History of the M.E. Church, Vol. IV - Media Sabda Org

iographer of the itinerant. Born in New Jersey in 1785, McLean emigrated successively to Western
Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. When eighteen years old he began his legal education, in Cincinnati,
under Arthur St. Clair. He gave himself meanwhile to general studies in almost every department
of science and literature. He became skeptical in religion, but, after his admission to the bar at
Lebanon, Ohio, in 1807, he was rescued by Collins. One of the judge's biographers says, "Collins
had an appointment to preach in a private house at Lebanon. The people crowded the rooms, and
many had to stand about the doors. Among these was McLean, who stood where he could hear
distinctly, though, as he thought, unobserved by the speaker. During the discourse, however, he fell
under the notice of Collins' keen eye, and his prepossessing appearance attracted at the first glance
the notice of the preacher. He paused a moment, and mentally offered up a short prayer for the
conversion of the young man. Resuming his discourse, the first word he uttered was 'eternity.' That
word was spoken with a voice so solemn and impressive that its full import was felt by McLean. All
things besides appeared to be nothing in comparison to it. He soon sought an acquaintance with
Collins, and, a short time after this, accompanied him to one of his appointments in the country, and,
at the close of the sermon, he remained in class to inquire what he must do to be saved. On their
return to Lebanon Collins told his young friend that he had a request to make of him which was
reasonable, and he hoped would not be rejected. The request was, that he would read the New
Testament at least fifteen minutes every day till his next visit. The promise was made, and strictly
performed. After this a covenant was entered into by the parties to meet each other at the throne of
grace at the setting of the sun. The agreed suppliants had not continued their daily, united, and
earnest prayers long before McLean was justified by faith, and realized the great blessing of 'the
washing of regeneration and, renewing of the Holy Ghost.' " [19]
The United States never had a more upright or more honorable citizen, nor American Methodism
a more faithful member than Judge McLean. He was commanding in person, tall, and symmetrical
in stature, with a Platonic brow, thoughtful, tranquil features, and the most modest but cordial
manners. He was an able statesman, almost infallible in his cautious judgment, a thoroughly devoted
Christian, persevering and punctual in the minutest duties of his Church, and catholic in his regard
for good men of whatever sect. Lawyer, member of Congress, supreme judge of Ohio, member of
the cabinets of Monroe and Adams, and supreme justice of the Republic, he passed through a long
life unblemished, and above all his titles, gloried in that of a Christian.
McLean says of Collins that as both a local and an itinerant minister it is supposed that the
Methodist Church in the West has not had a more successful preacher. He was a marked man in his
person. He always wore the primitive Quaker dress. His forehead was high, his eyes small, but very
expressive, and over all his feature was spread an air of refinement, a sort of intellectual and
benevolent glow, that immediately won the interest of the spectator. And his spirit and manners
corresponded with these indications. The unction of divine grace abode upon his soul. He was
always interesting in the pulpit, and not infrequently extremely affecting. A very fountain of pathos
welled up in his devout heart, and seldom did he preach without weeping himself, and constraining
his audience to weep. One who heard him several days in succession, at a quarterly meeting, said,
"I came to the conclusion that the 'British Spy' only dreamed of a pulpit orator, that it was left for me
to behold one."
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