Mackenzie, Charles Frederick

Mackenzie, Charles Frederick D.D., a prelate of the Church of England, and one of the noblest characters of our day, was born at Harcus Cottage, Peebleshire, Scotland, April 10, 1825, and was educated at Cambridge University, where he graduated with honor in 1848. After lecturing for a time at his alma mater, he decided upon the ministry, and was ordained by the bishop of Ely, and labored for some time in England as a parish minister. In 1854, bishop Selwyn, of New Zealand, returned to England, and pleaded earnestly for more laborers in the missionary field. Mackenzie felt persuaded that his duty lay in this direction, and in 1855 he accepted the position of archdeacon of Natal, and went out with the noted Colenso. His zeal in this new field, and his exemplary piety, are attested by all who knew Mackenzie at this time. In 1859 he returned to England to propose the establishment of other missions in Africa. Livingstone had just preceded him on a visit to England, and personally, as well as by the publication of his book on Central Africa, had awakened an unprecedented enthusiasm for that country. The establishment of a mission on the ground lately explored by Livingstone had just been determined upon, and Mackenzie's arrival at this time led to his appointment as the head of it. He was consequently consecrated bishop at Cape Town Jan. 1,1861; four days after he sailed for the Zambesi, and, after some necessary explorations, settled for his work at a village named Magomero. The climate, which in his former work he had withstood so well, here soon undermined his health, and he died Jan. 31, 1862. "In any calling Mackenzie would have been distinguished for his fine natural qualities. His cheerfulness, gentleness, and simplicity, supported as they were by manly candor and enduring firmness of purpose, and guided by an innate purity and integrity that shrank from the faintest touch of wrong, could not fail to excite the admiration of the most worldly-minded. Consecrated as these qualities were to the service of religion, and warmed by a glowing zeal that had nothing in common with fanaticism, they assume something like heroic proportions. Nor are the battles he fought, the victories he won, the sacrifices he made, for the great objects to which he devoted his life, and the sufferings he endured, unworthy of a record among the achievements of England's illustrious sons." The Christian spirit which the bishop manifested towards his Christian brethren of other churches is worthy of special mention. He labored in concurrence with them with cordiality and good will. His opposition to the slave-trade was decided, and made him many enemies. See Goodwin, Memoir of Bishop Mackenzie (Cambr. 1864, 8vo); Spectator (Lond.), March 5,1864, p. 269; Mrs. Yonge, Pioneers and Founders (Lond. 1871, 12mo), p. 285 sq. (J. H. W.)