Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-03-10
So in Advance
Whole Number 1866.
HI.hop Of wnbsrfore....


Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of
Winchester, was one of the most re-
markable characters of modern times
and exhibited versatility and fer
tility. of resources that have been
seldom equaled. In his active and
crowded career several distinct ca
reers were virtually comprised. In
the management Of two important
dioceses he exhibited an administra-
tive ability and an energy of char
acter that have been rarely parallel
ed. In the House of Lords he gave
an attention to polities-using the
word In It's highest and best sense
winch vas exceeded by few heredit-
airy legislators, and by not many
who were trained and veteran states
men. In literature his active and
versatile pen was constantly cbal-
lenging public attention and infu-
encing public thought. In society
as one of the most prominent and
refined of its members, he was a pow
er, whether on the public platform
or in the private drawing room of its
most influential rulers. He published,
he preached, he governed as Bish-
op, he debated and legislated in Par
lament, his presence was continual
ly felt and recognized in all the null
tiplied departments of current public
life. Now be was speaking at great
public entertainments, such as the
dinners of the Literary Fund or of
the Royal Academy. Then as a ru-
raj Squire he was pleasantly ha-
ranguing the rusties on the green or
in the tent. Now he would address
on week day crowds of laborers in
church or under railway shed:
and presently he was away off in the
north consecrating some gorgeous
fame. Again he was down IN Kent,
preaching twice on a Sunday at the
opening of some humble district
church; and still again he was busy
in superhuman energy in his diocese,
Studying the character and aptitades
of every clergyman, learning the de-
tails of every parish, deyising prac-
teal plans for the physical or intel
leetual or spiritual welfare of his
people, entertaining his clergy with
open hospitality at his own mansion,
or meeting them in conferences at
Oxford or elsewhere. He was tire
less He was the lion of the great
dinner party; he was the leading
speaker at public meetings; he was
the ruling member of a Church Con-
gress; he was the most active figure
of the Convention. Now he was
holding confirmation in Paris, now
consecrating a church in Brussels,
and, again, we meet him perpetually
in the principal newspapers, In the
reports of learned or literary or be-
nevolent societies, in correspondence,
in pamphlets, in contemporary his
tory. His comprehensive mind SEEM
ed equally familiar with the greatest
principles and the minutest details.
At one time he was aiding in the at
tempt to uphold or destroy minis
try, or stamping the impress Of his
character on the debates and legisla-
tion Of his country; at another, he
was objurgating dull-headed church
waxdens or demolishing a ibelous
Alderman. His correspondence was
immenses all kinds of people wrote
to him, and to every one he gave .
full and careful answer be would
dictate seven letters at a time to as
many different amanueDses. Few men
ever lived more in the open air,
speaking metaphoFically. He was
essentially q public man. Wherever
Christian work was the most ami
iIsated and intense, wherever the con-
fiet of opinion was keenest, where
ever debate was most excited, where
ever hold and burning speech and
prompt action were most needed,
there the E9rm Of this brilliant pre-
late was .exeE most prominently to
be descried.-Hqrpsr' Magazine.