Rev. David McDill, D.D., LL.D.
A summary of the dates and facts connected with the life of Dr. McDill is first presented and compiled mainly from Dr. Scouller's "Manual of the United Presbyterian Church."
"Dr. David McDill was born August 26, 1826, in Preble County, Ohio; was graduated at Centre College, Kentucky, in 1849, and studied theology at Oxford and Allegheny; was licensed April 7, 1852, by First Ohio Presbytery, and ordained September 8, 1853, by Chillicothe; was pastor at Cherry Fork, Ohio, September, 1853-June 1, 1876, and pastor of Henderson, Ill., March 3, 1877-July 1, 1884; was Professor of Philosophy in Monmouth College September 1, 1876-1885; has been Professor of Apologetics and Momiletics in Xenia Theological Seminary since September, 1885. Publications: "Life of Judge Morrison," 1863, "Secret Societies," 1881. "The Bible a Miracle." Recently also Dr. McDill has published two other works, one on the "Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch," the other entitled, "Pre-Millenialism Discussed."
From the above sketch it will be seen how difficult it is to compress all that ought to be said concerning Dr. McDill within the limits prescribed by the publishers of this work. A life so long, useful, and honorable, certainly deserves more than passing notice. In writing of the man one cannot but feel that he would like to be wholly untrammeled both as to space and time, and that this life, so rich in material, is worthy of full biography instead of a brief sketch which must seem too much like dry chronology.
The older citizens of Adams County will remember Dr. McDill as a man of force and endowed with rare qualities of leadership. He was one that "blazed the way" among them, and took the lead then, as he does now, in many lines of reform. He was a pioneer, in his denomination, in the matter of conducting a series of meetings to win men to the church and to Christ. He thought, and rightly, too, that some such preparation was necessary before a pentecost could come. In the days when public debates on religious questions were in vogue, he did his full share of that work and while never seeking a contest of that kind, neither did he run to cover from any adversary. Logic, or clear reasoning, if you will, is one of the Doctor's strong points and that many an opponent living far beyond the limits of Adams County has discovered to his sorrow. In an argument the writer has never known him to be worsted, and yet he never stoops to the tricks of the pettifogger; in all such contests he would rather honorably lose than unfairly win.
In the dark days of the Civil War, Dr. McDill had more than one opportunity to show his loyalty and courage. True, he was not actually on the field, but in another sense he was in the forefront of the battle. He spoke for the Union when it had enemies north of the Ohio River; he denounced slavery when the system had its advocates and apologists north as well as south of Mason and Dixon's line. When invasion by Southern troops was threatened, he was made Lieutenant of the "home guards" in his community, and when the famous "Morgan Raid" actually occurred. Dr. McDill was taken prisoner and saved the life of a friend and neighbor at that time by resolutely refusing to disclose his hiding place. The man in question had fired on the advance guard of Morgan's men and if caught would no doubt have been shot without trial or ceremony. But neither threates nor cajoling could induce Dr. McDill, while a prisoner, to betray his friend, and "Dick" Morgan found that there was at least one man in Adams County who could keep a secret though that man had never belonged to a lodge. Truth telling is an old and a fixed habit with the Doctor; but he felt that there were certain questions which he had no right to answer before that court of inquiry. Release followed before he had been long a prisoner and the Doctor came back, with honor unsullied, to gladden the hearts of anxious friends and parishioners.
But the time came ere long when the people of his community realized that Dr. McDill belonged to the whole church and to the country as well as to Adams County. A man with his gifts could not long keep in hiding even if he desired it; he found it impossible to burry his talent even in a country pastorate. So, after more than a score of years spent in his quiet country home and in close application to study, there came, naturally enough, a call to occupy the Chair of Philosophy in Monmouth College. From that intellectual center his fame spread, through his work, and the unassuming "country parson" was by no means a lesser light in the faculty of that justly celebrated school. In that honorable position at Monmouth he served till once more, in 1885, the church said, "come up higher," and he was called to the Chair of Homiletics and Apologetics in Xenia Theological Seminary. Here he has busied himself in giving seed to the future sowers. The place fits the man, and it is needless to say that the man in every way adorns the place. In his present position his business chiefly is to defend the Bible, and in that sphere, as all his acquaintances know, the Doctor is quite at home. Not only does he give the students the benefit of his excellent lectures upon the subject, but he has lately entered the field of authorship along that line and we are looking eagerly for other books to follow those already published. His book on the "Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch" must be a terror to the higher critics, and when one reads his latest work, "Pre-Millenialism Discussed," he is bound to feel that the time of Christ's appearing is not yet at hand. He is a theologian in every sense of the word and therefore the initial letters that follow his name are more than mere ornaments or props for a reputation which could not well stand without them.
Yet it is as a man, no doubt, rather than as scholar or churchman, that Dr. McDill is best beloved and most honored by those who know him. His character is even above his talent, remarkable as the latter may be. There never was a truer friend. His presence is as sunshine in any home. His disposition is and ever has been not to seek his own but the good of others, and that is why his admirers have become an host and some among them hardly dare say or write all they think of the man, lest they seem to indulge in fulsome praise. Although at the time of this writing Dr. McCall has passed the three score and ten, he still possesses full vigor of mind and body. To those near him the sun of his life appears more glorious in setting than in its rising, and when at last, full of years and honors, he is gathered unto the fathers, there will be many to miss him and to feel more deeply than ever that without the inspiration of his personal presence they must fail of reaching that high mark which in his life he set them. Dr. McDill married Miss Martha E. Gordon, of Xenia, Ohio, in 1853.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900