New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-04
v0NS1GNoR PRESTON DEAD.
THE vICAR-GENERAL OF THE NETWORK
DIOCESE PASSES AWAY.

vonsIrnor Preston died at O'Clock this morning.
M. courageous tight for over week against
a...,n death was practically over. At 90 last
.,ehi Dr. Allen left the house. saying that he could
a. no.h,pc more and that the end was at hand. AT
,n,. time the dying priests room the second Moor
:. the Rectory OF ST. AIMS Church, No. 40 East
gsyh-st was filed with priests and Sisters OF The
nyine Confession. q community lately established by
,onsienor Preston. Az the bedside were Fathers
lynch Clancy and Jackson, and Mother Veronica. tho
Mother superior OF the Sisters OF the Divine Confession
no table at the side of the bed were
n crucIfx and two lighted candles. on which
Tho diving mans eyes were liked wllle
Ne continually repeated the prayer for the dying Inc
so,emn quiet continued for an hour and then the
end appeared 10 be imminent.
Father Clancy softly read the tany for the dying,
yopdgncr Preston, who retained his consciousness
,ininr in the responses. At the conclusion Of this
solemn ceremony he lost consciousness for few
non,ents but afterwar rallied and up to O'Clock his
lie hung on thread, and periods Of Inconsistencies
cd consciousness alternated During every conscious
moment his lips moved in prayer.
uonscnor Preston was one Of the most eminent OF
The Catholic prelates in America. He was born in
Hartford in 1894 His father was the president of
an insurance company in that city, and was
- prominent figure in New. England bust
ness and social circles. Thomas Scott Preston,
who afterward became the church dignitary. one
~ a large family. lie received thorough education
IN the schools OF his native city. and graduated
with high honors from Trinity College He early
showod strong inclination TO the church and after
graduating nom college entered the General Theo-
logical seminary OF the Protestant Episcopal
church in this city. from which he was graduated
with honor soon after his ordination Episcopal
minister he was appointed assistant rector OF the
Church Of the AnnuuciatiOn. and subsequently was
appoincd to ST. Luke's Church in this city, where he
remsincd until 1919. In that year he became CON
yerted TO the Roman Catholic Church.
Dung his course in the theological seminary and in
te carly years Of his Protestant ministry he had been
= close follower OF the Tractsran movement in which
Cardinal Newman was u leading figure. The re-
suit # his study Of Newman's writings was
thai he embraced the Catholic faith. lie
was long time in making up hrs mind
II take that momentous step, but tne determination
once taken he became enthusiast in his new faith
and has ever since been an earnest and aggressive
champion OF II.
lie prepared for the priesthood by course OF study
At ST Josephs Theological Seminary, In FoTdham. where
e was ordained priest In 1850. After his ordination he
served for some time an assistant In the old ST.
Patricks Cathedral in Mubcrfyst, and afterward as
pastor OF II. Marys Church in Ionkers. He had al
ready begun 10 attract attention by his ability
preacher, and as student, nd in 1853 he
was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New
York. From that time his promotion was rapid
and continuous In 1873 he became Yicar-General OF
the diocese still retaining the duties Of the chancellor
ship. In 1901 he appointed the pastor of st.
AIMS Church in East Twclfthst., which place
he has retained ever since. His powerful
preaching attracted large congregations to The
church sad bllt IL up until it attained
is present prominence. AT tins time Father Preston
was known all over the country. not only as one OF
the most powerful preachers III the Catholic Church.
but as learned writer on theological subjects. Ills
fame spread to Rome and his ability met with prompt
recognition from the head OF the Church In 1881 he
appointed domestic prclate OF the Pope'S house
hold, with the title Of monsiglor. lie obtained this
distinction on the recommendation OF the late Cardinal
MctlOskey. The title is honorary one and i one
81 the great distinctions conferred by the church.
There different degrees of nonsigDor1, the highest
of which is the prOthonOtary, TO which degree Mon
sgnOr Preston soon promoted This degree en-
titled him 10 the purple and TO be called
preate. Among bis published works are
Ark OF the Covenant Life OF the Blessed Virgin.
Life OF st. Mary Magdalen,' Life Of St. VINCENT de
Lectures on Reason and Revelation "Protestan,ism
and the bible :" Protestantism and the Church, ,
God and Resson" and many other theological works.
heart trouble since last May. and abOut two weeks
ago. il took a fatal turn. week ago last Friday,
De received the extreme JUNCTION and has received com
Inunion every day since. Much OF the time he was
dellrious. but even in his delrium he PRAYED con
ilnuaIly.