Morning journal and courier., 1886-03-01

was total abstainer. He not only talked purity of heart and generosity, and sympa- thy and kindness, but he was pure in heart, generous, sympathetic and kind. What he spoke he was His voice was himself When he said he hated the liquor traffic with perfect hatred, and prayed for strength to hate it more, he spoke the truth. When he pleaded for sympathy for the drunkard he felt it and day or night stood ready to make his words good in deeds. He had no patience with any who would cast the drunkard off as worth less and leave him to his fate.
 The genuineness of his words was one source of their power. His speech was heart burning. flowing, eager, tender, passionate, sympathetic, loving; who ever was so genu- you would expect of one so genuine in character, his religious life was pure and simple Two things marked it, repentance, sorrowful and humble for the past, and faith in Christ tha. he would keep him to the end and save him in the world to come, and this lifted him up to the glory of God.
 When Mr. Blakeslee concluded his ad- dress the hymn commencing ''Blest be the tie that binds" was sung by the chorus and congregation.
 Rev. Dr. J. o. Peck, of Trinity M E. church, was next introduced. In his open ing remarks the speaker said: I feel hon ored in speaking of man who has honored himself and the world in which he lived. A man who has reformed more lives, has lifted up more families and has been the honored instrument through God of doing this because he himself was a monument of Gods mercy. The speaker then referred to Gongh's conversion in the Allen street Methodist Episcopal church in New
 York city, and said that to that denomina- tion he owed his first advancement in the Christian life. The speaker in passing re- ferred to his frequent visits at MT. Coughs home when he (the speaker) was stationed at Worcester, and the pleasure that these visits afforded him. Referring to MT. Coughs re- ligious home life he said it was model At family worship he always gathered the entire family about him, servants and all, and each with Bible in their hands they would study Gods word and chant their songs of praise. He bathed his soul daily in the at mosphere of the divine presence.
 He has spoken nine thousand times to ten millions of people. Think of the prodigious life work of this man! Every inspiration, every word uttered was for the uplifting of man. He inspired men and touched all that was noblest in them. What marvellous power God gave him! In the prime of his career he was like silver bell and gsmut that would touch the whole human emotions with his will. He talked with every part of his body. If there ever was man conse- crated to the work of lifting men up it was John B. Cough. That power of pathos, that power of indignation, were just as natural to him as child's laugh. He was wonderfully en- dowed by God to touch the human heart. If there ever was 8 Christian it was John B. Cough, for he knew that all he possessed he owed to the grace of God. He speaks to us finished speaker as Wendell Phillips, but he could move an audience better. He was a pastor over church once in Massachusetts and visited the people and was the means through God of a gracious revival. He sought the salvation of men in pastoral work. the same as he did on the platform. Nothing was more appropriate than his dying effort, when he said, "Young men, make your rec ord clean, |" and sank upon his couch. Many will rise up and bless the hour that he led them to forsake their cups.
 On the conclusion of Dr. Peck's address the quartette sang selection entitled Gods ways are the best"
 Rev. T. S. Samson of the Calvary Baptist church was the next speaker. He said: It is fitting that the people of New Haven should assemble to-day te honor the memory of John B. Cough. It is fitting that through out the country and the world people should assemble to-day and at other times to honor his memory It is the sad fate of public men to be open to criticism. If we learn no
 
 will speak naught but good for men while they live and not wais until the grave covers them before we have paid to them the honor which is their due. I believe in the omnipotence of the human will and I believe that man does not live that cannot throw off forever the curse of the cup. John B. Cough was standing at his printers case depraved from drink and heard some young men passing singing temperance songs, and he resolved to throw off the chains that bound and be- come free man. Never day passed but that he had to struggle against this appetite, and never day that he did not achieve a victory Before his conversion he stood in the strength of his own manhood, but then in the strength of God.
 He died mid unfinished work, as many others die and as Moses died. There is no finished work in this world; one sows, an- other reaps; one sows for the future and oth- CTS reap the benefit of their work. Will this curse of intemperance ever be banished from our lands God help us to do our part toward rea"hing this great result
 Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. He has gone, but we believe he wears nobler crown than man can weave him.
 Hon. James Gallagher was next introduc. ed. He said he knew something of John B. Cough. More than forty years ago he spoke in wonder Center church. I recollect it well, SLNt eloquent man. I remember his pleadings; [ remember his story how that God had reached out his arm and lifted him up out of the mire of intemperance. The speaker here related in 8 graphic way MT. Coughs story of his thirst for rum. A clergym an has said under his own sign manual that the drunk ard is not worth saving. Is it 50? Look at John B. Cough. Let us take an example from this man, and remem Der that there is no one fallen so low that he cannot be saved to his family and the world. This man was redeemed by the power of love; by some unseen influence that must have been love and kindness. I never missed an opportunity to listen to John B. Cough and never heard him abuse the rumseller or the rum drinker, but for him who stood behind the bar he prayed: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
 In closing the speaker appealed to the young men of Yale college in the dying words of Cough to fmake their record clean.' Don't carry away from your college life habits of intemperance, but carry with you he principles of total abstinence from all hat intoxicates.
 After brief addresses by Judge R. s. Pick tt and Rev. Dr. Phelps the interesting exer- 'ises were brought to 8 close by singing Nearer My God to Thee" and the bsnedic- ion by Dr. Phelps.
 The services throughout were of very interesting character and were fitting trib- 1te of the people Of onr city to the memory if the great temperance orator.
 The Memorial Service At Worcester.
 WORCESTER, Feb. 26.-Some twenty-five hundred people attended the memorial ser ice in Mechanics Hall this afterno on in onor of the late John B. Cough. Rev D. ). Mears presided. Music was furnished by
 double quartette. A letter was read from 'rofessor E. A. Parke of Amherst college, xtolling the deceased's character. Addresses 7ere made by Judge Aldrich, Rev. George Whitaker, Rev. T. J. Conaty and represen- atives of the Y. M. c. A.. the Reform club nd St. Johns guild. Letters were read rom Senator Hoar, Congressman Rice, ex- tovernor Cladin and others.
 SATURDAYS GALE.