/ 7) <2/¥? M3 MY //7f Hollinger Corp. pH8.5 LD 2149 .M3 H4 Copy 1 EULOGY ON THE REV. JOSEPH M C KEAN, D.D.LL.D. i Boylston Professor of Rhetorick and Oratory. DELIVERED BEFORE THE UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, APRLL 22, 1818. BY LEVI HEDGE, A.M. M FBOFESSOR OF XOG1CK AND METAFHTSICKS. Published by request. CAMBRIDGE, University Press....Hilliard & Metcalf. 1818. / I a S EULOGY. A he dispensations of providence in this place, for a few months past, have been peculiarly mourn- ful and distressing. A malignant epidemick has swept to the grave an alarming number of the in- habitants of our village. The arrows of death have fallen without discrimination on the active citizen and the hopeful youth, the tender infant and the hoary head. Many houses have been fill- ed with sadness, and many hearts torn with an- guish. The University has borne a part in these sorrowful scenes, and the king of terrours still con- tinues to select his victims and display his triumphs within our consecrated walls. Successive inroads of death have, within a short period, been made among the students of this society, and have call- ed us to weep with bereaved parents, kindred, and classmates. When we see our promising youth, the delight of friends and the hope of their country, thus rap- 4 idly following each other to the desolate chambers of the grave, we are struck at the dark and myste- rious ordination of heaven, and are led to exclaim, "How unsearchable are the judgments of God, and his ways past finding out I" We are now visited with a repetition of these chastisements, under circumstances of singular se- verity and deep affliction. We are assembled to pay an affectionate tribute of respect to the memory of one, who was endeared to us by the ties of friendship and by official relations ; and who was important to the community by those talents and virtues, which qualified him for various and exten- sive usefulness. The tender connexions of domes- tick life are rent asunder — religion and humanity have lost a devoted friend — a lamp in the temple of science is extinguished — and the youth of this society are bereaved of a distinguished instructer and a skilful guide. Examples of moral and intellectual eminence, when found in real life, are important instruments of instruction and improvement. To continue the influence of such examples, when those by whom they were displayed are removed from the earth, mankind have, in every period of the world, had 5 recourse to expedients for preserving the remem- brance of individuals, placed in conspicuous sta- tions, or distinguished by their virtues, their attain- ments, or their services to their fellow men. The philosophers and heroes of ancient times were ex- hibited to the senses in statues and in paintings. Biographical delineations are appropriate memo- rials of deserving characters ; and, when made with a respect for the laws of truth, must be pro- ductive of beneficial effects. The portraits of the illustrious dead, presented to the view of succeeding generations, can hardly fail to excite in many a laudable ambition to become, in like manner, great and distinguished. To such an honourable testimo- nial of our esteem, none have a fairer claim than those, in whom were united the scholar and the christian. Professor M c Kean was born in Ipswich, in the county of Essex, on the 19th of April, 1776. His father, who is now living, under an accumulated weight of years, is a native of Glasgow, in Scot- land, and came to this country in 1763. He was an inhabitant of Boston, at the commencement of the war of the revolution, whence he retired to the forenamed place, on account of the interruption of 6 business, occasioned by that event. The sou, when a child, was remarked for activity and vivacity ; and gave early indications of more than common powers. He was taught the first rudiments of clas- sical literature at a publick school in Boston, He was afterwards placed in the academy at Andover ; and was prepared for the University by Dr. Ebe- nezer Pemberton, from whom, on leaving that seminary, he brought emphatick testimonials of his talents and industry. At the time of Commence- ment, 1790, he was admitted into Havard College, at the tender age of fourteen years and three months. He had the merit, through his academical course, of holding a high rank at all the literary exercises of his class ; and in several branches was much distinguished, particularly in the clas- sical studies and in mathematicks. Having received the honours of College in 1794, he instructed a school for more than a year in the town of his nativity, and at the same time com- menced his professional studies with the Rev. Dr. Dana of that place. Towards this pious and ex- cellent man, he retained, to the close of life, sen- timents of grateful respect and esteem, ever ac- knowledging, with great sensibility, the important benefits he derived from his society, instruction, and example. When the term of his engagement in Ipswich was expired, he took charge of the academy in Berwick, and continued his theological studies with the Rev. Mr. Thompson. Having completed his allotted time of service there, he removed to Bos- ton, where he resided a short time, and finished his preparation for the ministry with the Rev. Dr. John Eliot, between whom and Professor M c Kean there ever afterwards existed an uninterrupted har- mony and friendship, cemented and strengthened by a reciprocation of kind offices, and by an undis- guised and confidential interchange of thoughts and sentiments. Being approved by the Boston association, he immediately commenced the exercise of his pro- fession. His services were received from the first with high favour ; and in a short time he was invit- ed to a settlement in Milton. This first invitation he thought proper to accept, and in November^ 1797? was ordained to the pastoral office. The fidelity and ability, with which he perform- ed the ministerial duties, gave the people of his so- ciety the encouraging expectation of his future and 8 growing usefulness among them. But it pleased the Supreme Disposer of events to disappoint their hopes. A long and dangerous sickness, in the sum- mer of 1803, left him in such a state of debility, that he was induced the following year, though with great reluctance, to ask a dismission from his parochial charge. This was regularly granted him, with an honourable recommendation, by an ecclesiastical council, convened to witness and rat- ify the separation. The shock which his constitu- tion, till that time uncommonly firm and robust, had received from this sickness, was sensibly felt for many years, and was never fully repaired. He was advised by physicians to avoid the effect of severe cold, by passing the winter months in the milder climates of the south. This precaution was adopted with respect to the winter previous to the separation from his people, and two seasons subse- quent to that event. One of these winters was spent in the island of Barbadoes 5 the other two in South Carolina and Georgia. The benefits derived from the change of scene and climate, from the air of the ocean, and the exercise of travelling were very important 5 and his health was so much im- proved, that he was able to employ his talents for the benefit of his family and of the publick. He preached occasionally with great acceptance, and might have been eligibly re-settled in the ministry, over a society in Boston,* where he then resided. But he was apprehensive, that his lungs were too weak to support the frequent exercise of publick speaking ; and his general health insufficient to justify him in resuming the arduous labours of a stated ministry. He again engaged in the busi- ness of instruction. In this useful vocation he ever took great delight, and never failed to per- form its duties to the high satisfaction of his em- ployers. He was afterwards induced to accept a seat in the legislature of the Commonwealth, with which he was twice honoured by the citizens of Boston. As he always felt a great interest in the objects of political science, and in publick affairs, and pos- sessed talents, which would have insured him an honourable standing among legislators and states- men, many of his friends were desirous of advanc- ing him forward into publick life ; and for a while he appeared to listen to their suggestions. He had * He was invited by the society in Hollis street to settle as a col- league with the Rev. Dr. West. 3 10 previously directed his attention to legal studies, thinking it expedient for his health to make a ma- terial change in his habits of life. This circum- stance will contribute to explain his declining the office of Hollis Professor of Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy, which was tendered to him by the Corporation of the University, in the vacancy of that department, occasioned by the elevation of Professor Webber to the chair of Presidency. This professorship, under other cir- cumstances, would have been gladly accepted ; as it would have given him a favourable opportunity for extending his inquiries in a delightful and im- portant field of knowledge, for which he had an early predilection. About two years from his declining this office, the eyes of the Corporation were placed on him a second time, and he was elected to fill the Boyls- ton Professorship of Rhetorick and Oratory, which had then become vacant. The increasing firmness of his health was among the reasons, which influ- enced his concurrence with the College Boards in this appointment. It was a flattering acknowledg- ment of his abilities and scholarship to be selected, by so learned a board of judges, as the immediate 11 successor of a man of such profound and splendid talents, and of such merited celebrity in the vari- ous walks of literature and science, as the Hon- ourable John Quincy Adams. Doctor M e Kean was inaugurated in this professorship, October 81, 1809 ; from that time till within a few months, his talents and fidelity have been displayed to our view, in the regular discharge of his official duties. Of the few last weeks of his life, and the cir- cumstances immediately connected with his death, the particulars are imperfectly known. He had been induced by the advice of physicians and friends, more than by his own judgment, to escape the hazards of winter in this place, by goiug to a milder climate, hoping, under Providence, that he might thus obtain some melioration of his com- plaints, and a protraction of life, though without any expectation of a final recovery. The benefits anticipated by a change of climate were not real* ized in the slightest degree. Immediately on his arrival at Havanna, he was seized with a general debility, accompanied by other alarming symp- toms, from which he obtained not even a momen- tary relief. In these circumstances, in a land of strangers, at a distance from all his dearest con- IS nexions, he was not however without the solace of sympathy, and the kind attentions that his case required. He was received into a family* from this vicinity, recently established there, to whom he was personally not unknown, and who omitted nothing to soothe and comfort his last hours. But every care was ineffectual. He bade a final adieu to this world of suffering and change, on the 17th of March, in the full possession of his mental pow- ers, and with unshaken trust in the mercy of God, through the merits of his Son. The premature loss of this distinguished and ex- cellent man is deeply felt by a large portion of the community. He was highly esteemed for his piety, his eminent virtues, and particularly his active benevolence. The kind author of nature had en- dowed him with a strong, clear, and discriminating mind, which was highly cultivated by a life of reading and study. His perceptive powers were uncommonly quick and active ; and if, by too rapid a procedure, he was at any time betrayed into * The family alluded to is that of Mr. Samuel Curson, late of Bos- ton, who kindly invited Dr. McKean to his house, on his first arrival at Havanna. The affectionate and unceasing- attentions, shown him by Mr. Curson and lady, also by his mother and sister in law, Miss C. Searle, are acknowledged with peculiar gratitude by the friends of Dr. McKean. 13 errour, that errour, when discovered, was candidly acknowledged and promptly corrected. His attain- ments were not of a superficial character, nor lim- ited to a few select branches of science. An ar- dent curiosity prompted him to seek a general ac- quaintance with the objects of human knowledge ; and he investigated with care and perseverance the subjects, which fell under his examination. The constitution of his mind was however better adapt- ed to general views, than to minute speculations. He grasped with great readiness the leading out- lines of systems and theories, and could with wonderful perspicacity descry their various bear- ings and tendencies, when he did not pursue gen- eral principles through their subordinate windings, and to their remotest ramifications. He indulged himself in a manner of study more desultory, than would generally be found benefi- cial ; but with him it was attended with no ill con- sequences. He classified his thoughts with remark- able facility, and by philosophical principles rather than by casual associations. His various and extensive acquisitions were adjusted in a happy order, and were always subject to his command. He was rarely incumbered with a labouring recol- 14. lection. His memory was prompt as well as retentive ; two qualities seldom united in a superi- our degree. He placed a high value on classical learning ; and was able to read the Greek and Roman au- thors with much ease. He was conversant with natural, civil, and ecclesiastical history, and the most approved works on criticism and taste. But the studies best suited to his inclination, and the pe- culiar construction of his mind, were of the severer sort. He was pleased with those speculations, which afforded exercise and scope to the energies of his intellect. In astronomy, phy sicks, and the exact sciences, his knowledge was ample. He was well acquainted both with the general history of moral and intellectual philosophy, and with the different theories of writers in those important sciences. He had within a few years devoted some portion of his time to antiquarian researches, and had collected a valuable cabinet of ancient coins and medals. His writings, a few specimens of which are be- fore the publick, exhibit great perspicuity, as well as strength, boldness, and originality. They are characterized rather by those qualities, which de- 15 pend on judgment and reasoning, than by those which result from imagination and fancy. Grounding our judgment of Professor M c Kean on a candid survey of the structure of his mind, with the variety and extent of his attainments, it connot be deemed unmerited eulogy to assert, that he occupied a high and honourable rank among the learned men of our country. He received flat- tering testimonials of his character and attainments from learned societies in various parts of the com- munity. His name is encircled with the insignia of literature and science. He was Recording Secre- tary and a most efficient member of the Massachu- setts Historical Society. He was an honorary mem- ber of the Historical Society of New York. He had been elected a Fellow of the American Acad- emy of Arts and Sciences ; but this honour, by reason of his numerous engagements of a similar nature, he saw fit to decline. The degree of Doc- tor of Laws had been conferred on him by the College in Princeton, N. J. and that of Doctor of Divinity, by a rising institution in Pennsylvania. As Professor of Rh^torick and Oratory, his character is too well known in this place, to need a particular delineation. A scrupulous regard to 16 duty, and to the best interests of the University, led him to discharge, with unexampled punctual- ity, the multiplied duties of his office. The abil- ity and success, with which he performed the busi- ness of instruction, and his unremitting attention to the moral and religious, as well as the intellec- tual improvement of his pupils, will be gratefully acknowledged by those, who have enjoyed the benefit of his labours, His publick lectures reflect honour on himself and the University. In these it was his aim to give condensed and summary views of what was most important to be known on the subjects, which successively came under his notice. The different kinds of eloquence, with their characteristick properties and appropriate rules, were described with clearness and brevity. He was happy in drawing his illustrations from sources, which were both instructive and interest- ing. These were often made with such peculiar pertinency, and with such felicity of language, as to produce a sensible effect on his audience. As a christian minister, Doctor M c Kean was highly respected and beloved. He had faithfully laboured to qualify himself for the sacred calling. He had examined the works of criticks and com- 17 mcntators, and was well acquainted with the dif- ferent views of theological writers. These he res- pected as valuable reservoirs of information. But the Bible was to him the only infallible source of knowledge on this momentous subject. This was a part of his daily study. From this he extracted the doctrines of his religion and the maxims of his life. He was catholick and charitable in his feel- ings, and could have pleasant communion with those, who differed from him on points of faith. While he claimed the right of judging for himself, he was willing to allow others the same privilege ; and he respected the sincere and pious of every denomination. In the pulpit, his manner was serious and fer- vent ; his discourses, plain, evangelical, and per- suasive. He rarely discussed in publick those speculative questions, which are regarded with unceasing jealousy by sectaries and poleraicks. He urged, with most frequency and satisfaction, the obvious and uncontroverted truths of Christianity. He was far however from withholding any doc- trines of revelation, which he conceived to have a foundation in truth, and to be important to the sal- vation of men. These he stated with clearness, and enforced by eloquent appeals to the conscience - 18 and the heart, calculated to alarm the hypocrite and the infidel, to awaken the thoughtless to con- sideration, and reclaim the wayward to the path of duty and happiness. In the intercourse of private and social life, he displayed the most endearing qualities of mind and heart. He was happily fitted for the offices aud pleasures of friendship. In the society of friends, the smile of cheerfulness enlightened his counte- nance. His versatility of talent, his captivating powers, and animated tone of conversation, made him an agreeable and instructive companion. There was a portion of enthusiasm in his constitution, which prompted him to pursue with ardour the en- terprises, in which he was engaged. His feelings were warm and generous ; his attachments strong and devoted. In all the relations of domestick life, he was an example worthy of imitation. His hospitality was sincere and extensive. His benevolence was frequently exerted in brightening the face of the sorrowful, and in giving relief to the distressed. His life was filled with numerous and well directed acts of publick and private mu- nificence. He was a member of various societies for pious and charitable purposes. To these he devoted a liberal portion of his time and property : 19 and in several of them sustained important offices, the duties of which he discharged with conscien- tious fidelity. Such were the life, talents, and virtues of the man, whose death has filled us with grief and hea- viness. To the bereaved mourners we tender our unavailing sympathies ; divine consolations alone can sustain them under this burden of sorrow. Their grief is too sacred to he approached from this place. We affectionately commend them to that Being, who can turn present chastisements into eventual blessings. You, honoured and respected guardians of the University, are by this afflictive event, deprived of a faithful servant, eminently furnished with gifts for the functions, to which you had called him. To you it belongs to repair the breach, which Provi- dence has made ; and may heavenly wisdom guide you in this important duty. To us, my brethren and associates in the imme- diate government and instruction of this seminary, the event we deplore speaks in monitory language. One of our number has been called to give an ac- count of his stewardship. May his example of sea- sonable and active performance of duty excite us to increased diligence and fidelity, in the discharge so LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 029 934 556 7 of our respective duties, that we may be ready to give up our accounts, when it shall please the Sove- reign of the Universe to call us from our labours. The students of this society will accept of our sincere condolence on their bereavement. By loud and reiterated admonitions, you have been recently taught, my young friends, the uncertainty of all sublunary things. May divine grace assist you to profit by these salutary instructions. In the death of your literary friend and esteemed professor, you sustain a heavy loss. But he has left you a rich legacy in his example, which you will cherish with grateful remembrance. You may there learn with what habitual industry the business of life is to be performed, and with what assiduous care the tal- ents you possess are to be cultivated. The citizens of this place are sharers with us in the grief of this occasion. We have lost an exem- plary christian, an able counsellor, and a kind neighbour. But we have cause of thankfulness to the Most High for lending us a friend endowed with such pre eminent powers, and for directing those powers into so many channels of usefulness to mankind. u \)LX) v Hollin pi J ■■■ ' \ \ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS * 029 934 556 7 Hollinger Corp.