The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-26

of much that was best in the life of our
country before the changes wrought by
the War Between the States. He entered
the ministry after his character, conVlc-
tions and habits were too far developed
to undergo much change, but there was no
more faithful and unsparing laborer than
he in the ranks of our clergy,
no more ndefatigable preacher;
no one who adorned the doc
trine of God our Saviour by a life of
greater purity, unselfishness, patience,
gentleness and godly sincerity than Will
liam Shepard Pettigrew.
October 18th, 1900, the Rev. Joseph
Virgins Murphy, since 1898 a resident of
Washington City, though still economically
connected with this Diocese, was called
from this life to a better one. The as
ISOLATION of his name with that of Mr..
Pettigrew in this notice of their death,
reminds us that at one time Mr.. Petit
grew was a member of the parish of st.
David's, of which Mr.. Murphy was rec
tor He was a native of Ireland, but
came to this country. when quite young.
His father, Mr.. jeremiah Murphy, was a
school teacher, and was one of the most
faithful and useful laymen we have ever
had. He was chiefly instrumental in the
first establishment of the church in Lin
colnton, in Charlotte, in Lexington, and
perhaps in other places. His son Joseph
began his preparation for the ministry
at the old Vale Crucis Mission. After
his ordination he served in various parts
of the Diocese, acting as chaplain in the
Confederate army during the war. In
1870 circumstances forced him to leave
North Carolina. He returned in 1881 to
become rector of the st. Matthews
church, Hillsboro, where he continued un-
til 1892 when he found himself no longer
able to continue his pastoral work The
church in North Carolina has had no more
loyal, loving, faithful diligent godly priest
and pastor than he was. The last years
of his life were tried by pain, weakness
narrow and uncertain means of support,
and domestic bereavements, but all trials
only showed more plainly in him the
reality of Christian faith, patience, and
love. Whenever physically able it was his
joy to minister in the pulpit and at the
altar Just before his death he sent an
offering out of his scanty means to our
Diocesan Missions; and after his death
his daughter the loving companion OF his
last years, found among his papers one in
which he had carefully written down ali
his mlnlSJerld1 dctS since Mdy lSl, 15OV,
with the direction endorsed upon it that
it was to be sent to the Bishop after his
death, as his final report. That faith
fitness to duty in what some count lit
tie thing, marks the man. He rests in
peace, and leaves to his children the
priceless heritage of a good name
The total of my MANIFESTATIONS within
the Diocese from May /, 1900 ito May /,
1901 may be summed up as follows: Ser
vices, .219; sermons, 142; addresses. 20;
combinations, 294; churches consecrated
5. During this period | have made more
thorough visitation of the Diocese than
had ever been able to do before. l have
visited every parish and organized mis-
sions in the Diocese, some of them a
number of times, and have held services
in all unorganzed missions with a few
exceptions, and in a number of places,
where we have no stated services.
We have left from our clergy list by
transfers to other Dioceses eight of whom
however only six were employed in ac-
tive service. We have gained one by or
dination and FIVE by transfer, and two
others have accepted work in the Diocese
but have not yet been transferred.