I have been quite unconventional in my speech; indeed, I have spoken , often , with but little formality, or even reserve. I have all along allowed myself the frankness and the egotism usual in intimate personal intercourse. I have not attempted any mock modesty as a cover for what has come naturally in these self-disclosure and frequent self-appreciations. I offer no apology for this. No one could tell the story truthfully but myself; and it would only embarrass the telling were I try to avoid the obtrusive Ego. - Rev. Clay MacCauley
Who was Clay Maccauley?
Soldier. Minister. Scholar. Prisoner. Missionary. Husband. Son. Student. Intellectual. Traveler. Follower. Leader.
All of these words describe Clay MacCauley at some point in his life. Life took Clay MacCauley down many different paths. It would be an understatement to say that his life was eventful. There are two things that never faltered throughout his life: his faithful spirit and his outspoken nature. He was rooted in a devotion to God from a young age, and although he may have changed denominations, his faith always remained. He dreamed of being a minister from a young age and he acheived that goal. He went from being the young boy who would fight against the mistreatment of animals to the young man who voluntarily joined a bloody civil war because he felt it was his moral duty. MacCauley was a man who never concealed his true beliefs, even as they were being tested. In studying to become a Presbyterian minister, he did not hide his genuine theological beliefs, even when that meant being denied ordainment. He was a man who found a way out of the worst of situations and managed to survive the terrors of the Battle of Chancellorsville and Libby Prison. The small nine year old boy giving an oration in a crowded Chambersburg auditorium became a prolific author who never ran out of thoughts to express. He spent the later portion of his life in the far away country of Japan, devoted to promoting religious and ethical intellectualism. Clay MacCauley was all over the place at times. His story can be hard to follow, and chronology of events in his life can be a bit tricky. One thing is for sure, Clay MacCauley was authentic. He never silenced himself to appease others and he never let his struggles damage his steadfast faith in God. Most importantly, Clay MacCauley never apologized for being who he was.
All of these words describe Clay MacCauley at some point in his life. Life took Clay MacCauley down many different paths. It would be an understatement to say that his life was eventful. There are two things that never faltered throughout his life: his faithful spirit and his outspoken nature. He was rooted in a devotion to God from a young age, and although he may have changed denominations, his faith always remained. He dreamed of being a minister from a young age and he acheived that goal. He went from being the young boy who would fight against the mistreatment of animals to the young man who voluntarily joined a bloody civil war because he felt it was his moral duty. MacCauley was a man who never concealed his true beliefs, even as they were being tested. In studying to become a Presbyterian minister, he did not hide his genuine theological beliefs, even when that meant being denied ordainment. He was a man who found a way out of the worst of situations and managed to survive the terrors of the Battle of Chancellorsville and Libby Prison. The small nine year old boy giving an oration in a crowded Chambersburg auditorium became a prolific author who never ran out of thoughts to express. He spent the later portion of his life in the far away country of Japan, devoted to promoting religious and ethical intellectualism. Clay MacCauley was all over the place at times. His story can be hard to follow, and chronology of events in his life can be a bit tricky. One thing is for sure, Clay MacCauley was authentic. He never silenced himself to appease others and he never let his struggles damage his steadfast faith in God. Most importantly, Clay MacCauley never apologized for being who he was.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith
Sources
Clay MacCauley. Memories and Memorials; Gatherings from an Eventful Life. Tokyo, Japan: Printed by the Fukuin Printing, 1914.
Thomas E. Graham. “MacCauley, Clay.” American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press, Feb.
Thomas E. Graham. “MacCauley, Clay.” American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press, Feb.