August 10, 1897 • William Walsham How: Poor Man's Bishop

urn down a promotion? Not many of us would. But out of love for ordinary people, William Walsham How did just that; he turned down many opportunities to hold high church positions.

How was born on December 13, 1823 in Shrewsbury, England, the son of a soliciter (lawyer). After attending Oxford, he was ordained as an Anglican clergyman in 1846 and did well in his early appointments as curate in Kidderminster and Shrewsbury. In 1851 he became rector of Whittington, where he labored for twenty-three years, serving also as an inspector of the diocese schools and active at many other tasks in addition to his parish work.

Five times he was invited to become a bishop. He turned down each chance as well as offers of other important church positions before finally agreeing in 1879 to become a suffragan bishop (an "assistant" bishop) with oversight over poverty-stricken East London. He worked hard to improve the spiritual condition of his people, inspiring many to join him in the effort. That is where he became known as "the poor man's bishop," although, because of his love of children, he was also known as "The children's bishop." His wife Frances assisted him.

In 1888, How was made Bishop of Wakefield. There he continued his noble work.

In addition to his pastoral work, How produced several books, published many of his sermons, and wrote more than 50 hymns. Many of these had the glory of Christ as their theme. You may have sung "We Give Thee but Thine Own," "For All the Saints," or "The Word of God Incarnate."

O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:
We praise You for the radiance that from the hallowed page,
A Lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.

The poor man's bishop died on this day August 10, 1897.

Bibliography:

1. Julian, John. A Dictionary of Hymnology, setting forth the origin and history of Christian hymns of all ages and nations. London: J. Murray, 1907.
2. "How, William Walsham." Dictionary of National Biography. Supplement. Edited by Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee. London: Oxford University Press, 1921 - 1996.
3. Wells, Amos R. A Treasure of Hymns; Brief biographies of 120 leading hymn- writers and Their best hymns. Boston: W. A. Wilde company, 1945.
4. Various encyclopedia and internet articles.

Posted April 2007.