Death Of Dr. Cocker

Kev. Benjamin F. Cooker, D. D., L. L. D., professor of psychology, speculative. philoaophy, and philosophy of religión, died at his residence on West Huron street, Sunday night. Dr. Cocker was bom in YorkBhire, Eng., in 1821. His father designed him for one of the learned prof essions, and gave him the advantages of a good English education at King James Grammar Sohool. Having a decided taste for business life, however, he was placed in a Germán business house, when he laid the foundation of correct business habits. He afterwards engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, in which occupation he remained for seven years. In 1850 he was compellea through failing health to seek a change of climate. He determined on going to Australia, and not withstanding the misgivings of his friends, as to the effect of a long sea voyage, he found himself, after the hardships and privations of a passage of sixteen, weeks voyage measurably restored to health and vigor. He arrived at Lauceston, Tasmania, where he remained about a year as an agent of an English Bhipping house. When gold was discovered in Victoria, l-io roTnnxTAfï fr ATilVimirnp. whprp he ried on a large and successful merchantile business. The great panic of 1856, which involved nearly the whole colony in financial ruin, proved disastrous to his business, and, losing nearlv all of his aecumulations, he purchased a small vessel and went on a trading voyage to New Zeland, Tonga, Fee jee and Tahiti. While in Fee jee, he visited the Wesleyan missionaries, and while on an excursión to a heathen temple on one of the islands, he with a companion feil into the hands of the canaibals. His f ate and that of his companion seemed sealed. The death song, which was to precede their being killed and devoured by the savages, had already commenced, when by corrageous and super human effort, they succeeded in breaking through the weaker part of the line, and escaped to their boat, whither they were pursued by the yelling horde who were hunganng for human rlesh. After barely eluding the cannibal?, he had, on the same voyage, a narrow escupe from ship-wreck, but finally reached Australia in safety. He after wards nlerked in a lumber vard. where he tinued for a time. He then took the same vessel and made for the Friendly Islands. He went ashore at Tonga, and sent the vessel on to Lakemba, when she struck a reef and went down immediately, the crew bemg saved. He returned to Australia, and found employment as a wharfage clerk at Sidney, where he remained for three months. Nor does the above recital end the ch'apter of strange and saddening circumstauces that have enclosed the life history of this remarkable man. When his employment on the wharf at Sidney terminated, he started for Callao, Peru,and on the voyage e ncountered the shock of an earthquake when about 490 miles from the South American coast From Callao by the way of Panama and Aspinwall he went to New Orleans, then up the Mississippi to Cairo, and from that point to Chicago. His funda having been exhauted, he endeavored to find temporary employment in Chicago, but failed. He flnally landed in Adrián, this state, where he was appointed pastor of the M. E. church in Palmyra. Here he filled the pulpit for two years. From Palmyra he went to Adrián, Ypsilanti, and then came to Ann Arbor. He returned to Adrián, and came back to Ann Arbor. To pure, simple, and transparent life, he added reraakable power in the pulpit, and aB a preacher he was uniformly sucoessful. Leamed, but never pedantic, he won the sympaihy of all classes of hearers, by his kind, tender and sympathetic nature. All classes of people ilocked to hear him, and were alike enthusiastic in their praise of his wonderful powers. In 1869 he was appointed pastor of the Central M. E. church, Detroit, which position he soon after resigned, to accept the chair of mental and moral philosophy in the University of Michigan. In 1870 he published "Chi istianity and Greek Philosophy;" in 1873 "Lectures on the truth of the Christian Religión;" in 1875 "Theistic Conception of the World," and afterwards "Evidences of Christianity" and "The Hand Book of Philosophy." The Wesleyan university in 1864 conferred on him the degree of M. A., Asbury college that of IX D. He afterwards received the degree of L. L. D. f rorn Victoria college, Ontario. The greater part of his work was done while laboring under intense physical auffering. He lea ves a wife in feeble healih and two sons, Wm. J. and Henry R., graduates of the university. Dr. Cocker was a man beloved by 'everybody, and by his death this community haa lost an upright, honorable and Christian gentleman. He was a friend to the poor and rich alike, and the many young men who have gone forth f rom the walls of the 'university will drop a silent tear when they hear of the death of their oíd instructor.