The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-20

logue. Mr.. Cook had in his possession
a catalogue of 1871, which he has sent to
the Institute, and which will be- nicely
bound and placed in the Library.
When young lad. Mr.. Cook met with
trials, endured hardships, and received
abuse from those in whose care he was
placed. He ran away from his persecu.
tors, and when fifteen years OF age. he
tramped by the Clinton Liberal Insti.
tute buildings, at Clinton, and an earn
est desire to attend school there took
possession of him. He found places
where he worked for his board and at.
tended school in winter. He acted as
driver on the Erie Canal, and after a
time. had saved money enough to go to
Clinton Liberal Institute where he lived
on fifty cents week. When eighteen
years OF age, he began teaching and met
with marked success in this work.
His parents were Methodets, but in
1877, he began to preach as Universal
ist, in which work he continued several
years. Now, if indeed he be still alive.
he is poor old invalid living alone in a
little board house. in need of help and
sympathy.
His reply to President Michael's letter
gives, in detail, events of his early life.
The pathos between the lines will move
hearts even as hard as those who made
life veritable place of torment to the
sensitive boy who longed for kind words.
for sympathy. for opportunity to study
and whose whole life had been a strupple
against abuse and oppression.
A prominent man in Columbus, Kans..
writes of Mr.. Cook: HE is a man of
unquestioned integrity, and the most
economical habits. He possesses a
strong mind. There are not many peo.
pie who feel disposed to help him,-but
it is principally because his views on re-
ligious questions differ from theirs, that
Ae is left alone. He gets some help, but
not what he ought to have; he is fast de-
Ginning in physical vigor. and it will not
be long that he will need help
These letters were read before the Gin
ton Liberal Institute students at their
Sunday evening song service, and,-al.
though he did not ask for help,-their
hearts were touched by the pathetic
story. and the thought of the poor lonely
sufferer. At the suggestion of student
generous sum was contributed, which
has been forwarded to Mr.. Cook.
l have no personal knowledge of the
section of the country in which this old
mans home is located; but while ws
talk OF missionaries to foreign lands,
would it not be we'll to do some mission
airy work among people who, while pro.
Tossing to be Christians, will leave suf-
fering invalid to die alone, mot because
his integrity can be questioned; not be-
cause of immortality; but because (alas.
foul wrongly his views on religious
questions differ from theirs? Because,
as Universalist. he can believe that his
very prosecutors may be cleansed from
all unrighteousness?
We read of church doors closed
against our services; we hear of social
ostracism because of religious belief;
but it seems Incredible that such bigotry
as theirs can exist in this enlightened
age.
Indignation rises to it's highest pitch
at the thought of this old mans denied
longing for that love and reverence
which is due old age; for his loneliness,
and desire for release expressed in the
words, Whether die soon or linger,
must suffer. Dying is nothing; but get
ting to it-'aye, there's the rub" "His
views on religious questions differ from
theirs Father forgive them, for they
know not what they do" LIS.