This week in Christian history: 3 sisters martyred, Matthew Simpson becomes preacher
Matthew Simpson becomes a Methodist circuit preacher – April 5, 1834
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.”
