Rev. Robert Mackenzie, D.D.

ROBERT MACKENZIE was born in Crornarty, Scotland, November 5, 1845, the son of John and Isabella (Allen) MacKenzie. He came to America in 1866, at the age of twenty-one, and after taking a special course in the University of Chicago, entered McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1873. During this period, he also studied law for a time, a training that is reflected in his keen powers of analysis and logical habits of thought. He has been honoured by the degree of D.D., by the Central University of Kentucky, 1883, and of LL.D., by the IJniversity of Wooster, 1905.

Dr. MacKenzie was ordained in the Presbyterian ministry in 1873. His first pastorate was in Decatur, Ill., where he remained three years. He was then pastor of a church in Lafayette, Ind., for three years. He resigned to accept a call to the Howard Presbyterian Church, San Francisco. He was pastor of the Howard Church, 1879 to 1885, and of the First Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, from 1886 to 1901. During his long and successful pastorate in San Francisco, he also occupied the Chairs of Apologetics and Missions in the San Francisco Theological Seminary. In 1901, Dr. MacKenzie became minister of Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York City, serving with distinction until 1909, when he resigned to become President of San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Dr. MacKenzie was President of the College Board of the Presbyterian Church, 1904 to 1909; President of San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1909 to 1910; and since 1910, Executive Secretary of the College Board, with offices in the Presbyterian Building, New York. He is an enthusiastic and representative Scotsman, one of the church’s most distinguished preachers, an honour to his birth and his high calling. His keen judgment and great executive ability have always been sought and appreciated by his fellow Presbyters. The College Board, under his able management, has been very successful. The permanent fund now amounts to $1,672,420 against $140,000 in 1911. He is the author of The Loom of Providence, published in 1904.

Dr. MacKenzie married, April 9, 1873, Lydia Ann MacLeod, of Romeo, Michigan. In his family life he has been deservedly happy. His wife has been a congenial and loyal help-meet in his arduous pastoral work. Of their four children, the eldest daughter is an accomplished linguist and writer. She was educated in America and in Paris and was for ten years a missionary in Africa. The only son is a successful lawyer in San Francisco; the second daughter is married and living in California; and the youngest daughter is the wife of Rev. Mr. Corey, of the Presbyterian Church.