NICHOLSON, William Rufus, Reformed Episcopal bishop, born in Green county, Mississippi, 8 January, 1822. He was graduated at Lagrange college, Alabama, in 1840, studied for the ministry, was admitted to holy orders in the Protestant Episcopal church, and was successively rector of Grace church, New Orleans, St. John's, Cincinnati, St. Paul's, Boston, and Trinity, Newark, New Jersey In 1874 he became a member of the Reformed Episcopal church, and took charge of a congregation in Philadelphia. In 1876 he was elected and consecrated bishop, and subsequently he was chosen dean of the theological seminary of his denomination in Philadelphia He received the degree of D.D. from Kenyon He has published "The Blessedness of Heaven" (New York, 1874); " Reasons why I became a Reformed Episcopalian" (Philadelphia, 1875); "The Real Presence in the Bread and Wine of the Lord's Supper" and "The Call to the Ministry" (1877) Dr. Nicholson is also the author of " The Bearing of Prophecy on Inspiration," in the proceedings of the "Bible Conference on Inspiration," held in Philadelphia in November, 1887 (New York, 1888).