Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-10-05
BISHOP FOWLER
Leader in Methodism, a Man
of Extensive Experience.
Sketch OF the Church Dignitary Who
Will Preside Over This
Conference.

who will preside over this, the fifty
second session of the West Virginia
conference, have covered wider
and more varied range than those
OF any other man of Methodism o.
today. From college halls Charles
H. Fowler went forth to become
leader in the denomination of his
choice. Pastor, university presi
dent, editor, missionary secretary
and bishop-these have been the
stepping stones in his great career
The story of his lite ought to be
of interest to every citizen, and par
ticularly to every Methodist-fol
which reasons we append this
sketch of his work, filled life:
Charles Henry Fowler was born
in the province Of Ontario, Canada,
August II, 1887, a minglipg Of
English, Scotch and Yankee blood
giving tone and temper to his char
acter. His mother was the daugh
ter of Henry Ryan. a stalwart pio
neer itinerant of New England
who helped to plant Methodism in
Vermont and in Canada, and who
out of the funds secured by mort
gaging the farm, helped to build
the first Methodist church erected
in Toronto.
The childhood and youth OF
Bishop Fowler were spent on
farm in Illinois, where he developed
pluck and muscle and the skill
which enabled him to use both to
advantage, as was shown during
his school days at Evanston, when
as gallant swimmer he helped to
rescue passengers from wrecked
steamer, the Lady Elgin. His
school training was received at
Rock River seminary, Genessee
Wesleyan College, now Syracuse
University, and Garrett Biblical
Institute. His homage, self denial
and fortitude were all shown dur
ing these years which he spent at
school, as he had to depend chiefly
on his own resources for his in
come. He made his pen pay many
of his bills, and worked his way
through his course taking the high
est rank as a student, his oratorical
powers, his mathematical ability
and his accomplishments as a
Greek student being especially
marked.
Before he undertook the course
at Garrett he commenced the study
of law in Chicago, but his convic-
tons were too deep and clamorous
to permit him to follow his ambi-
tons in that direction, and he was
graduated in due time-in the class
of 1871-from the Biblical Insti-
tute.
He spent eleven years in the
pastorate in Chicago, stepping to
the very front'as preacher from
his entrance on his work. His la
bors were blessed with a great re-
vival in one of his charges-one
of the greatest the city ever wit.
messed, and the congregations that
attended his ministry were as large
usually as his auditorium would
hold.
DR.. Fowler, after the Chicago
fire, in 1871, was sent by his breth
rem to the east to secure help fol
the PROSTATE city. He made pro
found impression by his sermons
and appeals, and brought back from
Philadelphia alone the sum of $40,
900 contributed by generous mer
and women IN response to his rep
reservations.
In 1872 he was delegate to the
General Conference in Brooklyn in
which body he had large follow
ing of friends who believed that he
ought to be elected to the Episco.
pacy; these plans for the time were
not consummated, but from that date
he became a foremost figure in
American Methodism.
From 1872 to 1876 he served as
president of Northwestern Univer-
sity; into the duties of this post he
threw himself with great energy.
This work had been offered to him
in 1866, but at that time he refused
it, with the conviction that he was
not sufficiently mature for its re-
sponsibilities. During his admin
istration of the University the
number of students increased and
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