The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-01
THE MODERN BoANERGEs.

the lecture platform with an ecclesiastical
whoop-la which brought thrill of delight
to those persons who are constantly on the
lookout for new stars in the religious firma-
ment. Here was the prophet who could ex-
plain all the mysteries of this life and the
one to come which have mixed philosophers
as we'll as the ignorant from time out of mind.
Truth-with a capital Twas to be demon
strated so clearly in all its forms that hth-
erto doubtful problems in science or religion
could be worked backward like sum i'll SIM
pie addition. Any man who had failed to
understand the why and wherefore of exist
ence need only bring his doubts to Mr. Cook
to have them brushed aside like the mists of
the morning He said he could do these
things and he said it so preSsively and with
such an air OF wisdom that only folly
could hesitate to believe him. He was by no
means d prophet without honor in his own
country, but at once secured following.
No actress, with Autographs of herself
posted on all the blank walls of
the country, ever attained such &C.
lebrity in so short time. Certainly no
actress ever obtained so much free advertis-
ing Columns of space in the most reputable
journals were devoted to Mr.. Cook and never
cost him a cent. His lectures, with their as
tonishing preludes were printed in full, with
the applause and laughter of the audience
bracketed in at proper intervals, for the bene-
fit of obtuse readers. This feature, indeed
s o commended itself to the author that it
was rep Gated when the lectures were gath
the bbliomaniac who may chance to
find one of these musty volumes,
will doubtless ponder over the singu-
lar sense of humor, to say moth
ing of the immature judgment, possessed
by the Boston audience of the nineteenth
century. Drawn by the printed plaudits
men who had spent their lives in scientific
research came and listened respectfully to the
oracle; eray-haired teachers of spiritual doc
trine sat humbly at his feet hoping to learn q
new method of imparting the true faith.
All was expectation, and expectation con-
tinued for marvelously long time, consider
ing the tendency of the American for esti
mating all things, spiritual as we'll as COM
mercial, at their true value. The assumption
of wisdom was so imposing that hearers
waited with a slowly waning hope that each
succeeding utterance would be the profound
truth that had been promised them. Finally,
when scientists began to dissent from state
ments which did not coincide with the re-
suits of their own careful Investigations,
their arguments were not met with argu-
ment but with what was meant to be wither-
ering sarcasm. Adverse criticism caused the
ponderous lecturer to grow black in the face
with shouting, You're another" Gradu-
ally it began to dawn upon the followers
of this male Minerva that he had not been
endowed with all wisdom; that the armor
which enveloped him when ne leaped forth
from the seminary was triple-plated with
egotism self-conidence and uncertain
theology. Self-assurance, or what beef-eat-
ing drummers vulgary call cheek carries
to this and to the newspapers Mr.. Cook may
be said to owe what success he has achieved.
But assurance without good backing is not
enough. When the public realized at last,
that the words of exclusive wisdom were
platitudes, that they had all their lives heard
the same spiritual truths set forth more
simply and the newer truths failed to come,
then Mr.. Cooks audiences reached by the
press decreased in numbers. His scientific
deductions, not being founded on careful
investigation OF alleged facts, were
faulty. He showed himself credulous to
an amazing degree in the acceptance
of physical phenomena as spirit manifesto
tions. His opinions upon everyday affairs,
as promulgated in the preudes, were fire.
quently absurd, and when confidence in his
absolute knowledge of things of the next
world was lost the interest in his utterances
ceased. Long after the demand was past
newspapers kindly continued to give him
finally they, too, dropped him to make room
for news or for better sermons, Mr. Cook
evidently does not realize the situation, and
bears a bitter grudge toward the press for
what he looks upon as enmity toward him.
He never loses an opportunity to express his
feelings in this respect and to make himself
childishly ridiculous, The press, however
understands Mr.. Cook and his weaknesses
and bears him no malice. The clown who in |
the course of time picks up no new Jokes
becomes monotonous; the premiere dan
seuse, to maintain her popularity, must
kick higher kicks. Mr.. Cook is now en-.