Memorials › Rev John Wallace Cummings
Rev John Wallace Cummings
13 Sep 1847 – 1 Mar 1908
| Birth | 13 Sep 1847 |
| Death | 1 Mar 1908 |
| Cemetery | Nankin Cemetery Nankin , Ashland County , Ohio , USA |
| Added by | Bill Miller on 09 Jun 2008 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22345634 |
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TENDER TRIBUTE PAID To the Memory of Rev. John W. Cummings, Beloved Pastor and Friend. No higher tribute could have been paid to the memory of a just, good, and greatly-beloved man than the simple, impressive services which marked the burial of Rev. J. W. Cummings Wednesday afternoon. The services were held in the beautiful church, whose refitting and refurnishing were one of the good results of his labor of love in Nankin, and long before the appointed hour, 1:30 p.m., people were being turned from the doors, unable to gain admittance. Some had come many miles over almost impassable roads to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed. The floral offerings were many and most beautiful, almost hiding pulpit and chancel rail and breathing out a fragrance as sweet as the life of him in whose remembrance they were sent. The services were in charge of Rev. H. Franklin Kerr of Savannah and he was assisted by Rev. Alexander Scott, pastor of Presbyterian ministers; Rev. William E. Bryce of Ashland, Rev. J.H. Barron of Nankin and Rev. Ferguson, a former pastor of the Methodist church at the same place. Rev. Kerr found a most striking and beautiful text in the life and works of Dr. Cummings, whose departure came to him as a keen personal loss for they were closely associated in ministerial work and the speaker had many kind acts to recall and friendly counsel given by the wise and gifted man whom all are so sincerely mourning. It was a beautiful tribute to the worth of the departed and moist eyes and hushed attention of the great audience showed how the truths he spoke came home to the hearts of all his hearers. Particularly touching was the reading of a poem written by Dr. Cummings when he was in the hospital at Chicago and it then seemed that he was fast slipping from earthly ties and relied most confidently upon the support of the Master whom he had served so faithfully. Brilliant scholarship, gifted pen and wide range of accomplishments were all possessed by Dr. Cummings, but were only modestly used. But the trait that most endeared him was his ready sympathy. Always a great sufferer his heart was always tender toward the afflicted and he often served them when in fact he was even a greater sufferer. The scripture lesson was read by Dr. Scott, and at the close of Rev. Kerr's address Rev. Ferguson paid a touching tribute to Dr. Cummings, referring to the pleasant relations that existed between them when they were both serving the same church in Nankin, and closed with reading Goldsmith's "The Village Parson," so truthfully typical of the departed. From the members of the legal fraternity and the business and professional men of Ashland, Judge R.M. Campbell brought an impressive tribute and in connection with it he spoke of the many noble qualities of Dr. Cummings, traits that endeared him not only to the people of Orange but to a wider circle of friends at the county-seat and throughout the county and presbytery. Rev. William Bryce of the Ashland Presbyterian church read the earnest testimonial of the worth of Dr. Cummings, adopted by the Ashland Ministerial association and closed with reading a poem written by Dr. Cummings' friend and classmate, Dr. Van Dyke, on the death of the Poet Steadman. The day was drawing to a close when the services at the church were concluded and the long and procession was taken up to the cemetery, where with a fervent prayer by Rev. J.H. Barron, the worn and tired body that had held the dauntless spirit of him whose life and works will remain . The Ashland Press, March 4, 1908: The death of no other man in Ashland county would have caused the genuine regret, not to say sorrow, among so large a number of friends in and out of the county as that of Rev. John Wallace Cummings, D.D., who passed away at his humble home in the little village of Nankin, Sunday morning. Expected almost any day for months, yet as is often the case in such instances, the final summons came suddenly and at an unexpected moment. In the case of this beloved pastor and friend it came shortly after the midnight hour which ushered in the first day of the week, and at a moment when members of his family were about to minister unto him. It is impossible for his friends to think of his departure without a deep and abiding sorrow, but accepting the fact, as we must, it seems peculiarly appropriate that the spirit of this charming Christian gentleman should make the transition from this life to the life eternal on the first day of the week--the day of all others set aside by the Creator as a day of rest and peace, of worship and spiritual communion, a day always blessed and sacred to righteous and godly men. And Dr. Cummings was a righteous and godly man, if we have ever known one. Not in the passive or neutral sense but in a rugged and virile way. We know of no one whose life exemplifies so many of the Christian virtues as did his, so modestly, even humbly. His influence on those with whom he came in close contact has been and will continue to be all the greater because of his modest and humble ways which stamped him as honest and sincere and indelibly impressed by his personality upon them. But much as his friends in general revered and loved him, their love was small compared with the love of those who knew him longest and best. It is not too much to say that in Orange township where he spent so many years of his useful life his name will be revered as that of a patron saint by future generations. The following tender tribute from the pen of James M. Fluke, the Nankin correspondent to the Press, belongs to the Nankin letter but we take the liberty to insert it here as it expresses beautifully not only his sentiments but the sentiments of all other Orange township people who were long time friends of this honored churchman and citizen. Doctor J. W. Cummings, preacher, scholar, author and man of affairs, died Sunday after midnight, after months of suffering. Although it was known that his condition was serious, yet the news of his death came as a shock to the community. Death always saddens and the death of a good man is a distinct loss to the community in which he has lived. At such times our sorrow is measured by the measure of our love and our loss is proportionate to the usefulness and nobility of character of the individual. Once in a generation, perhaps, a community is blessed with a life which is good, pure and noble. A life identified with all that is best in religious, social intellectual and business affairs; a life, which as preacher, teacher and moulder of character has left its impress on every individual with whom it came in contact; a life so closely entwined with ours that it becomes a part of us. When such a life is ended our sorrow knows no bounds and our loss is beyond our comprehension. Such a one was the subject of this sketch. Almost a generation ago he came to Nankin to be the pastor of the Presbyterian church. Of the membership as he found it,very few remain... Another generation has taken the place of the pioneers, the majority of whom have preceded him to the other world. As a boy we were impressed by his sermons because of their earnestness. As we grew in years and understanding we learned to appreciate his wisdom, his logic and his eloquence. As a preacher of the gospel he was earnest, sincere and zealous. As a preacher of civic righteousness, he was courageous and consistent. A man of wonderful intellectual attachments, it was natural to expect him to be interested in things educational. To all the young he was a source of inspiration. To Many, he was the means of realization. He never was too busy to assist the worthy student. The world is better because of his life and heaven is richer since his death. The following heartfelt tribute is from our Polk letter written by Dr. W.H. Reinhart: Our people were saddened Sabbath morning by the news that Dr. J.W. Cummings had been called in the night from this life to the higher life beyond. Though the word might well have been expected still the hope was cherished that he might be spared to again go out and in among us, and it was hard to accept the fact that his master mind was stilled, its animating spirit gone to claim its reward. While we may grieve over our loss, and what this separation is to those who were nearest and dearest to him, our sorrow is alleviated by the thought of the relief that has come to him from long months of suspense and suffering, from years of self sacrifice and the toil of sowing where others shall reap. Though he be dead he yet speaks to us through his teachings and his godly life and example. Dean J. Allen Miller of Ashland College, Rev. Wm. E. Bryce of the First Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Roy E. Bowers, of the Congregational Church as a committee representing the Ashland Ministerial Association drafted the following, "minute on the death of the Rev. J.W. Cummings D.D." in behalf of the Association: We, the members of the Ashland Ministerial Association, herewith record our recognition of the loss the association has suffered in the death of the Rev. J.W. Cummings. To some of us the loss is intimate and personal. Dr. Cummings welcomed us into this fellowship, he counselled with us; he instructed and charmed us with the treasures of his versatile mind, he encouraged and strengthened us in our labors; he was to us an example of what a Christian minister ought to be as prophet, pastor and friend. Others of us have not known him in person, but we acknowledge with gratitude the service he rendered our churches during his long pastorate in Ashland county. By the cathollicity of his interests and the range of his activities, he touched and quickened every church and by the wealth of his culture and the worth of his character he conferred distinction upon the Christian Ministry. In the name therefore of our united fellowship we extend our deep sympathy to his family; to the church and community where for a generation he has ministered; to the children of Orange, who, scattered far and wide, perpetuate his influence and mourn his death; and to the denomination of which he was an illustrious member, and which honored itself in making him one of its office bearers. John Wallace Cummings was born near the present city of Uhrichsville, Ohio, September 12, 1847, and there grew to young manhood. He was graduated from Wooster University with the class of '73 and from Princeton Seminary with the class of '77. A year before his graduation from Princeton, September 4, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet DeFord whose home was in Carroll county. about this time he spent a year as principal of the canaan schools in Wayne county. In February 1878--thirty years ago--the then young minister and his wife moved to Nankin where their whole married life as well as his brilliant ministeral career was spent. He had numerous calls to professorships in various institutions of learning and as pastor of different churches, notably Toledo and Uhrichsville, the latter his boyhood home. He had all but accepted the latter call which was extended him four or five years ago when he realized that the ties of friendship and love in his adopted home were too strong to be broken. It has always been a mystery to his close friends why he cast his lot in such humble surroundings notwithstanding the fact that again and again, he had the invitation to enter larger fields of educational and religious work. His own explanation was that he felt it to be his duty to remain with his congregation in Nankin. To the hard-headed, matter-of-fact man such an interpretation of the meaning of duty never comes. He sees a chance to increase his power and eagerly grasps it. But to men of the stamp of Dr. Cummings there are things in this world more worthy to be sought than power. Duty, first to God and the welfare of His kingdom; and second to himself, was the basic priciple in his character. Dr. Cummings performed many services to his community and other communities outside of religious work. He was a profound student on a variety of subjects, had the wonderful faculty of remembering everything of worth he read or hears, and was a ready speaker. Like one of our famous presidents of an early day he was a veritable "walking encyclopedia." He was the best informed man the writer has known. It was only natural that such a man's time should be largely taken up making public addresses on a variety of subjects and counseling with those who were seeking information. For years he answered to calls from various parts of the state to address religious, educational, and social gatherings, and as a result was more widely known than the average minister of such a small charge. He had an inexhaustible fund of humor as well as facts and this fact added to his popularity. He was an incomparable entertainer and a more delightful personality than his probably never graced the firesides of Christian home in Ashland county. Dr. Cummings is survived by his wife and two sons, William DeFord Cummings, superintendent of the Rudolph, Ohio schools, and Clarence Wallace Cummings, at home. One son died in infancy. Four sisters and one brother survive him--Mrs. Nancy Adams, Mrs. Martha Ross, Mrs. Mary Cox, and Miss Marvilla Cummings, of Uhrichsville, and Orland Cummings also of Uhrichsville. Mrs. Ross is his twin sister. Funeral services were held in the Nankin Presbyterian Church this Wednesday at 2 o'clock. Rev. H.F. Kerr, of Savannah, conducted the services, assisted by Rev. W.E. Bryce, of the First Presbyterian Church, Ashland, and other ministers from the Wooster Presbytery, of which Dr. Cummings was the oldest minister in point of service.
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