Bishop Matthew Simpson (1811 - 1884) -- Illinois Methodist Church - preacher / lecturer

from "Mr. Lincoln and Friends" dot-org: President Lincoln worshiped at one of the Methodist churches in Washington, such as the Foundry Church, where Bishop Simpson preached in January 1863. "Secretary Edwin Stanton and his wife were in front, on chairs; President Lincoln in the altar," Simpson later wrote. "The President made by contribution a life member; collection $770."8 Mrs. Lincoln's cousin, Elizabeth Todd Grimsley later described him as "the beloved, sainted Bishop Matthew Simpson. She cited him and Archbishop John Hughes of New York City as exceptions to the "importunities, meddlesomeness, impatient censure, and arrogance of preachers, politicians, newspapers writers, and cranks." Rev. Bowman, who was chaplain of the Senate, recalled that he "had an opportunity to witness the kind feeling which the president evidently cherished for the bishop. Simpson delivered his wonderful lecture on 'Our Country' in one of our churches in Washington. Lincoln, without any mark of distinction, was in the great crowd of hearers. I happened to be near him, and could see his every movement. I never saw a hearer who gave more marked evidence of a personal interest in a speaker than the president gave that evening. He joined most heartily in the frequent, and sometimes prolonged, applause. At one time, as the bishop was speaking of the wonderful opportunity that our country affords to young men, he paused for a moment, and said, 'Why, it is commonly reported that a rail-splitter has been elected president of the United States!' This, of course, brought down the house, and I was particularly pleased to see with what almost boyish enthusiasm the president joined in the tremendous applause." Rev. Bowman said that at the close of the address, President Lincoln went to the pulpit to greet Bishop Simpson. "Taking the bishop warmly by the hand, he exclaimed, in a voice that could be heard all around, 'Bishop Simpson, that was a splendid lecture.' Then, in a low tone of voice, and with an expression of face which indicated a little surprise, a little curiosity, and a good deal of humor, he said, 'But you didn't strike the ile!' I did not see the point, but the bishop did. So he replied, 'Mr. President, I am surprised at myself to see that, while I have thought so much about the great resources of our country, I should have entirely overlooked our great oil interests. I shall not do so again.' The next time I heard the lecture the bishop struck 'the ile.'"_______________ http://mrlincolnandfriends.org/inside.asp?pageID=102&subjectID=10