BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF REV. HOWARD MALCOM, D. D.

BY THE EDITOR.

-THE subject of the following sketch has held a prominent position in our denomination for about thirty years, and the simple facts of his history will be perused with interest, both at the North and South.

Howard Malcom was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 19, 1799. His father was of Scotch descent, and his mother was a lineal descendent of Hugh Roberts, a distinguished Friend preacher, who came from England with the celebrated William Penn. Many of the principal families in Philadelphia claim Mr. Roberts as their progenitor.

Howard's father died of consumption at the age of twenty-three, leaving his wife and child to the care of her father, who had retired from business with a large fortune, and who was an Episcopalian, connected with Christ's Church, under the pastoral care of Bishop White and Dr. Abercrombie. When Howard was nine years of age, Mrs. Malcom came into the possession of an ample patrimony, by the death of her father, and devoted herself to the education of her only child, refusing every offer of a second marriage. Howard was placed in the Academy at Burlington, N. J., under the tuition of W. J. Woodbridge, an able and successful teacher, where he was fitted for College. After thorough preparation, he entered Dickinson College in Pennsylvania; but serious difficulties arresting the progress of that institution in 1815, when in his junior year, young Malcom left, and became connected with an extensive importing commission house. He remained in that important school seventeen months, and there acquired that knowledge of business and of the world, which has greatly increased his usefulness. Up to that time his acquaintances were chiefly those of his mother's, and his amusements those of his own household. He often spent his vacations among his relatives at Orange Court House in Virginia, where intercommunication with such men as James Madison, James Barbour, and John Taylor, who mingled with his friends, had a powerful influence in cultivating his mind and polishing his manners. It should be remarked that while in the counting-house at Philadelphia, he formed some acquaintances with young men that were prodigal, and the influence upon his mind was unfavorable. Thus for a time he was induced to neglect those religious observances which he had been accustomed before to revere. At length, however, he was influenced to reflect upon his sinful course, and resorted to secret prayer for pardon. About that time he was con

fined to his room during several weeks, from the effects of an accident, and spent most of his time in the anxious perusal of the Sacred Scriptures. This study, accompanied by appropriate reflection and earnest prayer, was instrumental in the hands of God, in bringing him to realize his lost state by nature, and to lay hold of the glorious hope set before him. After pungent convictions of sin, and earnest longing to be conformed to the image of the Saviour, he was translated into the liberty of the sons of God, and went on his way rejoicing. He followed his Lord and Master into the liquid grave, in the Sansom street church, in Feb. 1816, and, at once became active in the Sabbath School and prayer meetings. He had a strong desire to be instrumental in saving the souls of his fellow men, and soon felt constrained to devote himself to the gospel ministry. Messrs. Miller and Van Beuren, with whom he was connected in business, honorably released him, and he commenced his preparation for the sacred office, under the instructions of Rev. Dr. Staughton, who then had, under his tuition, Brethren John M. Peck, J. E. Welch, Thos. Meredith and others. He first completed his collegiate studies, and then, after having been licensed as a preacher by the Sansom street church, entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton, which was favored with the instructions of Professors Alexander and Miller. Bro. Malcom was allowed to hasten the completion of his theological studies, by accomplishing in two years the three years' course.

While he was with Dr. Staughton, he regularly proclaimed the blessed gospel in the prison then standing at the corner of Sixth and Walnut streets, and at Bordentown, N. J. In the latter place he was instrumental in establishing a large Sabbath School, and arousing an old and almost extinct branch of the church, to activity and Christian faithful

ness.

While at Princeton he preached regularly at Penn's Neck, about two miles distant from the Seminary, where a young and feeble church was located, whose unfinished meeting-house was about to be sold for debt. Bro. M's. zeal and eloquence, by the blessing of heaven, soon filled the house with inquirers after truth, and enabled the congregation to cancel their debt, complete the house, and settle and support a good pastor. For Bro. Malcom's arduous services at Bordentown and Penn's Neck, he received no remuneration.

In 1820, Mr. Malcom married, and became pastor of the Baptist church in Hudson, N. Y., (then a town of 5000 inhabitants,) with a salary of four hundred dollars per annum. He first commenced in that town a Sabbath School, and aided afterwards in establishing one in the Presbyterian church. He was very successful under God in building up

church at Hudson. Many were baptized into its fellowship, and much edified by the ministrations of their pastor. Mr. Malcom preached regularly on Tuesday evenings at Athens on the opposite side of the river, and was instrumental in starting influences which finally resulted in the formation of a Baptist church, the erection of a church edifice, and the settlement of a pastor. Mr. M. also traveled through Columbia and Greene counties, establishing Sabbath Schools, and preaching the word. His labors in these and other counties were so successful, that the attention of the American Sunday Union, then recently formed at Philadelphia, was directed to him, and he was induced to resign his charge, and become the first general agent of that Society. His brethren at Hudson were strongly attached to their pastor, and it was very painful for them to part with him; but he felt that the Lord called him into a more extended field of labor.

In July 1826, Mr. Malcom removed to Philadelphia, and, placing his family with the parents of his wife, entered with alacrity and zeal upon his new work of establishing auxiliary Sabbath School Societies and local depositories, raising funds, and attending to the varied duties of his responsible mission. He spent nearly two years visiting the principal cities in the United States, and, while in Boston, was invited to become pastor of a congregation about to be formed in that city, and to occupy an elegant house of worship in Federal street. A church having been constituted, the edifice completed, and Mr. Malcom having accomplished about what he had intended for the Sunday Union, accepted of the unanimous call extended to him, in November 1827. The distinguished prosperity which that church enjoyed under Mr. M's. ministry, is well known to most of our readers. He drew large congregations by his eloquence and piety, so that every pew and sitting was soon sold or rented, hundreds followed their Lord and Master into a watery grave, many young ministers were raised up to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and large sums of money contributed for benevolent purposes.

A considerable number of members living in South Boston, soon formed a separate church, erected a fine house of worship, and settled a pastor. A large number of members were also set off to form another church near Boyleston Market.

Besides his parochial duties, Mr. Malcom was connected with various Boards and Societies, and, holding so prominent a position, he was called upon almost daily to make speeches, preach dedication and ordination sermons, or something of the kind. In the midst of these arduous labors he prepared and published his "Bible Dictionary," of which about one hundred thousand copies have been sold. He also prepared for the

press a work on the "Extent of the Atonement," and one on "The Christian Rule of Marriage," which had an extensive sale. He also edited in a thorough manner "Laws' Call," " Henry's Communicants' Companion," and Thomas a Kempis' " Imitation of Christ." Under such heavy labors, Mr. Malcom's health began to give way, and in 1831 he felt compelled to spend some time in traveling. He spent eight months in visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Germany, Holland, Prussia, Switzerland and Italy. He returned with his health partially restored, and resumed his parochial duties. In December 1833, he was called to follow his companion, to whom he was strongly attached, to the silent tomb. She was a talented, benevolent and pious lady, and her death was deeply lamented not only by the congregations where she worshipped; but by many of all denominations.* In the fall of 1834, Mr. Malcom

was deprived of his voice, so that he could only converse by writing. He passed the following winter in Georgia and Florida, where he recovered his general health, but not his voice, and in August 1835, he resigned his pastoral charge.

In the spring of 1835 the Triennial Convention instructed the Board in Boston, to send some person to visit our foreign missionary stations. They unanimously chose Mr. Malcom to that office, and he sailed for Burmah in the "Louvre"-September 1835, in company with Messrs. Sutton, Day, Ingalls, Haswell and Abbott, with their wives. In the discharge of this important and responsible duty, Mr. M. spent two and a half years, and visited Tanjore, Pondicherry, Madras, Calcutta, Serampore, and other parts of Hindustan; and Chittagong, Arracan, Burmah, Pegu, Tennassirim and Malacca on the east side of the Bay of Bengal. He also visited Siam, China, and the Cape of Good Hope. The manner in which his mission was accomplished gave entire satisfaction to the Board and to the Missionaries. Such results as were proper for the public are before us in "Malcom's Travels in South Eastern Asia," of which eight editions have been published in this country, one in London, and one in Edinburgh.† Mr. Malcom returned with good

The memoir of Mrs. Lydia M. Malcom, is one of the most useful and attractive of our female biographies, and we regret that it is out of print. We notice, however, that it is on the catalogue of the Am. Bap. Pub. Society, and as her son, Rev. Thomas S. Malcom, is Cor. Sec. of that Society, we hope soon to see it reprinted.

This work contains about 600 pages, octavo, and comprises a vast amount of information, in respect to the soil, productions, climate, curiosities, customs, manners, dress, arts, sciences, amusements, and especially the religious charac ter of the inhabitants among whom he traveled. The last 120 pages contain very valuable dissertations and tables, presenting a general view of missions throughout the world. The work is written in an intelligent manner, and in a pleasing style, and takes its place among the standard works of the age in that department.

health; but his voice was not restored, and he was unable to preach. He was soon appointed to the Presidency of Shurtleff College, Illinois, and of Georgetown College, Ky. He accepted of the latter, and, having married the daughter of Ezra Dyer, Esq. of Boston, in whose conversion he was the instrument in Federal street, he removed to Georgetown early in 1840. He found the institution without prosperity, without graduates, though it had existed ten or twelve years, without proper buildings, and without reputation. By his energy, industry, perseverance, erudition and popularity, he was instrumental in raising it to a distinguished position among the colleges of the West. We were rejoiced to see the Institution rise under his fostering care, and deeply regretted that he should leave that important post, when he was doing for the college what no other man could do in our estimation, without years of toil.

A few years afterwards the degree of D.D. was conferred on him simultaneously by the University of Vermont, and Union College, N.Y. When Dr. Malcom went to Kentucky, his well-known anti-slavery sentiments created no uneasiness; but in 1849, that subject became the ground of high political excitement, and as he chose to take a public stand in favor of emancipation, it caused considerable bitterness, and Dr. M. resigned his office. He took such an independent and magnanimous course, that even his enemies approved of it. During his Presidency, he educated over seventy young ministers, some of whom had been converted and baptized while in college, and more than half of whom were regularly graduated. As soon as his resignation was known, the trustees of Shurtleff College renewed their application, and several other openings offered, among which was a cordial invitation to become pastor of the Fifth Baptist church, Sansom st., Philadelphia, which he finally accepted, and entered immediately upon his duties. His voice is entirely restored, and his health, though feeble, better than for many years. It is a great satisfaction to him, that he is permitted to labor among a people who have known him from a child. The church is harmonious and prosperous under his able and eloquent ministry, and his efforts to hold up the Saviour crucified, is attended by rich blessings from on high.

Since writing the above, we learn that Dr. Malcom has been appointed to the Presidency of the Lewisburgh University, Pa., which he has accepted, and is soon to enter upon the duties of his office. We congratulate the University in securing his services, and we doubt not that that rising Institution will flourish more than ever under his fostering

care.