Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-06-21
DEATH OF BISHOP SIMPSON.

The dispatches of Thursday nj ght
announced the death of the great and
good Bishop Simpson. The first time
the writer OF this ever saw and heard
the great preacher was in the conven-
ton that nominated General Grant
the first time at Chicago, and before
the great fire. The last time we heard
him preach was in this city at the con-
ference some seven or eight years aga.
The following brief biography will be
read with interest by all {:
Bishop Simpson was native of
Ohio, having been born ut CadiZ, June
10. 1911. At the age of eighteen years,
while attending Madison college sub
sequently merged into Allegheny col
lege, he was elected tutor in that
institution. He graduated from this
college in 1882 and studying medicine
he was admitted TO practice in 1888.
During this year, however, he de-
termined to enter the ministry and
was licensed 10 preach in the Pitts
burg conference. In 1887 he was
elected vice president and professor of
natural science in Allegheny college
Two years later he was elected presi-
dent of Asbury university in Indiana,
which position he filled for nine years.
la 1913 he became editor of the
Western Christian Advocate, and in
1852 he was elected to the high
office Of bishop. In the discharge of
his dates as bishop he visited and
held conference in all the states and
most of the territories. Bishop Simp-
son was sent by the general conference
as delegate TO the Irish and British
conference in 1857, and was also 4
delegate to the Evangelical alliance in
Berlin the same year, from whence he
extended his travels through Turkey,
the Holy Land, Egypt and Greece,
returning in 1858. In 1859 he changed
his residence from Pittsburg to Evans
ton. where he accepted the position as
presi dent of the Garrett Biblical i'll
siitutc, 10 which, however, he devoted
but little active work. During the
civil war he delivered number of adj
was urged by the secretary Of war 10
undertake the organization of the free
man, and the establishment of
the bureau, and was afterward
invited by President Grant to go as a
commissioner to San Domingo. Both
of these offers he respectfully declined.
In 1870, AT the death of Bishop Kings
ley, he visited Europe to complete the
work which had been assigned TO him
on the continent, and also as dele
gate TO the English conference. In
1874 he visited Mexico, and in 1873
again visited Europe TO hold the con-
ference of Germany and Switzerland,
and also to meet the missionaries in
different parts Of the continent. He
has written " 4 Hundred Years of
Mcthodism." and is editor of the Cy-
clopadia of Romanism.
Bishop Simpson had certainly had a
remarkably busy career, and was truly
Il great man. His influence was felt
throughout the country, both in and
out OF the church. He was an orator
of wonderful cloquence, and always
commanded the deepest attention from
his audience.
He possessed superior business tai
ents, and TO this is attributed his sue
cess in the business affairs OF the
church He was an ardent patriot,
and during the civil war he rendered
Invaluable assistance to the admins
tration, with whom he was on terms
of intimacy Salmon Z. Chase had
received the credit of originating the
greeuback currency. but now that
Bishop Simpson is passing away, the
fact is recalled that Bishop Simpson
had much 10 do with that measure.
and in suggesting other financial meas
ures of slmost equal Importance. lie
took a prominent part also in organic
ing the sanitary commission, and 9TH
erwisc aided in every way the cause
of the union.