The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-11
The New Bishop of Liverpool

The New Bishop of LIVERPOOL
The new Bishop, DIR. John Charles
Kyle, whose evangelical writings are
greatly esteemed in this country as we'll as
IN Great Britain, is thus reported, touch
ing his own career thus far:
I" My life has been a very curious ono
L, was not brought up for the Church
The last thing [ should have expected
up to the time | was twenty-five wears
OF age was that I should ever be q cler.
gyman. My father was a wealthy man
He was landed proprietor and a bank.
er. L was the eldest son, and looked for.
ward to inheriting large fortune. I
was on the point of entering Parl;ament
L had all these things before me TIL 7
was twenty-five, but It then pleased Cod
10 alter my prospects in life through nv
fathers bankruptcy. The change was a
very crushing one for the time. It did
crush me terribly, and for many wears
could hardly lift up my head" The
Bishop then described his clerical life in
the New Forest, at Helmingham and
Stradbroke, and said that he never expect
ed to leave the latter parish. "I never
thought that man who had taken sncb
decided stand as [ have done as a Pro-
testant clergyman, as an Evangelical
clergyman, would ever be called mon
by the Prime Minister to take a different
position. L always thought the ouiet
men-those who wont kick I'D row
those who could be trusted to 90 quietly
and gently-were chosen, and Il naver
struck me that should be called upon
TO take al higher position than the Vicar
of Stradbroke. But, as you are aware
IN April | was offered by Lord Beacons.
field the Deanery of Salisbury. did not
like it at all. I went to Salisbury and
the more L looked at it the less / liked
1T. L wrote to my friends. and asked
them what should do; and they all said
ought not to refuse it. They said it
was my plain duty to 90, and so under
pressure L accepted it. Nv friends at
Stradbroke did me the favor to saw that
| looked miserable man. felt like a
dog with his tail between his legs. But
although didanot feel comfortable, I felt
that 1t was my duty to go. But was sud
denly relieved. On Wednesday even
ing l received telegram from Lord Bea-
consfeld's secretary, asking me to 90 to
London for an interview on the next day
on very important matter. Of course
L could not make out exactly what it
meant, but felt it my duty to 90, and at
twelve o'clock I saw Lord Sandon, the
member for Liverpool, who told me they
had sent for me for the simple purpose
OF asking me whether I would accept the
Blshoprlc of Liverpool l said Il am
not SO young as some people. I am not
wealthy man to take new bishopric
He replied We know all that; we have
made up our minds about that the oues.
ton 49, Will you take the Bishopric of
Liverpool or not?' I said, My Lord,
will 60. Salisbury took week to think
about, but to be Bishop of Liverpool did
not take five minutes I thought it was
a clear, plain call of duty. l would
much rather wear out as Bishop of Liver
pool than rust out as Dean of Salisbury.
Well, | asked Lord Sandon several cues
tions, which he answered, and, this end
ed, was taken in to Lord Beaconsfeld.
who gave me an interview, kind and
courteous as one would expect from that
wonderful statesman. He gave me ex-
cellent advice, which 1 hope l shall
never forget told him l was not so
young as | used to be; l did not get
younger. He took good look at me
from head to foot, and said [ think, sir,
you have a good constitution. I hope
bis words may prove true, and that my
constitution may prove equal to the
work, when l get to Liverpool"