The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-15
Jack" Cooke Delivers His First
Sermon in Seattle.
SIMPLE. ELOQUENT SPEAKER.
Shows Wonderful Knowledge of the
Bible md Christian Religion, and
Holds Close Attention of Audi
ence-Ordinary Small Boy I'm APP
pearance, but Perfectly mt Home
on Observation-Disclosures Converted.

Thirteen-year-old CIaud II. Cooke, more
commonly known as Jack. the Boy
Preacher Of England" commenced a series
of revival sermons at the First Baptist
church last night before a large audience.
Notwithstanding his few years, his dis
course, which was extemporaneous, was
a model and held the close attention of
all present
That the boy is possessed with a won
derful knowledge OF the Bible and the es-
sence of the Christian religion seems in
disputable. He showed n grasp of his sub
5ect that many his senior might envy. AS
a speaker he deserves the highest praise
In a clear, boyish voice without any ora
torical fourishes, he expounded his text
simply and logically. At times the speech
rose 10 eloquence but was mainly pitch Cd
in a minor key.
In person Jack" does not differ from
others of his age. He is lightly built, has
n pleasant expressive face and brown
hair. His youthful appearance in no way
detracts from the success Of his sermon.
He was perfectly at home on the PLATFORM
His gestures were frequent, but appro-
pirate. At the conclusion Of the sermon a
number testified to their conversion.
Rev. Louis s. Bowerman, the pastor OF
the church. opened the meeting with
brief Introductory address, and then the
boys father, Henry Cooke. gave brief
account of Jacks" career and exhorted
the audience in behalf of Christianity The
choosing of a text from those present fol-
lowed. Four were submitted, the audience
selecting by n rising vote Mark viii. 36 and
81, For what shall 1t profit a man that he
gain the whole world II he loses his own
soui?"
The boy preacher first requested every
true Christian in the church to stand up
about four-ffths of the audience respond
ing. Commencing with the statement that
most people were very businesslike In
their temporal affairs, he appealed to his
listeners to be businesslike in their spirit
uai life The true Christian. he said. was
the only one who enjoyed life to It's fullest
extent. Friendship and earthly ties he
described as transient. Usually, he said,
they were broken by some slight change
in condition. Even If they survived the
troubles OF life. they ceased with death
Jesus, he declared. was the only steadfast
companion; His companionship was for
eternity your earthly friendships break
sooner or later" he cried. "Why. the
modern idea OF companionship with a man
Is how much can you get out of him. We
find few friendships between the rich man
and the poor one"
The boy then discussed n fictitious Mr.
Jones who died In the prime of his life
rich In this worlds goods The speaker
used the supposlton TO apply the mean
ing OF the text. "Of what avail was his
wealth. when he met death. face to- fnce?"
asked Jack Eternity had come Gpln
Nothing material was of any use TO him
then He stood alone and the only friend
the only companion to whom he could
have chung was Jesus. but he knew Him
not. And this, friends. is the position in
which all Of us must stand. The death TO
the sinner IL fearful but to he who be-
lleyes and trusts In Christ II is only tho
gateway to "A better life"
mo han he nil
destruction of earthly things. by .hange
and evolution. Everything he said wore
away by evolution until nothing remained
lie cited nail an example II acane
rusty, and was thus destroyed If t. own
err polished II 10 keep away the rus, ne
said II was finally worn down by the pol-
ishng. In contrast to this, he c,toi the
Immortality of the soul
Take the spirit from the body" nc de.
clared, and the body dies. but the spirit
lives. The spirit IL yourself your individ-
uaiity, Take away n mans spirit. AMI put
anothers I'm his body. tho features viii
change, there viii be different indlvi1-
uality"
He discussed the Bible nj length ana
appealed TO his listeners TO defy tn. devil
IN their daily life. and live as Christ wodli
have them live. In closing nc said Leave
out a little OF the business OF the car:h
from your lives, and put In a little OF the
business Of tho soul"
The hoy preacher will continue his re-
vlyal services each night for the rest OF the
week u the Firrt Baptls, church, n.I viii
answer questions from the audience during
his address this evening.
Claud Hamburg Cooke was born 1T Moss
sidS, Manchester. thirteen years ago lie
attended school very irregu.arly ~ 10 VS.
seventh year when hc began his ministry.
Ills first public appearance was In 1877 M
the s.ty OF Manchester ENGLAND Vrs.e -
his father. brother travels with him
whose singing is one Of the features OF The
REVEALS