The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-07
PRICE TWO CENTS.
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.
\ sUEDAY OF PHYSICAL EASE AND
MENTAL ACTITITH.
his First Participation in a Communios scr.
vice-His Inquiries as to IL. Emcacy-Hss
Condition Not Changed for the Worse.

HIS FIRST Participation In toWmunios rers
vice-His Inquiries as to its Emcncy-Hts
Condition Not Changed for the Worse. ,
Commodore Vanderbilt after q nearly
comfortable night, awoke at yesterday morning,
and asked DR.. Elliot to read to him from book
which appeared to contain facts relative TO 70.
ligious and charitable institutions. At seven he
ate q moderate breakfast OF steak, eeas, toast,
muskmeion, coffee, and cream. Soon afterwnrd
he had a religious conversation with the Rev.
DR.. Deems, and listened devoutly to the mInisr
ters prayers Dr. Deems soon departed TO at
tend services in his church, and during his a..
sence the Commodore talked much with nom.
bers OF his family about his mother and his nrse
wife, laudlng their qualities and expressing Q
nope to meet them In the otner life Tbe Com.
mouore had always been silent man, speaking
briefly, and with simple and often homsly
words. His family were now surprised at his
volubility and elevated language. When any one
was announced to whom the Comm odore va
not related, or who had not positive business
with him, he sent word, with thanks, that he
could not be seen. II a friend entered upap-
nounced, his receptian was cordial, but always
serious; The Commodore's dinner was Of melon
The Rev. Dr. Deems, upon returning from
churcn again visited the Comm odore, who par
took Of communion for the drst time In his life,
In company with ten OF his family and two Of
the housemaid A singing OF hymns followed.
The Commodore has always been q man OF greaa
caution. He seldom took a stem without due
consideration. Before partaklng OF the bread
and wine. and pledgng himself, he asked many
questions OF DIR. Deems regarding the iulport-
ance OF the communion service, why II was
thought necessary, and II individuals IN the
future life would be In any way benefited byso
In contradistlnction to those who had not hon.
ored II. When the clergyman moved, seemingly
to begin the service, the Commodore said, Now,
look here; hold on, Doctor, want yo6 to tell
me something more. / don't want to do this
thing unless 1 know all about It. Supposins
that should recover, and accidentally do any
would be this result7" Dr. Deems spoke Of the
deep love God bore His creatures, and of Hts
readiness at all times to forgive those who ap-
preached him with contrite hearts. The Coen-
II odore then acauiesced. DR.. Deems and the
Commodore's medical advisers are very reti-
cent, and would say nothing about the solemn
ceremony.
during the day. Those of bis family at his house
were his son, Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt, his
grandsons, william u. and Gastoh Vanderbilt.
his wife and her mother, Mrs. Crawford, his sis-
ter, Miss PhROe, and his daughters, Mesdamcs
Cross, Leban, AlleD, and Torrance. He took .
light supper OF tea, toast, and little steak and
was in an almost toviAl mood Just before he
dropped asleep at 10 o'clock.
At about l o'clock this morning the Commo-
dOre awoke from sound sleep Of about two
hours. He seemed refreshed. Drs. Elliot and
| Linsly, who apprehended no immediate danger.
had gone to bed.