THE LIFE OF BISHOP MATTHEW SIMPSON OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
NY: Harper & Brothers, 1890. Illustrated. First Edition. Second Edition was published in 1891. Matthew Simpson [1811–1884) was an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1852 and based mostly in Chicago. During Reconstruction 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.”. Thick 8vo., decorative green cloth, stamped in black & gilt; 512 pages. Book weights about three pounds. Item #57233
Very Good (minor wear covers, gilt bright; contents clean & tight with bit of foxing to few preliminary and end pages).
Price: $45.00