AN authority not to be disputed has affirmed," they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever." That such was the success attending the labours of the eminent individual, whose memoirs we have now to record, abundant witnesses on earth and in heaven can testify; and that such is the resplendent and eternal honour to which his spirit is now advanced, none can doubt who knew his character, or who believes the God of truth. If, then, such is the rank he has attained among the glorified witnesses that surround the throne of God, it were assuredly not befitting that the church below should be left without some memorial, however imperfect and inadequate, of excellencies which heaven had long designated, and has at last appropriated to itself. To withhold the record of his virtues were to inflict a second stroke, and incur another loss, more severe than that felt by his removal. Death has torn from us the living image of the man, that Eternity might perpetuate the fruits of grace, and Immortality invest them with undecaying youth; but it would be both an infamy and a loss to the church, if she suffered oblivious Time to rob her of the inspiring recollection of his name.

Mr. Cooke was born in London, in the year 1760. His father was a tradesman in respectable circumstances, and lived in St. George's in the East. Mrs. Sarah Cooke, N. S. No. 25.

his mother, brought to her husband, by marriage, several valuable estates, all of which, with the exception of one, were sold. Out of three children, John, the subject of this memoir, was the only one that grew up. Both the others died while young. At the age of five Mr. Cooke lost his mother, for whom, though then scarcely sensible of his loss, he appears to have formed a remarkable affection, so as to have been able, many years after, to recollect her love for him, and the circumstances of her last sickness and death. The dying mother committed her two sons to the care of an only sister, who promised to act the part of a mother by them, but who entirely betrayed the trust reposed in her. Soon after the death of his mother he lost his younger brother, and, owing to the unkindness and neglect of his father, was taken under the care of an uncle and aunt, who resided near his father's house. From this period, his lot was scarcely better than that of an unprotected orphan. His father took little care of him, and at one period he was nearly starved to death, through the cruelty of a woman to whom he had been committed. At this crisis, it appeared there still remained a small landed estate, which could not be alienated by the father from his son John. It was but too evident, by his neglect. of his child, that he would have rejoiced in the removal of every

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obstacle to his appropriation of this property. But the motherless babe found a Protector on high, who watched over his tender years, and raised up friends for him on earth, although basely forsaken of his now profligate father. John Cooke was sent by his aunt and uncle to Letchingden, in Essex. It appears to have been while he resided there that a kind Father in heaven raised him up a most unexpected protector and guardian. The estate which he inherited was copyhold. Upon this a fine of £40. became due; but the child had no friend to pay

A gentleman in the neighbourhood hearing that there was a friendless child to whom it belonged, and who had no guardian but a sottish father, who had virtually forsaken him, voluntarily came forward and paid the fine. Unless this kind act had been done by this unknown friend, the estate must have been sold, and consequently alienated from him. While John was kept at school, this gen tleman often sent for him on the Sabbath days, and endeavoured to console and encourage him, and afterwards paid annually a sum of money for his board. The person to whom he had been committed was a Mr. Laver, who rented and farmed the estate which belonged to John in virtue of his mother. Here he continued till he was eighteen years of age. Mr. Laver, the person with whom he lived, formed for him a singular affection, and treated him as his own child. His kindness made the deepest impression in the heart of Mr. Cooke. Referring to this period, he says, "I wished to live and die with him. Thus, when my father and mother forsook me, the Lord took me up. Mr. Laver's affection grew with my growth, and strengthened with my strength; and he spared me as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. I found in Mr. J. Laver a father and a mother, and a friend that sticketh closer

than a brother-closer than a mother's sisters, or even a father. The Lord gave me favour in the sight of this man, and in him, as God's agent, the fatherless' John Cooke found mercy.' My God, reward his paternal kindness, by answering my prayers for him-the prayers of grateful anguish for his salvation. If I forget thee,' my best earthly friend, let my right hand forget its cunning.'" During his residence at the farm, which was for the purpose of bringing him up to the farming business, he experienced many singular deliverances from danger and death, which he has recorded in his Memoranda. We are constrained, however, to pass over these occurrences. One remarkable event which he witnessed, and which made a deep impression upon his mind while yet a boy, may be found related, in his own impressive manner, in our Magazine for FEBRUARY 1818, signed Veritas, and entitled Remarkable Judgment.

His father died in a fit of intoxication, a year or two after he had been sent to the farm in Essex-a death truly awful, the circumstances of which he records with deep anguish. After having lived about twelve years with his kind friend at the farm, and enjoyed the advantages of education afforded at the neighbouring town of Malden, it was proposed by his uncle and aunt in London, that he should leave his master. This was a great and difficult task to accomplish, as their mutual attachment was so great, that it seemed almost impossible to shake it. However, at length it was effected, and the youth was persuaded it was for his benefit and improvement that he should leave the farm, and see a little more of business and the world. The real intention of his relatives seems to have been widely different from the pretended one. His uncle, instead of becoming his protector, had fallen into his father's courses,