Cook, Emile F

Cook, Emile F.

a French Methodist preacher, son of Reverend Charles Cook, was born at Niort, June 15, 1829. The happy influence of his godly parents was shown by his conversion at the age of nine years. His mind was drawn to the ministry, and he pursued his classical studies in France and Switzerland; and, to qualify himself for preaching, entered the Wesleyan Theological College at Richmond, England, where, for three years, he manifested the aptitude for pastoral work which ever afterwards characterized his life and labors. He entered the itinerant ministry in France in 1854, when that country was made an independent conference, and labored successfully at Nismes, Nyons, Lausanne, and other important circuits. He was stationed in Paris during the siege, and heroically opened his house as a hospital, and had it filled with the sick and wounded, whom he gathered in person from the battlefield, and his devoted labors were greatly appreciated by both the conference and the citizens. The conference elected him president in 1872, and kept him in the office two years, as a mark of the confidence and affection of his brethren. At the close of his presidential duties he came to America to attend the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance, and afterwards spent some time in pleading in Methodist churches for aid to his native land. He started for home in the steamer Ville-du-Havre, but was shipwrecked soon after leaving America. He was picked up, as by a miracle, with barely life left; resumed his journey in the steamer Loch Earn, and was again wrecked. Was again rescued, but with little hope of rallying, yet he strove hard to lead the dying to the Saviour. He at length reached England, got home greatly exhausted, and was sent to the south of France; but nature was worn out, yet his mind was calm and serene, and his strong faith remained unshaken. He died January 9, 1874.