Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-21
BISHOP FOWLER DEAD
Methodist Divine Passes Away in New
York After Brief Illness.
LONG CAREER OF ACTIVE WORK
Started Movement Which Resulted in
Raising Twenty Millions.
BEGINS HIS WORK IN CHICAGO
President of Northwestern University
from 1872 to 1875.
EDITOR NEW YORK ADVOCATE
He Was Elected Bishop I'm 1854
After serving as Corresponding
Secretary of Missionary
Society.
EDITOR NEW YORK ADVOCATE

NEW YORK. March 9O.-Rev. Charles II.
Fowler, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
church, died at his home here today.
Bishop Fowler had been critically III Only
since last Wednesday. His death was due
TO heart failure resulting from a complica-
ton OF diseases. lie mad neen in i'll health
for two years. but during 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 Metho-
dist Episcopal church. His last public ap-
pearanee was at the Metropolitan Temple
on the Sunday following Washington's s
birthday, when he took part in Wash
ington memorial service. T7is last visit to
HE office in the Methodist building in
Fifth avenue was made last Monday. On
Wednesday he was stricken with the Ill
ness which resulted in his death early
today.
Bishop Fowlers long life was filled with
activity for the church and the cause of
education. He was born In Burford Ont,
IN 1881 He suggested and inaugurated the
twentieth century thsnk offering of his
church, whereby more than S20OOO,OOO was
raised for the church. He also originated
the open-door emergency commission,
which eventuated in the great Cleveland
convention, at which. with the bishop pre-
siding, s2S5.oOo was raised in a single even
Ing.
Bishop Fowler was born In Canada I'm
1887 and was graduated from Genesee col
lego in 1859 and from GRrret Biblical in
stitute in 1861. For eleven years he was
pastor in Chicago and was president of
Northwestern university from 1872 to 1876.
II, hr 81. 90 ~.
York Christian Advocate and was corre-
spending secretary OF the missionary So
ciety in 1880 and was elevated to the epls-
copate in 1884 Bishop Fowler assisted in
the founding OF the Maclay College of
Theology In southern California and the
Nebraska Wesleyan university.
------
Bishop Fowler has been failing Tor the
last year. during which time he has not
been engaged In active work. although he
held the position Of resident bishop OF New
York and resided there" said Rev Frank
L. Lovsiand. bishop Fowler was one OF
the greatest pulpit orators Methodism ever
produced He was a noted lecturer his
eciures on Abraham Lincoln and Great
Deeds Of Great Men are world famous
he was without doubt one of the greatest
,,shops the Methodist church ever had
ina was lne last OF the great preachers OF
he early boards of bishops"
The news of Bishop Fowier's death came
IS great shock to his many friends in
Omaha, although It was known he had not
been well for some time. Bishop Fowler
vas the originator Of the plan Of raising
s2O.OCO,QO0 fund for the Methodist church
sorrow at Bishops Death.
PHILADELPHIA, March 20-The new.
- the death Of Bishop Fowler was an
bounced to the Philadelphia conference OF
The Methodist Episcopal church now II
session In this city by Bishop Earl Grams
ton Of Washington. ID. c.. the presiding Of
ficer, and caused deep sorrow. All presen
then rose and sang the hymn, Servant Of
God. Well Done. Rest from Thy Loved En-
ploy."