Matthew Simpson

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This article is about the 19th-century American bishop. For the Brisbane Bears player, see Matthew Simpson (footballer).
For other people with similar names, see Matt Simpson.

Matthew Simpson
BornJune 21, 1811 (1811-06-21)
Cadiz, Ohio
DiedJune 18, 1884(1884-06-18) (aged 72)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPastor
Signature

Matthew Simpson (June 21, 1811 – June 18, 1884) was an American bishop of the

Reconstruction Era after the Civil War, most evangelical denominations in the North, especially the Methodists, were initially strong supporters of radical policies that favored the Freedmen (former slaves) and distrusted the Southern whites. However, by the late 1860s in border state conferences, the MEC North moved well away from their work with the Freedmen's Bureau and often sided with the grievances of Southern white members. Bishop Simpson played a leading role in mobilizing the Northern Methodists for the cause. His biographer calls him the "High Priest of the Radical Republicans."[1]

Early life and family

Matthew was born in

Ohio State Senate for ten years, and served as judge of the county court for seven years. In later life, he lived with his nephew, reaching the advanced age of ninety-eight. Matthew, the nephew, married Ellen H. Verner of Pittsburgh
.

Matthew was

Tutor in his eighteenth year, then engaging in teaching
. Having also studied medicine in 1830–1833, he began medical practice.

Ministry

Shortly thereafter, feeling it his duty to enter the ministry, Matthew was licensed to preach in the M.E. Church, and was received on-trial in the Pittsburgh

ordained
elder in 1837.

The Rev. Simpson was appointed Professor of

Natural Science and elected vice-president of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1838 he was elected professor, and in 1839 president of the newly established Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University) in Greencastle, Indiana, remaining until 1848. The Rev. Simpson was then elected editor of the Western Christian Advocate, which he made a strong temperance and anti-slavery
organ, from 1848 to 1852.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Simpson was elected to the

the Holy Land, Egypt, and Greece
, returning to the United States in 1858.

In 1859, Bishop Simpson changed his residence from Pittsburgh to

Drew Theological Seminary
(today Drew University), the new Methodist seminary in Madison, NJ, and served as president of its board from 1877 to 1880.

American Civil War

Before the Civil War, debates over slavery were highly contentious among Northern Methodists, but Simpson did not take sides, playing instead a moderate and cautious role. With the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, he became a staunch champion of the Union and helped his denomination take a leading role in providing chaplains, volunteers and civilian support for the war effort.[3]

Simpson became a trusted friend of President

San Domingo
but he declined both offers.

More foreign travel

In 1870, at the death of

missionaries in different parts of Europe. He then addressed the Garfield Memorial Meeting at Exeter Hall, London, on September 24, 1881.[2]
Bishop Simpson was also a gifted orator and throughout the war he gave his much forgotten "Great War Speech" which was so powerful and stirring it could move entire audiences to tears and cheering pride. He delivered this speech over 60 times throughout the war, and it easily motivated and inspired cities wary of the long war.

Death and burial

Bishop Matthew Simpson was taken ill at San Francisco in 1880, but recovered to

Ecumenical Methodist Conference in London (1881). He was present at the M.E. General Conference in 1884, but took little part. He died June 18, 1884, in Philadelphia and was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.[2]

Selected writings

Biographies

See also

References

  1. ^ Robert D. Clark, The Life of Matthew Simpson (1956) pp. 245–267
  2. ^ a b c d Oberholtzer, Ellis Paxson (1912). Philadelphia A History of the City and its People A Record of 225 Years (Volume 4). S.J. Clarke Publishing. pp. 5–9.
  3. ^ Clark, The Life of Matthew Simpson (1956) pp. 213, 219
  4. ^ Morris, Benjamin Franklin, ed. (1866). Memorial Record of the Nation's Tribute to Abraham Lincoln ... Compiled by B. F. Moore. W.H. & O.H. Morrison. p. 234.

Biographical sources

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Matthew Simpson.
Preceded by Ohio United Methodist Bishops
1852 		Succeeded by

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Simpson, Matthew". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 135.

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