William Wharton Cassels

1858-1925. Missionary bishop. He was one of the four Cambridge undergraduates who formed the nucleus of the “Cambridge Seven,” the band of young men who went to China with the China Inland Mission in 1884, causing a sensation in Great Britain and the USA. After gaining experience in Shansi, Cassels went to Szechwan, western province of China (population 68,000,000), where Hudson Taylor* decided to establish a “Church of England” district. Cassels, an ordained Anglican, now took the lead in this new enterprise and in 1895 was consecrated first bishop in Szechwan by Archbishop Benson. The new diocese was under the joint sponsorship of the Church Missionary Society and the China Inland Mission.