Henry Cooke, D. D., and Arianism in the Irish Chruch [pp. 205-230]

230 IlENRY COOKE, D.I)., ETC. [ApnI,
us extracts from two letters, one written when lie was a youn~
man of twenty-seven to his young wife, the other when he was
an old man of seventy to his faithfnl partner for more than
forty years. Both breathe the same affectionate tenderness
and manly love. And it was only in his letters to his relatives, or very dear friends, that his deep personal piety found
expression in words. He had an unutterable detestation of
everytliing savoring of affectation or cant in religion, and
shrunk with nervous sensitiveness from exposing his inner life
to the public gaze. But in speaking or writing to those whom
he knew to be one with him, in feeling, faith and hope, he expressed himself without reserve. Dr. Cooke's letters show
that even those outside the circle of his own family, who know
him best and prized him most, but imperfectly appreciated
the full beauty of his character.
Dr. Cooke had his faults. Who is there who has not?
He too often allowed himself to be mixed up in the angry
discussions of political parties, and to be made use of by men
who were moral and intellectual pigmies when compared with
him. In the Church Courts he was at times impatient of contradiction, inclined to be dictatorial, and unnecessarily severe
in debate. But even those who opposed him most, and liked
him least, could not help acknowledging the genuine nobility
of his nature, and that his faults arose from his earnest desire to promote what he believed to be the cause of truth. A
most unfriendly critic of Dr. Porter's book, and an uncompromising foe to Dr. Cooke's principles, religious and political,
recently wrote as follows: "Without in any way approving of
Cooke's principles, we can cordially admit the unselfish spirit
and unworldly nature which actuated him. In the private
circle he was amiable, affectionate, unpretending. His habits
were simple; he sought not in any sordid way worldly aggrandizement-to the last he retained the esteem of his
friends, by his thorough honesty and singleness of purpose;
and all his strength was given to his church, and what he
thought the cause of truth and righteousness.. This moral
nobleness and unselfishness of nature, was the real secret of
his influence, when living, and is the permanent legacy he bequeaths tha woAd."