The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-24

His benevoence was at once discriminating
and expansive. No enterprise, for the good OF
the race. ever came within his reach which did
not enlist his efficient sympathy and secure his
active cooperation, both with his purse and hand,
as we'll as by his pen. So true is this, that when
some years ago, premature announcement that
he was dead, appeared in the papers, letters from
the Boards of all the more important Benevolent
Societies were received, expressive of sympathy
and coincidence, and containing enquiries, which
revealed their confident expectations Of liberal
beouests in their favor.
Gen. Cooke was emphatically a man of prin'
ciple. His first inquiry always was sis 1t
riqhta' If the answer was affirmative, then his
stand was TAKEN His motto was" we must
do what is right, let come ,ohdt may" He well
knew that "honesty is the best policy" but
he did not hold him an honest man who was
governed solely by such motive. Hence, with
men of flexible c0nScienceS, too many
he was sometimes called an enthusiast. But,
such was the acknowledged kindness of his
heart, that no one was bold enough to charge
him with fdnaticism-"e enthusiasm dashed with
mallgnity." AS proof of this, he had latterly
severed himself entirely, though reluctantly,
with grief and not in anger, from those Insti-
tutions with which he had long delighted to CO.
operate, as soon as they, under the Influences OF
the war spirit, manifested temper that was ma
Ign. Hence, in his latter years, while his inter
est in the welfare Of the African race amongst
us, continually increased land no man, OF his
age, exerted himself more for their good, or
made greater sacrifices in their behalf,) he
changed entirely both his views and conduct, in
reference to Northern Emancipationists who he
at last became convinced were neither honest
nor wise in the course they were pursuing toward
the negro, actuated more by hatred of the mas
ter than by love to the slave.
AS Christian, Gen. Cookies character was
more decidedly original than that of any man
whom the writer of these lines has happened to
know He was catholic, liberal perhaps to an
extreme. He was eminently man of faith-the
substance of things hoped fol-. He loved the
brotherhood, and yet his brotherly kindness "
was well nigh overborne by his charity. This
may be thought blemish in the symmetry OF
HIS OuTlsIiuH uefelopueut' put VI 81 iaic q hihu
| as to reconcile US to it as corrective of too
prevalent sectarianism. Like Paul, he knew no
man after the flesh. Every Christian was his
brother, and to him " living stone" in the
temple of the Holy Ghost, whose absence would
have married the beauty of the building. The
| writer has never known a more happy Christian.
He never doubted the faithfulness of the Saviour
| to whom he had consecrated himself wholly, as
| living sacrifice. He knew in whom he had be-
eved, and his faith was indeed an anchor of the
| soul. He firmly and constantly relied upon the
Saviourss promise to put him in possession OF
that inheritance which is lncorruptible and I'M
defled and that fadeth not away. He longed
for the appearance of the Lord, but was willing
to wait, till the Bridegroom should call him to
the marriage supper of the Lamb
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. u
Let us thank God that he gave us such an exam
pie as General John III. Cooke, who in peace and
in war, as man and Christian has left us an
| example more benefcent than that of kings and
heroes of unsanctifed lives. *****