Albert Benjamin Simpson (December 15, 1843 – October 29, 1919)
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(From Oil in Your Vessel by Gerald E. McGraw)
Albert Benjamin Simpson was born December 15, 1843, in Bayview, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He founded North America's earliest surviving
Bible college. Mr. Simpson was a practical writer for whom eschatology deserved continuing emphasis.
He was reared amidst sturdy Presbyterian influences on Canada's western frontier, and distinguished
himself in his graduate education at Knox College, now part of the University of Toronto. Between 1865 and
1881 Simpson successively served as pastor of Hamilton's Knox Church, which was "the second strongest
United Presbyterian Church in Canada," Louisville's "largest Presbyterian congregation," and New York's
Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church, reputed to be "the city's most fashioned and wealthy Presbyterian
charge."
When his staid Manhattan congregation resisted his aggressive trans-cultural brand of evangelism, Simpson
resigned to launch into thirty-eight years of noteworthy non-aligned ministries, which included the establishing
of an independent church where he was pastor until his decease, creating and serving as president of an
interdenominational evangelistic and missionary society called the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the
founding of several periodicals, and the initiating of numerous lesser enterprises, in addition to originating the
Bible training school which was eventually to be called Nyack College. He retained the college's presidency
and taught some of its classes through the years.
The New York Times called him "one of the leading evangelists and executives in foreign missionary
work," also alluding to his "vast amount of relief work among the poor." His conference ministry throughout
North America was extensive. On several occasions he ministered overseas. In addition to composing some
three hundred hymns and editing one or more periodicals continuously for forty years, for which he produced
a steady stream of articles and editorials, he found time to author one hundred books. It is no wonder that the
New York Times asserted that "there was almost no end to Mr. Simpson's religious activities." Lauding his
achievements with the words: "It is impossible to measure the value of such a man to the cause of Christianity."
The Christian Herald asserted at his death that "Evangelical Christianity" was losing "one of its strongest
personalities." An editorial in the predecessor to Moody Monthly alluded to his diversity: "Dr. Simpson was
a great preacher, a great writer; a great educator, a great organizer, a great leader of men, and an indefatigable
worker in every sphere of his many-sided endeavors."
Albert Benjamin Simpson was born December 15, 1843, in Bayview, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He founded North America's earliest surviving
Bible college. Mr. Simpson was a practical writer for whom eschatology deserved continuing emphasis.
He was reared amidst sturdy Presbyterian influences on Canada's western frontier, and distinguished
himself in his graduate education at Knox College, now part of the University of Toronto. Between 1865 and
1881 Simpson successively served as pastor of Hamilton's Knox Church, which was "the second strongest
United Presbyterian Church in Canada," Louisville's "largest Presbyterian congregation," and New York's
Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church, reputed to be "the city's most fashioned and wealthy Presbyterian
charge."
When his staid Manhattan congregation resisted his aggressive trans-cultural brand of evangelism, Simpson
resigned to launch into thirty-eight years of noteworthy non-aligned ministries, which included the establishing
of an independent church where he was pastor until his decease, creating and serving as president of an
interdenominational evangelistic and missionary society called the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the
founding of several periodicals, and the initiating of numerous lesser enterprises, in addition to originating the
Bible training school which was eventually to be called Nyack College. He retained the college's presidency
and taught some of its classes through the years.
The New York Times called him "one of the leading evangelists and executives in foreign missionary
work," also alluding to his "vast amount of relief work among the poor." His conference ministry throughout
North America was extensive. On several occasions he ministered overseas. In addition to composing some
three hundred hymns and editing one or more periodicals continuously for forty years, for which he produced
a steady stream of articles and editorials, he found time to author one hundred books. It is no wonder that the
New York Times asserted that "there was almost no end to Mr. Simpson's religious activities." Lauding his
achievements with the words: "It is impossible to measure the value of such a man to the cause of Christianity."
The Christian Herald asserted at his death that "Evangelical Christianity" was losing "one of its strongest
personalities." An editorial in the predecessor to Moody Monthly alluded to his diversity: "Dr. Simpson was
a great preacher, a great writer; a great educator, a great organizer, a great leader of men, and an indefatigable
worker in every sphere of his many-sided endeavors."
A. B. Simpson
A. B. Simpson (1843-1919) was one of the most important
Christian workers of his day. He was an ardent soul-winner and
was active in raising up new believers and in training Christian
workers. He began his service as a Presbyterian minister, but later
resigned after realizing the inherent frustrations in trying to serve
the Lord within the denominational framework. He wrote over 70
books on the Bible and the Christian life. His many hymns and
poems are full of inspiration and truth. He is known for preaching
the "fourfold gospel," referring to Christ as Savior, Sanctifier,
Healer, and coming King. He was the founder of the Christian and
Missionary Alliance.
Christian workers of his day. He was an ardent soul-winner and
was active in raising up new believers and in training Christian
workers. He began his service as a Presbyterian minister, but later
resigned after realizing the inherent frustrations in trying to serve
the Lord within the denominational framework. He wrote over 70
books on the Bible and the Christian life. His many hymns and
poems are full of inspiration and truth. He is known for preaching
the "fourfold gospel," referring to Christ as Savior, Sanctifier,
Healer, and coming King. He was the founder of the Christian and
Missionary Alliance.
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