Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-02-14
lothian Cummings.

est and noblest men of Orleans Coun.
ty, in its early days We doubt if
there was more than one man of more
genuine ability, and that was Samuel
| q. Crafts. Mr.. Crafts had more edu-
cation, and more of the culture &C
CURED by mingling in society. He
was in public service in the County
State and Nation, during a large part
OF his life, and was always upright,
pure minded and capable. Mr. Cum
mingS lived in a small town and in
one Of the remote and unfrequented
parts of it, and, by natural disposition
and choice, was home man. MODE It.
unassuming, shrinking from public la
Dor, except when the call of duty to
his church or town, was urgent. Then
he did his duty and did it well, no
matter how difficult and responsible
1T was; and at once returned to the
Seclusion of his home. His natural
talent was very great. 1t is believed
that, with advantages for education
and for the display of his talents, he
would have shown power equal to any
man in the country. He is remem-
bercd by the older and middle aged men
Of Morgan, first Of all, as he appeared
as office bearer in the church. Meet
ingS were first held in private houses.
sometimes in barns in summer. The
deacon was always there, listening.
thoughtful, sedate, his head a little
dropped, as though the mighty truths
OF revelation were absorbing all his
energies, and enwrapping his soul in
gu let ecstasyof peace, hope and ioy.
At the communion he passed the ele-
ments; rather tall, little STOPPING,
his hair gray, not white. long and
smoothly cOmbed back. spectocles on
his eyes, his right hand holding the
plate or cup, his left sometimes rest
ing on the hip and he moved so qui-
city, and with such sweet solemn DIG
NIFTY from bench to bench that the
room may have been the very gates
OF heaven to his brethren and sisters,
and 1t was certainly none other than
the house of God, to some of the
young, and ordinarily restless spirits
that were present.
Mr. Cummings house was the home
OF many a minister and missionary
who went into Northern Vermont at
that early day. He was the wise man
Of the church. If any written docu-
ment was wanted he was sought
to draw it up. Whatever task of this
kind was needed he could execute it
with great precision and appropriate
ness. Perhaps this was his peculiar
forte. Certainly few men, LAWYER or
could excel him in such work
II the church wanted drawn up articles /
ot faith and covenant, letter, mis-
'lve, or charges against an offending
brother, a call to a Pastor, or a result
1t council, Of course Dea. Cummings
must do it. If the town wanted a
petition to be presented to the Legis-
allure, or to the court, or any other
PAPER for public use, Mr.. Cummings
vas the man to write it. Perhaps on
more than one occasion have officials
It distance, reading with admiration
nd surprise, one of the papers he had
enquired where they found up
that new country, man of such
ower, and sense Of propriety. He
epresented the town in the Legisla-
lre III the years 1914, 1915. 1916. t.
nd 1878. Each of his two sons have
lso represented the town-.Jotham
l837, and Charles in 1912. and in
o43. In the Legislature he was as
very where, modest and quiet. but
Is sound Judgment was highly es- '
9emed and influential. He did much
lslness for the town, some of it Off
al, and a great deal of it extra-ofi-
al. On most difficult matters his
'unsel was idispensable; and such '
as his prudence, uprightness, kind
,S8, and soundness of Judgment. that .
retained the confidence of all par =
IS who consulted him. In a town
ted for its small quarrels. and for +
tty mlschievous jealousies and SLAM J
rs, he was very seldom if ever their
spotted object. In fact he was so
lch above all around him in the ele-
9ntS of moral and intellectual good
IS that their slime could not have
lched him, if aimed at him. and
'uld not have hurt him if they had
ached him.
VI what he was in his own family
are not qualified to speak. We
ly know that his wife was worthy
npanlon of such a man, and that
angerS always found there a very
del ofhospitality, intellectual enter
nment, good breeding, order and
'lal happiness, and that his chill
N and children'S children hold his
Mory IN great esteem and honor
owned and occupied a farm. and T.