The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-09-18

It was In the early spring OF 1911
that the minister had Tilted Matte
Long. It seems as though the
wrath OF the gods descended upon
him at his preference for worldly
goods over poverty and genuine
love.
His marriage to Frances Stevens
wasn't the outgrowth Of a deep
affection. Had It been he would
not have searched for love outside
his home; he would not have broken
Matte Longs heart: he would not
have become the lover OF Eleanor
Mills. choir singer.
DIR. Hall had no distinguished an
cestry such as characterized Mrs.
Hall. He was born in 1881 in
Brooklyn, and from the beginning
lad to struggle to procure a
meagre existence. For a long time
he supported his mother formerly
Fanny B. Hyde. and his two sisters,
Mrs. Paul Bonner. Of S29 Park
Frank Voorhees,, of Jersey City.
Leaning To Ministry
He felt a leaning toward the
ministry and his education began
az the Brooklyn Polytechnic In
stitute and General Theological
Seminary He was ordained at
Grace Church, New York City
where he remained some time IS
eurate. On the cared stone panels
of the. honor room at Grace Church
on Broadway at Tenth Street, is
Halls name. where its position sig
mites that for the year 1S94-95 he
was ''Optimus" boy OF the choir
and school. attaining highest rank
IN scholarship and general excel
lence.
After being ordained he was sent
to Grace Chapel as curate. even
tua1ly going to the Basking Ridge
Church near Bernardsville, n. j..
and from there to New Brunswick
in July, 1900.
Future Wife Not Member
When he first accepted the church
neither Frances Stevens nor her
mother, Mrs. Frances K. Stevens,
were members. They belonged to
Christ Church, but after Miss
stevens marriage. she joined her
husbands church.
They met that first year at the
reception given to welcome DIR.
anu pdSoCN anu
felt no flicker of fascination, so
that when the announcement OF
their engagement was made public
in the spring of 1911 the town
and church were mildly surprised.
There had been no courtship, as
far as anyone knew. but the we'd
ding in the near future was a con-
eeded fact.
The financial and social influ-
ences of the Stevens and Carpen-
der families Iured him more than
the beauty and youth of Matte
Long.
Loved Her Cousin Henry
The townfolk had their own ideas
about how the marriage had been
arranged between the poor curate
of the wealthiest church and the
richest spinster in New Brunswick.
There had been talk previous to
their meeting that Frances Stevens
was infatuated with her cousin,
Henry Carpenter. She wanted to
marry him, SO they said, but the
church refused to sanction q union
Of first cousins.
Her uncle, John Carpenter, father
Of Henry. is reported as going to
Rev. DIR. Hall and saying to him
that II he married Matte Long he
would be dismissed; but that II he
married Frances Stevens his posi-.
ton In the church and town would
be assured.
Miss Stevens mother sanctioned
the idea, too. Their ancestors had
built up a. tradition OF association
with the church. The Rt. Rev.
Alonzo Potter. late Bishop Of the
Protestant Episcopal Diocese of
Pennsylvania was a relative of
Mrs. Hail. Her mother felt she
was direct heir to a legacy OF
quiet responsibility. Her constant
thought was TO perpetuate its char,
acter in her descendants.
Her One Ambition
To have her marry Gin the CLOTH
was her mothers one ambition.