New-York tribune., 1890-06-01

A self-madc Bishop is a product OF evolution
to be found nowhere but in the Cm'eo H|HS'
and in them only during the formation periou'
The history of such divine as Blshop ohhpsoh
is one of the most interesting OF studies, lor IL
lustrotcs strikingly the disciplinary and
strrngthening effect upon originally vigorous
natures of those obstacles ana deprivotions
which the conditions of young country impose
upon all human endeavor. Those VINO read inc
oxcsI,ent biography before us will he reminded,
o,,oin and again of the career of Abraham Lam
coin and indeed the parallel holds good in many
WAYS. Bishop Simpson having fought In religious
life an equally good fight with Lincoln In pohticaI
life. and after much the same manner. Inc poy
was born in Cadiz Ohio, then little backwoods
place almost walled in by the primeval forest,
reached by the worst of country roads, buried
half the year in mud. and seldom looking other
than sodden and swampy. But oil through me
region there great deal OF mental activity
during the first forty years of the century, and
the people of Cadiz, like their neighbors, had
perpetual wrcstlings of the spirit, and constant
disputes and discussions over religious problems
They were in a state Of intellectual fermentation
The search for truth energetic and inccsssnt
and while the cues; was hndered by the abb
sence of those helps which learning can alone
supply, the entire freedom of thought and spirit
which pervadcd the atmosphere led 10 some
strange experiments at first and stimulated the
whole community.
Little Matthew Simpson was a delicate child.
and therefore was INDUCED and not kept at school
with regularity. lie, however. developed lit
crary tendency very early. lie was in the habit
Of saying that he could not remember the tine
when lie was unable to read, and between tie
ages of five and ten he had mastered many volumes
of history. biography and travels His parents.
fhnli. y
communion and, itiuerant preachers often
stayed with them over Sunday the boy grew up
among religious ideas and expressions and be-
came familiar. almost from tie first, with the
ministry. 1t is evident that this was sensitive
soul, with strong natural bent to religion
Even when it seemed TO him that he was not fitted
for the Church, and he had chosen the profession
Of medicine and qualified himself duly Tor the
practice of il, ii is plain from his diary that he
was more minister than doctor. But IN pro-
curing his education much had 10 be gone through.
His family poor. and the expenses of college
were, though not high rs judged ny
the modern standard, Yet Onerous Tor
the struggling farmers and traders and
small manufacturers of those feeble and
undeveloped settlements. Young Matthew how
ever, had the true Lincoln spirit; the spirit when
will not succumb to circumstances. lie plcke1
I'D enough Latin and Greek to make his services
as a sub-tutor at college valuable ana theh 1e
trudged sturdily to the seat OF learning, carrying
his scanty belongings on his back, and SET 70 WORK
NTH resolution Fine stuff the Western woods ana
vids turned out in those days: somewhat over
much given to bickering litigious people, TOO,
for lawsuit at once an intellectual eAc's-
mcnt and a break in the monotOny of life hut
determined. sober. stcGdlast. self-respcc'lng ana
endued with incompatible energy and industry.
nc a1
how he studied medicine, passed his examinations
and beoan 70 nractise the profession; how by de-
rrees he was brought to realize that this was not
his vocation; how at length he joined the Church
and resolved to devote his life to the ministry,
DR. Crooks has narrated with detail no whit Of
which could have been spared. There was at The
time little or no learning in the West, and some
might think not great deal OF comfort: nut OF
all the occupations by which man might live,
perhaps the least inviting from material point
Of view was that of an itinerant preacher He had
10 he constantly on the move, and as constantly
contending against all manner Of difficulties. Re
ligious and doctrinal controversies were numerous
and warm enough to occupy all his attention; but
beside these there the difficulties OF travel
and Of lodging TO be encountered. The itinerant
rode on horseback, carrying his books and changes
of clothing in his saddle-bags His duties led him
!
prctences where the streams were numerous and
unbridged, and the distances between houses CON
siderable. All the arrangements had 10 be made
with reference TO the holding of services at spec-
lied dates. There were few churches. Worship
had 70 be held often in dwellinG-houses Some
times a heavy storm swellcd the streams and
increased the heaviness Of the roads that tho
preacher could not make his Sunday goal until
half the Saturday night had passed Then, cX-
baustcd, covered with mud, perhaps wet 10 the
skim he must accept whatever quarters and re-
freshmeuts were forthcoming, and after an made
uuate repose be ready in the morning 10 preach
and conduct the service, and in the evening ride
away again. II demanded not Only strong faith,
hut a robust physique, 10 ride circuit in those
pioneer times.
Fortunately for him, the out-of-door life seemed
10 help instead Of hurt young Matthew Simp-
son. Ills health improved. As TO his zeal, that
could hardly increase, for from the first he was
filed with it, Like all men who have become
great preachers or speakers in any way, he had
his early failures and drawbacks. At one time
be acquired the bad habit Of adding a drawing
final TO his words-thus. er-but the frank warn
ing Of a brother preacher called his attention 20
il, and it WAS conquered. Even thus early his
pulpit power showed plainly though his per-
forpance was apt TO be uneven. But the root
of the matter was in him. He Oyercame his
shyness and as he gave himself mp TO the in
fuencc of his subject that wonderful cloquence
and fervor for which he became so renowned
developed more and more. At this time, and
for several years thereafter. his appearance was
against him. lie tall and stopped. His
carriage, like Lincoln's, was ungsinly. He paid
no attention TO his dress and was commonly taken
for a very rustic and uncouth kind Of person
until he had been heard in the pull
nit Then the eyes of his hearers were
opened and they marvelled at him. His powers
of oratory can, of course, only be- imagined by
those who never had an opportunity Of hearing
him. and nothing is difficult to represent in
mere printed words as gift OF this sort. But
H. is evident that the influence OF his manner,
fhan of Wnrls hnNe been