Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-12
RTSHOP sOULE.

From the Nashville Christian Advocated
On Wednesday, August !, the Rev. X.
ABBEY and the Editor made visit TO the
venerable Bishop SOULE, at his residence
seven miles east Of Nashville. He was that
day eighty-6ye years Of age, having been
born in the State Of Massachusetts--in the
District now the State Of Maine-August !,
1871. The old gentleman received us with
his accustomed courtesy and cordially
seeming 20 be much pleased that we had re-
membere1 his birth day. He is very feeble
The keepers Of the house tremble; the strong
men bow themselves; the grinders cease
because they are few; those that look out Of
the windows are darkened; and the almond
tree fourisheth-truly 50, in his case, for
his hoary head is, indeed in a crown Of
glory. But he is not "afrp d Of that which
is high Or Of any thing else, for the mat
ter Of that: there never were any fears
in his way :" nor is he ga burden to
himself or TO any one else. He is cheerful,
and kind, and communicative fine
specimen Of narrative old age" without
the boring garrulity which so frequently
characterizes second childhood. His memo
~ Of things long since passed is surprisingly
accurate. In the course Of our conversation
he quoted, al punetua, long passages from
ADDisoS's Cato, and Pores Homer-eyer
great faYorite with him. He called up
many "reminiscences Of his early ministry,
and spoke Of his old contemporaries, who had
all passed of the stage Of action, leaving, as
il were, alone-the Oldest Methodist minis
ter in the world. We received the impress
sion that he is not insensible 10 the wrong
done him by the Misrepresentation of some
Of his quondam friends. If any Of them
should see these lines, we suggest 10 them
the propriety Of retracting those mlsrep-
reservations. IL is well known that Bishop
SoULF does not consider slavery per Sc a
moral evil-that he cOnscientiously took
sides with the Southern Church in
the controversy on that question, be-
lieyirg that the South was right. IN this he
has never wavered. But il is also true that
BishopSoULE never owned aslave-he never
would own one-his wife never owned one
so far as he knows, 10 one bearing his name,
or belonging 70 his family. ever owned one.
When awell-known liberal gentleman offered
10 give him a very valuable negro, the Bishop
declined the gift; when his friend told him
that if he would not owR the negro he might
have his services as if he did own him, he
still declined. Yet it has been asserted that
he did own slayes-or that his wife owned
them; and the inference was that sinister con-
siderations Of this sort had something 10 DO
in his adherence 10 the South Is there any
man living that can believe that2 But
are there not some that have perpetu-
ated this enormous Islander, and others of
kindred character, and have never repented
and acknowledged their malice or mis-
take IL there are such, we advise them 70
make the ameade honorable without delay; as
the venerable man whom they have injured
81
like 10 confront him with these ISLANDERS, I'M
acknowledged and unforgiven, at the great
tribunal. The Bishop told us Of the trials
through which he passed during some two
OF three years of the war-how the Federal
soldiers plundered every thing on his prem
ises, outside Of his house-how he stood
guard with his gun 20 protect his daughters
snnd granddaughter, when the ruthans were
about 10 burst open the door of his house
saying, however, very little Of the short
commons TO which he and his family were
frequently reduced during those terrible
times. With his characteristic candor, he
spoke Of certain Federal officers who treated
him with courtesy and kindness.
One Of them expressed great regret at the
treatment he had experience ed, and offered
to indemnify him for property taken by the
soldiers; but this he declined, as IL was
taken without his consent and he would
not seem 20 sanction what he considered an
unlawful procedure. The Bishop, looking
steadily into the grave, and beyond il, en-
phasized his belief in the resurrection Of
the body, and the life Of the world to come
two articles Of the Creed which are espe-
cially dear TO aged Christians. He Joined
with great fervor in the devotions with
which, at his request, we closed our delight
fol and memorable interview. Before we
parted, he placed at our disposal certain
papers written by him before his right hand
forgot her cunning. No one will marvel if
they should appear in the columns Of the
AdUoodic-indeed, one Of them will be
found in our present issue.
Our readers will join with us in the prayer
that our Heavenly Father may still sup
port the tottering clay and for years yet to
come lengthen ont the days Of our senior
Bishop. There is no doubt that he will out
live his fair renown; die when he may, ode
vout men will make great lamentation over
him. We may apostrophize him, as old
Daniel did a venerable Bishop Of his age:
That whatsoever YOU shall como 20 make
honr exit from this scene whCrcin you have
Performed so noble parts. you then shall take
Your leave with honor have a glorious grave;
For when can mon 60 better 20 their rest,