rian Church, Mr. Ewing heard for the first time in his life tiie doctrines of regeneration txivX personal holi- ness insisted upon from the pulpit. He became sat- isfied that he had not a saving knowledge of the truth, and communicated his feelings to his wife, whom he found in a similar state of mind. After manj' praj'- ers and tears, while engaged in family worship, he "became filled with joy and peace in believing." Some time after this (the precise period is not known) he told his impressions to preach the Gospel to Tran- sj'lvania Presbytery, which body, at the advice of Kev. David Rice, D.D., one of the oldest ministers in the presbj'tery, licensed Mr. Ewing and three oth- ers to exhort. His success was wonderful ; scores of sinners were converted wherever he went. His talents, pietj', commanding language, and zeal carried everything before them. He was soon licensed to preach as a probationer, but the prevailing party in the presbytery opposed his licensure. He went on preaching very successfull}', however, revival attend- ing his labors wherever he travelled. His labor was so much called for, and so marked with success, that at the urgent call of several congregations he was or- dained, in November, 1803, to the work of the minis- try. The revival went on with unabated power for several jears ; in the mean time Kentucky Synod had pretended to dissolve Cumberland Presbj-tery, which had ordained him, because of alleged irregularities. The presbytery remained for four j'ears not attempt- ing to exercise its functions as a presbj'tery ; after which, failing to secure a redress of their grievances from the General Assembly, they determined to or- ganize again, even contrary to the wishes of a major- ity of Kentucky Synod. On February 4, 1810, Mr. Ewing and two other ordained ministers united and formed the first presbyterj' of the new Cumberland Presbj'terian Church, giving it the name of the pres- bytery Kentucky Synod had dissolved, viz. Cumber' land rreshytery ; hence the name "Cumberland Pres- byterians." Mr. Ewing removed after some j-ears to Todd County, Ky., and became pastor of Lebanou congregation, near Ewingsville. Here under his eye was sustained for many years a floiu'ishing classical' seminary of learning. In 1820, at the urgent call of many friends and brethren, he removed to the State of Missouri, and settled in what is now Cooper Coun- ty. It was not long until he built up a large con- gregation at New Lebanon, which still flourishes. Hei'e he prepared and published his Lectures on Divin- ifi/, which have been extensively circulated and read, and which contain the germ of the peculiarities of Cumberland Presln'terians. He labored here with great acceptance and success until 183G, when he re- moved to the town of Lexington, Lafayette County, Mo. Here he soon gathered a congregation, built a church, and, with others, was the means of extending the work of grace all over the vast incoming territo- ries of the West. Mr. Ewing died here Julj' 4, 1841^ in his 68th year. He was tall, porth' in appearance, had a keen, penetrating eye, always bore a dignified look, was a man of extraordinary pulpit talents, and of great success among all classes in winning fouls to the Redeemer. In our troubles with Great Britain in 1812 he did not hesitate to give all the weight of his great influence in favor of his country. He was no politician, yet at one time, being an intimate friend and acquaintance of general Jackson, he was by him appointed register of the land office at Lexington, Mo. He died lamented by a large and growing denomina- tion, and bj' manj' others, as a great and good man. His remains rest in the cemetery at LexingtoD, Mo. (J. B. L.)
Ewing, John, D.D., a Presbyterian minister, and provost of the LTniversitj' of Pennsylvania, was bom in Nottingham, Cecil County, Md., June 22, 1732, and graduated in 1754 in New Jersey College, of which he remained tutor for two years. Having completed his
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theological course, he was ordainerl, became instructor in tlie College of Philadelphia, and was installed pas- tor of the first Presbyterian church, Philadelpliia, in 1759. He visited England and Scotland in 1773 in behalf of the academy in Newark, Del., and returned in 1775 to the duties of his ministry. In 1779 he was appointed provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and professor of natural jihilosophy, in which science he delivered annually a course of learned lectures. In this station, united with that of pastor, he continued to the end of life. He was also one of the vice-presi- dents of the American Philosophical Societ3\ He died Sept. 8, 1802. He published Lectures on Natural Phi- losophy (2 vols. 8vo), and Sermons (8vo)-. — Sprague, Annuls, iii, 21G.
Exactions (Lat. exacfiones, falue), the name given in ecclesiastical law to taxes of an extraordinarj^ kind, ■which either were not in use before, or the rate of which has been increased. As a general rule, taxes of this kind are forbidden. Thus the third Council of Toledo prohibited the bishops from "imposing exac- tions upon the diocese," and Leo IV designates as un- lawful exactions anj' "gifts bej'ond the statutes of the fathers" that bishops may impose upon clergymen or laymen. The prohibition was renewed at the Council of Lateran in 1179 by Alexander III, who "prohibited bishops or abbots, or any other prelates, from impos- ing new taxes upon the churches, or from increasing the old ones, or from appropriating for their private uses any portion of the revenue." The imposition of exactions requires a reasonable cause, and limitation to what is necessary. State churches cannot impose an exaction without previously obtaining the permis- sion of the state government. — Herzog, Heal-Enci/klop. iv, 280. (A. J. S.)