The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-08
REV. JOSHUA soULE, ID. d.
SENIOR BISHOP OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH, SOUTH.

The telegraph informs us of the death Of thi
venerable man of God. The future historian o
| American Methodism will find few names possess
ing higher rank of authority and influence
They will find none more deserving Of extended
notice. Through the changes of half centur,
and amidst the most exciting and eventfu periods
| Of the history Of the church, his influence hal
been felt, his opinions have been quoted, his pre-
sence and authority have been eagerly looked to
JOSHUA SoULE was born in Bristol. Hancocl
County, Massachusetts, lin the Territory after
wards composing the State of Maine. In 1888,
under the preaching Of Rev. JESSE LEE, he Was
brought under religious influences, and in June,
1887, he was made partakor Of precious faith IN
CHRIST. He socn after felt called to the work Of
the Ministry, and in 1898, when only seventeen
years of age, he accompanied the Presiding Elder
Of that District in his rounds as an Exhorter AT
the ensuing Conference held in the city Of New
York June 10Th, 1899, he was admitted as a
preacher into the itinerant ranks. During 1912
9 he labored III Massachusetts. In 1904 he was
appointed Presiding Elder-though but twenty
three years Of age, and held that Office for twelve
rs,-except in 1912, when he filed the Pas
torate at Lynn, Mass.
at the General Conference Of 1908, Mr.. SoUIE
gave evidence Of those great Legislative abilities
which gave him suoh prominence in the Church.
During this session provision was made for dele
Pgated General Conference. The whole subject was
confded= to q committee composed Of two mem
bers from each Conference, they committed it to o
subcommittee Of three, of which JOSHUA SoU1E
was Chairman. The report presented by him is
the constitution of the Church to this day. Thus
this man, ere he reached his twenty-seventh year,
gave to Methodism all it has ever claimed to pos
sess Of o w:itten constitution.
In 1916 MIR. SoUIE was elected editor Of the
until 1920. In that year MIR. SoU1E was elected
Bishop tut as the General Conference that elected
him had, as he conceived, violated tho Constitu-
ton Of the Church in making the Office Of Pre-
siding Elder elective he declined conservation, and
resigned. His action, with the protest OF Bishop
MoKENDREE caused the General Conference to
pause in their action. They agreed to suspendthe
operation Of the law for four years. and in 1924 he
was again elected Bishop, and regularly consecra-
ted, the offensive law having been indefinitely sus-
pended.
In 1842, by appointment of the General Confer
ence he visited England as the accredited repre-
sentative to the Mother Church. The proceedings
of the General Conference Of 1874 resulted in the
division Of American Methodism into two distinct
ecclesiastical bodies. Bishop SoU1E did his ut
most to prevent this division. History will award
him the credit Of zeal and devotion for the peace
able adjustment of the difficulty. though oil in
vsin-and when the majority pressed their uncon-
stitutional tyranny to the attempt to virtually ex
pei Bishop from his Office without presentment
of crime, or trial by jury, for accidental connec
ton with slavery, he hesitated not mo-
ment to tear himself from association with
his native section, and TO identify himself
with the Southern Church. 30 settled near
Nashville which was his residence up to the period
of his death.
Bishop Sou1E was tall, erect and well formed in
person, digni6ed in his bearing, and grave but
agreeable in department In social intercourse he
was always pleasant and instructive: In the pull
pit he was calm and deliberate in manner, logical
in reasoning, clear in exposition Of doctrine and
singularly impressive in delivery. His services
were generally elaborate without fguratiye Illus
trations, or flights Of imagination, and if they lid
not please the fancy Of the thoughtless, always
excited the attention and profound interest of tho
refecting.
In his official administration and Christian char
acter he was above suspicion. He was mild With
out being weak, firm but not severe, digniied but
not austere, and desioive without presumption.
His Life, Like well-spent day, drew calmly to
close, and although the telegram n axes no men
ton Of the particulars Of his death, doubtless in
death he possessed that peace which long had
been his heritage while living.