The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-16
EDWARD WHITE BENSON.
"Reminiscences of the Archbishop of
Canterbury.

EDWARD WHITE BENSON.
"Reminiscences of the Archbishop of
Canterbury.
1 first made the acquaintance and
gained the friendship of Edward White
Benson on jan 20, 1859 1t was the day
of the opening Of Wellington college
for the reception Of pupils; it was one
of those typical English winter days
not freezing, but cold and raw with
persistent drizzle of rain that made
travel intensely disagreeable. Out of
such inclemency 1 was ushered into a
small snug study in the CRATE of which
bright coal fire blazed as if it were
emblematic of the welcome accorded
and of the comfort and good cheer to
be found in years to come within those
walls
Nor was the occupant repulsive of
this impression. Dim as the combined
freight and candlelight, that strug-
gled with the fading day for suprem-
acy, was, it was enough to reveal fully
the erect, middle-sized spare man who
held out white, strong hand in well
come. With one quick comprehensive
glance we each had formed an opinion
Of the other. saw shapely head
with a blonde and abundant crop of
hair, a broad, high forehead, somewhat
strongly marked brows over bright,
penetrative, steel-blue eyes, some high
cheek bones, an aquiline nose with a
slender dilative nostril, indicative of
lofty ambitions, large, handsome,
strong mouth with humor lurking
about it's corners and a. strong deter
mined sweep of chin. A powerful face
whose every Iineament clean shaved
bespoke the 80 triumphe" which was
his nature
What he saw in me do not know;
but for six years thereafter of continu-
Gus warfare through my scholastic life
and till left England to court fortune
we remained friends.
His appointment to the headmaster-
ship Of Wellington college was a sur
prise, for he was taken thereto from an
undermastership at Rugby. But the
prince cOnSOrt, a man of rare Judgment
and discrimination, saw in the stern
disciplinarian, who was considered too
severe for well established school like
Ruby, the right man to mold har-
moniouslye together the heterogeneous
elements and characters which would
be suddenly gathered together, from
many other schools, to this new one,
each fully inbued with superiority Of
the traditions they brought with them
That he was the right man Is beyond
question. Almost at once enthusiastically
and otherwise did this memorial to the
the great public almae matres of Eng
land. In camp, in court, in cloister the
Wellingtonian began to be recognized.
Though sternly severe discipline
rian and a thorough and relentless be-
lever in the doctrine of spare the rod
and spoil the child, he had that rare
power of making and holding friends
He had, too, that indispensable faculty
Of all men who force themselves to
greatness, a closely retentive memory
for name and face. In 1886 I revisited
England and called on him at Lam
beth palace. OF course, he had my card
and knew my name; but he had not
seen or heard Of me for fourteen years.
Then 1 was smooth-faced with a slight
mustache-now full-bearded But
there was no hesitancy. How are you,
-- Minor. Where have you been
all these years? Let me see-yes, the
last time l saw you was when you cor
nered me behind my dining room door
and insisted on a half holiday for the
boys" He was exact. We chatted not
as the great prelate and humble way
farer, but as two friends both having
strong bond of union in the school
we both loved And 1t was thus he held
the allegiance of those who came in
contact with him. He never impressed
one as great preacher, simply, per-
haps, because he never preached ex-
mons were more dOctrinal than evan
gelical, at least such is the impression
left by some 240 or $50 sermons heard
preached by him during a six years
school career; but one was always i'm
pressed by the erudition and the sense
of power conveyed in them. He not
only had a great power of language.
but powerful, flexible and resonant
voice. 1t was from him I first com
pretended the magnificent poesy Of the
Bible; when he read the "Song of De-
borah' it was no mere recital of grue-
some event, but the inspired invoca-
ton of Pythoness. Perhaps it was
his aggressive militant spirit that add
ed fervor to words of the prophecies,
but their music and their power are
with me still.
1t was this aggressive spirit, too,
added to the fact that he was her dead
husbands friend, that won from the
queen his appointment as archbishop.
A leader of men was needed to
hold together the forces of the es-
tablished church in solid array against
the assaults of all Corners His was
the spirit of Achilles to fight and the
diplomacy of Ulysses to plan, and If
was this combination of characteristics
that enabled the church. not only to
repel incursions, but to advance her
standards into the enemies countries.
Lis Iii lSLldiIlly was COulpOSlEe. AS
to the Church of England he was a
sectary of the sectaries. It was the
church, and he as its head, the true
apostolic successor. But as there was
only one church, so was there only one
Christ and one salvation, and In that
he was as broad, liberal and catholic
as possible. This idea I acquired and
with 1t the illimitability Of the Saving
power Of Christ when he reasoned me
out of my objection to confirmation and
the participation in the holy com
munion. MY boy" he said, sit is well
for you. and I that we are sinners and
appreciate our sinfulness. Christ
came, not for the righteous, but for
those who know they SIM
Such was Edward White Benson as
1 remember him, a stern executor Of
the law, patient instructor, a true
friend. In the uttermost parts of the
world will come tear to many
manly eye when it is known that "Old
Benson" has gone home.
Nominees I'm stearns.
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