THE Rev. FINLAY COOK WAS SON OF A RESPECTABLE FARMER in the island of Arran, where he was born in the year 1778. Of his early life we do not know much more than that he was one of the fruits of the revival of religion that visited Arran about the beginning of the present century. That his first religious exercises, in respect both of convictions and deliverances, were unusually deep and thorough, might be gathered from hints occasionally dropped by himself in after life. But, indeed, the character of his personal religion, and of his ministry of the gospel, abundantly manifested this. We may mention, however, one instance of his early experience which we have heard him relate. Being engaged one night in secret prayer in a solitary place, he obtained such a discovery of the new covenant way of salvation that it seemed "spread out like a map before him." He was at this time in the habit of regularly frequent- ing the ordinances of religion and the company of the people of God, and the spiritual refreshings then enjoyed he used to speak of with freshness and fervour to his latest days. Besides his own ministerÄthe Rev. Neil McBrideÄthere were other two who were specially useful to himÄDrs. Love and Balfour of GlasgowÄand his way of alluding to these "first three" showed, that in and through them he had derived much spiritual profit. When a student in Glasgow there was at a communion occasion there, ministers officiating whose services he little relished; but hearing that Dr. Balfour was expected on Sabbath afternoon, he was looking forward with expectation to his coming. He did not appear, however, and the last table being about to be served, he deemed it his duty to 72 REV. FINLAY COOK go to the table. On sitting down in heaviness of spirit, he began to soliloquise thusÄ"Just so; it is man you are looking to, and it is with man, I fear, you will be left at last. "At that moment the voice of Dr. Balfour, who had come in unperceived by Mr. Cook, and had taken his stand at the place where he sat, broke over his head; and his soul's state and wants were so clearly spoken to that, through the messenger and the message, he was led to transact with the Lord Himself, and he came away saying, "How dreadful is this place; this is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." Being desirous of serving the Lord in the work of the ministry, he pursued the usual course of study at the Glasgow University; and it is remarkable that, during the summer vacations, he was employed as missionary or evangelist at the Lanark cotton mills, then the property of the famous Robert Owen. This man at that time made a profession of religion, but, subsequently taking up the views called "socialist," he set up a society of this kind, first in Lanarkshire, and afterwards in America; but which, as might be expected, "came to nought." After receiving license, Mr. Cook's first appointment was to the Achreny Mission in Halkirk, in 1817. He had, as we have previously stated, very distinguished predeces- sors thereÄthe last of whom was Mr. Munro. But Mr. Cook seems to have been behind none of them in accept- ance. In the mission district, at that time and beyond it, were not a few notable Christians. They looked upon the regular ministry with suspicion, and not without reason. They had profited little by it in either their spiritual outset or progress. Many of the parochial charges were occupied by men put in by the strong hand of patronage, and in few respects qualified for the office. They fed themselves, and not the flock, having indeed nothing wherewith to feed it. The just dislike therefore with which these earnest Christians regarded such cold and carnal men extended itself in some degree to the office which had been so long and so frequently associated with them; and when a minister of a better stamp appeared, that stamp required to be strongly marked in MINISTER OF REAY 73 both his life and labours before the prejudices referred to yielded. But they did yield before Mr. Cook, even more than before his predecessor, Mr. Munro. The reason of this will probably be found in the fact that in Mr. Munro's religious experience, what is called the objective element predominated. Grace gave him great light and delight in the gospel provision. It was the almost absorbing matter of his meditation and of his public proclamation. All who knew him knew this; and how he enlarged often exclusively on the person, work, and offices of the Saviour. Not that he was unacquainted with the wants and woes of the human heart, and exerÄ cised deeply under them; if so, he could not have been the man he wasÄcould not have prized a Saviour as he did. But by grace he so seldom lost his view of the gospel remedy that he was rarely subjected to the depressions and despondings of many of the Lord's people. In fact, he was one who, like the Ethiopian eunuch, "went on his way rejoicing" in the well sustained assurance of faith, delighting to contemplate and exhibit the believer's privileges and prospects. Now, this is most blessed exercise in itself, and "happy is the man who is in such a case." But there were times when it did not meet the straits and perplexities of disciples who, while they revered Mr. Munro and admired his large-hearted faith, would sometimes feel more helped by one who, while far from omitting the objective element, was also minutely subjective, and spoke closely to the varying phases of the believer's heart. Such a one they found in Mr. Cook. He and Mr. Munro were like two children in one family Äboth bearing their Father's likeness, but each possessing his own distinctive cast of features. Mr. Cook's faith of the gospel, not less stedfast, was yet less manifestly exulting; his assurance of his own personal salvation he rarely, if ever, directly expressed. The contrast between them was sometimes practically and pleasingly exhibited. Mr. Munro one day observing that Mr. Cook was unusually depressed, asked the reason. "How could it be other- wise," he replied, "with one who feels his heart harder now than it was forty years ago?" "Harder! I hope it 74 REV. FINLAY COOK is so, "returned Mr. Munro (referring, of course, to the sense of hardness), "why, our hearts are like the sea; those who 'go down to the sea in ships' come back tell- ing of some monster they have seen, but who ever came back saying he had seen all the sea monsters?" Another time they were returning by steamboat from the General Assembly, when Mr. Munro, with that fatherly authority no one thought of disputing, gathered the passengers, evening and morning, to worship; and as was his wont in singing, gave out the line, and sang loudly and heartily. When they landed, Mr. Cook playfully challenged him for his boldness in conducting worship in such a place and among such a mixed multitude and, moreover, singing so loudly, adding, "Indeed, I could not have done it." "Oh! friend," returned Mr. M., laying his hand affection- ately on the other's shoulder, "You and I will soon be singing in glory. "Illustrative of this reticence of Mr. Cook, we may add that to a well-known evangelist from the south who enquired of him how many persons he had been the means of converting, his reply was, "Oh! I'm sometimes afraid I am not converted myself. "This reminds us of how Donald Lamont, a West Country worthy, once adroitlyÄto use a military phraseÄturned the flank of the minister of Reay. The latter had said to Donald, "What have you to say to me, who have been preaching so long to my fellow-sinners of the necessity of the new birth and perhaps myself not yet born again?" "I have this to say," returned Donald, "that if you are not yet born again, there is little chance for you now." This unexpected reply so gratified Mr. Cook that it led to an amusing occurrence between them, which we need not here relate. After some experience of the man and of his message the Lord's people in and around the district where he began his labours drew warmly around him, as we have said. There was also another way that the Christians of that time and place had of estimating the character of one to whom they were attracted. They referred the matter to the Lord, and His word, impressed upon their hearts with Divine power, that their faith accredited and MINISTER OF REAY 75 their action was guided by. For example, on the morning of the first Sabbath that Mr. Cook preached in Halladale, as James Macdonald, catechist, is engaged in private prayer regarding the stranger, that passage of Scripture, The voice of one crying in the wilderness," etc., comes to his mind in the self-evidencing way referred to. Then, Lord," said James, rising to his feet, "we will go and hear it." James, it may be noticed, took this further way of "trying the spirit" of the new minister. He confronted him one day at the Bridge of Reay, as he was riding homewards. They had never before met, and Mr. Cook knew not who the man was who enquired at him, "Are you the new minister?" "Yes, I am; what do you want with me?" "I want baptism from you." "For whom?" "For myself." "Well, I will baptize you if you tell me who is your father." This ready replyÄone more search- ing than to many may appearÄgave James much satis- faction. The Achreny mission was at that time, as has been stated, a very extensive and laborious charge. The roads were mere tracks, traversing moor, mountain, and water- course, and in many places wrought into mire by the rains of winter. Means of conveyance, too, were scanty, and Mr. Cook and his predecessors often walked the distances and forded the streams on foot. But they bore all this discomfort ungrudginglyÄdoing their Master's work to the great edification of Christ's flock and to the profit of others. Mr. Cook and Mr. Munro, talking one day in their later years over their experiences in the mission (which was supported by the " Queen's Bounty "), agreed that there they had their pleasantest days. Mr. P. McKay, afterwards of Bruan, who was present, with considerable naivete remarked, "Perhaps the reason was that you then lived more on the Royal Bounty." Mr. McKay, we may add, has lately passed away, and with him a large amount of interesting information and anec- dote regarding Christians of a byegone generation. If, however, the field of labour was toilsome, Mr. Cook was physically fitted for it, having a robust frame capable of enduring great fatigue, which stood him in good stead 76 REV. FINLAY COOK in many a long and wearisome journey, and during the labours of many a communion season. To friends who at the conclusion of such occasions would sympathise with him in having been engaged publicly every day, he would reply, I wish it were just beginning again. "His body was not exhaustedÄhis spirit was refreshedÄand he would gladly renew work to him so congenial. One Monday evening, as the congregations were dispersing he was overheard in this soliloquy, "I am glad I am not a farmer, nor a merchant, nor such like, but that my busi- nessÄmy 'lawful calling'Äis afresh to meditate on the word of the Lord and anew to tell of His grace." In personal appearance Mr. Cook was about the middle height, of dark complexion, and of manly air and gait. He had a remarkable eye, black and brilliant, giving unmistakable evidence of intelligence and thought. Mr. Cook's natural gifts were very superior. His conceptions of truth were clear and unconfused, and in language of great simplicity and terseness they were expressed. Indeed, at times the compactness and pith of his sentence gave them the shape and force of proverbs. In preaching he abhorred mere garnishing, presenting his weighty thoughts in words apt and comprehensible by all who heard them. His Gaelic, we believe, was faultless for the sphere he occupied. That language has many dialects. Those knowing one of these often regret their difficulty in understanding a minister who uses another. A complaint of this kind was rarely, if ever, heard against Mr. Cook. To one who, struck with his cosmopolitan Gaelic, asked him where he acquired itÄ"Oh, it is," he said, "a hotch-potch gathered from Arran, Lewis, Inver- ness and Caithness." Mr. Cook's method of preparation for the pulpit was somewhat peculiar. Though close and careful in medita- tion, he did not formally commit his thoughts to writing. A friend who had access occasionally to his study used to say, "Those who seek Mr. Cook's literary remains will be disappointed." A writing-slate received his thoughts as he studied, and when the slate was needed for fresh matter, a drop of water and a sponge obliterated all that MINISTER OF REAY 77 was there before. The writer said to him jocularly, when he was confined by illness, "You don't need to study now; the old study will do." "No, no," he replied, "I study every day diligently; cannot but do so; must have my train of thought; once lost it in the churchyard of Watten, and much missed it; but after all what is our study but 'dry bones,' unless the Holy Ghost breathe on it from on high." In the pulpit there was nothing inappropriate in Mr. Cook's gestures or mode of address. He was gifted with uncommon good sense, and anything that traversed that he could ill tolerate. Whatever quaintness there was at times in the matter of his preaching, there was none in the manner of it. His appearance in the pulpit was manly, masterly, dignified. You saw at once that he feared not the face of any manÄthat he was the "righteous man bold as a lion "Äand that where truth was to be upheld against human prejudice or pride, he was the one fitted to do so. Were it not that we might be tedious, we could enlarge on this prominent feature of his characterÄhow he seemed to say in every look and word, "I must be about my Master's business "Ähow his sense of the Divine authority, and of the absorbing importance of the things unseen and eternal, made him comparatively regardless of the things seen and temporal, and estimate very lightly the opinions of ungodly men or formal pro- fessors. He knew the truth, felt its power, and he freely and boldly declared it, "impugn it whoso list." As a preacher Mr. Cook was like his brotherÄMr. ArchibaldÄa master in Israel. Those who could in some measure appreciate both, if they attempted to determine which was the greater, felt a difficulty. If on hearing the one to-day they preferred him, they gave up the prefer- ence on hearing the other to-morrow. If we may be allowed to regard ministers as the "horses in Pharaoh's chariot," drawing the everlasting gospel, then these two ran abreast with equal pace. In respect of personal godliness, no one ventured to set the one before the other. But yet they differed. There were certain departments of 78 REV. FINLAY COOK doctrinal truth on which the mind of Mr. Archibald speci- ally centredÄin particular, the sovereignty of Divine Grace, as exhibited in all the arrangements of the new covenant. His brother, again, treated in general a greater variety of topics. He had a large and clear grasp of truth, and perhaps more expansively exhibited the adap- tation of the Mediator to sinners of all classes and characters. Mr. Archibald, in his treatment of the believer's experience, had a marvellous power of discern- ing and describing the minutest marks of gracious exercise and of seizing the most fleeting phenomena of thought and feeling. Not unfrequently after he had exhibited the Christian as he ought to beÄand in such a way as to arouse the self-jealousy of the Lord's peopleÄhe would suddenly (striking a lower key and bringing out evidences of grace where they could see none) inspire them with fresh hope. Mr. Finlay was not less experimental. He brought the truth practically to bear on every class of his hearers. All received from him "their portion of meat in due season." He had a special tenderness in dealing with anxious soulsÄtenderness of language and manner that could scarcely be surpassed. In modes of expression peculiar to himself he would sympathise with such and feed them with the food most convenient for them. Keen also was his discernment of character. Where he saw pretension and hypocrisyÄwithering were his rebukes; but where he saw tokens of true soul concernÄ"gentle among such, as a nurse cherishing her children." His ministry, we may add, was singularly and widely useful. His knowledge of divine truth and masterly way of handling it; his attainments in the Divine life and sympathy with all who sought to know it; his unfeigned love to His Master and faithfulness to souls, attracted to his ministry all within the districts where he laboured, and not a few beyond it, who sought the way to Zion. And we are justified in saying that there were few Chris- tians in the Highlands of Caithness and Reay country whose spiritual life, in respect either of its origin or special after-impulses, was not associated with Mr. Cook. MINISTER OF REAY 79 About the year 1829 Mr. Cook accepted a mission charge in the island of LewisÄone in many respects diffi- cult and undesirable. The people were only beginning to emerge out of ignorance and rude social habits; and as to religion, Moderatism held almost undisputed sway. A friend tells us that when a lad in his native parish of Uig, he had gone under pressure of religious convictions to seek instruction from his minister. One such visit was enough, for next time he came to the manse he found the door barred against him and the servants looking in terror at him through the windowÄthe minister having told them that the lad was "out of his mind." Mr. Cook's ministry there, though on these and other accounts person- ally uncomfortable, was, there is good reason to believe, owned of the Lord. After being there a few years, he was called to the East Church, Inverness. During nearly half a century Mr. David Mackay was minister of the parish of Reay. For many years before his death he was laid aside by illness and the people were dependent for the preaching of the Word on occasional supply by members of Presbytery. Becoming dissatisfied with this state of matters, and thinking that Mr. Mackay required an assistant, their desires fixed on Mr. Cook. To this arrangement, however, Mr. Mackay could not be persuaded to agree. But, although this bar stood in their way, the people, in hope of ultimately obtaining Mr. Cook as their minister, establishing a prayer-meeting, having this as its main object, and which was kept up in the house of the Laird of Sandside, and headed by him for the period of eleven years. This gentleman, the leading proprietor of the parish, was regarded as one that feared the Lord and was a "lover of good men." In 1835 Mr. Mackay died. The Crown, which held the patronage, on the petition of the people of Reay, presented Mr. Cook to the vacant charge. Glad news was this to the hearts of the Lord's people in that parish and surrounding districts. Worthy Janet Macleod, Sand- side, in the fulness of her heart, lifted up her hands and exclaimed, "Lord, bless the whole earth!" Mr. Gunn, 80 REV. FINLAY COOK Watten, and Mr. Munro, Halkirk, presided at Mr. Cook's induction. With these fathers he maintained warm and constant Christian fellowship while they remained on earth, and he has now joined them in the church above. His pastoral work, especially the catechising of his people, Mr. Cook carried on with much care and faithful- ness. The remoter straths, now desolateÄthen consider- ably peopledÄhe used to visit by remaining two or three days at a time, gathering the various townships together for public worship and catechising. These meetings, especially when held in the long winter evenings, many persons attended; and the fortnightly fellowship meetings, held in the house of Janet Macleod, Sandside, were also to the Lord's people very refreshing and strengthening. During the controversy that resulted in the Disruption, Mr. Cook, in his own way, was making known to his people the questions at issue; and when that event was impending he and Mr. Taylor, Thurso, were empowered by the Presbytery to visit the various parishes of the bounds and inform the people of the importance of the principles involved. This they did, and it had no small effect in enabling the people to judge as to the course they ought to take. To his own people, when addressing them on the subject, just before setting off to the Assembly in 1843, Mr. Cook concluded by saying, "And should none of you go with me, I shall go to the fields with my testimony." Speaking to them when again they met, of their newly gained freedom, he said, "Well, people of Reay, I have long been saying hard things against you, and you have now the power, if you choose, of turning me about my business. "But whether they had the power or not, they inclined not to use it. Two of the leading members of his session did not at this period join the Free Church, which from the warm attachment hitherto subsisting between them and their minister, was much felt and regretted by Mr. Cook. But we need not rake up the ashes of this dead differenceÄfor dead it isÄas they have now rejoined fellowship in the land where all "see eye to eye.' MINISTER OF REAY 81 In the intercourse of private life Mr. Cook was truly a lovable person. Ardent in his own affections, he recip- rocated warmly that of others; and being peculiarly susceptible of the kindly feeling of those he esteemed, he was much pained by any manifestation of the contrary. To young persons his manner was winning and endear- ing, especially if there appeared in them "any good thing toward the Lord God of Israel." To the humblest of the Lord's people he was kind and condescending. He never lost sight, in any circumstances, of the one thing needful, walking circumspectly, "not as a fool, but as wise." When urged to remain with a marriage party, after he had performed the ceremony, he declined, saying, "I always see those going into the mill come out with dust on their coats. "This reminds us of what John Grant once said to Mr. Cook, "Your soul never cost me a prayer, but your coat (meaning his office) many a one." One principle that actuated him in the discharge of his office appears in the reply he gave to a newly-appointed catechist, who expressed to him his fears in having to speak to others what he might not himself have savingly experienced: "Speak," said Mr. Cook, "of what you know, as of what you know; and speak of what you fear you do not know, as of what needs to be known." While Mr. Cook was in the Achreny mission he married Miss Elizabeth Sage, daughter of the Rev. Donald Sage of Kildonan. Mrs. Cook was an intelligent and judicious Christian. Her comparatively early removal, in the year 1838, was felt as a bereavement by many Christian friends, and her husband deeply and lastingly mourned his loss. "In no way could I see," he once remarked to a friend, "that my wife's death was of the 'all things that shall work together for my good,' except the Word of the Lord had said so. "Their family was three in number, but two of them dying in infancy, one only (a son) survived his parents, and he, three years after his father's death, was, in the prime of life, called to his rest. This son, Alexander, except that he was dark complexioned, resembled more, in appearance and in dis- position also, his mother than his father. He early gave F 82 REV. FINLAY COOK indication of superior intelligenceÄeven in his boyhood there was about him a maturity of thought and judgment that was quite observable, as was also the fact that he early chose as his God the God of his father. The period of his education he passed through with success and distinction, for his mental acumen gave great finish and exactness to his scholarship. Were it not that a fastidious and cultivated taste fettered his vigorous powers of mind, he would have attained no mean standing in literature and theology. After qualifying for the ministry he was called to become minister of the Free Church, Stratherrick, Inverness-shire, where he laboured with much acceptance until his death, which took place in the year 1861, at the early age of 37 years. His delicate health prevented his paying to his father in Caithness but short and occasional visits. This many regretted; but his gentlemanly demeanour, and his humble holy bearing have, along with his public services, left a hallowed recollection of him in his native county. Some years before his death Mr. Cook was seized with a complaint which never afterwards entirely left him. He often suffered great pain, but the grace that had sustained him all his life long manifestly sustained him in the furnace. Those who visited him saw this. They saw also his increasing conformity to the mind of Him who said, "Not as I will but as Thou wilt"; and felt that he was fast ripening for the society of "the spirits of just men made perfect." Not less manifest was his increasing heavenly mindedness, and his desire for the spiritual welfare of the rising generation. Concern, too, for the cause of Christ, as associated with such a wide- spread nominal profession, was a matter that weighed heavily upon him. The writer, one Sabbath that he was to preach for him, said, "And what am I to say to your people?" "Tell them they are sinners." " What more?" " That they need the Saviour." "Anything more?" "Yes, yes; that they must be born again." On that occasion, referring touchingly to his solitude and sufferingÄhis partner removedÄhis only son at a distanceÄhimself tossed with MINISTER OF REAY 83 painÄhe added, "But no wonder, for I am a great sinner Äthe greatest sinner in Caithness." The other said, "The people of Caithness don't think so." "No," he replied, "because there is a veil over it." Mr. Cook's bodily weakness was, about two years before his death, aggravated by a fall which made it necessary for him when walking to use crutches. But a complication of ailments, which would have set ordinary men aside, did not deter him from publicly labouring to the last." "Preaching is my medicine," he would say to his medical attendant. Till within two Sabbaths of his decease he went to the pulpit, and there, when animated in declaring the unchangeable love of God to His church and His willingness and ability to save the "chief of sinners," no one would suppose he was encumbered by bodily infirmity. At length, from the service in which on earth he alone delighted, he, on the 12th June, 1858, passed into that service as it is before the Throne. "What are these that are arrayed in white robes, and whence came they?" "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." A great concourse of people from his own and the surrounding parishes followed his remains, a few days after his death, to the churchyard of Reay, where "his body, being still united to Christ, rests in the grave till the resurrection." _________________________________________________________________ THE Rev. ARCHIBALD COOK WAS BORN IN THE ISLAND OF ARRAN, in the year 1788, and was, like his brother, the minister of Reay, a fruit of the well-known revival of religion that took place in Arran about the beginning of the present century. The reality of this spiritual change was, in the case of both abund- antly manifested in their long after-life and labours. Mr. Cook also, like his elder brother, seems to have been early animated by the desire of serving the Lord in the ministry; but their parents do not appear to have been in circumstances to bear the expense of giving them the needful course of education. They, however, faced the difficulty in dependence on the providence of Him whom they sought to serve, and ultimately overcame it. Mr. Archibald used to tell that on one occasion he seriously thought of abandoning his studies, but that when in the very act of finally referring the matter to the Lord, assist- ance arrived from an unknown handÄso that he "thanked God and took courage." During his stay in Glasgow he much valued the ministry of the eminent Dr. Love, who seems to have recognised in Mr. Cook the deep spirituality and close walk with God that distinguished him in after lifeÄ taking him into close personal friendship, and unbosom- ing himself to him in a peculiarly intimate way. To this period of his life we have heard Mr. Cook refer with much solemnity and feeling. One of his reminiscences of Dr. Love we may mention. Serving a communion table one Sabbath in his own church, his countenance suddenly assumed such a death-like hue as to overawe the whole assembly. Mr. Cook afterwards venturing to speak of it to the doctor, he told him that he had obtained such a MINISTER OF BRUAN AND DAVIOT 85 view of the Lord in His majesty, at the head of His own table, as to be for a few moments completely overpowered. Shortly after receiving license from the Presbytery of Glasgow Mr. Cook came to Caithness, and was ordained minister of the conjoined mission stations of Bruan and Berriedale in the year 1823. The providence of God in sending two such men as the Messrs. Cook to this remote county of Caithness, at a time when His cause there was very low, is worthy of remark and of acknowledgment. Many now enjoying the "better country" and a few "following on "Äremembering the way whence they were ledÄwill find matter on this behalf of everlasting praise. To those who held merely men's persons in admiration, Mr. Archibald Cook may have been disappointing. Below the middle height, of slim figure and shrinking manner, he had not an imposing personal appearance. But we ven- ture to say that that small dark man, with light step and downward look, would, on entering any assembly, create a feeling and command a deference never given to mere bodily pomposity. There sat upon him an air of heaven- liness and of spirituality that others felt awed by. His eye, tooÄdeep-set and piercingÄwas remarkable, and when he became animated, it flashed like fire. It has been remarked that a minister among his people should be like a Sabbath among the week days. This truly Mr. Cook was. Few men came more closely up to the Divine Exemplar in being "holy, harmless, blameless." The attachmentÄwe might almost say the devotionÄof some of the Christian people of Caithness to Mr. Archibald Cook has excited the astonishment and even the ridicule of many who knew him not, or, knowing were incapable of appreciating him. But the manifestly close fellowship with the Lord, the constant prayerfulness, the sensitive tenderness of walk, and the watchfulness against all fitted to grieve away the spirit of God, that marked his personal religion, together with the fascination of his preaching, sufficiently accounted for their feelings, and told against those who withstood the attraction, rather than against those who were overcome by it. Illustrative of Mr. Cook's 86 REV. ARCHIBALD COOK uniform watchfulness of spirit, we may mention that he and some friends were on the evening of a communion season at Halkirk enjoying pleasant and profitable inter- course when, to their regret and surprise, Mr. C. suddenly withdrew. Next day, however, they discovered the cause. Mr. Cook, in preaching, made this remark, "You, the people of God, may and ought to enjoy one another's society, but when you feel the Spirit of God departing from your spirits, it is time for you to separate." In the pulpit also, no less than in private, Mr. Cook impressed one with the conviction that he realised the eye of Omnis- cience, and the awe that consequently rested on his own spirit was doubtless one reason of his singular power in fixing the attention of his hearers and placing them in their own feeling in some measure under the same eye. Thus, Mr. Cook's ministry in Caithness was, from its commencement, highly prized; and what Watten was to the English-speaking, Bruan became to the Gaelic- speaking Christians of the surrounding districts, the place to which on Sabbath, by an instinct of the new nature, their hearts and steps were turned. And we suppose that some who knew both languages would, before setting out, be at times in a strait as to which of the two directions they would take, and that the question would be deter- mined by the complexion at the moment of the religious feeling of the individual. If the teaching he felt he required was of the subjective kind, Bruan would gain the day; if otherwise, Watten; for Mr. Gunn, although richly experimental, was, as previously stated, pre- eminently doctrinal, both in respect of law and gospelÄ in law, largely exhibiting man's conditions, character, and prospects under a broken covenant; in gospel, unfolding the person, work, and offices of the Redeemer. Mr. Cook, again, though richly doctrinal, was pre-eminent in his analysis of the human heartÄregenerate and unregener- ate. In this department he had almost unrivalled power. What others passed by, he picked up and put a value on. It was his delineation of graceless human natureÄ"hold- ing unflinchingly the mirror up to nature"Äthat roused against him so often and so bitterly the resentment of the MINISTER OF BRUAN AND DAVIOT 87 "seed of the serpent," and made them strive to discover in his speech and manner matter of ridicule. On the other hand, it was his power of seizing and depicting the varying phases of the believer's feelings and experience Äof helpfully dealing with their cases and mental exercise Äthat won their admiration and affection. Genius is said to consist in observing what no other man observes but which, when brought to view, all are ready to say, "I wonder I did not see that before: it is so simple, so clear now." Mr. A. Cook had that genius in Divine things. We never heard any preacher who, in describing the beginning of a work of grace in the soul, would detect effects of that workÄseemingly so little and lonely. It begins, he would sometimes say, with a thought, and he would then proceed to deal with that thought. The tendency of his preaching to gravitate, on the one hand, towards the cases of believers and, on the other, to the higher doctrines of the covenant of grace, necessitated a sympathising audience. When he found himself other- wise situatedÄwith few earnest hearers around himÄhe soon felt it on his own spirit, and sometimes freely expressed his sense of it. When, on the other hand, sur- rounded by warmly sympathetic heartsÄby anxious enquirers or hungerers for the bread of lifeÄhis liberty and personal enjoyment would be conspicuously great. But, besides this power of describing soul-exercise, he had an elevation of view and subtlety of distinction in handling doctrinal truth that franked him as a great divine. The appended discourses show somewhat of his apprehen- sions of the majesty and purity, as well as the grace and condescension of God, and his manner of eliminating from religious profession and exercise whatever did not bear the stamp of grace. Mr. Cook's exercise of catechising were scarcely less prized than his Sabbath ministrations. He dealt faithfully and closely with the understandings and consciences of his people, both as to their knowledge of the doctrines of religion and the daily practice of its duties. Many of his pregnant and pointed sayings on these occasions are still remembered. Having asked a person a question, and 88 REV. ARCHIBALD COOK urged him to give an answer, but in vain, he said, "I never saw one who had a good tongue for the things of this world but that he was dumb in religion." "What," he said to another, "was the highest mountain you ever climbed?" "As for myself," continued Mr. Cook, "the highest I ever met with was to believe there was a God." "You," he would say, "who borrow your religion from. books and other Christians, on the great day of the Lord, when every book will get its own, and every Christian will get his own, what will be left with you?" "Satan may say of many a communicant, after an ordinance is over, 'I have lost no ground; he will be mine to-morrow.' "When Jacob was a worm, he threshed the mountains; but when he became a mountain the worm threshed him." "When through spiritual concern one forgets his worldly business, the Lord takes care of it for him." "There will be many an enlightened head at the left hand but no broken heart." "Children may often say to their parents Ä'Father, your prayers in the family are not very good; but if your life was half as good, we would be the better of you.'" In the year 1836 Mr. Cook was translated to the Gaelic Church of Inverness, much to the regret of his attached friends throughout Caithness; and after being a few years in Inverness, the people of Daviot, on a vacancy in that parish, wished to get him as their minister. The law of patronageÄas then rigorously interpreted by the civil courtsÄfor a time stood in their way. This was one of the famous cases of the Disruption controversy; but in that year of the church's liberty they obtained their object. We are unable to furnish any account of Mr. Cook's life and labours in Daviot, further than that they were distinguished by the same excellencies as in Caithness, and that he gained the esteem of all in that quarter who had the grace of discernment. His heart was in his Master's work, and he would send messages to his friends in the north that he prospered most in body and mind when most occupied in it. He occasionally visited Reay to assist his brother at communion seasons. At two such seasons in the parish MINISTER OF BRUAN AND DAVIOT 89 of Dunnet, in the years 1861 and 1862, he was present.. These were his last visits to Caithness. He was then about 70 years of age, but, as was amply shown, "his eye had not waxed dim, nor his natural force abated." These occasions are, of course, fresh in the memories of hundreds. His friends were elated at the prospect of seeing and hearing him once more, and the expression of their feelings excited widespread curiosity and expecta- tion, so that great multitudes gathered to the Free Church of Dunnet. His preaching was marked by the same features we have endeavoured to describe. His solemn manner and striking way of presenting Divine truth drew and rivetted the attention of the people. On the Sabbaths of these solemnities it was matter of astonishment to everyone to see his life and vivacity, which seemed to increase rather than diminish, as the services (all of which he conducted) ran far into the evening. The table ser- vices were specially memorable. He addressed the whole of them, the other ministers present shrinking from inter- fering with one who was so marvellously borne on from one duty of the day to another. Many will remember the flow of elevated yet appropriate doctrine delivered at these tables, the deep yet helpful experience, the striking illustration, the many remarkable anecdotes, and particu- larly the glow and animation of the speaker, who at length so wrought on the feelings of the congregation that he, standing at the tables, became the centre of a dense mass of people, the outer rows of which stood on the backs of the pews. Not long after Mr. Cook's last visit to Caithness he was affected by a stroke of paralysis, which was succeeded by others of the same kind at intervals, unfitting him grad- ually for public duty. The following account of his last days on earth is taken from the letter of a near relative: "After the fourth stroke he recovered some strength, so as to be able to walk a little through the room; but we could not leave him night or day. He was so resigned and cheerful that it was quite a pleasure to wait on him. He always prayed at family worship, and though his speech was much affected, we could understand a few 90 REV. ARCHIBALD COOK precious words. The day before he had the last stroke he went, with our assistance, outside for a little, and seemed much delighted, taking a look all round. In the evening, at worship, he joined in the singing and prayed so loudly and distinctly that he seemed quite enraptured. Next morning he experienced another attack, from which he never rallied, but became and continued unconscious till, peacefully breathing his last, he departed about eight o'clock on Saturday evening" (6th May, 1865). __________________________________________________________ SERMON BY Rev. FINLAY COOK "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin"* (I John i. 7). WE are met together professing to thank God for His goodnessÄfor our privilege in having got another oppor- tunity of renewing our vows, and of binding ourselves afresh to Him in a well-ordered covenant. We must soon separate each to his own home, and these words in the text are very suitable for the meditation of Christians going out again to the world, "If we walk in the light, etc." We are walking on the way to eternity. You and I will soon be there. Where shall we meet in eternity? What shall be our dwelling place? Who shall be our companions? What shall be our portion? Now, some are going to heaven and some to hell; and how shall we know which way we are going? The text and the verse preceding give the character of both parties. In the sixth verse it is said, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not speak the truth." We lie to God, and we know that all liars shall have their portion in the lake of fire. But says one, "I am a Christian." Then do the truth; do not walk in dark- nessÄin the darkness of wickednessÄdarkness of world- linessÄdarkness of error. Sin, alas! hath brought us all * Preached in the First Free Church, Thurso, on the Monday of the Communion in June, 1855, and taken down at the time by Rev. W. R. Taylor. 228 APPENDIX into darkness. In the seventh verse it is said, "But if we walk in the light." This, then, is the way in which those who are going to heaven walk: they walk in the light as Christ is in the light; they have fellowship one with another; and, being poor sinners, they have the blood of Jesus cleansing them from all sin. Take your choice now. Here are both ways set before youÄlight and darkness. Which do you desire to walk in? "Well, I'll think of it, and begin to-morrow." Long since that to-morrow was looked for. It will ruin many of us. When to-morrow comes, I fear it will not be known that ever we read the Bible, heard of God, or had an offer of the Saviour. Now, let us look for a littleÄ First, at the character of believers. They walk in the light as Christ is in the light. They are, indeed, often in darkness in their own experience, but never in the dark- ness of the world. Second, consider their fellowship. They have fellow- ship one with another. The sheep do not care to keep company with the goats. Third, consider their encouragement. Whatever of sin is in them, yet the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth them from all sin. First, they walk in the light. Christ Himself is the light. He is the true light that shineth in darkness. He is the life, and the life is the light of men (John i. 4-5). The Apostles saw Him personally. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." But they had eyes to look further. "We beheld his gloryÄthe glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth." They saw Him thus by faith. By faith as well as by sight they saw Him, heard Him, looked upon Him, handled Him. Oh! the blessed eye of faith, that sees the beauty of Jesus; the blessed ear of faith opened to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd; the blessed touch of faith, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands." It is easy to speak about faithÄto prate about it like parrotsÄnot so easy coming to the blessed experience of it. We shall not see Jesus by sight until death; but we must now by faith get some glimpses of the King in His beauty, and of the SERMON BY REV. FINLAY COOK 229 land that is very far off. We must now behold as in a glass darkly the glory of the Lord, if we would be changed into His image. Oh! you who are looking to and living in worldly conformity, you shall yet take fully on the image of the devil. But you walk in the light, believer. Who gave you this light? God Himself. What gives you the light of the sun? The sun himself. Until God says, "Let there be light," the light that is in us is but dark- ness. And when He comes as the light, He gives us to believe that He is, and that He demands our worship in spirit and in truth. Then we begin to go to prayer, to preaching, to those who know the Lord; but even in these means we cannot rest. Many, indeed, whom the Lord never set a seeking in quest of Himself, thus get some notions of religion. Yes, I have people in my parish who can talk about God and about faith, and who could preach, too, very well about these things, but who are really ignorant of them. And you, too, believer, were ignorant of them till God came. You remember your ignorance of a soul, of sin, of God, and how Satan took advantage of your ignorance, and made you live like the rest of the world, till God came and revealed Himself to you, and set you seeking Himself. Now, you believed there was a GodÄa God in creation and in providence, and a God in redemption. You believed that this God revealed Himself as one God in Three PersonsÄFather, Son, and Holy GhostÄeach Person having His own office in the salvation of our lost race, and each Person equal in power and glory. You believed that you could get no rest, no satisfaction, till you knew Him as reconciled; and hearing him making offer of Himself to you, you rested your soul upon Him alone for salvation, as He is freely offered in the gospel. Knowing the Lord, you now know the way wherein to walk. "When it pleased God to reveal his Son in me, says Paul, "immediately I con- ferred not with flesh and blood." There is now a walk- ing in the lightÄa renouncing of the works of darkness. "I am the way," says Jesus; "no man cometh to the Father but by Me." Coming into this way by the gate of regeneration, we now walk in the light of the living, 230 APPENDIX and renounce every thing that would keep us walking according to the course of this world. Happy ye who have thus been taken one of a city and two of a family, and brought to Zion! Will you not this day bless Jehovah for having not left you in the darkness of the worldÄfor having brought you into the footsteps of the flock? Perhaps you remember some one of the Lord's people through whom you were brought to leave the broad way. You will have fellowship with that soul yet in heaven, though now you can perhaps but weep at his grave, remembering his conversation and prayers, and fearing you will never be like him. Yet the light gains ground. Drops from heaven fall on the soul like rain upon the mown grass, and keep you following on till you shall appear before God in Zion. More particularly as to this walking, I observe that in order to it we need light upon the way, and strength to walk in it. There is, therefore, wrought in the soul dependence upon the Good Spirit that leads to the land of uprightness. In His light faith turns earth's midnight into heaven's noonday. "I press towards the mark," says Paul. The mark is before me; I see it; so I must press forward to reach the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It is true that I have met with many mercies and deliverances, but these are behind me, and much of the wilderness, and Jordan is also before me; so I must press forward in face of all opposition, giving up everything that would keep me back. The believer has indeed many sins that beset him, but these must be set aside by faith and repentance. Without this there can be no true walking. Tell all your lets and hin- drances to Him in whose way you are walking. He is the blessed Shepherd, who will suit Himself to your case Äsometimes leading, sometimes drawing, sometimes car- rying you. "He feedeth his flock like a shepherd." Again, this walking is a walk in the fear of God and with a tender conscience. "I will put my fear into their hearts, and they shall not depart from me." "Walk before me," says God, "and be thou perfect." We must walk, believing that His eye is upon us. God sees me at SERMON BY REV. FINLAY COOK 231 all timesÄin company and aloneÄand he sees my heart. Is my heart right with Him? Am I in His fear all the day long? Parents, how do you conduct yourselves before your families? God's eye is upon you. Masters, how do you deal towards your servants? From God's presence whither can you flee? Ministers, you and your people, remember it is before Jehovah that you are. This walking is also a walk in humility. What makes you humble? The light of God that has entered your soul. What is the cause of all our strifes and divisions? What but pride! Oh! this must be destroyed; God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, to keep them in the way. So when pride gets up in those who are walk- ing in the way, they may look for the whipÄ" a rod for the fool's back." You were at the table yesterdayÄwhat doing there? Setting Christ before you? And did you get a glimpse of Him in His humility, poverty, lowliness, love; yet with ever an eye to His Father's glory? And will not that crucify your pride? Lastly, as to this walking, I remark, it is a walking in love, as Christ walked. "Be ye followers of God, as dear children." Walk in love, as Christ loved His church, and gave Himself for it. Follow Him; imitate Him. A child will imitate his father; a scholar his masterÄnot that he will come up to the master, but he will write the copy after him. His fellowship will now be your chief desire. "Saw ye Him that my soul loveth." Did you ever meet a poor wife in the street who had lost her husband? At every one that passed by she would askÄDid you see my husband? So with you, believer. No one will fill his place with you but Himself. No one else would satisfy Mary. "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." "I know my sheep," says Jesus, "and am known of mine." This fellowship engen- ders holiness of heart and life. Christ is holy, and they drink into His spirit. Drops of holiness drip into their souls through this fellowship. Secret sins thus get loss, and victory over lusts of the flesh and of the mind is thus obtained. Oh! then, walk in the light, as He is in the light. Satan, indeed, will be setting baits for you, both 232 APPENDIX in the world and in the closet; but He has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee; my strength is made perfect in thy weakness." Oh! sinner, will you not be persuaded to walk in this wayÄyou who are walking in the world as if you were never to leave it? But the time is not far off when the world will be glad to get rid of you, and heaven's doors will be shut upon you. Oh! think of this. And you who profess the Lord's name, see that you indeed walk in Him. If I walk not in the light, as Christ is in the light, though I be an apostle, yet I will be with Judas at last. Second, consider what is the special mark given in the text of those who walk in the light. They have fellowship one with another. They have the same God, the same Saviour, the same indwelling spirit, ay, and the same devil. They have been enabled to break fellowship with the World, and to say, as Ruth to Naomi, "Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Do you say so? Well, our fellowship truly is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Will you come into this fellowship? "Our Father which art in heaven." You must begin here. You may join yourself to the people of God, but you will be as the foolish virgins till you know something of this. A child, if among strangers, will cling to his father, so you must have fellowship with the Father before the world can be empty to you or heaven be longed for. Now, there can be no fellowship, no communion, without first union. What unites to Christ and to God in Him? Faith. What unites to His people? Love. First be united to Christ, and love, which comes out of the womb of faith, will then unite you to the brethren. By union to Christ you and they will now be branches growing on the true vine. The Lord is indeed cutting down the fruitful branches and, oh! to see young ones rising in their room. What a blessed sight to see young people reading the Bible, praying, conversing about eternal things! I have seen this, but I fear it is now out of fashion. When I see young people meet together, I see themÄyes, even on the Lord's dayÄwalk and talk as lightly as if they were at a SERMON BY REV. FINLAY COOK 233 fair. Oh! young people, remember you have been bap- tized in the name of the Three PersonsÄFather, Son, and Holy GhostÄand you shall know that yet either in mercy or in judgment. But as to this Christian fellowship; being, as we have said, united to Christ, the blessed Spirit of God that dwells in your brother now takes possession of you, and you are now joined in heart, like Ruth and Naomi, or like Jonathan and David; and when you meet, you will be better of one another. I like to meet my fellow Christian, to have him tell me of the Lord's dealings with himÄof his trials and of his deliverances. Indeed, if we both knew the Lord as we ought, we would not want a subject. I like to have my fellow Christian praying for me, giving me a promise, telling me of my evil heart, for I have one. I like also to see him mourning over sinners that are going to hell, and to see him wrestling with the Lord, that he would revive His work in the Church, and raise a seed to do Him service. These are the things we will have in common. There are some, indeed, who are like a bird I have heard ofÄthat whatever birds it met, it took feathers to suit theirs. Take you care of thatÄsuit- ing yourself to the worldling, to the pharisee, to the hypo- crite. You know your own heart. Be watchful. Have a sense of your own weakness, always afraid of yourself, remembering you have a deceitful heart, a corrupt mind, a tempting devil. Now, in our fellowship there are two duties not to be forgottenÄone, that we must bear with the infirmities of one another; and so we may, when we know something of our own hearts. We need not expect to find a perfect Christian on this side of heaven, and the more forbearance the more sympathy. Another, we must be helpful to one another. Has your brother burdens? Ähelp him. Is he in worldly trouble?Ädo what you can for him. Is he in spiritual trouble?Ätry and be useful to him. Alas! when through pride and self-seeking our fellowships are brokenÄwhen mutual prayer is neglected Äwhen one will not encourage or reprove another, but when everyone goes his own way! Woe to the church that day, Oh, people of God, keep up fellowship. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am 234 APPENDIX I." And see that you bear a rising generation upon your spirits. You parents, you like to see your children getting on in the world, but would you not rather see them beg- ging from door to door if Christ were formed in their souls the hope of glory, than see them crowned heads if without the Saviour? Let us walk, then, as for eternity in fellowship with Christ, and with one another in Him. But I am a sinner, and how can I do this? I who am shapen in sin, how can I walk thus? Well, this leads us to speak ofÄ Third. The encouragement here presented. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." Oh! believer, this is your mercy, your cause of rejoicing? Do not say, "When I am in better frame I will follow Christ and walk with him." There is no remedy forÄno destruc- tion to the works of darkness but the blood of Jesus. He took flesh and blood. Oh! how is it that we do not love Him? How is it that we can let Him a moment out of our thoughts, when He took our nature? The blood is the life. "The life of the flesh is in the blood" (Lev. xvii. 11). Jesus shed His blood. He could not as God die, but He took our nature and shed His bloodÄhence it is called the blood of God. This makes it meritorious; puts value on it. Is not this wonderful? Jehovah, who created all things, and upholds all things, taking flesh and shedding His blood. Here go, oh sinner! if out of hellÄif soul and body are yet togetherÄgo to the blood of Jesus Christ. There is enough in Him to cleanse from all sin. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." And what follows? If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land "Äthat is, a blessing with every- thing you enjoy, through the virute of the blood of atone- ment. Atonement has been made by this blood. God's broken law required a sacrifice and Jesus gave the sacri- fice. The blood was sprinkled on the book and on all the people, to show that it satisfied God and purged the sinner. Therefore, as surely as it has been offered up to God, it must be applied to your conscience. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." Nothing else will do. This is the only shelter from the wrath to come. It is SERMON BY REV. FINLAY COOK 235 also peace-speaking blood. It speaks peace in heaven. The speaking of this blood brings the Spirit to your soul. Abel's blood brought death to Cain. Christ's blood brings mercy, pardon, love to your soulÄbrings faith, repentance and every graceÄall comes through this blessed channel. The blood of bulls and of goats, of saints and of angels, could not bring one sinner to heaven, nor bring the pardon of one sin; but the blood of Christ brings the remission of all sins. It is said here, "cleanseth us from all sins"Ä from little sins, from great sinsÄfrom sins of omission, from sins of commission. Do not hide your sins from this blood. Before the Lord began to deal with you, you had buried your sins out of your sight; but now there will be a resurrection of them, and this loads you with the burden of guilt. And, oh! what a burden that is to an awakened conscience. But the precious blood of Christ can remove it. Turn not away, then, from this blood. Every time you reject it, you leave a sting in your conscience, which shall be to you yet the worm that dieth not. You have secret faults. David said, "Who can understand his errors?" Oh! bring them to the blood. Let them give you errands to Christ. This will keep you little in your own eyes and make Him precious to you. Are you more afraid of sin than of hell? Are you saying, "Will ever I get free of sin?" Well, you will get it removed in this bloodÄeven now, and at length you will be as free of it as if you had never known it. But I cannot continue. I must leave it with you. You are now going each to the world. Will your families and neighbours take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus? Go not out in your own strength. "If thy presence go not with us," said Moses. "My angel shall go with you." Oh! no, even an angel will not put up with us. Come with us Thy- self. Well, my presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. Depend on the Lord alone and beware of grieving His Spirit from your soul. I read of a lady of whom it was said she was an angel in church but a devil at home. Be not so; but set the Lord before you at all times. You know not what troubles, what trials, what crosses are before you; but you know that such are before 236 APPENDIX you, for His people are a people who come out of great tribulation. Oh! but what of the tribulation? It leads them to wash their robes, and to make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore shall they be before the Throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. Shall we be among that company? Well, they were sinners once, but sinners led to the blood. There- fore say you, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." The hyssop of the promise dipt in the blood of Jesus, sprinkled on your soul, can alone fit you for glory. "Now are ye clean, through the word which I have spoken unto you." ____________________________________________________________ LETTERS OF Rev. FINLAY COOK To REV. W. R. TAYLOR, Thurso. REAY MANSE, October, 1841. MY DEAR SIR, I intended writing you before you left Ross, but having put off from day to day, I heard at last that you had come home. I ought to sympathise with you in your present dis- tress. Although it is just what is common to man, yet it is not for the present joyous, but grievous. Flesh and blood must feel the stroke. The heart knoweth its own bitterness. You were not only a witness to the death of your parent, but it was a stroke with which you could not fail to be very deeply affected. However, I trust you can say, through grace, that though father and mother be taken from you, yet that the Lord liveth, and blessed be your Rock. It is a great mercy for the people of God that when they get chastenings, like others, they get theirs from a beloved Friend, who makes all things work together for their good. When He is pleased, in His holy providence, to visit us with the death of dear relatives, we must be "dumb, and not open our mouth" in rebellion against His dispensations. Let us be humbled for our sin which is the cause of all our miseries, yet not be discouraged because of chastening; but by faith, patience, and suppli- cation, draw strengthening grace from the fulness of Christ. It is thus that the people of God have got peace and safety in midst of their "great tribulation"Äthat they have got "meat out of the eater and honey out of the strong." Jesus knows how to feed His flock better LETTERS OF REV. FINLAY COOK 269 than they do themselves. He knows how to give them rest in the time of trial, when they are afraid of being mistaken as to their being on the way to Zion. He makes them first "come to themselves"Ä"search and try their ways," as to wherefore He contends with them. He then brings them near Himself, comforting them, and showing them that He is the rest for their weary souls. He thus wins their hearts, so that they find it easier to love Him under the Cross than to love the world, and when the world cries, "Crucify Him, crucify Him," they cry, "Hosannah to the Son of David." The Lord has as much love to His people when he is chastising them as when He is comforting them. They are His purchase. His own image is upon them. They are the only persons in the world that glorify Him, and when He has no more to do in them, or with them, here He gathers them home to His Father's house without spot or blemish or any such thing. The Lord prepare us for this great change and make Himself better to us than friends or earthly relations. Kind regards to Mrs. Taylor. I am, my dear Sir, Yours sincerely, FINLAY COOK. To MRS. TAYLOR, Thurso. REAY FREE MANSE, July, 1844. MY DEAR FRIEND, I expect a visit from you at this time. I am here in a lonely part of the vineyard, but I have a large house.* and a good many rooms in it. The first room I have is, "Who can tell?" This is a very large room, but a very cold one, and I would not advise my friends to stay long in it. The second room I have is, "Good hope through grace." This is a very fine room, and I like to sit in it; but through my neglect the robbers come in and put the furniture out of order. The third room is "Love." This * Written on his taking possession of the Free Church Manse. 270 APPENDIX is a beautiful room, and there is always a fire in it, but I can seldom get access to it. The fourth room I have is "The secret chamber." The King Himself sits here, and we cannot get in till He opens the door and brings us in, and makes His banner over us to be "Love." Grace be with you all. Yours affectionately, FINLAY COOK. (To the same) REAY FREE MANSE, 17th Nov., 1856. MY DEAR FRIEND, I take this opportunity of dropping a few lines to you, and beg to tell you (though you know it already) that Jesus Christ came to the world to save poor sinners such as you and I areÄthat He purchased the church with His own blood, and now is able to save to the utter- most all that come to God by Him; these are the best news I can send you. As for myself, I have no good account to give. I am here like a pelican in the wilder- ness. I have a sickly body, a deceitful heart, and corrupt nature. I find the devil is busy, the world is cold, and myself walking in darkness, and having no light. I once thought to get to heaven on the wings of faith and love, but now I am convinced, if ever I get to that happy place, I must cut off first a leg, then an arm, after that pluck an eye out of my head; also, all my lovers must be divorced. Lord, search me and try me; leave no wicked way in me; empty me from vessel to vessel until Christ is made all in all. I would be glad to hear how you are all at the Free Manse. You would be busy at the Communion time, so that you would find it difficult to keep the heart in a proper frame. However, the Lord is a present help in every time of need. I hope the priests were clothed with salvation, and the saints shouting aloud for joy. It is indeed a great mercy for poor pilgrims that opportunities are given them to renew their vows and engagements, for those who LETTERS OF REV. FINLAY COOK 271 are in proper exercise on such an occasion receive new strength from Christ to run the race set before them and to fight the good fight of faith. I cannot say there is any improvement in the state of my health. The leg is no better, and the complaint is still very troublesome; but I have been enabled hitherto to preach on Sabbath, which is my greatest comfort in the world. All is well that ends well. There remaineth a rest for the people of God. It seems the road is very rough to that rest. But Jesus says, "In me ye shall have peace." Will you write me a few lines at your convenience. I remain, yours affectionately, FINLAY COOK. To MR. DAVID STEVEN, Bower. REAY, 12th October, 1840. MY DEAR DAVID, I have no news that's worth telling you. I was preaching yesterday to the poor people of Reay from Colossians 3rd and 1st: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God." What is implied in being risen with Christ? That they be made spiritually alive by regenerationÄbe partakers of His resurrection, begot- ten again to a lively hopeÄbe members of His mystical body, as they are by nature branches of the old stock. They have now the Spirit of Christ in them, applying the redemption to their souls; they are now spiritually minded, the carnal mind being partly destroyed. All that are risen with Christ are set on a sure foundationÄmade lively stones in the buildingÄhave on the righteousness of Christ; and being thus brought into the family of God, the Holy Spirit carries on the work of sanctification until the heirs of glory are wholly prepared for their Father's house. They are now to seek their happiness above. Where their Head is, there the members must be also. Their Friend is above, and He will have all his friends 272 APPENDIX there with Him. Their Brother is above, and all the brethren must be there also. Their Father is aboveÄall the children must be there also. Their Husband is above, and having gained their hearts and taken them to heaven with Himself, and left His heart with them here, they cannot be happy till they get where He is, for "where the treasure is, the heart will be there also." There is a mansion above for every one of themÄlife above without death, light without darkness, joy without sorrow, health without sickness. But the poor believer has but a mixture of all these things while in the world. Again, it is their duty to seek the things that are above, and for this the spirit of prayer is necessary; and they are to seek in faith, which is the substance of things hoped for; they are to seek in hope, that at last they shall obtain mercy, notwith- standing their many difficulties, because they only seek the blessings that Christ purchased for them; they are to seek with patience, which must have its perfect work; they are to seek with perseverance, and not by fits and starts, like the world; and they are to seek under the Cross, for Christ sees it to be good for them to be under the Cross here, that they may be longing for the "rest that remain- eth for the people of God." And those that seek the things that are above must here be fighting with the devil, the world, and the flesh, but their strength is in the Captain of Salvation; yea, they must seek the things that are above when they feel themselves dead and plagued with an evil heart of unbelief, and with the corruption of their nature, in spiritual darkness, and shut out from God, as it were, in the belly of hell. When you read this, burn it.ÄI remain, yours truly, FINLAY COOK. To MR. SINCLAIR, Wick. REAY FREE MANSE, July, 1851. MY DEAR SIR, I long to hear from you, and to know how you all are. Friends are ready to forget one another when absent in body, unless they are by the grace of God kept at the LETTERS OF REV. FINLAY COOK 273 throne of grace; and even then they are ready to become formal, lukewarm, and satisfied with wordsÄno better than the Papists counting their beads. Oh! what need we have of the unction from the Holy One that teaches the Lord's people the mystery of the kingdom, keeping them poor in spirit, and making known their requests at a throne of grace "with groanings that cannot be uttered." We live in a dark and cloudy day. All seek their own Änot the things of Christ. "What shall we eat, what shall we drink, wherewithal shall we be clothed," is the cry instead of "What shall I do to be saved?" But I need not put it from myself. "There is no place clean." Yet Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He is the Good Shepherd, who takes care of the flock, that none of them shall be lost but the son of perdition. The mark of the sheep is that they know the voice of the Shep- herd and follow Him. He keeps them always needyÄ sensible of their state as poor lost sinnersÄless than the least. Humility is just the badge of God's people, for He wishes to have all His family like His own Son, who was meek and lowly in heart. Dear friend, time is fast passing. We must be diligent, working out our salvation with fear and trembling. "Oh! but," says the sinner, "how shall I do this? I am such a guilty creature." " Come to me," says Jesus; "I have the power on earth to forgive sins." "But I have nothing to come withÄnothing to bring with me but filthy rags." "Come to me," says Jesus, "and you shall have the best robe in the Father's house." "But I am a filthy creature, altogether as an unclean thing." "Though your sins be as scarlet," says Jesus, "they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool." "But I am afraid He will not take me." When did that fear arise? Was it when you began to have a concern for your soul? When does one begin to fear that the object of their affection will not regard them? Is it not when they begin to love that one? So is it with the poor soul thirsting for Christ. As soon as love to Christ is wrought in the sinner, he begins to fear that he shall be rejected at last. "But what if my day of grace is past?Äwhat if S 274 APPENDIX the Lord has been provoked to leave me to the will of my enemies?Äwhat if I have sinned the unpardonable sin?" "Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou art an offence to me." This is mine infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High." My love to all my and your friends, with your wife and child. Grace be with you. Pray, pray. Yours affectionately, FINLAY COOK. To MRS. AULD. REAY FREE MANSE, 18th Dec., 1854. MY DEAR CHRISTINA, Your kind letter I duly received. Many thanks to you for remembering an old friend. I really thought that all my sweethearts had forsaken me. They are getting so cold and so shy that I am afraid I'll have none by and bye to look at meÄonly your dear mamma writes a letter occasionally for her debt. I should not indeed be com- plaining of others, for I am a very bad correspondent myself. Oh! if Jesus was as forgetful of us as we are of one another, what would become of us? He may be called the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. "Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them to the end." The beloved Saviour has been here seeking a wife for many years, and I have been speaking to them, sometimes coaxing them, sometimes threatening them, saying, "Will you or will you not go with the man?" but the answer I get from them is "to-morrow." Alas! that to-morrow is so long of coming that we shall have nothing at last in the parish of Reay but poor withered old maids, so that the beloved Bridegroom will be forced to take up His flitting and remove to some other corner of the vine- yard, where He may get a Rebecca that will willingly go with the man. Alas! I find myself and others so wedded to the first husband that I am convinced the old man must die before I give my consent to be married to another, LETTERS OF REV. FINLAY COOK 275 even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Now the bride has made her- self ready when she hears the Father saying, "This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him." Now the Bridegroom is re- ceived by faith, and love joins hands. Then the knot is tied so tight that nothing shall be able to separate the spouse from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now she is to remember that she is married to crosses, temptations, persecutions, etc. All her former lovers must be divorced. They will, indeed, often try to get back to the bed of love; but it is guarded with valiant men. "All hold swords in hand, being expert in war" Änot only the former lovers disturb the poor spouse, but also the ghost of the old husband often appears like to frighten her out of her wits. These things make her weary of the world, wishing to be home to her own beloved husband, "when with gladness and rejoicing she shall be brought, she shall enter into the King's palace." But I am tired. I cannot go further. I cannot sit any time to write. I was rather poorly last night. I did not sleep much since two o'clock in the morning. I had a letter from Alick this morning. He is getting well again. I had also a letter from Mr. Walter not long ago. Pray, pray. Grace he with you. My dear Christina, Yours affectionately, FINLAY COOK. To REV. A. AULD, Olrig. REAY FREE MANSE, 19th Nov., 1859. MY DEAR SIR, I was favoured with your kind letter long ago, and indeed I should have answered it sooner; but better late than never. But being poorly in health, and besides both indolent and forgetfulÄand looking on you as a friend, I trust you will forgive a poor sickly old man, ready to drop. into the world of spirits. My journey through the wilder- ness is now near at an end, and the time is close at hand 276 APPENDIX when I must give an account of my stewardship, which ought to be my great concern. I am very forgetful of this one thing needful; therefore it is now no wonder that I should forget my friends at Olrig. I am now thinking if the dear Saviour was as careless about us as we are of one another, what would become of us? But He has to do with poor sinners. Our help is laid upon One that is mighty. We then should take courage, going on in the strength of the Lord, making mention of His righteous- ness, praying for wisdom from above, that we may be kept in the path of duty, with a single eye, giving no offence to any, so far as we can. But if they are offended at the truth, we cannot help it. "Our rejoicing is this," says the Apostle, "the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world." We may look for trouble, both external and internal, but the Lord keeping us near Himself, in the exercise of faith, in a praying frame, always afraid of grieving the Holy Spirit, we would at last come off more than conquerors, through Him that loved us. We may look for opposition in our profession, "but the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all menÄapt to teach, patient." There was a worthy man in Ross heard his son preaching one day, and after the service was over the old man said to his son, "Is that the way you preach, Charles?" "I do the best way I can," said the young man. "No, no; that will never do. Send them all to hell, but do not leave one there." It is now near 50 years since I began to preach to my fellow sinners the glad tidings of salvation. When I look back I see cause to make me wonder at the Lord's goodness in bearing so long with such a cumberer of the ground. But I must be done. I may be called off the world soon. May the Lord raise up faithful witnesses for the good cause. Let me hear from you as soon as you can. My love to Mrs. Auld. I am, my dear Sir, Yours affectionately, FINLAY COOK.