The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1908-03-25
BISHOP FOWLER
DIES IN GOTHAM
METHODIST EPISCOPAL PASTOR
PASSES AWAY FROM HEART
FAILURE.
LIFE FILLED WITH
WORK FOR CHURCH
Born in 1887 In Canada, He Became
Originator Of Scores Of Popular
Charity Plans-Missionary Activi-
ties Are Told.

New York. Mar. 21.-Rev. Charles
II. Fowler, bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal church, died at his home
here Friday. Bishop Fowler had been
critically ill only since last
Wednesday. His death was due to
heart failure resulting from a COM
plication of diseases. He had been
in i'll health for two years, but DUR
ing nearly all that time he took a
more or less active part in the affairs
of the church. AS late as two months
ago he felt able to make a journey to
Minneapolis, where he presided at the
dedication of the Fowler Memorial
Methodist Episcopal church. His last
public appearance was at Metropolitan
temple on Sunday following Washing
tons birthday, when he took part in
a Washington memorial service. His
last visit to his Office in the Methodist
building in Fifth avenue was made
last Monday. On Wednesday he was
stricken with the illness which result
ed in his death early Friday.
Life Filled with Activity.
with activity for the church and the
cause of education. Born in Burford,
Ont, in 1887, he was graduated from
Genesee college, now Syracuse uni
versity, in 1859, and was the valedic-
torian of his class. He also headed his
class at graduation from the Garrett
Biblical institute which he entered
soon after leaving college, and was the
first man to receive the honorary
degree of D. D. from that institution.
After completing his education he re-
moved to Chicago, where he studied
law, but never practiced that profess
sion. Entering the ministry at the
conclusion of his law studies, he
served as pastor of several churches
in Chicago during the next ~ years.
and in 1872 was elected president of
Northwestern university. He re-
manned at the head of that institution
four years and then became editor
of the Christian Advocate in New
York. He was made general mission
airy secretary of the church in $780,
and four years later was elected
bishop.
Was a Chicago Pastor.
Bishop Fowler was acting as pastor
of one of Chicago's churches at the
time of the great fire, and it was
he who suggested the plan of pooling
the interests of the different churches
until all should have time to rehabili.
tate themselves. AS missionary Sec
rotary he organized Picking university
in North China; Marking university in
Central China; the First Methodist
Episcopal church in St. Petersburg;
established the Mccoy College of The.
ology in southern California, and
consolidated the three colleges in
Nebraska into the Nebraska Wesleyan
university at Lincoln.
He suggested and inaugurated the
twentieth century thank offering of his
church, whereby more than $20,000,-
900 was raised for the church. He
also originated the open-door emer
gency commission, which eventuated
in the great Cleveland convention, at
which, with the bishop presiding,
$235,000 was raised in a single even.
ing. He was trustee of Syracuse uni
versity, Drew Theological seminary,
Madison IN. j. American university,
member of the board of managers Of
the Methodist Missionary society, the
Church Extension society, Freedmen's
Aid and other Methodist societies.