Rev"), T., Biddulph MA

Minister of St James's, BRISTOL.

EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1805.

MEMOIR

OF

THE LATE REV. JOHN EWING, D. D.
Senior Pastor of the first Presbyterian Congregation in
Philadelphia, North America.

DR. JOHN EWING was born at Nottingham, in Maryland, June 28th, 1732. He derived no possessions from his parents but their blessing and their good example. He received the first part of his education under Dr. Alison, a man eminent for piety and erudition, who then resided in the state of Delaware. After having finished those studies usually taught in his school, he remained with Dr. Alison three years as a tutor. During that time, by attention and industry, he made some progress in Mathematics, in which he afterwards became so eminent. Books of science at that time were not easily obtained in America, especially in remote places; such, however, was his thirst for knowledge, that he frequently rode thirty or forty miles to obtain some books which he wanted. Those authors who were safe guides he could not always obtain; incorrect writings sometimes fell into his hands, the errors of which escaped not the detection of his original and penetrating observation. It sometimes happens that difficulties increase the avidity of the mind in its pursuits, and call into action those mental forces which might otherwise slumber and die. Such was the influence of difficulties on Dr. Ewing at this early period of his life. It may perhaps be said of him, that he was in a great measure self-taught in mathematics; and his genius in that branch of erudition was extraordinary. From the school of Dr. Alison he removed to the college of New Jersey: Mr. Burr was then president; and of that celebrated man he became a favourite pupil. He entered the senior class, and, impelled by pecuniary embarrassments, engaged at the same time as teacher of the grammar school which was connected with the college.

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In addition to this circumstance, he had, in order to prepare for his graduation, to study in private. some branches to which he had not attended before his entrance, in college. Hence his labour was greater than any of his class-mates, and his studies became arduous and multiplied. He, however, brought to the contest a mind which was undaunted, which persevered and overcame. He graduated with his class in 1755, and afterwards accepted of an appointment as tutor in the college. During the prosecution of his scientifical studies, and while engaged in instructing others, he devoted part of his time to the investigation of divine truths: the relish which he had for these, the progress which he made in them, and the impression which they left upon his mind, determined him, with divine permission, to become the minister of the everlasting gospel; to carry to other ears, and to other hearts, those glad tidings which had reached and impressed his own.

In pursuance of this design he read divinity under the direction of Dr. Alison, and in due time was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Newcastle; and in the year 1759 he received and accepted an unanimous call from the first Presbyterian congregation in Philadelphia, where he continued faithfully to discharge the duties of the pastoral

office until his death.

In the year 1773 he was sent to England to solicit subscriptions for the academy of Newark in Delaware. In England, Scotland, and Ireland, he was received with that attention which is due to the minister of God and to the man of science. Four cities presented to him their freedom *. Men of eminence for literature and piety sought his acquaintance, and numbered him with their friends. Among these were Drs. Robertson, Webster, Balfour, and Blacklock.

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Without any application he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh. The President when he presented to him his Diploma, declared that he had never before conferred a degree with more pleasure. In 1775 the returned to America, and in 1779 was elected to the provostship of the University of Pennsylvania. To this station he brought large stores of information, and a paternal tenderness that pressed the youth beside him," who deserved his approbation, "and blushed at his own praise." In all the branches of science and literature which are usually taught in colleges, he he was uncommonly accurate; and in his mode of communicating information he was probably never surpassed. He was frequently employed in public capacities, which brought into action his mathematical knowledge. He was a distinguished member of the American Philosophical Society, and

Glasgow, Montrose, Dundee, Perth,

made to them several approved communications *, which have' been recorded in the volumes of their transactions.

The unembellished incidents which have now been narrated of Dr. Ewing's life, his religious and scientifical writings, hist observations and deportment in the different relations of society, declare that his mind was uncommonly strong and penetrating, and that he had a mild and correct taste. Were we to distinguish between his powers, we would say that his understanding predominated over his imagination. He had more the mind of Locke than of Milton. He looked through nature, more with the eye of the Philosopher than of the Poet. The sublimer and minuter forms of matter were objects of his investigation; and we cannot but suppose him to have been gifted with diversified talents who could scan the illuminated glories of the heavens, and inspect the insect which is only visible to the microscopic eye: we cannot but suppose that his researches were extensive who looked into the mind of man, analysed his faculties and affections, and unfolded to him the great truths of his God; who looked through the howling wilds, and taught the properties of the brutal tribes; who looked through the fields of air, and described the race which travel on the wing.

In the science of Mathematics, Dr. Ewing, if not unrivalled, was unsurpassed by any character in his own country. His Knowledge of the learned languages was very considerable. The Hebrew language, which is too often neglected by the ministers of God, was one of his favourite studies. In the mornings of his latter days he always read a portion of the Scriptures in their original tongue; and a friend could seldom enter his room without seeing on his couch beside him his Hebrew Bible. His qualifications as a Minister of the Gospel, were many and eminent. Science was to him a powerful assistant in the labours of his sacred office. He was mighty in the Scriptures. To the fountain of all religious knowledge he went for instruction. His religious opinions were not so much founded upon systems written by fallible men, as upon the Sriptures of infallibility. He adopted not Calvin or Arminius, but the word of God as his guide. He read, he examined, he decided for himself. With the works of commentators and systematical writers he was familiar; but his veneration for these did not impress upon him a blind obedience to their dictates: he was first convinced by his own researches that they corresponded with the sacred volume before he acknowledged their authority. His own investigation confirmed him in his belief of the doctrines

Among these, were "An Account of the Transit of Venus over the Sun, June 3d, 1769, and of the Transit of Mercury, November, 9, 1769, "An improvement in the construction of Godfrey's Quadrant."-Among his valuable MSS. are" Mathematical Calculations," "a Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy," and an unfinished course of Lectures on Natural History.