Source:Verbographic-sketches/content
Melancthon Williams Jacobus, D. D., LL. D., Moderator of the Old School Assembly.
Dr. Jacobus was born at Newark, N. J., on the 19th day of September, 1816. In personnel he is a little above the medium height, with somewhat sandy complexion, has brown hair and beard which he wears rather full, with a slight inclination to gray. He is of a nervo-sanguine temperament, quick both in words and motion, but withal possesses pleasant and suave manners.
He entered upon his theological studies at Princeton (N. J.) College and Seminary at an early age, and graduated at the time of attaining his majority. He was licensed to preach at the age of twenty-two, and one year afterward regularly ordained as a minister. His first—and in fact only—pastoral charge was in Brooklyn, New York, where he had charge of one of the Old School Presbyterian churches from the time of his ordination until the year 1851, when he was called to a professorship in the Theological Seminary of Allegheny, the chair of which he now holds.
As a minister in Brooklyn he was greatly admired for his deep researches and analytical discussion of theological subjects, and the general effectiveness of his ministrations. As a Professor of theology these characteristics are more generally remarked. Though a close student for so many years, yet in his fifty-third year, his physical organization seems to be perfectly preserved.
George Washington Musgrove, D. D., LL. D.
The Reverend gentleman, whose name is given above, was born in the city of Philadelphia on the 19th day of October, 1804, and is decidedly a good representative of the City of Brotherly Love. He is of about medium stature, with just the least inclination to the adipose. He eschews any appearance of beard, notwithstanding the tradition about Presbyterian preachers, and, we should judge, shaves regularly every morning. In attire he is neat and simple, but scrupulously exact. His facial contour is marked and striking, a profile view giving one an idea of great moral firmness and determination.
He has the great misfortune to be nearly blind, his eye-sight having been affected for many years, a fact which induced his retiracy from active ministerial duties, several years ago. The gold-bowed green glasses, however, which protect his eyes add very decidedly to the impressiveness of his facial expression. His complexion inclines just the least bit to floridity, all his features going to show that he has taken the world just as he found it. One of the most striking evidences of his great personal care and nicety may be seen in his chestnut brown wig, where not an artificial capillary can be found awry.
Dr. Musgrove was a pupil and graduated at Princeton, (N. J.,) College and Seminary. In the year 1828 he was licensed to preach, and was regularly ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1830. His first pastoral charge was that of the Third Presbyterian Church, of Baltimore, of which he continued pastor for a period of twenty years. Upon resigning this charge he was made Secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions. About this period 1853–4 his eyesight failed him. Upon its partial restoration in 1856, he again assumed a pastoral charge, viz: the North Tenth street Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, which he held for six years, and from which he again retired in consequence of his optical afflictions, and was again inducted into the important and responsible position of Secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions, and also Secretary of the Board of Publication, which former position he now holds, residing in Philadelphia. Dr. Musgrove is a pleasant, communicative and urbane gentleman, that one loves to listen to rather than converse with. His thirty-nine years of ministerial duty finds him still able to fulfil his mission.