Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-12-08
MR.. SUM MERFIELD.

The name Of SUMMEuFIFLD possesses an at
traction in this community which belongs To
few others. His el'qnent appeals have been
heard with delight by many thousands oil our
ci'izens Within few days, mrmoir OF his
life, by John Holland, Of Sheffield England, has
been published with an iniroduc DRY euer bv
James Montgomery, The poet IT is decided
ly an interesting work.
The Father Of Mr.. Summe,6e'd appears TO
have been a man of somewhat more Than ordi,
nary charscirr. He was engaged in various &c
cupations in England and ireland, where he
was local preacher, Of the Methods, demon
inaton. HI. death occurred in New York in
the year 1925 a, the same place and nearly q,
The same r,me with tina, Of his son.
John Summer6'Id, the subject Of the me-
moir. was born in England, in 1898, where hr
had considerable opportunities for education,
which were improved in rather desul,orv
manner, though with aptitude, aud at times
with intensity He followed the avocaions Of
his ia her in part, and while quite minor en-
tered into the coal trade on his own account
His mind, however, does no! appear 10 have
been pleased with such occupations, but 20
have constantly sought for a field where its
powers could find larger scope He had pas
sion for eloculion and public speaking, which
hr cultivated by listening TO the most eloquent
preachers and lawyers, and by frequrn, at
tendance a the Theatre This vas Of course
vii ou, any view o the pulpit, for at hal time,
his lie, If MOI o"e Of absolute dissipation, had
SO much Of irregniariy abou, il, as seriously TO
alarm his friends.-Sevevral incidents Of his
carly life possess great interest, especially a.
we see every where remarkably rctentive
memory, and In all it's powers briliia and un-
chained mind, which dared any thing, and &C.
complIshed what j. undertook. Religion al,
lengh set all thugs right, and turned all his
powers to usefulness He al one time applied
10 Mr.. Rifles, Of Liverpool for admission into
he Seminary a, Hoxton, but though iavorabIy
received, no hing finally anne Of the cores
pondence. Al lhis timr young SLmmerfi Id,
" s SO irregular in nIs hours, though nis even.
ings were sprn chief, at religious meetings,
tina, his fa'hsr found j: necessary % MAX a
rule that The door should be closed a, lo'clock,
in consequence Of which, he was COMPELLED
once OF twice 10 lodge a an inn. Young SUM
mertield appears very soon 10 have subscribed
10 his fathers rule, for only few pages for
ward we find This entry IN his diary, | am re
solved o be in bed al zen o'clock every night"
Al The age Of twenty, Mr.. S. commenced
discoursing in public in Ireland, and w-s soon
engaged with all his powers III Drea hing 20
The crowd, who every where assembled 10 hear
him After ira'e cling extensively in Ireland
and England, he took passage with mis- farnc;'>
family for America, snd arrived in New Y,rk
in March, 1921. Here me- was called upon 10
deliver addresses before principal Chati,a-
BILE Societies, md on other i'm ?oriant occasions,
and every where with grea' popularity and ef-
feet His e4er'ions proved TO he beyond ms
strength, and lound his health RAPIDLY de- lining
In he hope ct regaInirg u ne mad a vo'age
TO Marseilles, travelled thro"g' F are to Eng
LAND, md returned pui wi hou, attaining the
Object which he sought. His heal h wa hut
li''le improved; yet hr could not resis, the de-
sire to be useful, and continued preaching until
he could preach no longer. His cea'h an even,
regretted by all, iook place on The 18Th Of
June, 1875, in he 27h year # his age. He
Was in erred ookiy" N r Jour. Of Com.