The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-28

sch1smatIcs, with view to establish ing an EpiScopalian church and college at Constantinople. but his already manifest Catholic tendencies, early in the 'forties. initiated against his se- lection
 In 1S46 while in North Carolina seek ing to avert a threatened attack of pulmonary trouble, he determined to , enter the Catholic fold. Dr. Reynolds was the bishop. He extended a kindly welcome to the Protestant divine and entrusted his religious welfare to Dr. Lynch, later Bishop of Charleston, and a life long friend of the convert
 March 25, 1S47, he was ordained a priest
 While engaged in the task of assist ing in editing the life and works of
 Bishop England, Father Hewitt became an inmate of the home of Bishop Ken
 drick of Philadelphia, later archbishop of Baltimore. There he became ac- quainted with the Redemptorist fla thers, whose lives of sanctity and Christian endeavor so appealed to his highly religious mind that he entered
 the order. He was soon sent to Bal
 tirnore, the center of the work of the
 order.
 On March 6. 1858, was issued the
 brief of Pope Plus TX separating Fa
 ther Hecker and his little band from
 the Redenptorists. Charged with both missionary and pastoral duties they
 began work upon the institute of St.
 Paul the Apostle, N. r., and in the fall of 1859 they had a church and convent completed Soon after the institution of the work, a natural trirmvirate was formed, comprising Fathers Hecker, Hewitt and Deshon. It has been said that Father Hecker was the man of scholar and theologian, and Father Deshon the man of practical affairs.
 In the early history of the Paulists, Father Hewit was among the most Zealous in both parochial and mission duties. Later, as the band grew and the necessity for a teacher arose, the duties naturally fell to him. For near ly 30 years he essay yed the task of inn parting Paulist principles to candi- dates for admission to the order.
 Father Hewit's efforts as an -instruc- tor were not disclosed to the outer world. To the public it was through the medium of the Catholic World was revealed. During 1874, 1875 and 1876 Father Hewitt became the editor in chief of this publication. His own contributions attracted attention throughout not only the Catholic world, but in all quarters where theo- cur. His sound logic, his mastery of language, his practical application of philosophical and theolog gical principles. commanded attention from any who ordinarily would not have given heed to religious discussions. It was in 1885 that the degree of Doctor Divinity was bestowed upon him from Rome but before then Amherst College had paid him the unusual tribute of con- ferring upon him the same degree, un- usual because it came from the up- holders of the doctrines he had for saken and combatted for nearly two score years.
 Unanimously chosen the second Su- perior of the Paulist Institute, despite his protests on the ground of infirmity of years, he continued to toll inces- sanity, writing and teaching, gratified with the growth of his order and the promulgation of Catholic doctrine throueh the efforts Of his associates. The 50th anniversary of his ordination to Catholic priesthood was celebrated March 2S, 1897 and he assisted at the Solemn Pontifical mass. He was, however. in failing health, and his strength failed steadily until July 3, 1S97 he went to his reward.
 Aside from the eminence attaching to him as the Superior of the Paulists, he was named theologian at numerous Plenary Councils. He declined the of diocesan consultor of New York. as well as other equally complimentary trusts, on the ground of other duties. He was honorary councillor of the Catholic University, and he transferred the Paulst Sudden tate to that institution He contrib uted to the Congress of Religions at the Worlds Fair in Chicago. Father Elliott reading his paper, and he was the author of a number of volumes
 Older Bridgeporters readily recall the eminence of the father of the late Dr. Hewitt He figured foremost in the local clergy's share of any public un derta king. His son, Dr. Henry Stuart Hewitt died in New York 37 years ago. The sister of Father Hewitt, Sarah,