The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-23

The memorial tablet concentrating
the late Rev. DR.. W. II. Cooke, for many
years pastor OF the Second Prcsbyter-
ian church, has been placed in position.
and last evening tho memorial SER
vices were held. being conducted by
Rev. Dr. w. II. Lester. OF West Alex
ander, an almost lifelong friend OF the
dead minister. The greater part OF the
congregation Of the church and many
friends not members OF the church.
were present.
Previous to the memorial servlcesthe
regular Welnesday evening prayer
meeting was held. DR.. Lester addressed
the eoHgragatlon on the Love OF tho
Great Shepherd for HIS Sheep" Even
the best OF men nave been known TO
fan from grace: Noah, Moses. and the
disciples John and Peter. fell from the
grace OF the Lord. II IL Fcnrally true,
said the speaker. ttnt the Christian
who falls, falls where nc thinks he ls
strongest. TOO late he sees that wirnt
he thought was the strongest part OF
his urmor, was in reality the weakest.
From this the lesson is lulrned that Il
Is hest TO always keep close to the
Lord. II Is true, too. that these who
foil and RETURN to the Lord are usually
STRONGER In their faith and better equip
ped for the struggle with Satan.
II wns with feelings that lie could
hardly adequately express, said Dr.
LeStfr, that he again spoke from the
pulpit OF the Second church. When he
Ind first spoken from that pulpit. II
was on the OCCASION OF the death OF Dr.
Cookies predecessor. He had next
spoken Mt the time Of the Installation OF
the minister whose memorial WIS be-
fore him now. Then. again. he had
been called there when DR.. Cooke had
been so suddenly called away, 80 to
me" said Df. Lester, this pulpit seems
draped In mourning"
The spraker then proceeded to read
an cioqusrtiy delivered and Thought
fully expressed tribute to DR.. Cooke. To
commemorate Tho IItc pastor . tablet
is not necessary. but II serves 10 recall
every time this church IS entered. the
Cody man who has Departed from our
midst. II serves to recall him so TINT
parents may tell 8t him 20 their chill
drcn who would not otherwise know OF
him.
Dr. Coolies Illness was short and his
death sudden and llB announcement
sent q thrift through this entire COM
munIty. II was Il terrible shock to
even hts most ultimate friends. being
no unexpected. The spcpkers's I'M
preston was TINT Dr.CooItc was good.
strong and true man. He was not
noisy. but was always listened to with
great attention. tic was cultured and
well read nnd In conversation Possessed
"a charm OF style nint was appreciated
by all with wlium he came In contact.
A. ,a1t 49, - Ga
well acquainted with Or. Cooke, but he
know that he Thought rapidly and
spoke with strong conviction. a lady
OF the congregation had told the speak
cE That she had never heard DR.. Cooke
utter weak remark or one OF I'M
guarded expression or anything that
wonId need tnttinE ,tDwn later.
II HYas particularly In the presbytery
that DR. Cooke cSccllel. Ills thorough
knowledge OF parliamentary usage aud
his analytical mind combined 10 make
kim Leader In the prcsbytcry, one who
possessed as much influence Us any
other minister there.
Three years ugo he WINS moderator OF
THE Synod of PENNSYLVANIA. where his
great ability was shown to advantage.
At the last meeting Of the WIshing-
ton pnshytery. IN December. Or.
Cooke IVES flOt present. he hau DTtl
called away. HIS absence had cast n
shadow over that gathering and many
. remark like. "IIow we miss DR..
Cooke" was heard.
The esteem In which DR.. Cooke was
held IN this community WIS shown at
the funeral, which was attended by
large numbers of The Inembers OF var
ious wori0laSncn'S orders. who testi-
fed to their sorrow on the occasion Of
his death on these people the dead
minister had u strong hold. In thesa
days OF secular thoaEiFt, to secure the
good will OF the world In general is not
usual. but II Is true In the case Of DR.,
Cooke,
In concluding, the speaker said that
tow churches have had such grand
workers In Christ's service as the Sec
-ona church. There are DlrkEon. Tod,
tho elder Mofrnt and CoolScs all Of them
were Grand aud good mcn.
The tablet Is placed to the Left OF tho
pulpit In plain View from all parts OF
the church. II Is OF copper bronze,
beautifully inscribed with these words:
DIR. W. H. COOKE.
IN MEM RIITM.