Excerpt from Philadelphia, Vol. 4: A History of the City and Its People, a Record of 225 Years

Cadiz and his means were limited, he tied his clothing and few books in a bundle and started on foot, a distance of ninety miles, with eleven and a quarter dollars in his pocket. He arrived the third day and was cordially received by Dr. Elliott and invited to board in his family. He further pursued his own education as well as assisting Dr. Elliott in his classes, and when the latter was absent for two or three weeks, Mr. Simpson had entire charge of his department. His stay in college, however, was brief. Shortly after his return home his eldest sister who had been assisting their uncle in teaching, was married and Bishop Simpson's services were needed in that school. It was also thought best to change this from a private school to an academy, which was done.

In 1831 Bishop Simpson found his health greatly affected from close appii cation to study and by frequent attendance at night meetings. He felt that in stead of devoting himself to general study it was his duty to select some special profession for life. He then determined to practice medicine and became a stu dent in the office of Dr. Mcbean, his former teacher in the classics. He spent three years in familiarizing himself with the principles of medicine and in that time provided for his own support through occupying a position in the clerk's office. In April, 1833, after completing the study of medicine he passed the re quired examination before the medical board of Ohio. About that time he was asked if he did not believe he, should give his life to the ministry. He had been licensed a few weeks before as an exhorter and in a short time received notice that he had been recommended for a license as local preacher, also to attend the next quarterly conference. He was licensed and recommended by the quar terly conference for admission to the Pittsburg conference. The week following the quarterly meeting he preached his first sermon in the Methodist church in New Athens, Ohio, but he was needed at home by his mother and sister, who were ill, so he concluded to remain with them for a time at least. And entered upon the practice of medicine in May, 1833. He was also appointed the third preacher on the circuit where he lived in July of that year, and was requested to spend Sundays preaching in Cadiz and St: Clairsville, sixteen miles away. This he did and thus became actively connected with church work. In March, 1834, he closed his office, and, taking his horse and saddle bags, began traveling as an itinerant minister. At the next quarterly meeting he was assigned to a church in Pittsburg and later was made minister of the Liberty Street church in Pittsburg.

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