The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-14
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
OBITUARY..
Meeting of Episcopal CLERGY In Relation
20 the Death OF Rev. X. J. P0rvin.

Meeting of Episcopal clergy In Relation
20 the Death Of Rev. X. J. P0rvin.
This afternoon, at l o'clock, meeting Of
was held at the Church of the Epiphany, Flf
teenth and Chestnut streets. The attendance
was numerous and the solemnity OF the call
which had brought the assemblage together
inspired all with feelings of devout interest
Shortly after the hour appointed for 1he
was elected ChsiFman and Rev, Mr, Childs
secretary, -,
Al the conclusion Of some devotiores exer-
rises the Secretary read the following letter.
BETHEF4HM, Dec. IL, iS8S-Dear Brethren:-
Though unable by reason Of my invalid oonol11
tion 70 be with you on Monday in person, 1 l
shall be with you in spirit beg through this
letter to join my sympathy with yours In thls
W need not before YOU attempt to eulogize Mr..
Parvin, for he has long lived IN your midst, anu
you knew and appreciated MS worth, he 6, was
He was q faithful minister of Christ. He was
good soldier OF the Cross, and one OF the tore-
most standard-bearers of Evangelical truth
Uniting in rare manner pulpit, pastoral,
and executive abilities of a high order, he hsd
and reepousible position TO the satisfaction OF
his constituents and to the upbutldlng OF the
work which il will be extremely diffcult TO fili.
Ofthe fearful circumstances OF his death care
are are a great deep" His ways are far above out
of sight"
was, TO translate him almost as oy cnariet OF
fire, and he is not because God took him. We
bow in submission, saying, as we strike upon
good in Thy sight"
Dear brethren, we cannot mourn for our be
we have every confidence that his ransomed
soul rests in the paradise of God.
But that dreadful midnight scene sends It's
warning voice to us, "Be ye also ready, for in
such an hour as ye think not the Son OF Man
cometh." Let 1t lead us to deep searching of
heart, to see that we have built upon the Rock,
and that we cling for salvation solely to the
atoning sacrifice and perfect righteousness OF
divine substitute and Savior.
Let 1t cause us to ask ourselves, are we 80
the Redeemer's kingdom, by the simple, pure,
faithful exhibition of Christ, and Christ alone
be called hence to be no more, we may tind that
our work shall abide, and not be the hay, WOOD
and stubble ofa toilsomely fruitless ministry?
In this Advent season, when the voice of the
Church is 1.-THE Lord is at hand" let us each one
in the sight OF God trim our lamps, bind up
death shall whisper to us, "BehoId. the bride.
groom cometh; go ye out TO meet him" you
cali you to be. as IL has called our beloved bro.
ther. to be-absent from the body, present with
My hearts deepest sympathies go out with
you towards his bereaved wife and children,
mendi1g % them emit in earnest PRAYER aver to the God Of
the widow and of the fatherleSs, who is also the
God of all comfort and consolation.
Iremain, dear brethren, in the bond of a com.
mon and heart-rending sorrow, very truly,
Your friend and Bishop,
WILLIAM BACON STEVENS,
On the conclusion of the reading of Bishop
Stevens letter communications from q num-
ber of ,oth9r clergymen were also presented
expressing regrets on the part of the writer's at
their inability to be present, and bearing testi-
mony to the great worth and Christian single
heartedpess Of the deceased. Among others.
Bishop Lee of Delaware, through one OF the
ministers preSent, sent word that he surely
would have attended had it been within his
power
Reference was then made by some of the
speakers to the Rev. Mr. Rising who likewise
was victim of the same terrible disaster by
which Mr., Parvin lost his life. 1t was stated
that, although the meeting had convened with
more especial reference to the death of Mr..
Paryin, still, at such a time, and meeting under
SO much sadness, 1t was not meet to draw
diocesan lines while 1t appeared but proper to
make the resolutions broad enough to cover
the case of Mr.. Rising, and the spirit of the
meeting charitable enough to include him in
their sympathies and eulogies. This sentiment
finally seemed 10 prevail
The meeting then went into a general discus
sion OF the merits of the deceased, remem-
brances OF their lives, the good they had accom-.
plished and were accomplishing In the world
and the Church. and the great loss which all
had sustained In their death. AS the deceased
had been personal friends OF many of those
present, nearly every one had something to
relate in connection with them or their labors.
The meeting is still in progress as we go to
press