Charles Cardwell McCabe
Encyclopedia
Charles Cardwell McCabe (October 11, 1836 – December 19, 1906) was an American
who distinguished himself as a Methodist
pastor
, an Army
chaplain
during the American Civil War
, a Church executive
chiefly in the field of fundraising
, as Chancellor
of American University
, and as a Bishop
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
(M.E.), elected in 1896.
on the same day as Bishop Isaac Wilson Joyce
, another Ohio
-born M.E. Bishop. Charles was the son of Robert McCabe, a tailor
, and Sarah Robinson. His grandfather was also Robert McCabe, who was an early Methodist Class-Leader and an adviser to John Stewart
, pioneer
of American Methodist missions. Ancestor
Owen McCabe was of Covenanter
stock from County Tyrone
, Ireland
. He immigrated to America in the 1740s and by 1750 was located in Sherman’s Valley of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in an area that eventually (1820) became Tyrone Township of Perry County, Pennsylvania. Charles went to the altar at eight years of age under the pleading of "Saint" Minturn. He was appointed to lead a class at the age of only fifteen.
, where his uncle, Lorenzo Dow
McCabe was a distinguished professor. Although Charles withdrew from school in 1858, he graduated with a B.A.
degree in 1860 and was accorded on honorary M.A.
in 1864. He then became a High School
Principal.
Annual Conference
of the M.E. Church in 1860. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Matthew Simpson
, September 23, 1860 in Gallipolis, Ohio
, and Elder by Bishop Thomas Asbury Morris
, September 7, 1862 in Zanesville, Ohio
.
broke out, McCabe helped raise a regiment
of infantry
for the Union Army
. By October 8, 1862 McCabe was serving as chaplain
of the 122nd Ohio Infantry
. He was captured by the Confederate Army and sent to Libby Prison
, where he served as a chaplain to his fellow prisoners-of-war. During his time as a prisoner of war, McCabe taught "The Battle Hymn of the Republic
" to other prisoners to maintain high spirits, and was later invited to the Lincoln
White House
because of his actions. Ill health later forced him to resign his chaplaincy, January 8, 1864.
and as the Church Extension Secretary. He was a missionary promoter, an evangelist and a Gospel singer.
Bishop McCabe also served as Chancellor
of American University
from December 1902 until his death in December 1906. He was especially prominent in the University's initial fundraising. Indeed, he thought of himself as "doomed to raise money," in such high demand he was as a raiser of funds for churches. Also known as Methodism's "Singing Chaplain," from coast to coast he sang "We're building two a day," a song written in response to the charge that the church was dying out, a charge made by a widely known agnostic of the day, Robert G. Ingersoll
.
after a fundraising trip to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Torrington, Connecticut
. He died in New York Hospital
on December 19, 1906, aged 70, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Chicago
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who distinguished himself as a Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, an Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, a Church executive
Senior management
Senior management, executive management, or management team is generally a team of individuals at the highest level of organizational management who have the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a company or corporation, they hold specific executive powers conferred onto them with and by...
chiefly in the field of fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
, as Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
, and as a Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
(M.E.), elected in 1896.
Birth and Family
Charles was born October 11, 1836 in Athens, OhioAthens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
on the same day as Bishop Isaac Wilson Joyce
Isaac Wilson Joyce
Isaac Wilson Joyce was an American bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1888.He was born in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, Ohio on 11 October 1836. He became a Member of the Northwest Indiana Annual Conference of the M.E...
, another Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
-born M.E. Bishop. Charles was the son of Robert McCabe, a tailor
Tailor
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially suits and men's clothing.Although the term dates to the thirteenth century, tailor took on its modern sense in the late eighteenth century, and now refers to makers of men's and women's suits, coats, trousers,...
, and Sarah Robinson. His grandfather was also Robert McCabe, who was an early Methodist Class-Leader and an adviser to John Stewart
John Stewart (missionary)
John Stewart was a missionary to the Wyandot Indians of Ohio and founder of what is often considered the first Methodist mission in America. Stewart was born in Powhatan County, Virginia to free Negro parents who were of mixed ancestry; a mix of white, black, and Indian.-References:...
, pioneer
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
of American Methodist missions. Ancestor
Ancestor
An ancestor is a parent or the parent of an ancestor ....
Owen McCabe was of Covenanter
Covenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
stock from County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He immigrated to America in the 1740s and by 1750 was located in Sherman’s Valley of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in an area that eventually (1820) became Tyrone Township of Perry County, Pennsylvania. Charles went to the altar at eight years of age under the pleading of "Saint" Minturn. He was appointed to lead a class at the age of only fifteen.
Education
In 1854 Charles enrolled at Ohio Wesleyan UniversityOhio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...
, where his uncle, Lorenzo Dow
Lorenzo Dow
Lorenzo Dow was an eccentric itinerant American preacher, said to have preached to more people than any other preacher of his era. He was an important figure in the Second Great Awakening. He was also a successful writer...
McCabe was a distinguished professor. Although Charles withdrew from school in 1858, he graduated with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1860 and was accorded on honorary M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1864. He then became a High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
Principal.
Ordained Ministry
McCabe joined the OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church." Annual conferences are composed primarily of the clergy members and a lay member or members from each charge . Each conference is a geographical division...
of the M.E. Church in 1860. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Matthew Simpson
Matthew Simpson
Matthew Simpson , was an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1852.-Early life and family:...
, September 23, 1860 in Gallipolis, Ohio
Gallipolis, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile . There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile...
, and Elder by Bishop Thomas Asbury Morris
Thomas Asbury Morris
Thomas Asbury Morris was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1836. He also distinguished himself as a Methodist Circuit rider, Pastor, and Presiding Elder, and as an Editor....
, September 7, 1862 in Zanesville, Ohio
Zanesville, Ohio
Zanesville is a city in and the county seat of Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population was 25,586 at the 2000 census.Zanesville was named after Ebenezer Zane, who had constructed Zane's Trace, a pioneer road through present-day Ohio...
.
Chaplaincy
As the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
broke out, McCabe helped raise a regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
for the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. By October 8, 1862 McCabe was serving as chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
of the 122nd Ohio Infantry
122nd Ohio Infantry
The 122nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 122nd Ohio Infantry was organized at Zanesville, Ohio and mustered in for three years service on September 30, 1862 under the command of Colonel William H. Ball...
. He was captured by the Confederate Army and sent to Libby Prison
Libby Prison
Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the harsh conditions under which prisoners from the Union Army were kept.- Overview :...
, where he served as a chaplain to his fellow prisoners-of-war. During his time as a prisoner of war, McCabe taught "The Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is a hymn by American writer Julia Ward Howe using the music from the song "John Brown's Body". Howe's more famous lyrics were written in November 1861 and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. It became popular during the American Civil War...
" to other prisoners to maintain high spirits, and was later invited to the Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
because of his actions. Ill health later forced him to resign his chaplaincy, January 8, 1864.
Post-War Ministry
Following the war, as the most famous U.S.A. Chaplain, he lectured all over the U.S. on "The Bright Side of Life in Libby Prison." Prior to entering the Episcopacy, he served on the Christian Commission, as a PastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and as the Church Extension Secretary. He was a missionary promoter, an evangelist and a Gospel singer.
Bishop McCabe also served as Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
from December 1902 until his death in December 1906. He was especially prominent in the University's initial fundraising. Indeed, he thought of himself as "doomed to raise money," in such high demand he was as a raiser of funds for churches. Also known as Methodism's "Singing Chaplain," from coast to coast he sang "We're building two a day," a song written in response to the charge that the church was dying out, a charge made by a widely known agnostic of the day, Robert G. Ingersoll
Robert G. Ingersoll
Robert Green "Bob" Ingersoll was a Civil War veteran, American political leader, and orator during the Golden Age of Freethought, noted for his broad range of culture and his defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed "The Great Agnostic."-Life and career:Robert Ingersoll was born in Dresden, New York...
.
Death and Burial
Bishop McCabe fell ill in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
after a fundraising trip to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Torrington, Connecticut
Torrington, Connecticut
Torrington is the largest city in Litchfield County, Connecticut and the northwestern Connecticut region. It is also the core city of the largest micropolitan area in the United States. The city population was 36,383 according to the 2010 census....
. He died in New York Hospital
New York Hospital
New York Hospital or “Old New York Hospital” or “City Hospital” was the oldest hospital in New York City and the second oldest hospital in the United States.-Early History:...
on December 19, 1906, aged 70, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
Selected Writings
- Final Report on Salt Lake City Church, pamphlet, 1880.
- A Glance Backwards, pamphlet, 1886.
- The American University - Taking Our Bearings, pamphlet, 1880.
- Address: The Open Door in Latin Countries, Cleveland, First General Missionary Convention, 1903.
- Shouting, a rich little pamphlet about Christian rapture, n.d.
- Allegory, "Dream of Ingersollville."
- Winnowed Hymns, editor (with D.F. McFarlane).
Biographies
- Sketch: The Battlefield Reviewed, Landon Taylor, 1881.
- Life of Chaplain McCabe, F.M. Bristol, 1908.