The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-22
BISHOP SEYMOUR.

BISHOP SEYMOUR.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE-HIs POSITION " THE
CHURCH AND PERSONAL characteristics.
The Chicago Times of the 18th inst. con-
tains the following biographical account of
the newly elected bishop OF Illinois: The
Rev. George Fox Seymour, d. D., the bishop
elect of Illinois, Tooth prelate in
the American Episcopal Church,
and 193d in the succession from
st. Augustine, first bishop of the English
Church, is at present rector of st. Marks
Church, in the Bowery, and professor of
ecclesiastical history in the General Theo-
logical seminary, New York City. He
institution. He is a man who enjoys to
the fullest degree the confidence OF the
Right Rev. Horatio Potter bishop of New
York. In addition to his arduous duties at
the seminary. which be discharges with I'M
wonted vigor, he is also actively engaged in
several missionary and charitable church
enterprises in the city and vicinity of
New York. He is full of missionary
spirit. The cause of the needy. the
poor and the suffering ehlists his earnest
efforts and exctes his warmes. SYM
pathies. He is a man of much power
of endurance, of medium height,
and an attractive person in conversation and
in the pulpit. He is extemporsneous
speaker of much power, and more than
ordinary ability; earnest, impetuous, and
persuasive. He Is a finished scholar OF large
and cultivated taste, WELDING a trenchant
pen, and never shrinking from the defense
and advocacy of principles. in this respect
he may be considered a peer of Bishop
Wnitehouse, plus an impetuosity which will
not wait at all times TO weigh consequences
to self. His nature is chivalrous and gener-
Gus, and emphatically that of a manly Chris
tan gentleman.
He was born in the city of New York.
and comes of good stock in that State. His
age is little oyer IS years. After gradual
ing at Columbia College, be entered the
General Theological Seminary in 1851, where
he completed his theological course and was
ORDAINED TO HOLY ORDERS
in 1854. His class at the seminary embraced
some notable names. Amongst them were
James DeKoven, ID. D., warden of Racine
College; ]. II. Hobart Brown, -of Cohoes, y.
Y, the Rev. John E. C. Lineades, of Raleigh,
n. c., at the head of large school, and
others equally eminent in the church.
Bishop Armitage, Morgan Dix, and Bishop
Paddock were in the seminary at the same
time. The early portion of his ministry
was spent largely in mission work in
the diocese of New York. He was
rector of Christ's Church, Hudson, where
he endeared himself to rich and poor
alike in his active ministry. His earnest
ness In the educational work of the church
led him to open his own home for tine in
struction of students for the ministry. This
through various channels led to his connec-
ton with the Enterprise of St. Stephens Col
lege, at Annondale, n. Y, of which he may
be considered the founder. This literary
and theological institution, beautifully sit
uated on the banks of the Hudson. is second
to none in the United States for its excel
lent work in the past.
From the wardenship of Annondale he
was called to the rectorate of St,
Johns, Brooklyn, then in. a state of
almost helpless apathy. BY his great
pulpit powers and his active church work,
he raised it to a position of Importance
and effectiveness. From here he was called
to the chair Of ecclesiastical history in the
German seminary. This distinguished
honor was conferred upon him by a board
of trustees of that institution, which chair
represents the entire church of the United
States. The chair he was then elected to fill
had for its former occupants the lamented
Prof. Ogilby, the profound Mahan, both now
at rest, the venerable and erudite Whiting
ham, present bishop of Maryland. The suf-
frage of the church deemed him worthy TO
be called to their vacant place; the suffrage
of Illinois
DEEMS him WORTHY
to fill the vacant throne of it's episcopate.
He is already well known to Chicago men,
who learned long since to appreciate his en-
ergy and push, which have the true west
ern flavor. The people of st. James Church
wanted him for their rector at one time,
and were much disappointed because he did
not come. he was willing enough to do so,
and Bishop whitehouse was quite anxious
that he should accept, but work,
responsibility, and interests which he
c.tsid not delegate to the hands of
vsners, kept him at his eastern post,
in the seminary. The claim OF duty was re-
luctantly acquiesced in by Bishop White
house, who repeatedly pressed upon him
the claims of the West and his fitness for the
work here. The late bishop endeavored
more than once to induce him to come to
Illinois. and offered him the deanship of the
cathedral of the diocese OF which he is now
the bishop elect. DIR. Seymour is man of
active habits, a close and accurate student,
of precise thought and prompt action,
coupled with indomitable industry OF the
nervous, sanguine temperament be is dis
tinguished by scholarly face, smooth and
pale, and clearly cut features: the complete
type of an active, studious ecclesiastic. He is
never idle, his whole life being filed up
with professional, pastoral, and charitable
work. He is unmarried, of simple habits,
but quite given TO warm friendships, large
social circle, and reasonable hospitality,
and is personally in many ways replete with
those sterling virtues which go to make up.
the character of an effective bishop. After
his confirmation by the house of bishops,
and house of clerical and lay delegates,
forming the triennial convention of the
Episcopal church TO be held in New York
on the 9TH of next month, he will take or
ders for his solemn conservation to the episi
copate.