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B. F. Cocker, D. D., Ll. D.

B. F. Cocker, D. D., Ll. D. image
Parent Issue
Day
13
Month
April
Year
1883
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Afler .1 strong llglit of four montlis agair.st a complication of diseases, and after it seemeil as tliougli he was going to gain his health again, suddenly and with scarcely any warning, the brave spirit oí Dr. Cocker left its body Sunüay evening at 6:45. For nearly a inonth he bad been able to get up and move about the house, and he had expeeted in a few days to be able to get out into the open air, provided the weatlier was pleasant. Friday night he feit himself enough better to make hini resolve to do without an attendant at night. Sunday morning the pain in his side left him and he expressed lilmself as feeliug much better. No cause for particular anxiety was seen during the day and at the last moment no one was iround but Mrs. Cocker who had no warniug whateverof the impending calamity. His life went out as quietly and peacefully as the dy ing away of a sweet strain of music. For years he had been troubled with asthma and his lungs never had been strong. So when he overworked himself, as he did last fall he feil an easy prey to pneumonía, bronchitis, and at last upon takiDg cold there was a congestión ; a tilling up and collapseof the lungs, resulting in death. His had been an uuusually eventf ui life and full of varied experiences Bom in the town of Almondbry, Yorkshire in 1821 , his iather, who was a local preacher, wished him to join the ministry. He did not do this at once, although at eigtiteeu years of age lie preached as a local preacher for a short time, w hen he went into business, fust as a clerk in a mercantile house, afterwards as a maiiufacturer of woolen goods. In 1850 he went to Australia and engaging actively In business in Tasmania and Melbourne, he acquired souie property but lost it in a financial panic. Soon after while on a traüins voyage, in a vessel owned by him, as le was coasting along Tahiti and Fiji, he resolved to visit in company with a missionary oneof the heathen temples. They were discovered and surrounded by the Cannibals who reselved upon sacrificing tliem. But they sueceeded in breaklng through their linea and escaped to the small row boat inj which 'they had come. Being several times! nearly shipwrecked and meeting with] ni uch adversity he resolved to go to 1 ica and preach the gospel. Yet many weie his wanderings on land and sea before he reached Michigan. In returning to Australia Mr. Cocker suffered shipwreck otfthe islandof Tonga,! but the crew and himself were saved and were conveyed to Sydney. In three nionth8 he sailed with his family lor America, but on the voyage they experi-j enced a shock of earthqiiake and landed nt Callao, Peru, proceeding thence via. Panama, New Orleans, the Mississippi andi Chicago to Adrián, Michigan, where lived a clerjjyman who in Australia liad once promis-ed to help him. On the journey from Chicago one of the youngev childien died and the Doctorentered Michigan as he hasoften said, "with fifty cents in his pocket and a dead child in his arme." In Adrián the Methodist Preskling Eider Dr. Pilcher became acquainted with him and gave him charge of a church in the small villageof Pahnyra. Fromthence his fatne and reputation as a preacher rnpidly spread and he was called in succession to Adrián, Ypsilanti, Ann Albor, Adrián and Ann Arbor. In 1869 he was appointed to the Central Church Detroit, In tlicsameyear thechairof philosophy in the University being vacant he accepted it and resigued his pastorate. In the University he was esteemed and loved more perhaps than any other man in Michigan, and many students all over the world will deeply deplore his loss and cherieh his meinory. Iu 1S6-4 he received the degrec of M, A. from We sieyan University and D. D. from Indiana Asbury, and ten years later LL. D. from Victoria college, Ontario. No face has been more familiar or better known on our streets than that of the beloved Doctor, as he was daily seen driving to and from the University behind the oíd white-nosed horse. His appearance has been well described as "intellectual and venerable. He was at once unpretemling and striking, nearly six feet high, rather slendei", with a strongly marked face, a large, kindly.penetrating, dark eye, the whole countenunce indicatiug an admirable blending of strengtli and benevolence. His whole life has been marked by a pure ehildlike faith in God." In the " Shadow of the Rock " he has found rest. Every year as the history of the llterary graduating class is written up a vote is taken for the favorite professor, and wr believe that fora long time no 3'ear has passed without the large ruajority being for the Doctor. This was so because his kindly heartalways drew the students to him whenever they were in trouble. If they had coinplications with the faculty they kncw he would give tliem a fair hearing and if possible plead for tliem ; if they desired to "look up" on any particular point u iihilosopliy, religión, antiquity or eveu science he could give them the books of reference, and of tentimes even the num ber of the page on which it was treated; and when they were troubled with the athelstical sophistrics of so-called scientific meu and books he could ahvays point to a passage in some book or other which would be an antidote for the poison. His large, wellchoscn library was all ways at the disposal of the Docror's! friend, and we have seen his books, with-l out having hits name writteu in them, in! the rooms of scores of student.'. Theyj [víiilil ulw&yg hu told by tlis red lint futerilneatlonsand the commeitU written in his ífiueclearcut handwritinjj. He made nc [note of the books loaued and his conlL[detice was yery seldom, if ever abused. To a pure, beautlful and tratisparent life [lie udded re.narkable power in tlie pulpit [and a a preacher was uniforraly successful. I All classes of people flocked to hear him [and were alike entbusiastic in praise of jliis wonderful powers. He possessed in a Ireniarkable degree the rare faculty of (presenting botli in hissermonsand lectures Ithe deepest philosophical thougbt in a jway to be readily understood by his [lit-arers. As a cultured Christian apologist be was ¦ in the front rank. In 1870 he publislied r'Clnïstianity and Greek Philosophy"; in 11873 "Lectures 011 the Truth of the ClirisItian Religión" ; in 1875 tlie "Theistic ConJception of the World " and afterwards I" Evidences of Chrlstianity " anü "The I[andbook of Philosopliy." This latter is now being used in some of the schools in England. Besides these there are addrcsses- which have been put in pamphlet fonn. His last one was a strong refutal of the argunients of Modern Skepticism. He leaves valuable manuscripts which we hope are sufflciently advanced for posthumous publication. The üfth of December last be was stricken with pleuro pneumonía from which he appeared to beslowly recoveringbut unfortunately on Saturday he suffered a slight relapse which in two days proved fatal. Through all his long sufferings no word of complaint forced tself from his patiënt Ups, and he was ahvays so grateful to bis attendants even for the slightest assistance. Ilis religión tempered by his philosophy, gave hlm ever an evenly balanced mind, and he was often hcard, in the last few weeks of his life to say: " This room Is the house of God and the Gate of Heaven." All classes of society mourn his loss. "His life was gentle, and the elementa So mixed In bim tliat nature might sland up And say, Here isa man !" THE FUNERAL. Wednesday was a cold, raw day, yet there wassucb an attendance at the funeral services in the church and at the ceniotery as has uot been seen here for mauy years. At one o'cloek the particular friendo of the familyand thosestudents who have been in the classes of Doctor Cocker assembleü at the house, and aftcr a brief service followed the body to the Methodist church. Arriving there the front half which had been reserved, was filled by those wbo came in the procession. The interior of the church was richly decorated with heavy black drapery extending up over the arch in front of the organ and coveriug the altar. In front of the pulpit, standing out in relief against the sombre back-grcund was the white nirble baptismal fount surmounted by a handsouie large cross of white and yeUow roses and lilies. At theleftof this, on atable rested a large pillow presented by his students. It was of white rose3, calla lillies, sweet elysium and with "U. of M." in carnations. There were other beautiful pieces of flowers, f rom friends in the city, Detroit and Chicago. The services were commenced with a liymn, followed by a prayer by Rev. L. R. Fiske, thereading of achapterby Rev. S. Haskell, a voluntary by the choir, and some remarks by Pres. Angelí who spoke in the name of the University, of the connectijn the deceased sustained to the institution, to the faculties and the students. It was an eloquent eulogy on the grand oíd man whose life had gone out. Rev. ¦ Arthur Edwards the read the 761 hymn, laccompanying it with the explanation tliat ¦ it had been sung in the church the last flSunday Dr. Cocker ever attendad, and also fltliat he had afterwards spoken of it and ¦ had found consolation in lts lines. Rev. l. B. Pope's remarks followed and were ïvery touchingand appropriate. The packled house was buslied in silence and the I white handkerchiefs everywhere visible Btestified to the deep grief of those present las the speaker bade farewell to the belovled remains. The coffln was borne to the hearse by jtlie pall bearers- Prof. Frieze and Payne, ¦ Dr. J. M. Arnold, Rev. I. N, Elwood, and lIr. C. H. Worden and Mr. John Ferdon, B- and it was preceded to the cemetery by Ban escort of several hundred students in ¦ line. The short burial service was read land the body was then consigned fo its linal resting place. Among tho'e from abroad present at the funeral we noticed Rev. Arthur Edwards, of Chicago; Regent Geo. Duffleld, of Lansins; Pres. L. ft Fiske, of Albion; Dr. Rynd, of Adrián ; Rev. T. C. Gardner, of Port Huron ; Revs. Washburne and ,C. T. Allen, of Detroit; Rev. Win. George, of Dexter; Rev. I. N. Elwood, of Ypsilanti ; Rev. Atkinson and J. W. Campbell, of Adrián. Of the ministers who, at Adrhin. received Dr. Cocker into Michigan and the M. E. Church one only survives in active life. Dr. Pilcher who was Prcsiding Eider then is superannuated. Dr. Perrine who was pastor there bas gone over the River. and Dr. T. C. Gardncr of Port Huron, ouly survives. The Dr. was Bible agent at Ad lian at the time Dr. Cocker came here. He now livesat Port Huron, and we were :)eased to see him amongst the mourners at the funeral Wednesday. Als Mrs. Sears of Adrián, at whose father's house Dr. Cocker first made his home. RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT. The University Senate convened Monday evening to take action.and passet) the following resolutions: In the death of Prof. Cocker we are made to mourn tlie loss of one who has long served our university with singular lalthrulness. and It is meet that the records of the university senute attest our common sorrow at the death of a venerable and honored colleague.and our sympathy with those who are strickeu with this great affllction. During Dr. Cocker's long connection with the university, by his klndlinessof manner and sweetness of spirit, he awakened an almost fllial affection in the hearix of many hundredsofpupils; and there is no part of our country where the newa of this nood man's death wlll not excite a sense of personal bereavement. Diiring our colleague's long illnesa. though often in extreme sufterlng aud always In extreme physlcal weakneas, he malntained an unbrokeu Christlau serenity of spirit, and in his oonversations he loved to dweil upon the Interest oi that seat of learnlng to which he had cousecrated his intellectual life. In the pulpit Doctor Cocker excelled In his ready and simple exposltions of the Scrip tures, and occasions were not rare when hls dlscourses were made more charmlng by a fervid eloquence. He had a mlnd of uiiuxiial aualytlcal power and a keennessaud oiinprehensiveuess of Intellect that were almost Socratlc, H is con tri buttons to the literature of philosophy attest at once his genius and his industry, aml wiil lonx perpetúate his name asa thinker, and aChrimian philosopher. Iu his heroic fctruggles with misfortune in which he brought the tilumphsof a higher life out of seemlng disaster, and in the happy union of ripe scholarship wlih the graces of unaffected piety Dr Cockt-r'sexample will be an insplratlon and a gulde lo the many who feel tlie Impulse lowards a nobler life. To the church of which Doctor Cocker was such a useful and such an houored member we would expressour syinpalhy in the loss It has uow snstaiued ; and to the famlly and friends now In mourning we would oö'er this testimonial of our esteem for one whom we ¦ have learned to know and to love. I Rf solved. That all regular exercises In the University be suspended on the day of tlie fuIneral I Resolved, Thut the Uulversity senate deslíe as n body to attend the funeral services. I Resolved, Thatifsultable arrangement can Ibemado Hls the deslre of the seuate that ih,ü u,ay be Aurv4 d M fu &eral lor auoU .tinUVi ts ha.'e been Ín Dr. Cooker'e clae. 1 Hf'ialved, Thèt th whole body of BWrtenU lu the Ciilvernity be Iqvlted to acta encort loltie cemetery. Resolved, Thatthepresldent berequatted, !n ;he home of the senate, to tender to the famly of Dr. Cocker the use of unlversity hnll for I he funeral. THE LATE PKOFESSOR COCKEB. Mr. D. Bethune Duffleld, after soine appropriate temarles, introduced the following resolutiona, which were supported by Dr. Baker, and unanimously adopted by a stiuitlin vote of the Presbytery : The Presbytery of Detroit ppreclating the high character, profouud lt-urnliiK, large influence and great usefulnes of Dr. Benjamín V. Cooker, Professor of Mental nd Moral Phllosophy för the past fourteeu years In the Uulverslty of Michigan, take thls occasion to express thelr sympathy wlth the Universlty, aud the sister denominatlon wlth whlch he was more dlreotly conaected, over the great loss whlch soundlearntng, ChrlHtlanphllosophy aud exemplary plety sustaln Ín lili death : and our prayer Ís that a successor equully learned aud as supremely devoted to ni" cause of trutb and rlghteousneas. may be speedily round for the vacant chalr whlch he so long. so ably, and so acceptably fllled. Resolved, That a copy of thls resolutlon be transmltted by the Cl.-rk to the President of the Unlversity, to the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. wlth whlch he whh counected, and also to the tumily of the distingulshed dead. Under the able management of George M. Dewey the Owosso Times enters upon its secoiitl volume wlth a circulation of over 1,100 copies. Further succes to liim. The case of Maclean ys. the News was closed by the attorne}'s ïuesday forenoon and the jury were charged and sent out. After a delay of abouc seven hours they raturned witU the astounding verdict of $20,000 damages for the plaintiff. When the news rcached here not even Maclean's friends could be lieve it true. Theyexpected some damages, but they were not prepared for so high a figure. Of course tliere was great rejoicing on the part of the medical studente, and it was at once proposed to.have a big time. llowever, toihe credit of the Doctor, it may be said, when lie haard of it, he at once wrote a letter asking them to refrain from any demonstrations on taccount of the recent death of Dr. Cocker. It is believed that, owing to the jiirymen not answering the Judge's questions in a proper marnier, and for other reasons a new trial will be granted.