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[p. 68]

This tribute to Mr. Cummings' attainments and fidelity was given more than thirty years ago, and he has never in the intervening years, given occasion for one single word to be erased from it; exemplary and faithful and lovable to the end of his long and useful life.

He was greatly interested in promoting the welfare of Medford. In 1855, he was one of three appointed to consider the advisability of establishing a public library. It was founded mainly through his efforts, and he was one of its first trustees, and for several years served as its librarian.

Since his retirement, he has been very active with his pen, writing much local history; reminiscences of the old stage coach and Middlesex Canal days; sketches of the town from 1850 to 1860. He was of great assistance to Mr. Usher in his revision of the old Brooks' History of Medford,—has written a history of the Medford High School,—has collected and tabulated complete genealogical records of his ancestors from 1630, and of his wife's family from the days of the Pilgrims in Holland. The Medford Historical Society is indebted to him for a very interesting and valuable paper, giving a very comprehensive history of the Mystic Congregational Church, of which he was clerk for 36 years, and deacon and faithful and honored member during his sixty years residence in the town. He was a true Christian, a humble follower of the Master, genial, cheery and optimistic ever:—very fond of his friends, cherishing a strong affection for his old pupils, dearly loving his Alma Mater, and keeping in touch with his college classmates by visits or correspondence:—ever loyal to the town of his adoption, never losing his keen interest in her welfare, even when the infirmities of advancing years forced him to give up active work in her behalf. Only a few months more and he would have reached the four-score-and-ten mark; and with mental faculties undimmed, as alert to friendship as of old, cheerful and hopeful, he patiently awaited the ‘call of the Reaper.’ Just a few hours before

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