The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-20

Two years later he received the de-
gree of B. D. ranking first in his class,
at the Garrett Biblical institute, and
later received the D. D. degree from the
same institution, the first honorary
degree ever conferred by the school
He afterwards received the degrees of
LII. d., and D. H. L. from the Syracuse
university.
the Methodist Episcopal church he was
for IL years pastor of various churches
of that denomination IN the city of
Chicago. In 1872 he was elected to the
presidency of Northwestern university
and held the position for four years
resigning in 1876 to become the editor
OF the New York Christian Advocate.
He was connected with this publica-
ton for four years in the capacity of
editor, resigning in 1880 to accept the
position of general missionary secre-
tary of the Methodist church and four
years later was elected episcopate of
the Methodist church. In 1871 follow
ing the Chicago fire Bishop Fowler pre-
sented to the Rock River conference the
plan to pool the interests of the Chi
cago churches.
In 1876 he was appointed by the gov
ernOr of Illinois to deliver the state or
alton at the opening of the Centennial
exposition in Philadelphia. He organ
ized the Pekin university in North
China, the Nankiu university in the
central portion of the same country;
the First Methodist Episcopal church in
! ST. Petersburg Russia; the McC1ay COL
lege of theology in southern California
| and secured the union of the three col
leges in Nebraska, founding the Ne
braska Wesleyan university at Lincoln.
His Work.
He was the author of a plan to raise
$20O00.000 as a twentieth century
offering from the Methodist Episcopal
church, the movement netting consid-
cradle more than the desired $40, ,000, 900.
He also originated the open door en-
ergency commission which eliminated
in the great Cleveland convention
where s235,00 was raised in one even
ing He was member of the Method
list Episcopal conference in 1872, 1876,
1880 and 1884 and was fraternal delegate
from the general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal church to the
Methodist Episcopal church south, in
1874 the first delegation which they had
received since the separation in 1874.
Bishop Fowler was a much travelled
man and besides having visited every
section of the United States visited
England and Europe on three separate
occasions, besides making a trip around
the world and visiting the missions in
Japan, Korea, China and India At
the time of his death Bishop Fowler
was a trustee of Syracuse university
also of the Drew Theological seminary
and the Boston university and mem
ber of the board of managers of the
missionary society OF the MGluOUlSI
Episcopal church, the church extension
society and Freedman's Aid society as
we'll as others.
He was the author of a number Of vol
umes of sermons, orations and address,
es which have been published from time
to time In Chicago in October, 1868.
he married MyraA. Hitchcock and leaves
one son. Carl H. Fowler. For a num-
Der of years past his home has been
in New York city.
Bishop Fowler had been critically i'll
since last Wednesday. His death was
due to heart failure resulting from
complication of diseases. He had
been in i'll health for two years, but
during nearly all that time he took
more or less active part in the affairs
of the church. AS late as two months
ago he felt able to make journey to
Minneapolis, where he presided at the
dedication of the Fowler Memorial
Meth odist Episcopal church. His last
public appearance was at Metropolf-
tan Temple on Sunday following
Washington's birthday, when he took
part in a Washington memorial SER
vice. 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 re-
ep1ted in his death early TODAY