Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-05-23
BISHOP TAYLOR DEAD.

bishops Of the Methodist Episcopa
church, died Sunday at his hom
in Palo Alto, California. He wa
81 years of age.
Bishop Taylor was an example
of the strenuous life. His expert
ences in Africa, Of which he wa.
elected missionary bishop in 1854
would have disheartened many /
younger man. Several of these jour
neys were made after he haC
reached the age of 20.
He was born May , 1921, in the
vicinity Of the Rockbridge Baths,
Rockbridge county, and was son
of Rev. Stuart Taylor, a lOcal
Methodist preacher of reputation
in that day. He soon decided up
on the ministry as his calling, and
when 81 years old was licensed to
preach. He came into the Balti-
more Conference in 1913 Oil pro-
baton. He was the only survivor
Of the class of IL which was adj
mitted to the Conference at that
session.
Bishop Taylor is survived by
one sister, Mrs. George W. Miller
Of near Denmark, and one brother,
Rev. Andrew Taylor Of Pennsyl-
vania. Mrs. Thomas NJ. Kirk
patrick of near Murat, another
sister, died a few years ago. His
last visit was made to his old home
in Rockbridge about five years
ago.
In 1913 he became pastor of the.
North Baltimore Station, but in
1910 he began a journey to the
gold fields Of California. In
sailing vessel he carried the frame
work Of a small church among his
For seven years the young minis
ter preached in the streets to the
miners and was very successful.
Returning East, he engaged in
evangelistic work and was again
remarkably successful. Next he
went to Australia, to Tasmania
md to Ceylon.
TO South Africa was the next
our made, and a visit to India
'esulted in the establishment of
wO conferences. So great was
lis power that he could accomplish .
n Il few months what ordinary +
mission workers would have taken
ears to do. In 1884 he was made
delegate from India to the Gen
raj Conference. With wave Of
he was elected mis-
ionary bishop Of Africa, and he
Immediately entered upon his
Iuties. His ambitious hope was
0 span the Continent with Il band
f mission sta tons.
When Bishop Taylor took charge
here were no missions of the
ind in Africa. In Liberia work
'as being done among the civ
lied natives, but to the uncivilized
e devoted his efforts. Languages
nd dialects had to be learned, but
his was not the only obstacle to
Friendships with kings
nd chiefs were to be won, and in
MS the new bishop was also sue
sssful He gained not. only ,
warranty from hostility, but by i
them over as allies OBJ
,ined tracts Of land for schools :
nd stations.
The principal method used by +
ishOp Taylor to permanently in Il
lence the heather was through g
lildrcn. Children under 5 years, II
ere taken into the schools, .
ugnt spiritually and mentally :.
I'd sent forth to unfold the truth b
their people.
A characteristic that attracted I
ue attention was his habit of !"
,eping on stone pillow. A q,
How stone, which fit his head
mfortably, was always carried,
when left behind request was -
'de by the Bishop for book or
equally as hard. Sleep
: in room with every window "
sed, even in zero weather, is in
d by Baltimore minister to tn
We been another habit. ge
\ life well spent, full of years -.
| bonorS is the trihute we law