New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
DEATH or ISAAC THOMAS HECKER.

The Very Rev. Isaac Thomas Iccker, Superior Of the
Paust Fathers, died yesterday the Convent OF ST.
Paul the Apostle lie received the congratulations Of
his associates on Wednesday the sxty-ninth anniver
sary Of his birthday and Thursday became critically
IL. lie had been I'm failing health for many year,
but this his first serious sickness Dr. James Bcgar
who had attended Father Hcckcr for number Of
years, summoned. but could do nothing 10 save
his life He sank rapidly, and his death was expected
Friday night, but he rallied, and fingered until
! p. III yesterday, when he died lie conSciou3
TO the last and the end was peaceful The funeral
will be held on Wednesday. At 10 a. m. the Office
of the dead will be read, probably by Archbishop
Comigan, and at IL o'clock a solemn requlea mass
will be celebrated In the church adjoining the convent
The body viii be placed in the vaults Of the old Cattle
lral in Mott-st, there TO remain until the Paulis t
Fathers shall secure cemetery of their own.
Father Hecker was born in this city of German
Lutheran parents, December Is, 1919 His career
has been remarkable in many ways. lie was self
educated man. Naturally OF philosophical turn of
mind he sought the truth first a philosophical way
and in l843 became Interested in the trancendcnal
movement IN Massachusetts, joining the BIOoh Farm
Association at West IOxbuIy, and subsequently spend
ing time with the q" consoclate7 family in
Worcester County OF that State. In 1s45 he was
received into the Roman Catholic Church and studied
in Belgium, where he Joined order. -Four years
later in London. England. he was ordained priest.
AIlcf years III inc larger GlgEl cite,
missionary he returned to NewYork and con
tinued his missionary laborS. lie had though, much
of establishing a order especially for Amcric an
converts, and in 1857 he, with several
Of his brother Redemptonlsts .were released
from obedience TO their order. and
founded with the appreciation OF the Archbishop OF
New-York the congregation of ST. PAU the Apostle
with its first house at Fifty ninth-st ard NIn;have
The community has grown steadily and there now
connected with it twenty-thrcc priests Many con
verts have been made and the parish is now next in
size 10 that of the Cathedral.
Father IIecker extremely hard worker and It
was due 10 this that his nervous system was broken
down about fifteen years ago. and he had TO give up
active church work He continued his researches and
literary work. however and up two years ago was
the editor Of ." The Catholic World,' a monthly
magazine established by him in 1865.
He the author Of several well-known
works on religion and psychology in 1853 he pub
lshed Questions Of the SOUL and two years later,
Aspirations Of Nature His last work and the
In which he took the most pride was The Church
and The Age which published recently.
With an intense thirst for knowing the truth, Father
Hecker the alert to increase his knowledge
and communicate IL TO others. lie was man Of large
experience, having travelled in Europe number of
times aud also IA the United states. Wherever he
went he made friends He enjoyed the confidence
ard esteem of all with whom he In contact and
when IN 1870 Bishop ROsecrans, OF Columbus, Ohio
was unable t. attend the Vatcsf Council az Rome
Father IIecher went IN his stead. Th.
was his last visit 10 Europe He some
years ago made a number Of occurring tours One
Of his favonte subjects was Martin Luther and the
Reformation He delivered this al the Ann Arbor
University in Michigan and when he made his ap-
pearance the platform was rOundly Kissed, but
his treatment Of the subject was such that when
he bad finished the students applauded him roundy.
Although unable 10 perform any other Of his
priestly duties. Father Heokcr had said every
Sunday until last May. wheL he one day tainted
the altar. Since then lac has not said mass. Last
SUNDAY Thcn he went 10 the church for communion
he tainted In the elevator and va, carried to his
where the sacrament was administered. He
large and fine-looking Having suffered irom
throat trouble for many he by permission or the
Papal authority a beard. He a brother of
George V. and John Hccter. Hour merchants
and whom young man baker In partnership
with them. He succeeded In bringing his brother
George his religious belief
As the founder of the order Father Hecker was re-
cleo ted rs superior at the expiration OF each term
OF nine years The last election held four years
ago. There was Devcr any opposition 10 his
election Associated with him consulors wcrr
Fathers Hewitt, seaIle aud Brady. They held "a meet
Ing yesterday after Father lieckcr's death, and
appointed Father lie Shon to fll the vacancy until his
successor should be elected some time I'm the future