The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-11

1914, and as editor OF the Western Christian Adj
| uocdte he had. In 1850. entered vigorously into
the discussion excited by Mr.. Clay's scheme OF
pacifcation. In carrying on that controversy
he had won the confidence OF MIR. Chase. Mr..
Lincolns Secretary OF the Treasury, and with
MIR, Stanton he soon came to be on terms OF
Intimacy. With the President himself his rela-
lions became especially close: Dir. Lincoln had
discovered very quickly that the issues OF the
war being moral. the support Of the churches
was of the last Importance to 1t. He recoG-
nized the fact that few men understood the
people more thoroughly than the Methodist
Bishops, who being without dioceses. were
continually passing over the length and breadth
OF the land. While the war lasted Bishop Simp-
son was very often sent for to come TO Washing
ton for consultation with the President and
with MIR. Stanton. 1t seems that as far back as
1861 he said to Mr.. Lincoln that an emancipa-
ton proclamation would have to be issued. In
the summer OF tho next year the Bishop had
another interview with MIR. Lincoln. In which
he again declared 1t the duty Of the President
to issue proclamation setting the slaves free
in the rebeilious States Subsequently MIR.
Lincoln showed him the draft OF the proclama-
sion. When this was read In the Cabinet
meeting Mr. Chase suggested the last sem
tence. Why" replied Lincoln. that Is Just
what Bishop Simpson said" In their inter-
view. before the meeting OF the Cabinet, the
Bishop had urged an explicit recognition OF
God In the important paper
1t Is known that throughout the war Bishop
Simpson made himself, SO to speak. an evan
gelist OF patriotism, travelling from city to city
and from town TO town till he had wrought the
people up to the pitch OF his own enthusiasm.
His war speeches swept like cyclone over
the hearts Of his hearers 1t was arranged that
he should deliver one OF his great war speeches
In New York. in the Academy OF Music, few
days before the Presidential election Of No
Vember. 1864. We quote one paragraph
from newspaper report OF this speech-like
other addresses Of the author. 1t was extem-
poraneous. Taking up a war-worn, shot-rid-
died flag, he said; Your Fifty fifth Regiment
carried this flag 1t has been at Newburn and
at South Mountain. and at Antietam. The bloo' |
Of our brave boys is upon It; tho bullets OF robes
have gone through and through 1t yet 1t is the |
same old flag. Our fathers followed that flag; |
We expect that our children and our ohildrens |
children will follow 1t: there is nothing on |
earth like that old flag for beauty. Long may |
those stars shine Just now there are clouds |
upon 1t and msts gathering around it. but the |
stafs are coming out and others are Joining.
shall fall"
Bishop Simpson lived nearly twenty years
active and useful to the end. No member OF |
the religious body OF which he was long the
most conspicuous leader has left so deem an
imprint on the national remembrance. The
names Of other men may be more inseparably
AIethodsm in the United States: but to no
II given TO render such mmeasurable seryice to
his country in her hour Of need. NJ. w. ii.