The REV. JONATHAN MAXCY, D. D., was born in Attleborough, Massachusetts, September 2, A. D. 1768. His earliest ancestor of whom any account has been obtained, was his great-grandfather, Alexander Maxcy, who came from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and settled in Attleborough about 1721. His grandfather, Josiah Maxcy, Esq., who died in 1772, was for many years a member of the colonial Legislature of Massachusetts, and throughout a long life, enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the community. Dr. Maxcy was the eldest son of Levi and Ruth Maxcy, whose maiden name was Newell, the daughter of Jacob Newell.* His mother was a woman of strong mind and devoted piety, and beautifully exemplified the practical influence of the Christian religion, by the uniform consistency which marked the wholet enor of her life. Upon her devolved the delightful duty of implanting in the mind of her son those seeds of truth and righteousness, which should in after years bud and blossom into usefulness. She had the happiness to see her son eminent for literature, and successively elevated to the presidency of three colleges. This excellent woman died in 1815, aged 72, having been a worthy member of the first Baptist Church in Attleborough fiftytwo years. His father was one of the most respectable in habitants of the town in which he lived. He was a man of sound understanding, and occasionally amused himself in writing verses.† JONATHAN MAXCY, the subject of the following narrative, gave proofs of extraordinary talent, and maturity of intellect at an early age. Often when a boy, he was wont to give his companions in the neighborhood specimens of his extemporaneous oratory, which would have done credit to riper years. * See Note A. See Note B., The proofs of genius and devotion to study which young Maxcy had thus early evinced, seemed to indicate to his parents the propriety and expediency of giving him a liberal education. He was placed, therefore, preparatory for admission to college, in the Academy at Wrentham, Massachusetts, over which the Rev. William Williams presided with distinguished ability. Of this eminent instructor he was accustomed to speak in terms of high respect, and was much attached to him in after life.* In 1783, at the age of fifteen, he entered Brown University. While an undergraduate, his love of study, brilliant intellect, urbanity of manners and correct deportment conciliated the high regard both of his instructors and fellow students. His studies in college served to sharpen and invigorate his mental powers, and he soon became distinguished as an accomplished scholar. His genius was remarkable for its versatility, and to whatever branch of knowledge he applied himself he was sure to excel. As a writer, his compositions were recommended as models to his classmates. His productions were eminent for delicacy of taste, and his conceptions were embodied in language of the most classic purity. Thus early were laid the foundations of his future eminence. He graduated in 1787, with the highest honors of his class, on which occasion he de * Mr. Williams was a member of the first class that graduated at Brown University in 1769, and from 1789 to 1818 he was a member of the Board of Fellows ofthat Institution. He opened an Academy for teaching languages, arts and sciences in 1776. He educated more than one hundred students, the majority of whom graduated at his Alma Mater, and many of them became distinguished in literary and professional life. Among his pupils were the late Hon. David R. Williams, Governor of South Carolina, and the Hon. Tristam Burges, LL. D., late Professor of Oratory and Belles Lettres in Brown University, and for many years a Representative in Congress from Rhode Island, whose speeches won for him a very high rank as a statesman and as a parliamentary orator. livered a Poem, "On the Prospects of America, and the Valedictory Oration."* Immediately afterwards, a vacancy in a tutorship occurred, and such were the qualifications of young Maxcy, though yet a minor, that he was appointed to fill it. This coincidence imparted a new impulse to the noble aspirings of his unfolding powers. During four years he discharged the duties of this office, with such ability and wisdom, as to secure to himself the popularity and respect of the Students, the Faculty and the Corporation of the University. About this time, he became the subject of religious impressions, and joined the first Baptist Church in Providence, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Manning. He was licensed to preach by that Church, April 1, 1790, and soon after invited to supply their pulpit for several months, Dr. Manning having resigned his pastoral office. In this new and important station he shone with the greatest brilliancy. Possessing an active, vigorous and comprehensive mind, his faculties were continually improving by diligence and application. He soon attained a high reputation as a preacher, and such was the opinion that Church entertained of his talents and piety, that, in the following year, he was invited to take the pastoral charge. After mature deliberation he resigned his tutorship and accepted that important and respectable station.† Mr. Maxcy was ordained as Pastor of the first Baptist Church in Providence, September 8, 1791. Rev. Samuel Stillman, D. D., of Boston, Mass. preached * See Note C. + Upon his resignation the following resolution was passed by the Corporation of the College, April 13, 1791. "Resolved that Mr. Maxcy's request for dismission from the office of Tutor be granted, and that the thanks of this Corporation be presented to him for his faithful services therein." the ordination sermon, Rev. Hezekiah Smith, D. D., of Haverhill, Mass. gave the charge, Rev. Isaac Backus, of Middleborough, Mass. presented the right hand of fellowship, Rev. Benjamin Foster, D. D., of New York, made the introductory prayer, and the consecrating prayer was made by Rev. William Van Horn, of Scotch Plains, N. J. On the same day that he was ordained, he was appointed by the Corporation of the College, Professor of Divinity. He was also, at the same time, elected a Trustee of the College. Mr. Maxcy entered upon the discharge of his ministerial duties with earnestness, and a deep sense of his responsibility. His sermons were prepared with great care and accuracy, and delivered in a manner so chaste, dignified and impressive that they were always heard with profound attention and delight. In his pulpit addresses and pastoral visitations, he delighted in administering balm to the sorrowful, and in teaching the desponding where to look for consolation. Mr. Maxcy was advancing to the acme of fame in pulpit oratory, when another more extensive field of usefulness was opened to him. President Manning, on the Sabbath morning of July 24, 1791, was seized with an apoplectic fit, and expired on the ensuing Friday.* The corporation of the College did not long deliberate as to his successor. At the annual Commencement, the next year, Mr. Maxcy was unanimously elected. President of the College, and resigned the pastorship of the church, September 8, 1792, on the same day that he was placed in the presidential chair. For this arduous and honorable station he was pre-eminently qualified. He entered immediately upon the discharge of * See note D. his official duties, and gave to them all his energies. Here his popular career commenced under the most favorable auspices. At the Commencement succeeding his inauguration, the College was illuminated, and a transparency was placed in the attic story displaying his name, with " President 24 years old." The University, over which he presided with distinguished honor to himself and benefit to the public, flourished under his administration, and his fame was extended over every section of the Union. The splendor of his genius, and his brilliant talents as an orator and a divine, were seen and admired by all. Between the President and his associates in office, there was an intercourse of mind and feeling the most harmonious and delightful. He had nothing of that dictatorial, imperious and overbearing spirit which persons, who are elevated to power, are too apt to assume. He endeared himself to the students, by his courteous and conciliatory manners, and his paternal solicitude for their welfare, while his various and exact knowledge, sound judgment, refined taste and impressive eloquence, commanded their respect and supported his authority. President Maxcy beautifully exemplified the maxim, "Ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes, His government was reasonable, firm and uniform, and marked in its administration by kindness, frankness and dignity. He did not attempt to support his authority, as is sometimes done, by distance, austerity and menace, but his pupils were addressed and treated as young gentlemen. He well knew human nature, and especially the character of young men, and hence his |