Kenyon College - Reveille Yearbook (Gambier, OH)

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In personal appearance, Bishop Bedell was a man who, once seen, would never be forgotten. His predecessor, Bishop Mcllvaine, was not only one of the handsomest men ever born, he was of commanding stature and looked “ a very king of men.” Bishop Bedell was not tall, not imposing, except through the calm dignity and winning attractiveness of his lovely counte- nance. During all the years of his active toil in Ohio lie grew in grace, and his face reflected the spiritual growth within, so that men liked to look upon him, feeling sure that his was a most beautiful soul. And they were right. He lived as in the presence of his risen Lord, and the graces of the Master were made visible through him. He labored and became spiritually strong “ by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of tmth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” The chief moral characteristic of Bishop Bedell can best be described by the word beautiful. In his character there was both strength and beauty. The same can be said of Bishop Mcllvaine. But in Bishop Bedell beauty predominated, as in Bishop Mcllvaine strength predominated. The older Bishop excelled the younger Bishop in qualities of leadership; the younger Bishop excelled the older Bishop in loveliness of personal character. As a preacher, at his best, Bishop Bedell was great. This greatness came with advancing years. During the years of his New York rectorship he was interesting and attractive. With his charming appearance, his gift of rhetorical expression, and his matchless voice, he could never be less than that. But when he broadened under the freer life of Ohio, and the large outlook of the Episcopate, he became a preacher of genuine power. He was always the artist. He became as Bishop of Ohio the gifted and effective orator. He will never be forgotten by those who were privileged to listen to his fitting and burning words. In manner lie was the embodiment of grace; and how musical the cadences of his voice! It were worth a journey of many miles to hear him repeat “ You ask me when I gave my heart to Christ,” or some other poem that had deeply moved him. His imagination lifted his spirit up as on wings. This was one of the chief sources of his power. What pictures he drew! and how vividly! When he spoke at length of the Resurrection, one who listened thought himself at the judgment bar. 7

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America, the Church of the Ascension, in New York. During the sixteen years of his Rectorship his parish became stronger year by year. The work was well organized; the Rector was faithful and zealous; the field was a good one, and so large outward prosperity came. In 1859, Dr. Bedell was elected Assistant Bishop of Ohio, that he might strengthen the hands of the great and good Bishop Mcllvaine. He was consecrated in Richmond, Virginia, during the session of the General Convention which met there in the days “before the war.” When he came to Ohio, Bishop Bedell was forty-two years old. His physical health was good, his spirit enthusiastic, his hopes were heating high. He was warmly welcomed by the Bishop and by the Diocese. Bishop Mcllvaine felt toward Bishop Bedell as toward a “loving son.” Bishop Bedell cherished for Bishop Mcllvaine feelings of unbounded admir- ation and veneration. So it was easy for them to work together “ without a jar or jealousy.” The dark days of the Civil War followed. Of Bishop Bedell, as a quiet actor then, ex-Gov. J. D. Cox has very well said, that “through all the period of war and turmoil it is profitable to think how one man of apostolic character, unwavering faith, and self-sacrificing labors could do so much to preserve spiritual life in a community torn by wild excitement, to build up religion, to foster love for the Church, and to make the most un- toward circumstances tell for its advancement.” Bishop Mcllvaine died in 1873. With a wounded heart Bishop Bedell cried aloud, “ My father, my father, the Chariot of Israel and the Horseman thereof.” He craved a double portion of that father’s spirit, and it came to him. F or fifteen years, Bishop Bedell labored alone as Bishop of Ohio. He carried his burden when it should have been transferred to other shoulders, or, at least, when help should have been provided. Somebody was needed to do foi him what he had done for Bishop Mcllvaine. But he could not see that he was failing, and ever growing feeble through carrying the load which was pressing him down. So, ere relief was afforded his work was ddne. He was able only to rejoice in spirit upon the consecration of his successor in October, 1889. Thereafter he was an invalid, residing chiefly in New York, until his death in March, 1892. 6

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Bishop Bedell was always, in heart, a man of simplicity and godly sincerity. Those who were thrown with him, and whose duty and privilege it was to work with him, always knew that in him there was no hypocrisy or deceit. lie was a true man, earnest in his quest of truth, and brave to declare it as he had received it. He was indeed a gifted man, gifted in many ways—and accomplished also. But his best gift, his highest accom- plishment, was his pure, sweet, genuine, lovely Christian character. A little more faith in his fellow men, or at least in the best of them, would have helped him greatly. He was not a good judge of the characters of the men and women with whom lie had to do. He could not readily read the book of human nature. Consequently his judgment of people was worth but little, and as he came to know that this was so, through many trying experiences, he came to mistrust his own judgment, and, so far as concerned his fellows, lie was a man of little faith. But his faith in God was great, and grew steadily greater. He believed God and trusted Him as implicitly as any loving child ever trusted his earthly father or mother. The good Bishop lived constantly as in the presence of the great Bishop and Shepherd of onr souls. With deepest conviction lie had learned to say “Whate’er my God ordains is right.” He was indeed a devout man, living constantly in communion with the great Father alone. With genuine humility, but with strong enthusiasm also, he could have used St. Paul’s words “ I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ livetli in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 1 o this good Bishop, Gambier was the most beautiful and attractive spot upon the face of the earth. He once told the story of the Frenchman who declared that when, after death, his heart was examined, the name “Napoleon” would be imprinted there. And so, he said, upon his heart the word “Gambier had been inscribed. The Institutions at Gambier were dearer to him than life itself. 1 he relation in which he stood to them officially was not the right relation. His was a burden of responsibility which he ought not to have assumed, and which should not have been put ui)on him. As “ Prudential Committee,” he was clothed with “too much power.” The control of the affairs of Kenyon College was not his legiti- mate work, and the man whose legitimate work it was ought not to have 8