The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-23
BOY PREACHER FOR SURE
CLAUD HANBURY COOKE. FOURTEEN
YEARS OLD, TEACHES GOSPEL.
With His Brother, n Singer, He Begins
a Series of Revival Meetings mt
Meridian-Strcet Church.

Claude Hanbury Cooke, fourteen years
of age. commonly referred to as Jack"
Cooke, began a series of revival meetings
at Meridian-street NJ. f.. Church last night.
assisted by his brother. j. H.. Cooke. "A
blonde haired young man of about twenty
one. Both are from England. Jack Cooke
is known as the boy preacher. He appears
in the pulpit in knickerbockers. He and
his brother are accompanied by Dunford
AustermeIl, of Los Angeles, Cal. The lat
ter is a half grown lad who also appears
in knickerbockers.
The boys arrived here yesterday evening
from St. Louis. where they conducted sue
cessful meetings. They are staying at the
Denison. Jack Cooke came from Manches-
ter. England. about two years ago and has
conducted services in the leading churches
in the United States. lie made his first
bow before the world as a public preacher
in May. 1897. in Manchester. England.
The young ~evangelists opened at Merid-
ian-street Church last night for two weeks
of revival meetings. Jack Cooke is an elo-
quent young orator and speaks extern
poraneously. Prior TO the sermon last night
his brother recited a poem entitled at
Touched the Very Spot" written b. their
father. The brother possesses a full, rich
tenor voice and leads the singing. The text
was selected by some one in the audience
1t was from Romans and was on the ques-
ton of faith. 1t is said of the young
evangelist that he always allows his audi
ence To select his text and he then frames
a sermon on this text. Last night as soon
as the text had been decided on he pro-
ceeded to preach a sermon on faith. He
said that men should have the kind of faith
fhn would no TnnIkr ut a TNnVnnnffA -
TO serve them. He said II seemed to him
that the active faith Of the days of miracles
Is the kline of -aith people need to-day.
Friends" he said. you are Christians
sure enough. but how much faith do you
possessy' He urged that people make God
a companion. You have faith" he de-
clared, that when you go out OF this
church you will go home safely. In this
same way have faith in God" Faith to
him. he said, is the only thing that can
bring that assurance that accompanies
peace. The young preacher urged his hear
ers to practice a prayer of faith. Friend"
he said in a voice of eloquent appeal, IF
you are a Christian weak don't be weak
any longer but lave faith"
In concluding his remarks he appealed
TO those who heard him to assist i'm max
ing the meetings a success. W want YOU
Christians for about two or three weeksGo
drop your dignity and pride he remarked.
The meeting closed with an appeal TO peO-
pie TO come forward and kneel at the altar.
j. III. Cooke assisted the young preacher in
getting the people to come forward. \
number of people pressed forward and knelt
at the altar while prayers were offered.
After this il was announced that they
would have what they termed five min
utes with Jesus This consisted of testi-
monials from different people who stood
about the altar. Between the brief state
ments made by those called on the young
singer would lead the audience in a verse
of a familiar hymn, such as Stand Up
for Jesus what a Friend We Have in
Jesus" We're Marching to Zion" etc.
Another meeting Will be held tonight,
and the work will probably continue night
w for some time. There was not a large
audience present last night. but the young
e%vangelists expect a larger turnout to-
night. Rev. w. A.. Quayle. pastor of the
church took nart in the services.