The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-03-01
Bishop Simpson---An Eminent Divine.

As Bishop Simpson has assumed charge OF
the interests OF the NJ. L. Church Of Kansas,
and will preside over the conference which
meets in this city next week, we will give our
readers brief sketch Of the eloquent Divine's
life, as written by correspondent ofthe Law
renee journal:
ale is native of Cadiz, 0iio, and was
born June 81, 1910. bis parents were mem
bers of the N. f. Church. When he was
about one year old his father died. He COM
menced the study of languages in his eighth
year and became quite a linguist. His studl-
Gus habits affected his health and induced
him to turn his attention to medicine, in
which profession he graduated IN 1898. About
the same time he was recommended to the
annual conference and appointed to the West
Wheeling circuit His second station was
Pittsburg. He was appointed deacon and
elder by Bishop Roberts in 1857. He was
then elected professor in Allegheny College
and remained for ten years Vice President, at
the expiration Of which time he was appoint
ed President Of Asbury University, Indiana,
where he remained until he was elected edit
or Of the Western Christian Aduocdte in 1913.
While in the editorial chair the action of Con-
gress on slavery received his special attention.
His power with the pen is that OF strong sense
and clear decisive logic. His physiognomy
indicates calm decision and discriminating sa-
gaeity. lie stoops little, and before his ele-
vation to the episcopal bench, dressing plain,
he was regarded by the farmers as their
preacher, as one OF themselves. He is tran
scendantly effective in the pulpit. and while
he violates some of the rules of oratory, he is
eloquent in spite of the critics. For thirty
wears he has been one Of the most prominent
preachers in America. In preaching he has
apt and brilliant Illustrations, and his emo
tons kindIc and glow, Frightening the de-
clamatory monotone, aud sweeping over the
audience like an increasing gale on the bend
ing grass Of the prairie with a heart subdn-
ing motion that produces profound elect.
We will record an incident that was related
to us by Rev. w. Bishop, of the Philadelphia
conference Soon after his electisn to the
episcopacy, in 1852, he arrived at Lancaster
on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning
he set ont from bis hotel to find the Methodist
church On his way he inquired Of one of
the members about the church aud the infor-
nation was elicted that the bishop preached
sometimes. He was introduced in the yestl-
bue to Mr.. Bishop, the pastor, as Brother
Simpson, local preacher from Plttsburg.
Mr.. Bishop asked if he would preach for him,
and on receiving reply in the affirmative, the
pastor, fearing a failure, said that it would be
haitian for hin, IN nra oh in tho eyeninu and
that he would make the announcement in the
morning. The Bishop, diylning the cause,
declined, but offered to relieve him from his
first invitation. The manner in which the
opening exercises were conducted relieved
the pastor from his approximations. heav-
enly influence rested on the congregational
every soul was melted and carried away on a
tide of cxultant joy Mr. Bishop felt that af-
ter such a torrent OF eloquence he could not
close with prayer. While the collection was
being taken up the following colloquy took
place care you . travelling preacher =
''Yes; l have been an itinerant Tor several
years, and now travel avery large circuit
"What conference do you belong toy 81
did belong to the Pittsburg, but l cannot say
luaL ALI W NoAiiSi
enee.'' "What did you say your name was:
"Simpson" .'Simps Not Bishop Simp-
son - "Why, they call me Bishop some
times" In great excitement Mr.. Bishop rose
and exclaimed, 81 have the pleasure to an
nounce to the congregation that the eloquent
preacher who has addressed Us this morning
is Bishop Simpson y
''In 1857 he visited Europe and Palestine.
After his return he had very severe attack
of sickness, which the attendant doctor de-
clared would be fatal. AT the time OF his ex-
pected death, without any relief from his
physicians, change took place suddenly, and
a rapid recovery followed. The family doc
tor was astonished, and asked what they had
been doing, and on being informed that moth
ing had been done, he declared it was mir
acle. A few days after they received a solu-
ton OF the enigma. Bishop Jones was pre-
siding ever a western conference when he re-
eeiyed letter stating that Bishop Simpson
could not recover. He asked the conference
TO unite in prayer that he might be spared for
usefulness in the church, and called on Will
liam Taylor the celebrated California street
preacher, to lead in the deyotions. The
church was united and moved Omnipotence,
and in two minutes Mr. Taylor, receiving the
divine witness that his prayer was heard,
thanked Ged for the change and the assured
recovery of The Bishop. The hour and mo-
ment was the same, and Bishop Simpsons
life is an irrefatab bic proof that God hears and
answers prayer"
With this brief sketch we take pleasure in
introducing this prince of divines and orators
to the citizens of Kansas and Wichita.