The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-08
TWO LIGHTS ExrINaUIsHED,

TWO LIGHTS EXrINGU1SHED,
On Thursday, two men died, who
will be greatly missed in New York.
One was Catholic Priest, distinguish
ed for learning and matchless eloquence;
the other was an editor and leading
We have reference to the
Rev. DIR. J. w. Cummings of st. Ste
phen's Church, Twenty-eighth street,
New York City, and Gerard Halleck,
the veteran editor of the journal of
Commerce. The ancestors Of DIR. Cum
mings emigrated to this country from
the north Of Ireland, and. settled in
what is now the District Of Columbia,
and. ON the spot where now stands the
city Of Washington. Afterwards, Cap
tain Worthy Stephenson, the maternal
of DIR. Cummings, was one
of the initiatory founders of the city, his
position and influence at the time caus-
ing him to be chosen Grand Marshal of
the ceremonies on the day when Gener-
al Washington laid the Cornerstone Of
the Capitol. The mother Of DR.. Cum
mings was the favorite niece of Captain
Stephenson; and when he died childless
it was found that his large fortune had
been left to her instead Of to his young
widow. Considerable litigation result
ed from this singular disposition of the
old gentleman's fortune, and young
Cummings (who had meantime been
born in Washington city, April, s, 1924
was not only bred amidst the unpleas-
ant scenes resulting from this family
quarrel, but became with his mother es-
tranged from her family and immediate
relations. This arrangement resulted
in some measure from the fact that the
mother became about the same time
convert to Catholicism. This estrange-
ment, it may be asserted, however, was
a blessing to the young man, and may
have aided materially in fitting him for
the path in life which he was destined
to pursue. He was made dependent al
most entirely on his mother for society,
and he was wont 10 attribute many Of
his habits Of study and reflection and
his love of philosophical research to this
association. At an early age, before this
preliminary domestic education was
finished, young Cummings, who had
now chosen the profession of the priest
hood, was sent to Catholic school in
NewYork, and subsequently to one at
Nyack on the Hudson, where he was
fitted for his introduction to the College
of the Propaganda at Rome. He was q
student at this famous institution
for fourteen years, where he graduated
with the highest honors that could be won
there. He returned to this country in 1847
and was Immediately given q station.
In 1843 he was located at st. Patrick's
Cathedral in Mulberry street. He subse-
quently built a house of worship on the
corner of Madison avenue and Twenty
seventy street; but in 1855, if we remem-
Der rightly, he occupied st. Stephens
church, on the summit of the now
nameless hill, which was once known
to old New Workers as "Rose Hill FL
wandering" Before doing this howev-
er, he paid visit to Europe and Rome.
He had therefore been pastor of st. Ste
phen's church for over nine years. The
abilities of DR.. Cummings were recog-
nized throughout the country. He was
possessed of large store of theoretical
which experience had taught
him to employ in practical life; and his
polemical abilities attracted attention
and awed contr0versialists. He was a
splendid orator. His rhetorical powers
were universally admired. He was also
an accomplished linguist and splendid
musician. Much Of his attention was
to the development Of sacred
music, and perhaps in meme of the
churches of the city can the harmonies
of church music be heard to such adj
vantage as at st. Stephens. All the
italian opera singers are and have been
for years, in the habit of visiting at st.
Stephens and singing in its choir.
Jenny Lind, Piccolomini and all the ia
NOUS singers who have visited this
have sung in st. Stephens. AT
O public concert, given under the au-
spices of DIR. Cummings for the benefit
and enlargement of the church, large
of the best singers of Europe
and America were engaged. DIR. Cum
mings was in his forty second year.
Gerard Hallock was born at Plain
field, Massachusetts,, March IS, 1900. His
father, Rev. Moses Hallock, is remem-
bered with honor and affection by the
people Of his neighborhood, and is
known to the world by memoir pub
lished by the American Tract Society.
He was poor country minister, having
q salary of only 5000 per annum. For
forty years he was the laborious pastor
of the same church, and brought up
family Of children, educating three of
his four sons in college. His small sala-
ry was aided by farm which he culti-
waited, and he also taught school. We
note the fact, which In this day may
seem surprising, that the price of board
tuition, fuel, lights, ETC., which he re-
ceived from his pupils was 81 ,S3 per
week, covering all expenses!
THE GILES TEsTIMoNIAL.-Rev Jno.
Cordner of Montreal has sent to Mr..
Cakes, through Rev. w. r. Alger Of
this city, q check for $500, as a contri-
button from friends of Mr.. Giles in
Nort.o.I Vh;s ruhefoufia1 and 0raco--