BECKLEY
FUNERAL OF THE LATE VICAR.
The funeral of the Rev. G. T. Cooke, B.D., vicar of Beckley, Rural Dean, one of the Senior Fellows of Magdalen College, Oxford, Diocesan Inspector of Schools, and examiner of pupil teachers in religious instruction, who met his death by accidentally taking poison, on December 30th, took place on Saturday, in the churchyard of the parish in which he had laboured so devotedly for close upon half-a-century. Duriug his long stay in the parish, the rev. gentleman has assiduously endeavoured to promote tho welfare of all his parishioners, and the affection in which he was held by them was testified by the manifestations of sorrow expressed in many ways throughout the parish, and by the large concourse that, despite the bitterly cold weather, assembled to witness the last solemn rites. A communion service, attended by old boys and the present and past masters of the school, was held on Friday evening, the address being delivered hy the Rev. John Mare, of London, an old pupil teacher. On Saturday morning, at a quarter past eight, the remains were removed from the Vicarage, and, followed by the members of the family, the boys from the orphanage, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Mr. and Mrs. Newell, Mr. and Mrs. Tossell (the schoolmaster), Miss A. Fuller, Mr. C. L. Cook, and the household servants, carried to the quaint old church (part of which dates from the Norman period), where the Rev. R. Hutchison, assisted by the Revs. John Mare and W. Morbey, conducted another communion service. The coffin, covered and surrounded with wreaths and crosses, was left in the chancel, and at half-past ten the bell again began to toll, and the building, which still retained its festal dress of flowers and evergreens, symbolic of the season, was filed with parishioners and friends of the deceased some time before the service commenced. Many of the clergy attended, amongst those present, either in church or at the graveside, in addition to the mourners, being the Revs. H. de Brisay (Oxford), J. Holford Scott-Tucker (vicar of Headington), T. Langhorne (vicar of Elsfield), C. F. H. Johnston (vicar of Headington Quarry), R. Hutchison (rector of Woodeaton), C. Morris (vicar of Marston), L. Davidson (vicar of Stanton St. John), J. Mare (London), W. Mosbey (Wolverhampton), S. F. Forbes-Auchmuty (vicar of Horton-cum-Studley), T. W. Fowle (rector of Islip), H. Thorp (rector of Noke), G. Hayton (rector of Charlton-on-Otmoor), R. F. Dale (rector of Bletchington), Messrs. H. Parsons, F. P, Morrell, Miller (Oxford), Henderson (Studley), T. Yates, G. Yates, Mr. and Mrs. Hall (Beckley), Mr. J. and Miss M. Cannon, almost all the parishioners, several villagers from the surrounding districts, and the scholars from the Newridge and Oldridge schools. The President of Magdalen had intended being present at the interment, but was prevented by having to attend the funeral of his uncle, which took place at Bristol the same day. He was, however, present at one of the services. The ceremony began with the surpliced choir singing in procession the hymn, “Jesus lives,” after which a short service was conducted by the Rev. W. A. B. Coolidge, senior fellow of Magdalen College. At the finish of the concluding hymn, “Now the labourer's task is o’er,” the bearers, Harry Newell, Richd. Charlotte, Z. Sumnor, Charles Cox, Philip Payne, and David Payne (villagers), assisted by three experienced bearers, advanced, and to the mournful strains of one of Spohr’s funeral marches slowly bore the coffin down the aisle and through the west door to the family vault in the churchyard, where six of deceased's relatives already rest. The mourners were Miss C. C. Cooke (sister), Ms. W. Cooke and Mr. A. Coole (nephews), Mrs. Cooke (sister-in-law), Mrs. Mocatta (niece) and Mr. Mocatta, Mrs. Cave and Miss N. Cooke (nieces). The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. S. F. Forbes-Auchmuty, and after the coffin had been placed in the vault a muffled peal was rung. The body was enclosed in a leaden shell, with an outer case of polished oak with brass furniture, of old ecclesiastical pattern, relieved with an unpolished oak cross extending the whole length of the coffin. A brass plate, fixed at the foot, bore the following inscription:—
George Theophilus Cooke.
Entered into rest December 30th, 1893, Aged 74, Pastor of this Parish 49½ years.
Memorial wreaths and crosses were sent “In deepest sympathy,” from Miss Julia Cooke (sistor); “In loving memory of our dear Vicar,” from the parishioners; “A small token of our love and regard,” from the scholars and teachers of Beckley school (every household in the parish had contributed to these two wreaths); “As a token of W. H. Hall’s fond affection and deepest sympathy,” Albert House, Aldeburgh-on-Sea; “With much respect and heartfelt sympathy,” from Emma Williams; “In grateful and affectionate remembrance,” from Marion Hey; “With deepest sympathy,” from Studley Vicarage; from the Rev. and Mrs. John Holford Scott-Tucker, and from Mr. and Mrs. Stewart.
A muffled peal was rung at Magdalen College the same evening.
The whole of the funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Messrs. Elliston and Cavell, Oxford.
The London Guardian of this week contains the following notice of the above gentleman from “E. M.”:— “The general circumstances of the death of the late Rural Dean of Islip, Vicar of Beckley, and Fellow of Magdalen, must be known throughout the country, but it may be questioned whether more than a few may be aware what a man of rare excellence has passed away from the Church of England. George Theophilus Cooke was the second son of the Rev. G. L. Cooke, B.D., the Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy, and Vicar of Cubbington, Warwickshire, and in earlier days Senior Tutor of Corpus. Keble, Coleridge, Arnold, and Pellew were amongst those who passed under Mr. Cooke's care, and bore affectionate recollection of his sedulous help. George Theophilus was ordained soon after taking his degree, and succeeded his uncle in the Living of Beckley in 1847. The parish at that time was a large one, measuring nearly eight miles from point to point, part of it being some six miles from the residence of the vicar. George Cooke, being a man of very simple habits, saved money out of his fellowship from the time of his first succeeding to it, and was thus enabled to build at his own expense church, school, and vicarage for Studley and Horton, and contribute to the endowment, which he effected with the powerful help of Bishop Wilberforce, whe had his highest opinion, in which he was followed by Bishop Mackarness, and I may add by the present Bishop, of his self-denying zeal. From the time of his becoming vicar his habits were undeviatingly regular. Twice or three times a week, till he became too old and was occasionally almost lost in the lanes and fields, he would start at half-past one for the distant part of the parish, where he would visit the sick and others, hold a night school, perhaps conduct a service in the church, and return home sometimes as late as half-past nine. In later years, till the new parish was cut off, some of his parishioners, fired by his example, would go to help in the school, and conduct their beloved vicar back in safety. Whenever he came home from such excursions, however late, or from service, or from other work in his parish, he always went to his room and spent a quarter of an hour or more in devotion. On last Christmas Day, as often before, he passed an hour and a half in this manner. His teaching, whether in school or by the sick bed, was most thorough. His examinations as deanery inspector were most practical. Though not naturally fond of children, he became an object of great affection to tho lambs under his care and to others. The parishioners of themselves got up a service on the eve of the Epiphany, which was conducted by two clergymen, the Rev. J. Mare and the Rev. W. Mosbey, aided by Mr. Lakey Cook, a former schoolmaster, who had been brought up in one of the two orphanages established by others in the parish, but objects of Mr. Cooke’s care. Every house in the parish contributed towards wreaths for the funeral and grave. After his death, his books revealed what no one knew before, that he must have given to almost every one whom he deemed to be a genuine applicant, “He was so bright,” said one who knew him well—“so pleasant, so kindly, so unaffected and modest, that it was only gradually as I came to know him better that I saw the depth of underlying goodness, conviction, and principle by which his life was guided.” Indeed, his modesty and retirement were so great that he would, doubtless, have condemned what I am now doing upon the judgment of outside friends. But ought not his example to appeal to others? Is it right that such a light should lie hid under a bushel?”
