New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-09
Mr.. yANDERBLTs RELIGIOUS LIFE.
WHAT DIR. COOKE SAYS ABOUT his CONNECTION
WITH ST. BAhTHuLOMCw's.

VIVA DIR. tOOhE SAL HbpLl III N'-'-'''N''D-
WITH ST. BAnTHOLOMIWS
When Mr. Vanderbilt first came to New-iOrk to
live he became a member Of st. Bartholomews
Protestant Episcopal Church, which then stood IN
Great Jones-st. and was By no means OF prcien-
tious appearance. lie has ever since continued u
regular commitment of the church. The venerable
Dr. Samuel Cooke, the rector of ST. Bartholomew,
was strong aud active when Mr. vanderbilt hfSt
took the communion from him. The years That
have interviewed cemented strong friendship be-
tween the clergyman and his parishiOner ana II was
with much feeling that Dr. Cooke talked about his
dead friend to a IRIBCNt reporter last night.
"He was a Christian" said DR.. Cooke. " a man Of
strong and earnest religious convictions; but be
made no display of his religion and, living 80 much
in the world as bo did, few aware OF the deep
hold it had on his character. He was religious
man long before he became consplcuousy rlch
man. When his health permitted 1t he attended
church regularly and gave money to II literally
but he did not content himself with that sort Of
interest alone. He a member OF tho Bun ding
Committee when the church was moved from
Great JOnes-st to its present site, and he was one
of the most active members of that committee,
having close uerAonal attention to the
process Of erection. The active interest
in the affairs of the church was continually mani
tested. When it desired to interest certain
people IL church projects he would volunteer to see
them and secure tneIr assistance. lie was always
ready to give, but, better than that lac was always
ready to do and was among the first 10 proner as
sistance other than that of his pocketbook. The
congregation was large and wealthy and it was by
no means necessary that Mr. Vanderbilt should do
everything financially for the church, but
Inc gave money generously. His first subscription
10 help pay off the debt on the new church build
ing was $4,000 and lie afterward contrib
uted $4,000 to the fund to pay for the rectory
These figures represent only small portion of what
he has done for the church. He gave freely to the
collections and missions. He gave thousand dol
lars every year to collections for ST. Luke's
Hospital.
"Ile was not in the habit of talking much about
his religious opinions" continued Dr. Cooke, 81 but
there was something about him winch told
lie that he had religion at his heart. |
think lac prepared to die. He was
not the man to put the tho !ht Of death
away from him But sGt th ne no Mud sx face sv
wears he has felt that he was liable TO be taken of
al any time by sudden attack. You know
can't depend upon myself Doctor, hc used 10 say
sometimes, even when apparently fairly we'll But
1t was not he feeling that death might claim HIM
with little warning which made hln religious. Ho
was n deeply religious man long before his health
became precautions. But after that l don't think
that ne expected to live long. There are only about
five men of my acquaintance who think might
have held mn against sickness "a bravery Mr..
Vanderbilt did. lie didn't seem TO defy
it he simply superior TO ii, WHEN
most men would have taken to their beds. He had
an iron Will He WAS deeply devoted to his family
aud i'm all his domcstic rotations was tender and
aircctionaie. He was never happy AS when at
home wit his family"
In answer to a question about the funeral Dr.
Cooke SAID that The arrangements had not been
made when he saw the family in tho afternoon, but
ne presumed that he would be buried from 81. Bar
LhOlOncw's.
Dr. Cooke oflicated at tho weddings OF four Of
MI. Yapderblt's daughters. threo Oh whom were
married al ~. Bartho.Omow's.