Caldwell, Merritt, Am

Caldwell, Merritt, A.M., Professor of Metaphysics, was born in Hebron, Me., November 29, 1806. His early education, both religious and academical, was very carefully conducted, and he graduated with honor at Bowdoin, College in 1828. In the same year he became principal of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Readfield. In 1834 he was elected Professor of Mathematics and Vice- president of Dickinson College, Pa. In 1837 he was transferred to the 'chair of Metaphysics and English Literature, which he occupied during the rest of his life. He soon became known as a strong thinker and excellent writer by his elaborate contributions to the Methodist Quarterly Review.: Nor did his devotion to literature prevent him from taking an interest in the moral questions of the times; and in the cause of temperance especially his labors were abundant and even excessive. In 1846 he visited England as a delegate to the "World's Convention," which formed the "Evangelical Alliance," and took an active part in its proceedings. His health, which had previously been impaired, was apparently improved by his European tour, but in 1847 it failed again, and he died June 6; 1848. Professor Caldwell was a man of uncommonly firm and masculine character. As a professor and college officer he had few superiors; as a writer, he was always clear, logical, and forcible. Many of his contributions to the periodical press were of rare excellence. He also published Manual of Elocution, including Voice and Gesture (Phila. 1846, 12mo, often reprinted), perhaps the best hand- book of the subject extant: — Philosophy of Christian Perfection (Phila. 1847, 18mo), "a model of clear thinking and forcible expression:" — Christianity tested by eminent Men (N. Y. 1852, 18mo): — The Doctrine of the English Verb (1837, 12mo). — Methodist Quarterly Review, 1852, p. 574.