The life and labors of Enoch Mather Marvin : late bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

Preface

Biography has been likened by Hannah More to the monument over a distinguished grave — a memorial of affection and a tribute to departed worth. It is the privilege of love to write the epitaph. A friend may be partial ; an enemy cannot be just. Bishop Marvin was widely known and alike beloved. Many hands would bring spices for the embalmment of his memory. This volume represents the heart of the Church. Appropriately, room has been given in these pages to many other pens for a testimonial of love and contribution of honor. By the Author, Bishop Marvin was well known, highly appreciated and dearly loved. When living, the writer venerated his virtues, and honored him, as he might be able ; it is a privilege and a joy to reproduce his life and contribute to his posthumous renown and influence.

More especiallv, it has been a constant reflection and a weighty consideration presiding over these pages, that a large denomination of Christians and the whole body of the Christian Ministry had concern in his public life and have claim upon the best work of a biographer. In regard to performance, no pretension is made except that no pains have been omitted, no labor spared, to secure authenticity and completeness in the narrative of his Life and Labors ; and particularly, a just and adequate exhibit of the discharge of his office as a Minister of Christ and a Bishop in the Church of God. Research has extended throughout his years from earliest childhood, and throughout the length and breadth of his continental and world-wide travels. The most distant contemporaries have furnished their recollections. Tributes have been cheerfully rendered by his Episcopal Colleagues, some of whom have been personally cognizant of his entire ministerial development and of the whole course of his great career from the first dawn of his public reputation. These pages contain his memorabilia in all the Conferences ; and in representative voices, his stand-

BISHOP MAKVIX. 3

ing and influence in all. Suck aid has been not merely valuable, but indispensable ; and it is hereby gratefully acknowledged. Altogether, in the production of this volume — thus aided, and in its form of detailed narrative, with such philosophy of his history and at large the history of his opinions and pastoral counsels contained in these pages — it is hoped, that the reader may recognize Bishop Marvin in the narrated as in the acted life ; as he appeared in the scenes and associations of personal intercourse, and especially, as still in the midst, a real presence and an abiding power in the Church of God — the great preacher, a true and good shepherd of the flock of Christ, and at last, a Chief Pastor.

However imperfectly rendered, this Biography is sent forth with prayer and, at the same time, with faith, that the Providence of God, which was so conspicuously marked in the career of Bishop Marvin, will preside over the record of it ; making the one as the other an instrument of the Divine glory in the work of the Gospel and the salvation of souls.

THOMAS M. FHSTNEY.

Caledonia, Mo.,

December 31st, 1879.

PUBLISHES' S NOTICE.

When we issued our prospectus of "The Life and Labors of Bishop Marvin," we expected to have the work ready for delivery more than a year ago. The delay was, upon our part, as unavoidable as it was unexpected, being wholly due to the fact that the manuscript was not furnished us in the time specified by the writer of the book. T. M. Finney, D. D., who was chosen by the Episcopal colleagues of the deceased and his bereaved family to write this book, has pursued his task con amore in the midst of the most onerous duties imposed upon him by the appointments of the Church. Performing the work of a Presiding Elder and President of a College at the same time, he has, nevertheless, thoroughly exhausted the resources of information necessary to prepare him for a faithful execution of his trust. He desired to give to the public a Biography and History of the Life and Labors of Bishop Marvin in which all who knew the Bishop would recognize a faithful portrait of the man they loved, the scenes through which he passed, and the work which he did for the Master. The trust is discharged, and we believe our readers will say it is well done.

The work, as it here appears, contains 229 pages more than was first announced. This, in connection with the delay already referred to, has greatly increased the cost of issuing the work, and has been much to our disadvantage financially. Our desire to be just to the memory of the eminent dead and to the many friends who contributed papers to the work, made us unwilling to exclude the matter which has so swelled the size of the volume. We give the advantage to our subscribers, and cheerfully consent to bear the financial burdens, hoping that thus the public may feel fully indemnified for their patient waiting for the appearance of this book.

James II. Chambkks, Publisher

Contents

INTRODUCTION 9

CHAPTER I.— His Ancestry 17

The American branch of the Marvin family — Its founders — Emigration to America — Among first settlers of Hartford and other towns in Connecticut— Social position and public services — Colonial wars and War of Independence—Characteristics of the family— Their migrations — Direct line of descent from Reinold traced through 242 years — Lieut. Remold — " Lyme's Captain"— The Mather family— Intermarriages with the Marvins — Au honorable line of ancestry.

C II APT KB II.— The Five Cedars 28

Location of the homestead— Origin of its name — The houses of the period— Dwellers at the "Old Place" — The garret-room — The schoolroom — Parents his teachers — His advantages of education — Spelling match — The times in his boyhood — Incidents of first steamboat-navigation on the Mississippi and Missouri — Mather's Alma Matei — Church-houses— Primitive customs— The boy at work — At house-raisings— Taught school— The Debating Society- - His first speech — Uncle Billy Pratt, the first Darwinian—The boy-preacher— The contention over a den-— Characteristics of his youth — Health and personal appearance — The etory of his sister, Marcia— Death of his brother, Nathaniel- -Touching letter of the Bishop-- The home of the dead at the Five Cedars- -Last look at the Old Place. CHAPTER III — " This Man was Born There." 49

God's first Church— When does educationbegin ?— Mother's influence — Jobson ai.d his mother's prayers — Bishop Andrew and his mother — Enoch Mather on his mother's knee —The h>ly song and baptism of tears— His father a Deist — The mother his Christian teacher — The Sabbath School in her house — The first in Warren County— The family government — Happy domestic relations— Father's training— Education of circumstances — Unseen influences— Incident of the wounded finger — Saintly women— Old neighbors— Godly men— Contact with Methodist influences — Chief factors in religious training, his Mother and Methodism. CHAPTER IV.— His Conversion.... 6?

The scriptural idea of conversion— New Birth, the great fact — An epoch of life — Methodist views— The ministration of the Church— His own account of his conversion — Time and place— Rev. D. T. Sherman's account— Raised a Baptist — Change of views — An Episode in history of his opinions on Baptism— Joined the Church as a seeker — Human instruments in his conversion — His vow as a seeker severely tested — His faith — Closure with Christ — (Jonscious acceptance — Born from above —Testifies to the glorious change.

CHAPTER V— The Chosen Vessel 77

His father's plans for him — Called to the ministry— Chosen agents — Basis of selection — Gifts aud grace— Conviction of duty to preach thoroughly examined— Severely tested — Incident— Sense of the Divine call positive and profound — Perplexities and struggle — His "farewell to the world" — Preparation for the ministry — His divinity school — His studies — Goes to hear Maffit — His call tested by the Church — Licensed to exhort — The function of the Church in ministerial investiture — Careless exercise and abuse of it — The intuition of the Church true— Licensed to preach. CHAPTR n VI.— Grundy Mission 95

His first sermon at Old Bethlehem — The Dinner — Manner of preaching — Varying opinions — Other sermons — Recommended for the traveling Connection — Called to the Itinerancy — Received on trial in Annual Conference— Appointment to Grundy Mission — His outfit — Leave taking— On his travel to first Circuit— Incident of a Sunday at Fayette— His field of labor — Preaching places — His acceptability— Life in cabins— Frontier travels — Anecdote of his morning ablutions— Privations and hardships — Fruits of his labor— Mrs. Peery's conversion — The first convert of his ministry.

CHAPTER, VII.— Admitted Into Fcxe Connection HI

The first Conference attended by him, at Jefferson City — Clothes— Home at Conference— An observer of the body — A suggestive incident on the way to Conference — The session to him a spiritual feast— The singing — His examination— Recollections by Rev. J. II. Headlee — Continued on trial— Advised to go home— The incident related by Rev. S. G. Pattersou— An episode— Appointed to Oregon Mission— Preaching places— Incidents, the romance of his career — His pay— Hardships-Lexington Conference— Oast down— Incident related by Rev. J. C. lierryinan— The Conference probation — The Methodist pastorate — Examination in presence of the Conference— His classmates— The dead— L. S. Jacoby— D. W Pollock— Admitted into full connection — Ordained deacon— Dramatic incidents—Trial and endurance— Launched on the Itinerancy.

CONTENTS. 5

CHAPTER VIII.— The Methodist Preacher 131

Liberty Circuit — The itinerant spirit — His horse— An Indian pony and his trick — The regulation coat — Rules of a preacher — Punctuality— The broken bridge and swollen stream — Judged by the eleventh rule, " to save souls" — The Methodist pulpit — His industy — Methods and motives of work— Enterprise — The Texas preacher — "Regions beyond," a thrilling incident — The Quarterly Conference Record of Liberty Circuit — In the judicial seal— The forged church-letter— The disciplinarian — " Sense and grace " — Poor pay — The unparalleled stipend — " How did he get along? " —Incidents — The itinerant training school — Self-educated and well-educated — A faithful 6011 of the Church— A true itinerant— A Methodist Preacher.

CHAPTER IX.— Graduated in the Ministry 165

Fourth Street Station, St. Louis — The assistant preacher — Trial sermon— Dawning reputation— I lis work— Incidents and anecdotes — Supplementary ministerial training— Study of men — student of nature — His theory — Sayings— Experiences— Incidents— Books — collateral studies — "We tell one another" — Tho Conference curriculum— Bible -student — Habit and mannerof study — His examination— Ordained elder — Official honors — Incidents — His life a copy of the Ritual— Ordination vows — The sworn officer— A letter— The portrait of a Methodist preacher drawn by Marvin.

CHAPTER X.— At Home 187

The Conference session of 1S45 at Columbia— A prominent session — Signal in Marvin's history — His majority in years and in the Conference — A Southern Met lodist — A married man— The preacher's wife — Harriet Brotherton Clarke — Conrtsh p— The vow of itinerancy— Marriage — The preaciur's houi-e — The Marvin-home— An itinerant's home-farm and its sale— Debt — " Wife is financier"— Hur household administration— The children — The love for his family — Diary records — Exil j during the war — Recollections — Asylum in Arkansa — The Doty home — The McGehee "Retreat"— Letter— Away from home explained— The family government— His views — Principles — Ministers' children— Training at a Methodist parsonage— Letters to his children— The Home Altar — The House of God— Household of Faith— " Paradise of Home."

CHAPTER XL— IIannibai, Station 214

Conference of 1846 — Stationed at Hannibal — A second year— The first station— His advancement— In the order of the Church — On his own merits—Humility— The connection of Weston and Hannibal appointments — Home and work at Weston — Mrs. Marvin's recollections— His own — Came to Hannibal in debt — Ministerial support — His creed— His experience—Sacrifice and exullatio"n — Default exemplified and reproved — A Presiding Elder's financial administration — The argument — Testitimony — The Oaples-Marvin warning — Financial embarrassment at Hannibal explained — Deliverance — The later wisdom and better rule— The wages and work at Hannibal — Bishop Paine's recollections — The post of honor — The stagos of his public life — Hannibal station an epoch.

CHAPTER XII.— Ecclesiastic u. Relations . 233

Relations to other Churches — History and governing principles — The Churcliman and Christian— As a controversialist — Relish for controversy in youth — Mental idiosyncracy— Incident to the times — His controversial record — A popular leader challenged— " Joining the Campbellite Church" — An unique speech — His second rule of denominational fellowship — Undue multiplication of sects — " Hardshell sermon" — His true catholicity of spirit— Relations to the Methodisms — His record — A Southern Methodist.

CHAPTER XIII.— From 184S TO 1853 248

The Conference at "Weston, 1848 — Monticello Circuit— The Circuit Preacher — As a revivalist — A remarkable conversion — Pastoral fidelity — " Good news from Aleck Smih " — The Disciplinarian — >t. Charles Circuit —In tlie social cir le— His temper and bearing— His junior preacher — A round on the Circuit — Palmyra Station — Bereavements — His family settled at " the Old Place "—St. Charles District— The Presiding Llder— In Quarterly Conference— At Quarterly Meetings, " in order to preach"— The Danville meeting — liemarkable sermon— Richard Bond— His administration— 'Hie lambs of the flock — Testimony and tribute — Louisiana meeting— A pastoral vi^it and thrilling incident — In the Bishop's Cabinet — Pastor of preachers — Presiding Elder tutored— The prophecy of his .Presiding Elder's reco. d.

CHAPTE It XIV— In Conference 269

Conference relations— The sessional preacher— A stranger's first view of his pulpit— Honor and humility— Mental poison— Lannius' funeral sermon — Occasional-preacher — ''As much as in melie-i" — Camp-meeting-preacher— Fir.-t Church-dedication— His work on the foundations — St. Joseph Station — General Conference delegate— At Columbus, ]S">4— The Nashville Conference— Last appointments in old Conference— Caples and Marvin — The College speeches.

b CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XV.— College Agf,nt 282

The regular work— Always effective— College Agent — The Church and School — His sentiment— .strikingly illustrated— College Presidency offered and declined— St. Charles College— J. H. Fielding, first President— The Collier bequest— Appointment to Agency — Its wisdom — Predecessors — Leading 1'atrons— Success — Biblical School -His theological professorship—First and only class and lecture— The Educational Convention in 1852 — An episode, Caples and Marvin— Status of St. Charles College— Historical lesson.

CHAPTER X VI.— Iv St. Louis 295

Centenary Church " to be supplied "—Rev. James Sewell— Marvin his successor— Incidents of the appointment— His transfer to the St. Louis Conference — Appointment by the Bishop to that Charge — The situation — Dr. Boyle at Fourth Street in 1842 and Marvin nt Centenary in 1855, similar work Separation from his old Conference — Continued as Agent for St. Charles College— The sentiment against transfers in St. i.ouis Conference — Incidents — Marvin cordially received — Conference associations— Preaching — Work — Five per cent, plan — Book Depository endowment— Central College— United Methodism in the city — Church extension— City Mission— Preachers' meeting.

CHAPTER XVII.— The City Pulpit 313

His appearance — Pulpitmannerism— Conduct of public worship— Altar and pulpit — Pulpit sensationalism — Clerical attire — Anecdote, the Philadelphia Methodist — The visiting brother— Anecdote, the .>t. Louis funeral procession — Incident at Glasgow, the pulpit surprise — Spiritual husbandry— His pulpit adapted, full and faithful — Its revival history — At Centenary— At Wesley Chapel— At Cottleville— G-oodfellow Chapel and Bellefontaine— The great revival at First Church— His pulpit fame — Remarkable testimony

CHAPTER XVIII. —City Pastor 330

The City Pastorate— " The plaint of the door-bell" — Incidents — Miscellaneous labors— Social intercourse — Personal popularity— Pastoral visitation — The Lord's poor — The sick bed— The chamber of death — The widow's grave — Administration of discipline — The official meeting — The unearthed talent — The class-meeting— Nurture of converts— Fluctuating membership— Statistics of City Churches— The impartial ministry — "Honor all men "--Nurture of the young— The Sunday-school room — The study of the situation— Lectures on Romanism— Their pastoral character— Condition of society — Christian activity- Church aggressiveness—St. Louis pastorate characterized— Testimonies.

CHAPTER XIX.— Arm y Labors : 357

The Arrow Rock Conference- Outbreak of the War— Holding over at Centenary— Going South— Reasons for it— Passing through the lines — The travel— Incidents— The military situation at the South— Joins Price's command at Grenada — Calls for his ministry -At headquarters— His camp-home— His relation to the army purely ministerial — Superintendent of army chaplains— Bishop Paine's commission— Broken health — Religion in the army— Great revivals— The Army Church— Its constitution and creed— Battle-Held and hospital— Battle of Helena— Heroism of army chaplains.

CHAPTER XX. - The War Itinerary 383

War times— Adjustment of his ministry — His personal relations— Oath-taking— Political opinions— Non-political Church and pulpit — Army diary— An itinerant evangelist— Woodville Station— Off at protracted meetings— A Sunday at Jackson— Preaching at Little Rock — At Jacksonport— A prayer-meetr g incident — At Des Arc — Pastoral visitation—Greenwood— Doty -home— Preaching excursions — At Shreveport— Sermons at Marshall— A personal tribute.

CHAPTER XXI.— Marshall Station 409

Appointed to Marshall Station— Joined by his family— Their journey- Mrs. Marvin's narrative— The meeting of the family— On the road — Incidents—Reuben and Sukey— At the Louisiana Conference — East Texas Conference at Jefferson — The Waco Conference— Third visit to Louisiana Conference — His relation to St. Louis Conference— Its sessions resumed in imU— Remained in the South at Marshall— His last pastoral charge — A characteristic sentiment.

CHAPTER X XII. -1866 422

The General Conference at New Orleans — I'he state of the Church— The Address of the Bishops — Strengthening the Episcopacy — Action of the Conference— Electicn of four Bishops— His name prominent— Choice of the West —Providential marks — Incidents of his manifestation to the Church— The ollice not sought— The vote — Arrival at New Orleans— First information of his election — Hesitation to accept the ollice — Incidents — Oi dainc-d Bishop.

CHAPTER X'XIIL— IN the College of Bishops 437

His age at Consecration- -Personal appearance— The Episcopal Col-

CONTENTS. 7

lege of Southern Methodism— Its first Western Bishop— Providential manifestation— Personal relations in the College of Bishops— The history of his election self-interpreting-His views on the Episcopal office —Methodist Episcopacy at the North and South— The veto power— Dr Smith's Soule-Memorial Sermon— The Constitution of the Church— Testimony of the Fathers— Constitutional Episcopacy tested by trial and maintained intact.

CHAPTER XXIV.— In TEXAS 455

Episcopal residence— First round of Conferences— Indian Mission" Conference saved— First preaching— Funeral Sermon of Gov. Allen— Ante-railroad travel in Texas— On the road — " Charioteers "—" Go and preach "—Roadside dinner— The night sojourn — Notes by the way— First sail on a sloop— The insurance agent— Texas sense— Quarterage-bacon — At Conference— Religious tone of sessions— On guard to purity of the Church -Three sessions of Northwest Texas— Division of Conferences — Transfers— East Texas Conference— Organized Colored Conference- Two Conferences held at once — The German Work— Reminiscences of War Itinerary— New Church at Galveston dedicated— Texas Conference Educational Work— Publishing Interests— West Texas — Revival— First Conference pulpit — Mexican Border Mission— Hernandez— Missionary platform -After-Conference labors— Testimonial.

CHAPTER XXV— On the Pacific Coast 479

The voyage on ocean and return by rail— Experience at sea— Ac quaintar.ces— By boat and stage to Columbia Conference — Shasta— " The Teuton" — Old friends and former companions in labors — The session of Conference—" Oregon crossed from side to side "—The next session — Projected preaching tour— Sick — "Went as long as I could "—Pacific Conference at Sacramento — The next session— Address at opening— Characteristics of the man and officer-Preaching Prelate— Sheaves- Official communication to the College of Bishops — Sabbath-year— Fruits of Visitation— Seven years afterwards— Last words to Preachers of Pacific Coast.

CHAPTER XXVI.— On The Atlantic Seaboard 498

From Ocean to Ocean— Baltimore Conference— Its proceedings — Pulpit and platform — Commencement Sermon at Staunton— At Washington- Lee University— The Guest of Gen. Lee — The prayer-meeting and the banquet hall — N^otes of travel East— Punctuality illustrated— The eye of Bishop and tourist exemplified— Ministerial vacation — Leave-taking of the Valley— The Ilundred-years-old Church— The Natural Bridge— A sketch by "Lafverty— At Washington City— Sermons at Alexandria — Wesley Grove Camp— The Winchester Conference— A Monograph by Dr. Samuel Rodgers— Virginia and the Carolinas. •

CHAPTER XXVII —In the Mountains S17

Itinerancy— Preaching on the way-Fort Bridger — The stage-ride— Mountain-drives — At the head-wTaters of the Missouri— Missourians— His Continental travels — Montana Methodism— Its founder — The Missionary Bishop — Western Conference— First visitation in 1871— Preaching tour — The informal Conference— Brother Stateler's quarterage— The Montana Conference — Second visitation — Sermons — Church dedications— A last letter— Montana on his heart.

CHAPTER XXVIII.— From the Ohio to the Gulf 638

Southern Methodism in the North — A first representative— From across "the old line" — The Baltimore Conference— The Christian Union — The Compact of 1844— Organization and growth of Illinois Conference— Visitations and labors— Intere.-t in thatConference — Letter of Bishop Andrew — The Indiana Conference — Northward movement of the Church, South — A prophecy— The West Viginia Conference — The Conference in Louisiana — A post-bellum visit — Condition of the Conferences — "Disintegration and absorption " — " Slanton-Ames order " — "The Government not running the Churches "—Andrew Johnson's oider — Abraham Lincoln's record— The order an offense to brethren of ihe Northern Church— Bishop Marvin's strictures— The colored people of the South— Conferences at Minden and at Baton Rouge — Personalities— An heirloom of Methodist Episcopacy, the McKendree watch seal -Love-tokens — The lapsis linguae and its significiluce— Standing and labors in the Gulf States.

CHAPTER XXIX.— The Conference President 55S

Bishop Marvin's Prentice hand in the Chair — Qualities as Chairman — An estimate by the oldest surviving Missouri itinerant — Testimony from the Gulf States and the Atlantic seaboard— The platform— Address to candidates and ordination service— Scenes at Conferences in Alabama — The Missionary speech— The charge to the preachers at reading our. appointments— The etationing-room— Planning the work — I'.ishop Soule's policy— Supply of the city pulpit— " Local itinerancy" deplored— The integrity of the economy of Methodist itinerancy — Just and sympathetic— Painstaking — Burden of responsibilily -The pulpit — Notable occasions — At Tennessee Conference -At Atlanta, Ga.— In Alabama — Chief sermons — " The Church the liride of Christ."

8 CONTENTS .

CHAPTER XXX.— AS PREACHER 569

The pulpit and the stndy— " Compelled to study" — Method— Lord Brougham's theory — Daniel Webster's method — " Prepared unpreparedness" — " Liberty "—The Iiible in the study — Godliness in the pulpit — Closet and preacher's desk -Preached out of his experience — "The dynamics of the Gospel" — The prevalent pulpit — The burden of souls- Faith in his Gospel— Manner in pulpit— The shining lace — Voice in preaching — "My mamma is dead "— " Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthaui" — Pulpit action— Sydney Smith's rule — Jonathan Edwards — Wesley and Whitfield— Genuine feeling — Honest rhetoric— Embarrassment of self-consciousness managed — Sense of self-importance regulated— An "itching ear"— "The manufacturer"— Before God, " dust and ashes." CHAPTER XXXI.— The Preaching 587

Travel in order to preach— The District Conference— The business routine-Religious services prominent — The preaching — His pulpit— Its themes— Censor and reformer— A Methodist pulpit— A Gospel of immortality—Revival pulpit— Sketches of Sermons— After- meeting— Teaching by parable— The Texan wife— The scarred hand— Christ a rock— Tent-preaching.

CHAPTER XX XI r .— In Labors More Abundant 604

Intervals of Conference sessions— A iiishop's Circuit — Headquarters in the field— Extra-official labors— A Mason and Odd Fellow— Addresses- Temperance advocate — A debate— Lectures- Church dedications— The Church domiciled— Church builder— The House of "Worship at Sedaiia — At Mexico— At Memphis — The modern 1 laggai— Protestantism and architecture—The Cathedral Church of Southern Methodists — Dedication at Brownsville — An example — AtNew Florence — "No debt " — The collection — Nerve force— Dedication sermons — Money value — Conservatism of real estate titles — Camp meetings — Monroe camp-ground — " The Marvin Camp" — Red Oak — Seashore Encampment — Wesley Grove — Preaching tour — Pleasant Hill to Neosho — College commencements — Books — " Hard at work and happy in it."

CHAPTER XXXIII.— Pastor of the People ...628

"Traveling at large among the people'' — Wayfarer and sojourner-- Welcome guest— Christian fellowship — The Gospel of the Fireside- -Parlor-preaching--Visiting from house to house--The Church-Fireside- -The Nuptial- -Bishop Bascom's sentiment--The first marriage ceremony— The Baptismal Font— Ministry to Children — The Child spirit in him — Preaching to Childre..— Namesakes— At the sick bed— The Bier and the Grave.

CHAPTER XX XIV. -The Press and the School 652

" He being dead, yet speaketh" — " Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times and the strength of salvation."

CHAPTER XXXV.--AS A Man 075

In the S' cial circle — Social qualities- -Given to hospitality— At table- Table-talk— Story of spirit-rappings- -The Arkansas farmer-Andrew Monroe's slumber-The hardshell sermon—Humor— Sobriety— The Man of God — Tone of Piety- -Experimental godliness— Faith and consecration- Testimony— The Land of Beulah-- Fellowship and friendships- -"Lover of good men "--Personal force- -Authority of character -Illustrations- Episcopal residence— St. Charles College Endowment- -Natural traits-- Gratitude-Generosity — Use of money- -Humility- -Simplicity and sincerity—Personal magnetism--" Behold the Man."

The General Conference of 1870 and 1874- -Measures of public policy- Theological education-Denominational schools-IIis argument— Gen. Lee's testimony- -The College in his dying hand--T|ie itinerancy-Pastoral terrik-Lay representation-An incident- -Relations of the two American Episcopal Methodisms— Formal fraternity. -Fraternal Messenger to the British Wesleyan Conference-Southern Methodist Missions- Thehome work-Foreign fields-China visitation-Exploration of Heathendom--" The whole world converted to Christ."

CHAPTER XXXVII. -HIS MISSIONARY TOUR AROUND THE WORLD 741

CHAPTER XXXVIII. --In Missouri- -Last Days 761

IN MEMORIAM.— The Burial, Home and Monument 797

Address at Dedication op Monument 803

At Memphis Conference. 81]

At North Carolina Conference .813

At the Genera] Conference, 1878 sl6

Recollections, by 1 p. I.'. Paine, D. I) 820

As Methodist Preacher, by lip. G. F. Pierce ,■,.>■>

Missionary Tour— Lines by lip. J. C. Keener S2S

Introduction

To reproduce and study at leisure the features of a good man's life, is one of the purest pleasures of every noble mind. Besides the interest that is taken in the steps by which any great success has been achieved, there is a special desire to understand and imitate any one who is believed to have surely gained Heaven.

Immediately upon the death of Bishop Marvin it was the universal wish that a career so marked as his was for public usefulness, and a universal sympathy with everything that properly belonged to his race, should be gathered up and put in permanent form ; hence the present volume.

The selection of Dr Finney by the family of Bishop Marvin as his Biographer has been heartily approved by the Church, as the one of all others best fitted to discharge this labor of love, from his intimate association as well as from thorough personal and prof essional sympathy with the Bishop during his ministerial career, both before and after his election to the Episcopacy The wisdom of the selection will be fully acknowledged by the reader of this biography

Bishop Marvin, when nineteen years of age, stepped on the stage of life — of a great life, as it proved to be ; but the Holy Spirit had already enriched and filled the highest parts of his being with many noble qualities, and, thus " led," his development went steadily forward to the very last of his career. The Methodist Itinerancy, with its training, found in him an apt scholar ; it kept him in active employment, and, on the other hand, he was not to be diverted from hi.s first allegiance to its obligations. This first proper movement of his opening life insured all the rest. He was true to this service ; he sought only this ; no solicitations were heeded to turn aside to business or honor, either before, or during, or after the war. He would not be entangled in the affairs of this life.

His controversy with the Romanists opened to him a new field and was fraught personally with important results. It gave him the use of the pen, showed and cultivated polemical power, and gave prominence to his ability before the Church.

At the opening of the war the divided opinion of Missouri and the fierceness of those who stood by the Northern States forced him to choose openly between the cause of the South and that of the North. He chose the former. He maintained his citizenship as St. Paul did his. This he did at all hazard. No one loved home more dearly than he ; yet when he had to choose between his principles and his home, he went into exile. For three years he preached in the army and among the Churches of the South. Gen. Sterling Price was his personal friend ; in his command he discharged faithfully the offices of a chaplain, and throughout the Western Division he preached to vast numbers of armed men in camp, by torchlight, as well as on the Sabbath. He made friends everywhere in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. It was his visit to the Texas Conferences during his chaplaincy, in aid of the work in the army, which gave those Conferences the opportunity of knowing his fitness for any work within the range of a Methodist preacher