If I know that I shall be as an angel, and more; if I shall behold all God has made; if he shall own me for his son and exalt me to honor in his presence, I shall not fear to die, nor shall I dread the grave where Christ once lay.

He was baptized as an infant by Bishop Francis Asbury. In 1859 Bishop Simpson changed his residence from Pittsburgh to Evanston Illinois where he accepted the position of President of the Garrett Biblical Institute (now Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary). Matthew's uncle also was Matthew Simpson who also emigrated from Ireland to America in 1793.

For the Brisbane Bears player see Matthew Simpson (footballer).