McCombs (or McCoonibs), Lawrence, an early Metliodist Episcopal minister, was born in Kent County, in the State of Delaware, on the 11th of March, 1769. Little is known of his early education, but it is to be presumed, from the easy circumstances of his father, who was a man of wealth, and the high character of the schools and academies of the district in which he lived, that he early attained to a good degree of in- tellectual culture. la 1792 he was admitted to the Philadelphia Conference on probation, and his first ap- pointment was to the* Newburg Circuit, in the State of New York ; two years later he was appointed to Long Island; in 1795, to New London; in 1796, to Middletown; in 1797 and 1798, to PoUand; in 1799, to New Lojidon; in 1800, to Philadelphia; in 1801, to Paltimore City; in 1802, to Baltimore City and Fell's Point; in 1804, to the Baltimore Circuit. In 180G he asked and obtained a location, and selected a residence on the eastern shore of Maryland, near the head of the Chesapeake Bay. In this location he is said to have labored with unabated industry and devotion. In 1815 he re-entered the itiner- ancy, and took his place in the Philadelphia Conference ; in tliat and in the following year he was appointed to Smyrna; in 1817, to Queen Anne's; and in 1818, to Kent. From 1819 to 1822 he was presiding elder of the Jersey District ; in 1823 he was appointed to Essex and Staten Island; in 1824 and 1825, to St, John's Church, Philadel- phia ; and in 1826, to Wilmington. In 1827 and 1828 he was presiding elder of the East Jersey District ; from 1829 to 1832. of the Chesapeake Bay ; and in 1833, of the South Philadelphia District. In 1834 he was appointed to St. Paul's Church, Philadelpliia; in this year, howev- er, he was constrained, by his rapidly-failing health, to relinquish his active position and become a supernu- merary. In 1835 he toi)k his place among the retired and infirm, after having performed an unprecedented amount of labor, and left the impress of his energetic character wherever he went. He closed his useful and eventful life June 11, 1836. An intimate friend, also a minister, the Rev. J. Kennaday, has left this beautiful tribute to his memory: "In his religious character Mr. McCombs blended great zeal and fidelity with a verj' unusual kindliness of spirit. No hostility could intimi- date him in the course of duty, nor could any provoca- tion betray him into petidance or resentment. Meek in spirit, intrepid in purpose, gentle and social in man- ner, he was greatly respected in the pidpit, and ever welcome to the hospitalities of the numerous circles which he adorned as the man o£ God. He >yas strong in faitli, much in prayer, and a great reader of the Bible. His intellectual character was developed more in the uniform strength of liis facidties than in the marked prominence of any one or more of them. His percep-
tions were quick and clear, and his judgment sober and impartial. He had a fine imagination, which, being re- strained and regulated by his admirable taste, gave beauty and warmth, as the artists say, to all his pictures. In unison with these traits, there were some physical qualities that contributed largely to his power and suc- cess. His personal appearance was very imposing. In stature he was full six feet in height, with a finely-de- veloped form ; though not corpulent, the breadth of his chest indicated the prodigious strength whicii enabled him to perform his almost gigantic labors. The general expression of his countenance betokened intelligence, gentleness, and energy, wliile his full, frank face was il- lumined by his ever-kindling eye. His voice was full, clear, and of great flexibility, sweeping from the lowest to the highest tone, aiid modulated in the most delicate manner, in beautifid harmony with his subject. In preaching in the field, which was his favorite arena, I used to think he was quite an approach to Wliitefield. Such was his known power at camp-meetings that the announcement that he was to be present on such an oc- casion would draw a multitude of people from great dis- tances, ... I have thought that in some respects there was a striking resemblance between him and the late distinguished Dr. John M. INIason, of New York, ;vhom I often heard in my boyhood." See Sprague, A muAs A mer. Pulpit, vii, 210 sq. ; Conf. Min. ii, 492. (E. de P.)
McConaughy, David, D.D., LL.D., a Presbyte- rian minister, was born in Menallen township, York County, Pa., Sept, 29, 177.5, and graduated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, in 1795; studied theology fur two years ; was licensed in 1797, and preached frequently as a missionary in Philadelphia and New York ; accepted a call from the United Christians of Upper jNIarsh Creek and Conewago in 1800, and remained pastor till 1832. During this connection he visited Baltimore, Phila- delphia, and New York in behalf of the Gettysburg Church, and as a minister and a teacher rendered im- portant services. At an early period he interested him- self much in the cause of temperance by appointing meetings, preaching, and formmg a society, of \vhich he himself was president. He removed to Washington in 1832 to the presidency of the college, which he resigned in 1849. He died Jan. 29, 1852. Dr. IVIcConaughy published A Brief Summary and Outline of Moral Sci- ence (1838) : — Discoui'ses, chief y Bior/raphical, of Per- sons eminent in Sacred History (1850,8vo) : — Two Tracts on the Z)octrine of the Trinity and on Infant Baptism : — Sermons and Addresses. See Sprague, Annals, \y, 199.