VALLANCE COOK MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1814, 29 July 1913, Page 2

VALLANCE COOK MISSION.

The final meeting in connection with the Vallanco Cook mission was held last evening, when Mr. Cook told tho story of his life. The first time he gavo it, he said, was ly request. "I was converted in boyhood, he stated, "but I have not been an angel. Not infrequently at school I got the cane. I was truant from Sunday school even. My excellent mother, knowing it, made mo fast, and sent mo quickly to bed. I played truant no more. Parents' godly discipline is a factor for -good. Neglect it, and tho issue is family and nationid loss. Yorkshire born—Middlesboro was my native place; noted for iron and Ifcthodist preachers. Mother was converted in and attached to tho Methodist Church, and we, as a family, owo nearly all under God to her. Father was converted when over fifty. Every time our church was open our pew was full and paid for. An epoch in our family was tho oonversion of my beloved and honoured ' brother. That day he had put his only sixpenco on a hors®. He never bet again. Gambling is likely to bo a great curse to this Dominion, and it is humiliating that your Government takes revenue therefrom. (Applause.) My brother was seventeen— the only convert that night. Said one: 'You did not seem greatly moved, why went you forward?' He replied: 'Because I felt it was right.' Soon he testified in the open air to God's forgiving grace. My conversion ' was a contraot. I cannot point t8 place and time, but where and when matters not. Spiritual birth is not uniform. It is tho fact which Is vital, and experience is the truest and best evidonco of the fact. I received my first Methodist ticket of membership at thirteen. If you would be loyal to Christ, join Christ's Churcb, give yourselves to prayer, Scripture reading, and Christian service. That maintained, prevents backsliding. I was in business life for nine years—not an illtraining for tho ministry. It is said working men are prejudiced against parsons. I cannot believe it, since I was elected to a metropolitan council by the laTgest majority in 150 candidates. My first sermon was a great difficulty. I stuck fast, but somehow won through, and, helped of God, I have been put into the ministry of Christ's gospel. I would not change places with any other man in any other calling. It is my beloved life work. But you have lives, dear friends. What are you doing with yours? May I solemnly ask each ono of you, What will you do with your life? Only ono life havo we. 'We shall not pass tlilis way again. What you would do, do it now.' In response to the missioner's appeal, many rose to indicate decision for God. In an interval the Rev. W. S. Potter, on behalf of the Mission Committee, voiced the hearty appreciation of all of the good work done by tho Rev. Vallanco and Mrs. Cook during tho mission, and expressed tho hope that their lives would bo long spared to continue in the work they lovo so well. Mr. Cook, in reply, spoko of tho kindness lie had received not only in Wellington, but throughout the Dominion.