Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-09-26
For the GsllipoIis Journal.
BISHOP BASCOM
BY REV. A. A. JIMRsoN.

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This great man is no more; one of
those death notes which are pealed, at
intervals, as from an arch angels trum-
pet, has announced this solemn truth
That note hes already swept over the
American church leaving the sad INTEL
ligence in every vale, and on every hill
top, that this minister Of Christ. who
walked among men as something supe-
nor to ordinary mortality, has shared
the common fate of our race.
Tears refuse to attest our sympathy
with a bereaved church, because the
fact, SO unexpected, is scarcely realized.
Settled il is that the life pulse has ceased,
but the shock is so great that the heart
trembles--it refuses to grasp the death
work as complete lest the agony ofdeep-
est sympathy shall overcome its ener-
gies.
The ways of God are mysterious. At
time when the church had reposed in
him her greatest confidence, and when
she committed to him the management
of her rightful claim, in a strange con-
troversy, God took him away.
Who will not grieve that such race
has been shortened-that such a daz-
zling light has been so soon extinguished
that such mighty genius, sanctifed
to the work of the church, has been so
soon removedl But, while we cannot
explore the hidden purposes of the Di-
vine Providence, we can stand amid the
ruins of dissolying humanity, and in the
light of immortality, we may meekly
submit-we may not murmur in sad
ness, but cheerfullv believe that call
things shall work together for good"
From the life of bishop Bascom the
living may learn some useful lessons
no event in providence is without its use,
and no history of useful man is with
out instruction. From this history we
may learn that humble parentage, an OBJ
scure birth place and scanty means are
not insuperable barriers 10 the magnify
ing grace of God and future greatness.
With these Henry B. Bascom had to
contend. and with no other patron but
the church, he did it like one well har-
messed for the battle. To the divine
spirit in his heart he added industry
perseverance-prayer. With these he
gradually arose from the study of ele-
ments, in the cabin, to the presidency
of distinguished university in popu-
lous city-with these he arose from the
arduous work of an itinerant minister,
to the Office of bishop in the church Of
God-from the clouds and twilight Of
the morning he ascended up the horizon
to the mid-heavens of intellectual and
moral splendor.
His ardent passion Tor knowledge,
guided alone by himself, ripened into
mature scholarship in early life-his
high sense of regard for the dignity ol
the theme induced intense applica
ton to theological science--his firm be-
lief in the power and sublimity of the
gospel message led him into thorough
preparation for every hour that he filled
the christian pulpit, while listening thou
sands felt that he was mighty "man Of
God" The present generation OF
young men, and especially young min
is:ers, have in him an example Of chris
tiam ambition worthy their closest imi-
tation. Let them not think that poverty
is a curse but rather a blessing-let
them not covet the riches of the young
man of wealth and ease. for these but
too often superinduce the grossest i'm
moralities and the premature prostra-
ton of the brightest intellect.
One thought more-the only safe
road to permanent and useful distinc-
ton is hearty reception of christian
truth and the faithful practice of the
christian virtues.
What distinguished Henry B. Bas-
com when but YOUTH What but the fact
that he gave christianity hearty well
come to the first place IN his heartl And
his was no ordinary perception OF its
sublime precepts-he chained its mighty
truths in his heart, and evolved its doc
trines in such new and commanding as
poets as to give them the power of some
thing new and more sublime. Usefulness
has its elements-a mind well trained
in the literature of the christian church
true piety--industry-re6ned deport-
ment. This is the portrait of a christian
gentleman-such was bishop Bascom.
Last of all, he bore off the distinction
of christian warrior in his conflict
with "the last eremy,"-he died in
peace amid his christian brethren, in
Louisville, KY, and while his body has
temporary resting place in the ceme
terry of that city, his redeemed spirit
has permanent rest in the "city OF
God"