The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-04-03
OF Bishop McXlvafne
and Rev. Dr. Parsts-Letter from Rev.
nr. McCabc.
fFor the Dispatch.l

,..,fntSpeuccS OF BfSAop MCAkvafne
uc,. Dr. Parlks--Letter from Rev.
nr. McCnbe.
lFor tho Dispaich.l
,raor,,btns IN marble, enmltics 10 dust"
n rditor.-!n the Dispatch Of March 10
,rr,d nm article under caption IAN Incl
Amt cf the Late Bishop Mcllvaiue's Lite"
The memory of that incident is like an oasis
n lies waste. reviving precious memories 10
r,guy. and exciting the bles-ed hope or
r,nciins the loved seals b that great and
"n,J mans ministry tS&hop MclIyalnel
Where the dark political passions Of bad
,n.n-' covenapt-h can no longer
'n.naIc and separate holy and good men
ororc wars aud human strifcs are unknown,
,gi the venerable man, so recently called
away, will meet with JOY the Young men be
l-o9.ht to Christ, and, presenting them be-
frn. the Saviour, say. Here, Lord. arc those
Tatu SavcSt ne. One name Is onitted IN
,r, list given in the Dispdich-one well
Iaowu and beloved in Richmond. refer
the late Rev Martin Z. Parks, q. D. After
'.r,ination ,Sr M he was stationed Mt Old Point.
H.. family were Mcthodists, and while yet
o, officer in the army he obtained license to
,,c!ch among the MethodiSts. and, eXer-
's>nr his .:iitS in the garrison, also Norfolk,
portsmouth. and the surrounding counties.
H., was the means of effcctinG the conversion
rf many precious souls. He made Bishop
M,II,aine his model. and his almost super
lrman clocuiion and powers attracted large
I'D overwhelming crowds in attendance
,,Don his ministry. He at length resigned
-, commission in the army and entered the
Virginia Conference and subsequently oc-
cGgicA most important stations within
na,lnd, of that body. In 1929 MIR. Parks
"a, Stationed in the city of Richmond
>hrkoc-lliI church. Many Of your old
citizens will remember the powerful excite
ncnt he produced IN your city by his
wonderful pulpit power and solemn, pow
prtul roluence aud amiable Christian
,njrit. Every person loved and admired
linn. In 1880 Mr.. Parks was stationed
in Lynchburg. and during q visit to
tho city il 1891 the writer accompanied
him IN n visit to the late Bishop Polk, then
= resident of Richmond, aud assistant to
rhl. venerable apoStolical man of God the
lat" bishop Moore. ut Monumental church.
'rup meeting was most fraternal and afec.
,iun,,c. and much was said of former times
and associations. Mr.. Parks subsequently
WIZ appointed to the Chair of Mathematics
IN Randolph Macon College, which posi-
;,aA he illlrd with great distinction.
Wh;lc occupying this position pa
,-nt investigation Of the entire ques-
ion wrought "A change in his views Of
loly ordcrS-the validity of his own ordi-
nrion. Ever prompt to act when solemn
Gaiy called, he withdrew from the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and, entering the grand
ad protestant Episcopal Church, he received
holy orders at the hands of that great, good,
and holy apostolic man Bishop Meade, of
Virginia, and was elected rector of Christ's
curch, Norfolk. For several years he labor
Cd in that position, universally beloved. His
ctn>cCn;iolls action caused much excitement
among former friends and associates, and
deep regrets were felt by bis honored Metho-
dist friends at what they considered his de-
lection; but no honest heart amongst them
c,,astd 10 believe in his piety. honesty, and
conscientious action. His example was (some
yaArS after followed by other distinguished
Methodist ministers. From Norfolk Mr..
Parks was invited to New York, and became
onc Of the assistant ministers Of Trinity
clurch in that city. During his incumbency
he published a small volume Of sermons,
ai the urgent request of his people. OF feeble
constitution, his health gave way under his
artlse labors. for he was never idle in the
>"ryice OF "Christ, Of His church, and hui
man salvation" His physician ordered an
European voyage and tour for restoration OF
his health, and his people insisted and
furnished the means. After spending
q few months in Europe, and finding
10 permanent Improvement in health, he
embarked for his home, to die in the bosom
Of his family. During the homeward-bouud
voyage he grew worse, and i'll sight of New
Jerk calmly resigned his spirit into the
hands OF bis Father, God. A Presbyterian
brother, a clergyman. think, companion of
his return voyage, who, attracted by his
amiable. pious department and patient en-
dGTIncc Of sickness, was never absent from
biz side. When all supposed the spirit fled,
This nrothcr, seeing his lips moving, held
lis car near his lips, and heard his last
words, uttered with pathos and power:
ain my hand no price bring,
Simply 10 thy cross cling"
His spirit passed away and was at rest lear.
lny widow and children to mourn. could
not. Mr. Editor, rest satisfied to see omitted
from the iliiIstrous nameS-of seas to the
West Point ministry of the venerable Bishop
OF Obio-the name of Rev. Martin p. Parks,
one who in piety and laborS abundant,
in his sphere of acton, equalled the apostolic
example of his spiritual father, and, like him,
was, in defence of apostolic order and evan
criiy7il truth" sans pcur ct sans reprooche.
let his name be added to the golden list OF
Bishop Mclivaine's trophies. know that
many are surprised and grieved at the omis-
SION of that name in the article referred to,
and will rejoice in heart to see this hasty
notice. Many Of your elder readers will be
thankful for even this imperfect sketch, so
hastily written.
Permit me, in this connection, to call on
Rev. Mr.. pcndleton [honored old family
name OF Nirginia's purest and best
times, himself Fir:inia'S hero and priest
Of Godl to give his "reminiscences Of
Bishop McIyane aud West Point, notwith-
standin. their differences Of sides and opin-
ions. Dura. the iratricidai strife the writer
rode frn!n Washington to Baltimore with
Bisho? Ncl!yanc, and with deepest feeling
the Bishop spoke of his brethren among the
southern clergy; among others he spoke OF
Rev. Mr.. p. Previous to this interview the
writer was strongly prcjudiced against The
E'>iop for bis political course; but he felt,
li-lanrn% TO the venerable Bishop, that, While
'HAycd by lis educational prejudices, there
"as 40 bitterness in his heart. His last
words al parting were :.'Dear. brother, let
IL pray God to stay this harvest Of blood, to
he! our wounds, bless our Church."
I'D. M.
Travel to Europe this summer will be
greater Than ever, and there will not be suf-,