Macknight, J^uies, D.D., an eminent Scotch di- vine, was born in Ayrshire in 1721. He studied in the University of Glasgow, but, like many of the I'resbyte- rian divines both of his own country and of England, went abroad, and finished his studies at Leyden. On his return he entered the ministiy in the Scotch Church (in 1753) as pastor of Maybole, in Ayrshire. Here he spent sixteen years, during which time he prepared three works: A Harmony of the Gospels (Lond. 1750, 2 vols. 4to), with copious illustrations, being, in fact, a life of Christ, embracing everything which the evangelists have related concerning him: — A neiv Translation of the Epistles (published in 1795 in 4 vols. 4to, and later in 6 vols. 8vo) : — and Truth of Gosj)el History (1763, 4to). These works were favorably received, and are to this day highly esteemed. The Ilarm.ony has been re- peatedly printed, and to the later editions there are added several dissertations on curious points in the his- tory or antiquities of the Jews. The theology of them is what is called moderately orthodox. For these his valuable services to sacred literature Dr. Macknight re- ceived the rewards in the power of the Presbyterian Church to give. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Edinburgh. In 17G9 he was removed from Maybole to the more desirable parish of Jedburgh, and in 1772 he became one of the ministers at Edinburgh. Here he continued for the remainder of his life, useful in the ministrv' and an ornament of the Church. He died Jan. 13, 1800. Of Dr. Mackniglit's translation of the epistles, universally regarded as his best production. Home says that it is " a work of theo- logical labor not often jiaralleled. If we cannot always coincide with the author in opinion, we can always praise his diligence, his learning, and his piety — quali- ties which confer no trifling rank on any scriptural in- terpreter or commentator." Dr. AV. L. Alexander, how- ever, is not quite so commendatory of Dr. Macknight's scholarship : " This work, which was the result of thirty years' labor, soon obtained and long kept a high repu- tation. Of late years it has jierhaps sunk into unmerit- ed neglect, for there is much in it well deserving the at- tention of the Biblical student. Its greatest defects are traceable to two causes — the author's imperfect knowl- edge of the original languages of the Bible, and the want of fixed hermeneutical principles. In tracing out, how- ever, the connection of a passage, especially of an argu- mentative kind, he often shows great ability." See Life, by his son, prefixed to the Epistles (in the editions since 1806) ; Kitto, Bibl. Cyclop, s. v. ; English Cyclop. s. V.
Maclaiiie, Archibald, D.D., an Irish divine, was born at IMonaghan, Ireland, in 1722. He was educated at the University of Glasgow, was minister of the I'^ng- lish Church at the Hague from 1745-94, and afterwards settled at Bath, in England. He died at Bath, Nov. 25, 1804. He published a Sermon (1752, 8vo), Letters to Soame Jenyns (1772, 12mo), in defence of Christianity,
MACLAY
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MACURDY
and a very imperfect translation of Mosheim's Ecclesias- tical History.
Maclay, Archibald, D.D., or, as lie was familiarly known by Christians of aU denominations, " Father Ma- clay," a noted Baptist minister, was born in KiUearn, Scotland, May 14, 1778, and in 1802 entered the minis- try at Kirkaldy, in Fifeshire. In 1804 he was appoint- ed a missionary to the East Indies, but the government objected, and he was obliged to stay at home. By ad- vice of his friends he quitted his native land, and in 1805 emigrated to this countrj^ Immediately after his arrival he commenced to preach, and built up a Church in Rose Street, New York. Hitherto his connection was ^vith the Established Church of Scotland, but in 1808 he miited with the Baptists, and, most of his con- gregation following his example, a new Church was or- ganized, known as the " Mulberry Street Church" (now the Tabernacle, Second Avenue Church), where he re- mained until 1837. He then resigned to become agent of the "American and Foreign Bible Society" just or- ganized, and served this body to great advantage until 1850, when he was called within the domain of his own denomination to succeed the late Dr. Cone as the second president of the "American Bible Union." In this ca- jjacit}' he made an official tour of England, presenting the claims of the Bible Union and collecting funds for the revision of the Bible, in which work that society is now engaged. In this mission he was very successful, owing, no doubt, to his fame as an eminent Baptist di- vine. One of the addresses made while abroad was trans- lated into several languages, and circulated in more than 100,')ilO copies. On his return to this country he made a similar tour South, and with his usual success. In 1856 he resigned his presidency of the Bible Union on account of dissatisfaction with the manner in which the internal affairs of the Bible Union were conducted. He continued to preach, and labored for his Master till within a few months of his death, jNIay 2, 18G0. Dr. Maclay enjoyed the respect of his brethren in the min- istry, and the affection of all Christian people who knew liim. " He was surpassed by no man in zeal, friendli- ness, and good sense. He was a safe counsellor, a cheery, hearty, healthy soul, as incapable of cant as of frivolitj'. It was evident to all who approached him that he was a man as well as a clergyman. He retained to the last that strong, homely, Scottish common-sense which ren- ders the sons of old Scotia indomitable and victorious all over the world. A man of more absolute and im- movable honesty never breathed." (J. H. W.)