BITS and PIECES
273rd Edition – December 14, 2025
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
BERT COOKE
December 4th. was a sad day for the Free Presbyterian family when a dear friend and colleague in the ministry left us for his home in glory. Dr. Bert Cooke was ninety-six when the Lord called him home. He was born again in 1950, through the ministry in Belfast of Canadian evangelist, Dr. Oswald Smith.
Bert, with his cousin, the late Dr. John Douglas, were two of the first ministers of the fledging Free Presbyterian denomination in 1951. He started his ministry in Mount Merrion church and ended in Armagh. He was deputy moderator for many years, and he lectured in homiletics (the art of preaching). Many of our ministers, the writer included, benefitted from his wise counsel sometimes delivered with a delightfully droll sense of humour.
Bert was a gentleman and a great preacher. In fact, he is the only preacher who sent a shiver up my back when he spoke about the wickedness of king Ahab. He preached in Toronto several times.
Bert is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Agnes. We want to assure her of our prayers at this difficult time. Another dear friend is Bert’s brother Ron who ministers in Virginia. To him and his family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
“Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel” [II Samuel 3:38]
TIME AND ETERNITY
Life is swift and short. Even if we live to what is generally called “a ripe old age,” it is “soon cut off, and we fly away” [Psalm 90:10].
The Scriptures compare our life to “a vapour, that vanisheth away” [James 4:14], to “a watch in the night” and to a “tale that is told” [Psalm 90, 4,9].
Thus, our time on earth is precious. For our souls it is the valley of decision, the vestibule to eternity. Only in this life do sinners have the opportunity to repent and receive Christ.
Only in this life can Christians stand for God, spread the gospel, and lay up treasure in heaven. That is why Paul urges us to redeem the time [Eph.5:16] and exhorts us to holiness: “the night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness”. [Romans 13:12].
Soon we will all be in a world where time will be no more. Someone has described eternity as being like God winding up a giant clock and setting the pendulum in motion. As it swings from side to side, the solemn ticking seems to say, “For ever and ever, for ever and ever, for ever and ever.”
For every soul who grasps the brief opportunity life affords to get right with God by faith in Christ, holds the prospect of glory
“for ever and ever”. For every unbelieving, impenitent sinner it holds the prospect of woe “for ever and ever.”
At the ending of another year, when our minds naturally turn to the passage of time and to our prospects for the future, let us think long and hard on these things. We now have time and opportunity to embrace the gospel and then to spread it. But it is a fleeting opportunity. Let us grasp it in the light of eternity. [Dr. Bert Cooke]
LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT SUM
“Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” [Psalm 90:12].
Death is a most unpleasant subject, and we do not like to discuss it. King Louis XV of France banned the mention of it from his presence, but it is a reality all must face. Modern medicine has not eliminated it, nor has scientific research. The most important calculation for us is the one quoted above, “Teach us to number our days.”
We live in the age of education, and the world worships at its shrine. But this command is not ‘apply your mind to education,’ but “apply your heart unto wisdom.” Scripture teaches, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [Psa. 111:10].
Death is a certainty because it is appointed by God, it is the “wages of sin” [Romans 6:23] and is irresistible. The uncertainty of death is not knowing when it shall overtake us. Life may be short or long but die we must. It is a wise person who makes spiritual preparation for life beyond the grave. Jesus Christ alone is the way.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” [Jo. 3:16].
