, 1876-04-09
ANEW PREACHER IN BOSTON.
H1s MISSION TO TEACH CLEAR IDEAS ON RELIGION.
Sprin1feld Republican,

n NEW frCNSE1-h 0~o' 0''f
HIS MISSION TO TEACH CLEAR IDEAS ON RELIGION.
Springfield Republican,
The sensation of the Boeton clerical mind this
snring is the preaching OF the Rev. Joseph
Cooke. This gentleman ia q Congregational
c,oreymau of New York birth, Nho was settled
ZONE years ago in Lynn, but who has spent the
most recent Years Of his life at tho English aud
German universities. While at Lynn he inves-
tipated the industrial evils Of that community
witt, great care, and preached upon them With
arc,, yieor a. to produce an eruption from the
Observation-Disclosures in tho pews, which cast him
out OF his pastorate. Having no family and be-
inr Of etud1ous turn Of mind, he sought theo-
1ouica1 instruction under the best modem mas
ters. becoming especially familiar With tho Ger
nan liberal evangelical IholucA, posu tueoaoeslo4
al}y and personally.
Ia has now returned to Boston to preach, al
be says, to the evangelical ministry OF thas CITY.
because he can exercise from that cent1e TUG
mi thought, He began preaching some months
| sgo On Mondays in the Neionaon Hail: A1s
anaiences at first we're small, but gradually tue
| MINISTERS who flock into Boston On thns {, Gay
have got wind Of his gospel, and now tne nal, ~
| cr1,wded weekly. He breaches on Matthew Ar
nn,d rs.ionalis,u, relation Of modern science to
| die Bible, and kindred themes, eV!nclng elea.
mystery Of bis su ,ioct aud Of himself rlslng, al
zines Ia n plaus. OF eoguence that ehthuses tue
| Tathotias brethren into volley OF amens, bu1
for the most part e1pounding. IN clear ana close
! reasoning, the philosophy OF Lis theology. he
rtc.nlly had two or three sermons on she
ca1,ncn of American dishonesty. Ills gospel II
| tn taxch he SAYS, "ciear ideas On rolglon, the
| h harmony Of science with the Bible, ana OF It'll
4 tartan orthodoxy with both, and with reasoning
| He achieves this last Peint, practically, ny ol
Iu;ipg orthodoxy Of all its old, fierce caaractef. e
aud rcducing it virtually 70 something "n'ch sne
liberal Christian sects can scarcely o'scsln1tna's
| "a different from their own beliefs.
II IVES this union in him Of high culture, eio
ouept speech aud philosophical reconciliation q
| ina old with the new, that made ME Coohf
sought for series of addresses to the students
OF Amherst College early IN tue winter. Ineff
hod hean some development of the free reilg
inns spirit among the students that alarmed thf
fathers and Mr. Cookies 1abors, uost acceptable
u at, uars.ea, seemed to lave beeu the oesln
mug OF . reactionary religious movement ina
r.. establishes Amherst IN les oomlnant snc
traditional orthodoxy
The Boston reporter has not yet discovers
Mr.. Cooke, but his discouraes are having, !"
},ear powerful effect on all who attend them
orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, liberal. IN sho"ln
| the practical insignidcunce OF the dinerencos %
tween tile gects aud the possibility OF 1nlnr
11nion. This is not Mr.. Cooke's purpose. no"
over. He is no liberal or free-thinker, put nj
orthodoxy is very destructive Of tue olo oo1
which used to 70 BY that name. As ne" aa!
moro audac1ous departure from that Standard !
Is all the more welcome that 1t cllngs to 1he OF
| uan9,