MEMOIR.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

BIOGRAPHY is valuable only so far as, by a presentation of facts developed in the life of its subject, it encourages virtue and rebukes vice. The desire to perpetuate the memory of a friend, whose energies, on earth, were consecrated to the highest interests of humanity, is both natural and commendable; but whoever attempts this in utter disregard of facts, and at the expense of real character, is not entitled to the name of a biographer. He may excite admiration for a genius which enables him to throw a tinge of glory around all the darker aspects of life, and exalt and magnify the most ordinary virtues till they glow, seemingly, with all the radiance of human perfection. And friends may praise the fiction. We seldom fault a flattered portrait of our idols. We look approvingly on brighter hues than ever adorned the original. Daguerreotypes receive but meagre applause from partial hearts. Because they are too real, they are often wanting in grace and finish. We would have some touches of art added to the reflections of nature. We

would have deformities veiled, and every feature clothed with an air of loveliness. And so in regard to the portraiture of character. Friendship and affection demand that it be executed in such a manner as to exhibit every possible grace. Every virtue must be dignified as a glorious achievement, and every fault excused to circumstances over which the actor had no control.

But truth is better than fiction. The daguerreotype is more deservedly esteemed than a fancy sketch, blended with the image of features impressed upon the heart. It is more esteemed, and more wisely cherished, because it is more true to life. And so the most faithful representation of character, with all the influences which have contributed to its development, appeals to the higher admiration of friends, and, at the same time, reads a more impressive lesson to those who may be induced to study it. Its weaknesses are warnings, and because they are real they are effective. Its virtues are encouragements helps to humanity. They are to the creations of the biographer what the presence of a great man is to his lithograph likeness. Portraits of the Hungarian patriot were scattered broad-cast through the land; but little enthusiasm was kindled, by the sight of these, in behalf of his cause. But, whenever he made his appearance in public, the masses thronged to catch a glimpse of his person, and, if successful, felt abundantly rewarded for standing hours in the rain, being jostled in the crowd, or even for submitting to be run over by blinder admirers than themselves. There is a power in the actual that never belonged to the ideal. And virtues victories achieved over temptation, spirituality cherished and man

ifested amidst the corruptions of worldliness, faith in God, challenging the powers of superstition, and growing brighter and brighter unto the perfect day- virtues like these, speaking to us in the life of the departed, tell upon the interests of our souls with a power never yet vouchsafed to fiction.

Under convictions of this character the writer now addresses himself to the task of presenting to the public a brief sketch of the Life and Labors of the late Rev. James Monroe Cook. That he shall be able to preserve his mind free from that bias which deep fraternal love might naturally be supposed to give to thought, he neither expects nor desires. But he does hope to be able to present the simple story of a life, that has left its impress upon the affairs of our denomination, free from the distortions of a morbid partiality, - to point out, in a spirit of tenderness and compassion, the frailties which marked its progress, and to exhibit, with the force of simple truth, that vivacity of spirit, that energy of purpose, and that deep-toned devotion, which made him an agreeable friend and companion, and an efficient laborer in the vineyard of his Master. He hopes, in a word, to be able to present a portrait of the man, which, from its fidelity to the original, his friends shall readily recognize, and which the heart aspiring for high attainments in Christian graces shall gaze upon with profit, as well as with feelings of admira

tion.

Within a few years past, death has been busy among the watchmen on the walls of our Zion. Some of the noblest and best have fallen. That great light in the Empire State, long celebrated as an eloquent man, and