The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-08
REV. JOSHUA. sOuLE, ID.
SENIOR BISHOP OF THE METHODIST episcopal
(. - : 5sO.ia5.E% CHURCH, SOUTH.

Z Ihe telegraph informs US Of the death of this
venerable man Of God. Tho future historian o
American Methodism viii find few names possess
ing higher rank Of authority and influence
They will find none more deserving of extondet
notice. Through the changes Of half century
end amidst the most exciting and eventful periods
OF the history Of the church, his influence has
been felt, his opinions have been quoted, his pre-
sence and authority have been eagerly looked to-
4 JOSHUA SouIE was born in Bristol, Hancoch
County, Massachusetts, the Territory after
wards composing the State Of Maine. In 1898,
under the preaching Of Rev. JESSE LEE, he was
brought under religious influences, and in June,
1877, he was made partaker Of precious faith in
CHRIST. he soon after felt oallod to the work OF
tho Ministry, and in 1873. when only seventeen
years of age, he accompanied the Presiding Elder
Of that District in his rounds as IN Exhorter. AT
the ensuing Conference held in the city Of New
York June 10Th, 1799 he was admitted as q
preacher into the itinerant ranks. During 1912
3 he labored in Massachusetts. In 1904 he was
appointed Presiding Elder-though but twenty
three years of age, and held that Office for twelve
years, Except in 1872 when he filed the Pas
torate at Lynn, Mass. 4,. ss.ISs tr :a
At the General Conference Of 1903, Mr.. Sou1E
gave evidence Of those great legislative abilities
which gave him such prominence in the Church
During this session provision was made for dele
gated General Conference. The whole subject was
contided to 9 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
tho 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 q written constitution: !: ~;
In 1916 c1r. SoULE was elected editor Of the
MeLhodia Magazine. In this post he continued
until 1920. In that year MI. sou1E was elected
Bishop, Eut as the General Conference that elected
him had, as he conceived, violated the Consttu-
ton Of the Church in making tho Office Of Pre-
siding Elder elective he declined conservation, and
resigned His action, with the protest Of Bishop
MoKEEDREE, caused the General Conference to
pause IN their action. They agreed to suspend the
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 awar1
him the credit of zeal and devotion for the peace
able adjustment Of the difficulty, though all. in
vain and when the majority pressed their uncon
stitutional to the attempt to virtually ex
pei Bishop from his Office without Eresentment
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. He settled near
Nashville which was his residence up to the period
OF his death. UNI. #3
Bishop souLE was tall, erect and well formed in
person, dignifed 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
singulariy impressive in delivery. His services
were GENERALLY elaborate without fgurative Illus.
tations, or flights Of imagination, and if they lid
not please the fancy Of the thoughtlcss, always
oxeitod tho attention end profo<nd irtoreot Of the
rejecting.
In his official administration and Christian char
acter he was above suspicion. He was mild With
out being weak, firm but not severe, dignifed but
not austere, and desicive without presumption.
His Life, like q well-spent day, drew calmly Is q
close, and although the telegram makes no men
ton of the particulars Of his death, doubtless in
death he possessed that peace which long had
been his heritage while living.