The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-07
MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY.
Joseph Cook Gives a Practical Illus
tratfon to a Brother.

Boston, Mass, March 7.-Rey. Joseph
Cook is the subject of sensational story
from Keene, n. H., in which he is said to
have collared a brother clergyman and
fired" him from the door Of his Cooks
room, for annoying him. The most authentic
and impartial story is that the Rev.
Joseph was at his hotel on the day
he was to deliver a lecture in Keene, where
he was called upon by Rev. Mr.. Price, OF
the Second Congregational church of that
city. He agreed to attend prayer meeting
before his lecture at Mr.. Prices church, AM
that gentleman called for him about
O'Clock. When the preacher knocked at the
door Of Mr.. Cooks room, he, instead OF be-
ing courteously received was set upon
by the man, who, in towering
rage, apparently disturbed in a nap,
came out into the hall, and seizing his
caller, began to push him about and other
wise lay violent hands upon him, at the same
time using language unbecoming gentle
man. The disturbance attracted the atten-
ton of large number in the house, and the
landlord, who was quietly eating his supper,
at first supposed that Wheeler, the champion
wrestler, and Fletcher, the butcher, had met
by chance and were engaged in row. He
was among the first to arrive at the scene OF
action, but on discovering what was going
on he returned to the dining room and finished
his toast with much composure.
Mr.. Cook attended the prayer meeting, and
when invited led in prayer, but when he was
asked to make remarks, instead of noticing
the request, he seized his hat and rushed out
of the church, not even taking care that the
door should not slam after him. His lecture
at city hall was not largely attended. In re-
ply to this Mr., Cook has written letter to
be printed, in which he says he was very
tired when in Keena, and he wanted chance
to rest before lecturing. He did not want to
go to the prayer meeting with Rev. MIR.
Price, who wanted to use him as an adver-
tisement, but he finally agreed to do so.
AT precisely 700 by the hotel clock" Mr..
Cook says, II hurried through supper and my
toilet and lay down with but fifteen minutes
left to rest. Before that time was half over
Mr. Price knocked at the door. The timo
was seven minutes before that agreed upon.
| was wholly broken of ths rest absolutely
necessary to me before lecturing. opened
the door and said Mr. Price L can moi
| see YOU until 7:15,' and then shut the
| door and bolted it and again triec
| to rest He pounded on the dooI
loudly, and he continued to pound. I madt
no response. After waiting a considerable
time for him to come to his proper sense Of
what decency required, and fearing he wouiC
burst open the door, l opened it and said
Mfr Price, you must cease trying to opeT
this door, or 1 shall report you to the keepe
of tho hotel He did not desist, 50 l tool
him by the collar, and pushed him away
saying: You are the rudest man | have seel
in six months | am good-natured man, bu
know when | am abused This is tn
strongest language l used. went alone a
the hour agreed upon to Mr. Price's meeting
At his request took a brief part in the de
votional exercises. To my great surprise h
said to the assembly that he hoped Mr. Cool
would speak if the Spirit moved him. T
save the meeting from any awkward wait
ing, as l resolved not to be forced to speak,
arose and quietly left the room"