The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-08
REV. E. C. MURPHY
vEsTRY OF ST. JOHNS SPEAKS
 OF HIS LABoRS IN WARM TERMS.
Bishop Barnwell, Too, Adds A Glow
 ing Tribute to the Great Good Accomplished by the Rector in Montgomery.

The resignation of Rev. Edgar Gardner Murphy as rector of St. Ibhns Episcopal Church, has drawn letter of regret from the vestry which in a measure ex- presses the sentiment of the entire con- gregation. It speaks in the warmest words of praise of the great work the | rector has accomplished during his in- | cumbency of the office. The vestry. at the meeting in which | the resignation was read, appointed a | committee to draft a letter to MT. Mur- | phy. expressing the profound sorrow felt | by the church at the loss of the rector The letter. signed by the entire vestry, is as follows:
 Montgomery. Ala, Dec. 1901. Rev. Edgar Gardner Murphy, Mont gomery, Ala.
 Reverend Sir and Brother:-Your let ter of the 27th ult., rendering resignation | of rectorship of St. Johns Parish, was | duly received. You were called three years ago to take charge of our parish | by the unanimous vote of the vestry. There is like unanimity in expression of deep regret that, following your sense of duty, you have deemed it best to sever l the relations which have bound us to- gether.
 l During your incumbency of the rec- | torshp of this parish, you have. in so | many ways. demonstrated your interest | in the welfare of your fellow beings as to make you marked among men in our midst. You have given indisputable evil dence of the fact that you are a worker. one who accomplishes. and who leaves something to show what he has done for l the good of mankind. Not only, there | fore, does St. Johns Parish. but the | whole community feel that your resigna- | ton of the rectorship of St. Johns is a distinct loss to Montgomery. | ''In your church work you have been | devoted to the cause of the Master and | by precept and example shown that true manliness is best exhibited by a life of Christian rectitude. As a preacher of the | Gospel We recognize that your power in | the pulpit places you easily among the l foremost of the land We have been ben | efited by your words of admonition and wisdom. re-enforced as they have been, by example speaking louder than words. l We hope that circumstances may so ar- | range themselves as to still leave you a | dweller among us. "In the wider field upon which you propose to enter, with the view of aiding in the enlargement of human happiness and knowledge. you have our most ear nest good wishes and heartfelt prayers for success. We have no alternative but | to accept your resignation to take effect | in accordance with your wishes on the 20th inst
 For you and yours we invoke Gods richest blessings.
 (Signed)
 "R. F. Michel. Senior Warden: S. c. Marks, Junior Warden; E. c. Andrew, Secretary: w. W. Screws, B. J. Baldwin r. M. Billing. H. C. Davidson, c. G. l Abercrombie. S. B. Marks. Jr., w. M. Shoemaker. J. S. Wilcox"
 It may be positively stated that MT. Murphys resignation of the reCtorship of St. Johns does not mean his with drawal from his ministerial office. He has undertaken his new work on the un- | dersta nding that ne does not surrender the ministry of preaching and that he may do as much of literary and theolog- ical work he may think best.
 Bishop R. w. BarnwelI of the diocese of Alabama has written the following let ter to MT. Murphy:
 selma. Ala. Dec. 4, 1901. ITO the Rev. Edgar Gardner Murphy.
 Dear MT. Murphy:-I read with inter. est but rC gret the account of your resig- nation as rector of St. Johns Church. Oi course it did not surprise me as we have talked the matter over, and I anticipated your action.
 You have done such noble work in St Johns, and Montgomery itself has SC often. in definite ways. felt your pres enca for good. that regard your resig- nation as a calamity.
 "I thank you in behalf of the diocese for what you have done for missions. and in my own name I thank you for your loyalty to me. Wishing you good luck in the name of the Lord in your new and interesting field of labor, I am yours with kind regards
 "R W. Blrnwel,
 Bishop of Alabama"