INTRODUCTION.

T

HE LAMENTED author of this book died before its publication, so that it may be called a posthumous work. He was passing the last sheets through the press when his Divine Master called him from labor to reward. As the Letters of Bishop Marvin had been written at my earnest solicitation, and had been first published under my editorial supervision, and as there was a strong affection between him and me, the Publishers requested me to write a Biographical Sketch of the Bishop for the work--which I consented to do. But after hearing Bishop McTyeire's Memorial Discourse, which comprises the main points in Bishop Marvin's life, I thought it would be like gilding refined, gold to write the sketch, as the Discourse was kindly permitted to appear in the volume. But this does not preclude a brief Introduction, which it affords me. pleasure to furnish.

When the General Conference of 1874 requested one of the Bishops to visit China, in the interest of our Missionary work, and when the College of Bishops appointed Bishop Marvin to perform this service, as the President of the Board of Missions, I heartily approved of the suggestion that the Bishop should extend his tour, inspect the operations of the various Missionary Societies in other parts of the world, and attend the session of the British Conference to represent our connection before that venerable body. In the address of that Conference to the General Conference of the M. E.