Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-04
From the N. Y. World, 2Sth Sent
OBITUARY.
Death of DIR. Francis Lister Hawk.

Death of DIR. Francis Lister Hawks.
Rev. Francis Lister Hawks, D. d.. died
at his residence in this city yesterday morn.
ing, aged 50 years. He was born in New
bern, North Carolina, June 10, 1898, He
was graduated at the University of North
Carolina In 1915, and was admitted TO the
bar In 1919, and practiced in North Caro-
Lima. He was elected to the Legislature of
his native State at the age of %, but soon
after turned his attention to theology. and
was ordained in 1927 He first officiated
IN New Haven, Conn, as assistant minister
to DR.. Harry Croswell, in Trinity Chrrcl
and was in 1929, assistant minister at ST
James, in Philadelphia. In 1881 he was
rector OF st: Stephens, in this city, and
was next called to st. Thomas, where he
remained till 1843. In 1886 DIR. Hawks was
appointed to the missionary bishopric Of
the Southwest, at the same time that Bisbon
Kemper was put in charge of the North.
west; but no provision being made for bc
support, he declined the appointment.
Having been appointed historiographer or
the American Episcopal Church, DR.. Hawks
under the authority of the General con,
vention, wentto England and obtaind comics
of number of valuable and important ma
pers relating to the early history of Frisco.
pacy IN America In 1897, in conjunction
with DIR. Henry, he founded the Nelc Y0rl
ReraeW, OF which he was for some time edi-
tor and principal contributor About tbo
same date he founded st. Thomas's Hall ~
flush!ng, l.. L., an enterprise which invol-
we'd him deeply in debt. When he was of
forwards chosen Bishop of Mississippi, his
indebtedness was made an objection to his
conservation by the House of Bishops. but
he was trlumphantly eXonerated. and then
declined the position. At the close of 1874.
he became rector of Chr;st's Church in New
orleans, succeeding Rev. Dr. Wheaton.
Here he remained five years, and was. dur-
ing that time, elected President of the Uni
verslty OF Louisiana. In 1S49, he came to
New York, and became rector of the Church
OF the Mediator, which was soon merged in
Calvary Church In 1854 he was elected
Bishop of Rhode Island, but declined the
othce, preterring to retain his rectorshiD in
this city.
Six pleasant years followed, and during
that time Calvary Church. which was much
IN debt when Dr. Hawks assumed charge
OF the congregation, was entirely freed. and
become one of the largest and most notable
congregations III the city. The doctor, too,
meanwhile, had been relieved from his EN-.
barrassments, and seemed to have settled
down for life, free from care, and other
than that imposed by the duties of his sit
uatlon, IN loved and loving home. But
1861, with the secession of the Southern
States, brought dissensions and divisions
In the congregation and vestry of Calvary.
and for days it was discussed whether Dr.
Haws, Southern born, and known svmpa-
thlzer with secession, should be asked to
resign. At the annual Easter meeting of
the vestry In that year it was as good as de-
clded that the doctor must go. The pro-
ceed1ngs of several subsequent meetings
were published in the daily papers, and
DIR. Hawks finally resigned, virtually ey-
changing parishes with Dr. Arthur Cleye-
land Coke now Bishop of Western New
York., DIR. Hawks going to Christ Church.
Baltimore, and DR.. Coke coming to Calyo,
~, in this city. Dr.. Hawks managed to
g keep out of the papers" so far as expires.
sing his opinion about the political sitla-
ton was concerned, and, like most CLERGY
men of the Episcopal Church, he never
preached politics III the pulpit and DURING
the four years of war he retained the love
and affection of his old friends, alike aU the
North and the South Soon after the peace
last year he was recalled to this CITY by
some of his former Pensioners, and it is
only few days since the cornerstone of IL
new and splendid church of which he was TO
be rector, was laid in Madison avenue.
Doctor HAWKES. position in his church
was among the very first and most eminent
dlylnes OF that denomination. We can re-
call no clergyman who has had more kOn0rs
actually thrust upon him-honors which he
has almOstinvariably declined. He seemed
with the simple charge of a con
and in his connections with diff
terent parishes IN widely-separated sections
OF the country be has won all hearts No
rector was ever more beloved in his priest
Iy capacity and as man. His ministra-
lions III the desk and in the pulpit will be
long remembered by all who heard them.
10 scholarship of the highest order he ad-
ded the winning ways with which nature
had endowed him. There was persuasive
i'll his preaching, q solemn
sweetness IN his voice, and an impressive
ness IN his dlction that always enlisted the
attention and the admiration of his hear
ers ; as mere rhetoIician he was surpassed
by few on the stage, and by no one in the
:hurch, unless by Wainwright and by
DoaEe. In private life he was warm.
genial, a charming companion, and
an ever faithful friend. His converse.
ton, rich with illustrations gathered from
extensive study, travel, and observation,
was llghed up at times with flashes Of the
purest and most sparkling wit Every one
Will recall the time when he was over
with the difficulties resulting from
his educational enterprise at Flushing. The
future seemed dark enough. A friend con
3oled him with a quotation from the
'salmlst, that the Lord would I" feed the
young ravens" ''Ah, yes" said the doctor;
but there is nothing said abou.
he young Hawks" Hundreds of like say
ngs are treasured up by the doctors
rlends, and these flashes are the reliefs to
more solemn and sacred hours in houses of
Mourning and affection, where the doctor
'ame sometimes as an everwelcome. genial
suest, and again as ministering angel.
With the consultations of his priestly office
or all but broken hearts. There are many
nourners for him now.
AS scholar and author, DR.. Hawks will
,,e remembered by his Contributions to
n ne Ecclesiastical History of the United
states, z vols. Svo., embracing Virginia
ma Maryland, New York, Ie3G14I
Egypt and its Monuments" (8vo, lSlgJ
Aurlcular Confession in the Protestant
Church" (12mo., 1S4O.) lie
Rovero and Tschudi's ''Anti-
u1tles of Peru 1884, and has edited the
Official and other State Papers of the
ate Major General Alexander Hamilton
-