The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-17
BIshop Soule.

the following sketch of this venerable
minister of the Methodist Church:
This great man and prince in the
Methodist Church has departed. His
extreme age had led the Church to
expect it; but though long antici-
pated, his death will not fail to clothe
the Church in mourning.
He was born in Massachusetts, Au-
gust l, l7S1, within the section of
the State subsequently erected into
the State of Maine. In 1897, he be-
came a member of the Methodist
Church, and i'll 1898, when only seven
teen years of age, entered upon the
preparatory duties of the ministry,
accompanying the presiding elder
that year as an exhorter These efforts
of his boyhood attracted much atten-
ton, affording evidence, as they did
ut that early day, of his powers of
utterance, that afterwards rendered
him celebrated
He entered regularly upon the du-
ties of the ministry in 1909, and, after
laboring for three years as a circuit
preacher, was elevated to the position
of presiding elder, which position he
filled with marked ability for the en-
suing twelve years.
In 1908, he first became conspicu-
GUS as legislator in the Church
The General Conference of that year,
finding the general representation by
all the ministers no longer feasible,
determined upon the organization of
q Delegated Conference, to meet
quadrennially Joshua Soule, as
chairman of the committee to whom
this responsible duty was confded-
then only twcnty-six years of age
perfected the constitution of the
Church, which stands at this day as
he then offered it for adoption. Only
those who are aware of the struggles
and fiery ordeals through which this
plan of Church organization has
passed, are prepared to appreciate the
wonderful sagacity and legislative
ability of its youthful author.
He, in 1918, at the bidding of the
General Conference, projected the
MethodiSt 1tagasine, he being senior
editor, as well as publisher, for he
had been put at the head of the pub
fishing interests, then centred in New
York, as early as 1916. The Maqozi1ae
was great success, and the close of
the first year found 10000 cash sub
scribers upon his books
A great event for the Church, as
we'll as Mr.. Soule, occurred in 1920.
He was elected by the General Con-
ference to the Bishopric on the 18th
May. On the Goth May, the dele
gates from the Northern and Eastern
States succeeding in adopting, by a
small majority, n measure with which
they had agitatcd the Church for
twenty eight years, to wit: the cleo
ton of Presiding Elders by the Con
ferences, 1nstead of their appoint
ment by the Presiding Bishop.
Joshua Soule, upon the passage of
this he deemed-unconstitutional
act, promptly resigned the position
to which he had been elected, dcclin-
ing conservation. His resignation
resulted IN postponement of any
enforcement of the law; four years
afterwards it was virtually repealed,
and he was again elected and solemn
ly consecrated. This was splendid
tribute, both to his character as a
man and his ability as legislator.
In 1914, the same class of men laid
violent hands upon Bishop Andrew,
who, by second marriage, had be-
come Indirectly connected with
slavery. Joshua Soule put forth all
his efforts to prevent division of the
Church. But sectional hate had
already gained the ascendancy. The
majority, without charging Bishop
Andrew with crime, and denying him
a trial by jury, attempted to depose
him; and Joshua Soule, though a
New Englander, opposed to slavery,
and never in any way it's abettor,
found himself compelled, in his old
age, in the maintenance of his con
scientious convictions, to tear himself
away from all his early associates. He
cast in his lot with the Southern
Church, and removed near Nashville,
where he died.
He was, in every respect, a great
man. He was of a commanding
figure, tall and erect. He was ex-
ceedingly courteous -dignifed, yet
approachable. His manners were
marred neither by lightness or aus
terity. His pulpit performances par
took somewhat of these traits. His
sermons were complete, but not pom
derous; his bearing was dignihed,
profoundly earnest, yet singularly
calm.
He was ardcntly attached to the