Eulogy for The Right Reverend Philip Cook (09)
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pg 09d-L13 Included is the Minute of Death for The right Reverend Philip cook, D.D. adopted by the National Council, April 26th to 28th 1938. Note: I provide this eulogy because I think it represents Philip very well. While I was not fortunate to know him, I have heard about him from from my father, his brother and sisters and others who knew him directly. I found this document in papers from Adeline Bassett Cook Strange(10), the author isn't known. (Clifton Cook(11), Grandson of The Bishop) John 1st: In him was life and the life was the light of men. News has just come to me of the death of the Right Reverend Philip Cook, Bishop of Delaware. It would be impossible for me at this time to stand in this Holy place without acknowledging my debt and gratitude to him whose life for so many has been the light of men. Twenty years ago Bishop Cook was the rector if the church of which we were members. No one outside my immediate family had a greater influence upon me during those formative years than did he. At the age when boys look up to another in worshipful awe, my hero was my rector. Ever since I can remember I have said that I would some day be a minister knowing that he was even interested in my hopes. He even created a job in the Church service for me. Every Sunday morning at seven thirty, oclock, the tall rector and his acolyte conducted the service of the Holy Communion. As I look back over the years, I am sure I was more of a hindrance than a help. But he made me feel his dependence upon me, his reliance on me. That influence, beginning there, has gone on through the years. When the United States entered the World War, Bishop Cook felt that he must go as chaplain to the front, and of course his acolyte, having reached the age of twelve, felt he himself must go too. Jokingly, he said that he would like to take me. I can still feel the disappointment when finally he left alone. While he was in France, we corresponded. Stationed at the very front even there we did not loose interest in one another. Although thousands of miles away, he was a light to others. But the significant thing is that there are many other young men who are now able to recount similar experiences. Whenever he came into a gathering, there was a real and apparent change. That group, no matter where it was, was different because of his presence. In him was life. Tall, impressive, stately he made those with whom he came into contact feel more alive. Radiant joy, a charged atmosphere. A light to men. It is necessary for me to take the chance of becoming too eulogistic because what he was vividly portrays what I am trying to implant in the lives of any people. For the purpose of his life was the kingdom of God, the driving force the spirit of the Christ. He knew his relationship to the universe and to his fellow man. No one was too young or too old, no one was too insignificant or too poor to have his interest and sympathy. Beginning his ministry in one of the poorest districts of New York City, he went out into the mission fields of the Dakotas. Many are the tales he has told his experiences there. Once he and a friend got some boxing gloves in order to get much needed exercise and recreation. The men in one of the mining districts became interested. One of the toughest put on the gloves with him. By accident, he says, he knocked the man out. The next Sunday the church was packed. He left the Dakotas to go to Texas and then to our parish in Baltimore and finally to leaving there to become Bishop of probably one of the richest dioceses if the country. How varied a ministry giving to everyone his best. In the words of St Paul, all things to all men. Not only was he interested in others, not only did his presence add to the joy of any occasion, not only did he give of himself to all but also he inspired confidence in others. Always interested in boys he was eager to start a church camp in the dioceses of Delaware. As I was attending the seminary at the time he asked me to make that my summer work. After talking things over, he told me to go ahead. Having made his choice he left the entire thing up to me. He had placed his confidence in me and it was my job. And of course it was done for the better than I could have anticipated. How could it be otherwise with such an expression of implicit confidence? I am glad that it is still a going concern, growing better each year. How surely is that expression of trust needed at the present time! How often we have failed another in time of need because we have failed to inspire confidence in that other. How drab and hopeless a life can become for want of one kind word of faith, one small act of trust. Jesus said; "I have come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly and as we read the records we discover how He brought life into the lives of others. The searching of light of His love filled the life of that other with new hope. Mathew, the hated tax collector, was inspired to change his direction, instead of bleeding the poor with taxes he became a binder of wounds, lifting up those who had fallen, bringing health and life to those in need. Peter the coward, became Peter the hero because of the Master's faith in him. The women taken in adultery was bought before him condemned to die. According to the law of the land she deserved to die but not according to the law of God, "Let him without sin cast the first stone" and her accusers left one by one. Hath no man condemned thee, neither do I condemn thee, go they way and sin no more. It is easy to hurl abuse at another in weakness. But it is impossible if we remember his words, "Let him without sin cast the first stone". How important it is to save life instead of destroying it! How necessary to create confidence in others. In those with whom we come into contact what a difference it would make if our life could be the light of men, instead of casting them into darkness, instead of condemnation, inspiring them with hope, revealing to them another way. My beloved Bishop has entered that other room. His going is a deep sorrow, a real bereavement. Yet my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth for the experience I have had for the meaning he has given to any life. For me and for many everywhere his life was the life of men. Let us pray: Almighty God, we remember this day before thee thy faithful, having opened to him the gates of larger life, thou wilt receive him more and more into thy joyful service, that he may win with thee and thy servants everywhere, the eternal victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   |
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