana woe
He will shed upon you the bright sunshine
Of bis love. and take away The burden
from your heart. n And now
farewelIi May that all wise and eterna
God. who governs a alfthidgs, b. with you
to guide and protect you through life, and
bring us together 10 eternal ioy beyond
the grave. Farewell! foad psTtaer Of my
heart and soul. FAREWELL deasT babe o
our love. Alasla long farewell, nv W,
meet in heaven ] remain. iff life ant
death. your devoted husbnud.
JorpN E. Cook.s