The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-29
Cooks Last Letter.

| On the morning of December l6, the day
of execution, in the Jail at Charlestown, Va.
Cook wrote the following
My Dear Wife and Child For the last
time take my pen to ddress you-fo- the
last time to speak to you through the tongue
of the absent. | am about to leave you and
this world forever. But do not give way to
your grief. Look with the eyes of'hope be-
yond the vale of life, and see the dawning OF
that brighter morrow that shall know no
clouds or shadows in its sunny sky that
shall know no sunset. TIE that eternal day,
l trust, beloved, am going now. For me
there awaits no far off or uncertain future.
am only going from my camp on earth to
home in heaven; from the dark clouds of
sin and grief to the clear blue skies, the flow
ing fountains and the eternal joys of that bet
ter and brighter land, whose only entrance
is through the vale of death-whose only
gateway is the tomb.
Oh yes think that am only going ONE;
going to meet my comrades, and wait and
watch for you. Each hour that passes, ev-
cry ltoling bell proclaims this world is not
our home. We are but pilgrims here, jour
neying to our Fathers house. Some have a
long and weary road to wander /; Swallowed
DER with doubts and fears; they often tire
and faint upon life's roadside; yet still all
wearled, they must move along. Some make
more rapid journey, and complete their
pilgrimage in the bright morn of life they
Know no WEAKNESS upon their Journey, no
Ills or cares of toil-worn age. | and nay COM
rades here are among that number. Our
pilgrimage is nearly ended; we can almost
see our homes. A few more hours and we
shall be there.
True, it is hard for me to leave my loving
partner and my little one lingering on the
rugged road on which life's storms are
bursting. But cheer up, my beloved ones;
those storms will soon be over; through their
last lingering shadows you will see the pro-
missed rainbow. 1t will whisper of happy
land where all storms are over. Will you
not strive to meet me in that cline of un-
ending sunshine? Oh! yes, know you will;
that you will also try to lead our child along
that path of glory; that you will claim for
him an entrance to that celestial city whose
maker and builder is God. Teach him the
way Of truth and virtue. Tell him for what
and how his father left him, ere his lips
could lips my name. Pray for him. Re
member that there is no golden gateway to
the realms of pleasure here, but there is one
for the redeemed in the land that lies star
ward. There hope we may meet, when
you have completed your pilgrimage on the
road of life. lea will pass on and your
journey will soon be ended. Live so that
WHICH, IL oin NV Wei 20 VI ilie YOU lOOk UaCk
you may feel no vain regrets, no bitter an
guish for misspent years. Look to God in all
your troubles; cast yourself ON Him when
your heart is dark with the night of sorrow
and heavy with the weight of VICE. He
will shed over you the bright sunshine of his
love, and take away the harden from your
h .art.
IT :: Is 81
And now farewell! May that all wise and
eternal God,who governs all things,be with
you, to guide and protect you through life
and bring us together in eternal Joy beyond
the grave Farewell, fond partner ot nay
heart and soul. Farewell, dear babe of our
love. last, long farewell, till we meet in
Heaven.
REMAIN, in life and death,
Your devoted husband,
JOHN E. Cook.