Mitchell, Alfred, a Congregational minister, was born May 22, 1790, at Wethersfield, Conn. He gradu- ated at Yale College in 1809 ; was ordained pastor in Norwich Oct. 1814; and died Dec. 19, 1831. He pub- lished five occasional sermons. — Sprague, A nnals, ii, 601. Mitchell, Donald, a Scotch missionary to India, flourished in the first half of our century. Of his early history nothing is known to us. He was the first mis- sionary sent out by the Scottish IMissionary Society. He settled at Bombay, where he labored with zeal, and saw his efforts crowned with much success. His plan was to convert the people by influencing the young, and, to secure their confidence, he established schools for their mental training. He succeeded in starting, in connection with his mission, eight schools, which were attended by some three thousand pupils. More fully to fit himself for the important work in wliiili he was engaged, Mr. Mitch- ell mastered the difKcult ]\loratlii language. He preached to the people, not only in the immediate neighborhood of the station which he occupied, but also for many miles along the coast and in the interior, with very encour- aging results for several years, till called to rest from his labors. See The Missionary World (N. Y, 1873, 12mo), p. 493.
Mitchell, Elisha, D.D., an American scientist in early years, and later a popular preacher, was born at Washington, Conn., Aug. 19, 1793, and was educated at Yale College (class of 1813). From 1816-18 he taught in his alma mater. In 1817 he was elected professor of mathematics in the North Carolina University, whither he removed at once. In 1825 he was trans- ferred to the chair of chemistry, and in this position he greatly distinguished himself. In 1831 he turned to- wards the ministry, was ordained by the Presbytery of Orange, and became noted as an able preacher and a good Biblical scholar. He died at Black JFountain, N. C, June 27, 1857. Dr. Mitchell contributed frequently to the Journal of Science.— Drake, Dict.Ainer. Biogr. s. v. Mitchell, John, a Congregational minister, editor, and author, was born at Chester, Conn., Dec. 27, 1794; was educated at Yale College (class of 1821) and at An- dover Theological Seminary ; edited the Christian Spec- tator from 1824 to 1829; was then licensed to preach;
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in 1830 became pastor of the First Congregational I Church in Fair Haven, Conn. ; and of the Kdwards Church, Northampton, Mass., in 1836. In 1S42 he went abroad for liis heahh. and after his return spent most of his remaining years at Stamford, Conn., engaged, as far as his strength allowed, in literary work. He died in j April, 1870. Mr. Mitchell published Principles and Prac- tice of ike Connrerjutional Churches of New England ! (Northampton, Slass., 1838, 16mo) :— A'o^f5//-ow Over I Sea (New York, 1844, 2 vols. 8vo) -.—Letters to a Dis- ] believer in J'f rivals (32rao) ; and occasional sermons and contribiitiinis to periodicals and news()apers. See Spraguc, Annals of the American Pulpit (see Index); Drake. Dirt. <>/A mer. Bio//, s, v. ; Allibone, Did. of Brit, and A uier. A ulliors, s. v.
Mitchell, John Thomas, a minister of the :\rcth- odist Episcopal Church, was born near the village of Salem, IJoanoke County, Ya., Aug. 20, 1810, and enjoyed the advantages of a good common -school education. In 1817 the family moved to Illinois, and settled near Belleville, St. Clair County. At a conference camp- meeting he was converted, and shortly after united with the Cliurch, but afterwards became careless and indiffer- ent. In 1830 he commenced teaching school. About the same time he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and becoming deeply impressed with a clear sense of chity, he entered the ministry, April 13, 1831, at Hillsborough. In 1832 he sot out for Indianapolis, Indiana; in 1837 preached at Jack- sonville Station, and in 1838-39 at Springfield. In 1840 he was transferred to Rock River Conference, and by the General Conference of 1844 was elected assistant book-agent of the Western Book Concern. He died May 30, 1851. Mr. ^Mitchell possessed great and grow- ing powers, combining in a very marked manner social, intellectual, and moral qualities. He was well read in theology, and had an excellent knowledge of philoso- ph}', mathematics, and the classic languages. See An- nual Minutes of the M. E. Church, 1863, p. 144. (J. L. S.)
Mitchell, Jonathan, a Presbyterian divine of note, was born in I'^iigland in 1624. He came to this country in 16:)'). .lonathan was afforded all the advan- tages of education within reach. After due preparation, he was entered at Harvard College, and graduated in ; 1647. He was ordained at Cambridge, Aug. 21, 1650, j and settled as minister in that place. Soon after this president Dunstar embraced the principles of the Bap- j tists. This was a peculiar trial to Mitchell ; but, though \ he felt it to be his duty to combat the principles of his former tutor, he did it with such meekness of wisdom as not to lose his friendship. Mitchell's controversy resulted in the removal of president Dunstar from the college. In 1662 he was a member of the synod which met in Boston to discuss and settle a (lucstion concerning Church-mem- bership and Church disciiilino, and the report was chief- ly written by him. The determination of the question relating to tlie liaptism of the children of those who did not approach the Lord's table, and the sujjport thus given to what is called the half-way covenant, was more owing to him than to any other man. See Hai.k-way CovKNANT. Time has shown that the views which this good man labored so hard to establish on this point cannot be sustained without ruining the purity of the churches. Jonathan ^litchell was eminent for piety, wisdom, humility, and love. He possessed a retentive memory, and was a fervent and energetic preacher. He died July !), 1668. He published several letters and ser- mons, for which consult Justin Winsor's Catalogue of the Prince Librarg (Boston, 1870, royal 8vo). See Life, bv C. Mather ; Maqnaliu, iii, 158-185 ; Hist. Soc. vii, 23, 27,47-52. (J. H.\Y.)