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Maxcy, Jonathan, D.D.

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a Baptist minister and noted American educator, was born in Attleborough, Mass., Sept. 2,1768; graduated at Brown University in 1787, and immediately became a tutor in that institution. Deciding for the ministry, he was licensed to preach April 1, 1790, and was on Sept. 8, 1791, ordained pastor of the First Baptist Church of Providence, R. I. He was on the same day also elected both a trustee and professor of divinity in the college, and in July, 1792, became president. His pastoral relations he severed September 8, 1792. In 1802 he accepted the presidency of Union College; and in 1804, the newly-established South Carolina College having chosen him for its first president, he heeded the call, in the hope that a Southern climate would improve his health, which had become much impaired. Over this institution he continued to preside, with almost unprecedented popularity, until his death, June 4, 1820. Dr. Maxcy was one of the most accomplished pulpit orators and. scholars this country has produced. He was well versed in philology, criticism, metaphysics, logic, politics, morals, and philosophy. His character was very amiable and his piety sincere. His death was that of the believer in Jesus, and his memory is widely revered. He published a large number of sermons, addresses, orations, etc., which after his death were gathered in a volume, entitled The Literary Remains of the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, D.D., with a Memoir of his Life, by Romeo Elton, D.D. The most valued of his publications were his sermons on the existence of God, frequently republished. See Sprague, Annals, 6:297; Christian Review, vol. 9; Allibone, Dict. Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Drake, Dict. Amer. Biog. s.v.