The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-13
A BISHOPS WIFE.
A BISHOPS WIFE.
How Good Hostess Had Her Ideas
OF Mefhodists Considerably
changed.

A correspondent of the Chicago Times
in n letter from Ocean Grove, wherein he
discusses some peculiarities of the Meth
odist people, tells his interesting little
story, in which one of Pittsburgh's
feminine representatives figures rs the
heroine: Il never see Bishop Simpson
but | recall an incident concerning hls
wife. Mrs. Simpson is very elegant Ia
appearance and dress, accomplished and
sty lish, as well rs religious. A number
of years ago there was a reunion of the
four Methodist cen terences OF Illinois, In
Bloomington. 1t CHANGED that Pres
byterian banker who lived near the Meth
odist church offered TO maintain the bishop
at the elegant. 1t was necessary Tor the
transaction of business that the bishops
lodging should be near the place OF meet
ing, and no Methodsts living very near
the church, the banker threw open the
doors. The hostess had very sneering
way of speaking of Meth odists She
thought them llliterate, plain people, ard
the higher their place in the church the
most holy and consequently ignorant they
were. They expected to meet woman IN
well worn bombazine, linen collar,
pinned by common brass pin, hair
twisted in pig-tsil on the back OF the
head, u scoop bonnet, and cotton gloves.
The hostess was q kind-heart little crea-
ture. She did n OF wish To overawe her
plain guests. Being busy when they ar
rived, she sent n servant to show them
their room. When the dinner, simply
served to meet their guests old-tashioned
ways, YVES ready, she twisted up her hair
in tight knot, took of her rings, wore
big, lowered tycoon red wrapper and
white apron, ard thus appesreled took
her stand in the parlor. A rustllng OF
silk was heard, and tall, state ly woman
il black silk rutiled to the waist after the
fashion OF that time, with expensive laces
and jewelry, aad with hair done in the
very latest style, swept down the stairs
and into the parlor. While the hostess was
tailoring Good day, Sister Simpson" the
bishops wife was making her hostess an
elaborate bow, but was unable TO conceal
her surprise at the strange dlnlng-dress
of the lady OF the house. al WAS SIMPLY
overwhelmed said the lady, telling me
about il afteward, al concluded u Meth
odist Bishops wife was somebody. knew
she thought | had not halt sense. l
coIldn't talk to her. Everything L said
| said wrong. In the evening put on
silk Us fine rs hers, and got cut my di4-
monds and my best china, but felt mean
and little. 1 never recovered my self.
possession while she was there. She was
the most splendid tslker ever heard
She was VISITED by the rich people of
different denominations. She charmed
everybody, while | sat like n nlnny IN
the corner. The MethOdists Of these days
are up with the times. Now that the
Bishops wives wear silks and diamonds,
have been in Europe, and can play, sing,
paint, speak in ever SO many different
languages. know about art and literature,
yGu can't give them boiled dinner, nor
receive them in q slouchy morning wrap
per without feeling belittled."
Mrs. Simpson is not woman devoted
to fashion or frivolity. Her good deeds
are unnumbered except by the recording
angel OF our lives; her oenevolence Is
constant her piety sincere. She uses the
good and beautiful things God gives her
tasters are refined, her mind cultured.
The day has passed when one must be
scarecrow IN order to pass muster ut the
rate of heaven"