This week in Christian history: 3 sisters martyred, Matthew Simpson becomes preacher

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, March 31, 2024

Matthew Simpson becomes a Methodist circuit preacher – April 5, 1834

Matthew Simpson (1811-1884), a Methodist preacher and bishop who was a staunch proponent of abolishing slavery. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Matthew Simpson, a prominent 19th century Methodist bishop and fervent supporter of the abolition of slavery, decided to become a circuit preacher.

A native of Cadiz, Ohio, who had been trained in the medical profession, the 23-year-old Simpson decided to become a circuit rider for the Methodist Church after much discernment.

His first appointment was a circuit of 34 churches that took him six weeks to cover, with the first one having only 15 members, according to Horace Greeley Smith of the Garrett Biblical Institute in a 1963 work.

“Reports indicate that usually people were disappointed when Simpson rose to speak, both his voice and appearance being against him. But a change took place as he warmed to his theme,” wrote Smith.

“His capacity to dominate a crowd held true whether the listeners were at a camp meeting, a college convocation, conference session, a patriotic occasion or a political rally.”