THE Rev. Archibald Cook (late of Daviot, Inverness-shire) left a lasting impression upon the minds and lives of the most of those who had the great privilege of sitting under his ministry. This arose partly from the effect of his preaching and partly from his example. He lived daily as seeing Him who is invisible, and with an eye to the eternity which stretched out before his spiritual vision. There was a solemn awe upon his mind continually, but, being real, it did not make him morose or unsocial. He was scrupulously conscientious and straightforward in all his dealings with his fellow-men, both in temporal and spiritual matters. The people felt that they had in him a faithful servant of Christ—a true, unwavering friend, that wept with them that wept and rejoiced with them that rejoiced, and one who lived and laboured for their everlasting benefit. They were convinced that they had in him a man anointed with the Holy Ghost, whose conversation shined before men. This godly life accounts, in part, for the deep reverence with which his memory is embalmed in the minds of those that knew him; but the impression which his sermons—now published—are well calculated to leave on the minds of all who will carefully and prayerfully read them, will, we hope, tend to fulfil the truth—“By it he, being dead, yet speaketh.”
The deep gratitude of all, but especially of the Gaelic-speaking people in Scotland and abroad, is due to those who were the means of preserving so faithfully the very words of Mr. Cook, and of causing the same to be now offered to the public at a reasonable price. These sermons of Mr. Cook are really an addition—a very valuable addition—to the published works of our worthy Scottish divines of the past. There is in them a rich mine of the profoundest thoughts in Scripture knowledge and experience. The free mercy of God, finding a way to perishing men through the Cross of Christ, runs through them like a vein of the gold of Ophir. The offer of this mercy in the Gospel, without money or price, to every sinner without exception, stands out boldly on every page. This is as true of the English sermons as of the Gaelic ones. All the experiences set forth in them are based on the Word of God, and consequently are very comforting to all who know the grace of God in truth. We have great pleasure in recommending this volume of sermons to our readers as well calculated to promote real godliness in their immortal souls.
The preface and biographical introduction, by the Rev. John R. Mackay, add much to the value of the book, as an accurate account, ab initio, is given of the manner in which these sermons have been preserved and produced, and a very interesting narrative, containing many new particulars of the life and labours of their worthy author. N. C.
* Sermons (Gaelic and English) of the late Rev. Archibald Cook, Daviot. With Preface and Introduction by Rev. John R. Mackay, M.A., Inverness; and Portrait of Mr. Cook. Post paid, 2/6. Glasgow: John M’Neilage.