The Mena weekly star., 1908-03-26
AN M. E. BISHOP DEAD
END COMES TO REV. CHARLES H. FOWLER AT HIS HOME
 IN NEW YORK.
WAS PROMINENT IN METHODIST AFFAIRS
Bishop Fowler Was Bern in Ontario In 1887 and Was Elected General Missionary of the Church in 1880 Becoming Bishop Four Years Later.

New York. Mar. 21.-Rev. Chas. II. Fowler, bishop of the Methodist-E Epis- copal church, died at his home here Friday.
 Bishop Fowler has been critically i'll only since last Wednesday. His death was due to heart failure result ing from complications of diseases. He had been in Ill health for two years, but during nearly all that time he tosk a more or less active part In the affairs of the church. As late as two months ago he felt able to make journey ts 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 in Washington memorial service. His last visit to his office in the Meths- dist building in Fifth avenue was made last Monday. On Wednesday he was stricken with the illness which result ed in his death Friday.
 Bishop Fowlsr's long life was filled with activity for the church and the cause of education. Born in Burford, Ontario, in 1S37 he was graduated from Geneses college, now Syracuse university, ia 1859, and he was the valedictorian of his class. He alss headed his class at Garrett Biblical ia. stituts and was the first man to receive the honarary degree of D. D. from that institution. After completing his edu- cation he removed to Chicago, where he studied law, but never practicel that profession. Entering the ministry at the conclusion of his law studies he served as pastor of several churches in Chicago during the next 12 years, and in 1872 was elected president of Northwestern university. He remained at the head of that institution feW years and then became editor of the Christian Advocate in New York. He was made general missionary secrs- tary of the church in 1SSe and four years later was elected bishop.
 Bishop Fowler was pastor of one of Chicago's churches at the time of the great fire, and 1t was he who sug gested the plan of pooling the inter ests of the different churches until all should have time to rehabilitats them selves. As missionary secretary he organized Peking university in North China; Nanking university in Central China; the first Methodist Episcopal church in St. Petersburg; established the McClay college of theology iH Southern California, and consolidated the three colleges in Nebraska into the Nebraska Wesleyan university al Lincoln.
 He suggested and innaugurated the Twentieth Century thank offering of his church, whereby more than S20, 0,000, 900 was raised for the church. He also originated the open door emergency which evsntuated in the great Cleveland convention, at which with the bishop presiding, $235,00 was raised in a single evening.
 He was trustee of Syracuse univer sity; Drew Theological seminary, Madison, N. J.; American university; of the board of managers of the Methodist Missionary society, the Church Extension society, Freedmsn's Aid and other Methodist societies.