Born: Glasgow, Scotland, August 28, 1870.
Died: 1952.

The subject of this sketch is first of all and mainly a preacher of the Gospel. It is doubtful whether there is another representative in this volume, who has kept closer to his special calling than has Mr. McLellan. The pulpit has been his chosen field of work, and he has refused to neglect this for any other service.

The outstanding facts of his life are easily summed up:

Born Glasgow, Scotland. Lived in Melbourne, Australia. Came to the United States in 1890, and matriculated in Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky. Graduated in 1895 in College of Bible, and in Arts College with A.B. degree. Graduated 1896 A.M. degree, Transylvania. Minister at Shelbyville, Kentucky, six years; at Richmond, Kentucky, ten years; at San Antonio, Texas, seven years and continuing.

In this brief record is contained the sphere where has been developed one of the best equipped preachers to be found among the Disciples. This equipment relates to both his pulpit work and his pastoral work. There is a certain refinement about his sermons which shows they are born out of association with the best reading and reflection, and this culture is marked in all his relations to his people.

While President of the American Christian Missionary Society, he made one of the most notable and polished addresses ever delivered from the presidential chair.

As a preacher he possesses the indefinable quality which lays hold of one without knowing how the influence is produced. There is something in his voice and in his general elocution as well as in his thought that grips you. If one has been under the influence of a great musician he will understand what this means. But Mr. McLellan is more than a musician. He is a remarkable combination of intellectual force and heart power.

There is also in his preaching a beautiful blending of a fine literary taste with the rugged truths of the Gospel. He says the strong things of the Bible, but he tempers them with the fascination of culture and while doing this he never dilutes the Gospel or robs it in any way of its wonderful power. He is a preacher who will always grow through the years of a long pastorate and will be beloved to the end.