The Herald of Wales. — 1888-12-01 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

STORY OF HIS LIFE.  Notwithstanding the stormy nature of the weather and the hot theta charge for admission was made, the Albert Hall was filled in every part on Monday evening with interested men and women, anxious to hear "The Story of my Life," told by Mr E. G. Cook. Colonel Thomas, of Hay, presided, and in his opening remarks said he believed that the greater part of those present mast have been total abstainers, for they were attracted there by water, and not even the Bohee Brothers could keep them sway. (Laughter.) Mr Cook, previous tocommeneing his lecture, tendered his personal thanks to all who had so heartily assisted him during his mission, and made a special appeal to his hearers to do something to reduce the debt from whieb the union buffered, and in response £2l 3s. was instantly subscribed. Proceeding with his lecture Mr Cook traced his early life under the guardianship of Christian parents, his connection with a band of hope and juveulle lodge, until, when he reached the age of Ili, he was tempted to leave home. He tt 012 determined to go away, and accordingly started for Huntingdon, where he met with a "turnpike sailor," who induced him to pawn Lie olothea, and then, when his money had been spent, leh him. Tramping to Liverpool he bad to sleep in a °meshed, and the neat night in the street, and eubarquently made hie way to Meuebester, where he steed, with hundreds of others, outside the gaol, &net witnessed the execution of Jim Burrows, the boy murderer. Thie had ouch au effect upon hie mind that he determined to go home. At 20 he married, and accepted employment as agent for an implement manufacturer, In which ho was unsuoueseful. He was reduced to poverty and distress, and took a eitualion as &militant with a "travelling philoso• pher," or cheap Jack, and eventually determined to accept a situation as deem iptive lecturer of a menagerie. Whilst engaged in this vocation he rapidly acquired a taste for drink, and, his wife's parents hearing of it, they went to Bolton, where he was staying, and took her from him. After this he eared not for anything, and his appetite for drink incapacitating him for Us dutiee, he was discharged, and rapidly sunk to the lowest depths of oegredation. When he had gene about as far as it was possible for one to go, he was visited by Capt. and Mrs John Ward of the Salvation Army, who induced him to sign the pledge. He did so but signed in his alatimed name " Fred Eugene, " and after keeping it for II months he fell again and this time sank more rapidly than he did before. He had a godly amount of money, and one day, after having spent it all in nine days' dissipation in a public house, he was turned out, and was found in the back yard next morning with a alit in his throat, lying in a pool of blend, the result of a determined attempt at suicide. He was taken to the hoepital, visited by a number of friends, pointed the way to the orate embraced Christ as his salvation, was tried at the assizes for his raah attempt upon his life, discharged, and sent home to his wife and friends. He was induced to go upon the temperance platform, lid so, and by the grace of God bad been instrumental in inducing 46,000 persons to sign the pledge. In conclusion he reiterated his earnest thankfulness to ' all who had given him assietano9 during his visit to Swansea, atd said that during his stay be had made many friends, although on his arrival he had in some easee mountuiue of prejudice to overcome. (Shame.) Be had spoken to thousenis of t ;septet, but doors had been closed upon him that would have permitted him to speak to hundreds of others booanse some people, who preached a free and full salvation, desired to eoustitute thenurlves the judges of humanity, and rob June Christ of his power to save. (Shame.) He again thanked them for his ill:deems towards him, and remated his seat amidst lend cheers.  The Turki;ti-Mttti-e-atthßo named will be olc.sed, for the purpose cf rrpairs, from Monday to Thursday next, incilueire.-43ee  We are pleased to chronicle the suoci.es of Mr David &line, son of Mr. J. &dine, financier, of Swansea, at the Solicitats' Final. Mr. David Saline wae articled to Mr Moy Evans, solicitor, of it, Adelaide-street, Swansea. On Thursday, an inquest was held at the Joiner's Arms, Llarigyfelaoh, touching the daath of Daniel Jones, aged 41 years, who was killed at the Fintrefelin Colliery last Monday, by a quantity if coal falling on him. The jury returned 6 verdict of Accidental Death.  Jane Thomas, a young woman aged 21, dying at Thomas-atreet, l'ontardawe, died suddenly at her home on Thursday. It appears that the deceased had just partaken of her dinner, and went upatairs, when she fell on the floor, and shortly afterwards expired. Heart disease is suppomd to be the cause of death. An intsrosting entertainment was held in the sehoolroom adjoining the Bible Cbriatiso Chapel, Swansea, on Thursday night, under the auspices of the Band of Hope. The following was the programme :—Addreee, Mr J. Opdfrey; harmonium solo, Mho Prescott; song, Miss 11. Burton; recitation, Maud 80-pion ; glee, Mr Smith and Party; song, Mr J. Eyeful ; reci• tation, hir Edmund Tucker; song, Miss Barns; violin solo, Master Gorge Hoare; recitation, Rose Toms ; clarionette solo, Mr Chas. Bowles song, Mr Win. Palmer; recitation, Mr J. Beynon ; song, Illm Burrs; dialogue, two  _______. Infotostion has reached as of the death of Mr John Geskein, lately a member of the firm of Weirs Haskoni and Pry, anheitore, Templestreet, Swansea, which hsa taken place at the. Priory, Oterlow. Mr (hakeln, having resided for many years at Longlends, Mumble', and baring taken a prominent part in many local movements, was well-- known and highly respected in Swansea- He had been deputy. «waxer for the district, deputy-steward for the Duke of Beaufort, hon. solicitor to tile Hospital, and solicitor to the Gilatnorganshire Bankruptcy , Oottrt.