Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-08-14
FROM the Philadelphia Press.
DEATH OF BISHOP BOWMAN

expected death Of the Right Rev. SAMUEL
Bowman, j. D., Assistant Bishop Of the
EPISCOPAL Church in the Diocese OF Penn
sylvania, has awakened a feeling of pro-
found sorrow throughout our whole State
not only among the members OF tho de-
nomination Of which he was q shining or
/ nament, and to whose service he was de-
votedly attached, but among all classes of
citizens. to whom he had endeared him
self by his exemplary department, his ma
Inv Christian virtues, his amiable and COM
manding character, and lis superior tai
ents. . r..
Hcwas son OF Mai. Bowman, of Wilkes
barre, Pennsylvania, distinguished Off
Ger of the Revolutionary army, and born
| in the year 1900. 1t was originally his
| intention 10 embrace the legal profession,
but, after devotiug considerable time to
TIE study of the law his neturally strong
devotional feelings were intensely aroused
by the sudden death of his father and he
was thus led 10 assume the sacred calling
for which he was pre-eminently fitted
After proper preparation, he was ordained
n Deacon in this city 10y Bishop White, in
the year 1923, and at once took charge Of
st. Johns Church at Plqua, Lancaster
county In 1924, he was ordained priest
In October, S25, he becamerector OF Trim
ity Church, Easton, as well as Of newlyr
estaLlirhed congregation Mt Allentown, Pa.
In 1928 he became the rector of St. James
Church, in Lancaster, which position he
continued to hold up to the period Of his
election as Assistant Bishop, in 1883, and
so deeply was that congregation attached
to lin, that they would not permit his
pastoral connection with them to be dis
S, lvel, even after that event. They in
sisted upon his continued residence at
their parsonage and that he should devote
as much special attention to them as his
other arduous duties would permit.
The fidelity which he displayed during
& his long connection with St, James
Church, as we'll as the peculiar charm Of
his clerical and personal manner, warmly
endcarcd him to very large circle OF
friends, and for a long period he has been
regarded as ono Of the most prominent
and universally respected diyines of this
State, lie possessed the peculiar faculty
of attaining great excellence as reader,
a preacher. and a pastor. Those who have
heard him read the beautiful serv ce Of his
Church, can never forget his extremely
impressive style. lis sermons and adj
dresses, whether written or eXtemporone-
Gus, were characterized by a Chasteness
and elegance of language, depth of feel
ing, and a true eloquence, which reached
hearts, while they entertained and enligbt-
ened tke minds, Of his hearers. A severe
student during the earlier part of his cIcr-
ical career, as he advanced in years the
importance of close attention to pastors
: al duties vas deeply impressed upon him,
ard for long period he labored in this
great sphere of his duties with exemplary
care zeal, and effectiveness.
The election of the Right Rev. Alonzo
Potter, as Bishop Of this Diocese, was pre-
ceded by AN animated contest in the Con-
venton of the Church between the friends
Of Bishop Bowman and Rev. stephen II
Tying. D. D., (who now resides in New
York. which was finally terminated by
the fortunate choice Of the present in
cumbent In 1913 Dr. Bowman was cleo
ted Bishop of the Diocese of Indiana but,
being warmly attached 10 his congregation,
he declined to accept that position. The
falling health of Bishop Potter, and the
arduous labo?s connected with this Dio-
, ccse. induced the Episcopal Convention
which assembled in this city in May, 1858
to elect an Assistant Bishop. The contest
was very animated one, the division o
sentiment which existed in relation tc
what is popularity termed the High Church
and Low Church feeling giving it peculiar
interest. Those whose proclivities were
of the former character generally prefer
red DR.. bowman, and most Of the Others
r,,,,.1 N;ntn,, crn M, Giovn,,p A fta,
fifteen close ballots, DR.. Bowman withdrew
his name, and moved that a committee o
! SIX clergymen be appointed to select ;
suitable candidate. A recess was taken
y and on the reassembling Of the Covention
q 1.-THE committee said they would withhold
4, their report until another ballot (the six
teenth) was taken. 1t resulted in the Sc
lection Of Dr. Bowman, the vote being a
follows: DIR. Bowman rs; DR.. Vinton 63
DR.. Hare | blank |. lie was consecrateC
at Christ Church, in this city, on the 25tl
of August, 1858. Although some feelu!
! was aroused by tho peculiar contest whicl
resulted in his election, it was soon alayec
by the charm OF DIR. Bowman's manner
and 10y his judicious and concilator,
course, devotion to his duties, and pecula
fitness, he soon became much esteemeC
and beloved bv all the congregations o
the Diocese. His close attention to th,
la5orious duSies Of his position became
theme of universal plaise, and it is to hi
over. anxiety to be thoroughly faithful
even at the risk of injuring his health, thN
r his sudden death may be attributed. Bu
, a short time . 60 some of his friends in th
city urgently solicited him TO spend por
! ton OF this summer at Atlantic City, anC
r had he taken their advice his lite nigh
have been spared. But duty summoned
: him TO another quarter, and he would moi
!. neglect its demands. The excitement il
/ the western portion of this State, caused
p by the discovery OF subterranean oil in
. that region, had attracted thither n large
- emigration, and several new Epscopa
$ churches had been built, which he wa:
\ called upon to consecrate. 1t was during
S journey to Butler, Pennsylvania, for thi,
y purpose that his death occurred, under
l circumstances of peculiarly distressing
character. Bis last sermon. we believe
,,,ou dalivarad in ~ JamasJ CbyrcI, "a