John Mitchell Mason was born on March 19, 1770 in New York City, the second child of Rev. John Mason and Catharine (Van Wyck) Mason. In 1761 his father had been sent by the Associate Synod of Scotland to be pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian church on Cedar Street. He was a man of vigorous mind and notable scholarship, and he gave his son most of the boy's earlier education.
At Columbia College, from which the younger John graduated in 1789, he revealed a versatile and profound mind. His theological training was received from his father and at the University of Edinburgh, from which he graduated in 1792.
A tribute to his nascent reputation was the call he received to become successor to his father shortly after the latter's death in that same year. He was licensed to preach on October 18 and in April 1793 was ordained and installed as pastor. Five years later he published Letters on Frequent Communion, a successful appeal to his denomination, the Associate Reformed Church of North America, to observe the Lord's Supper oftener and more simply. Early feeling the need for elevating the educational standards of the American ministry, after some years' thought he outlined a plan for establishing a theological seminary. In 1804 it was opened in New York with Mason as its first professor. It was the forerunner of Union Theological Seminary. To obtain a library for it he had spent more than a year in Great Britain, where he gathered about 3, 000 volumes. The intellectual quality of his addresses abroad made a deep impression on the British public. Several printings were required to meet the demand for his sermons, Living Faith (1801) and Messiah's Throne. In 1806 he founded The Christian's Magazine, and for several years he wrote much of its contents, which were mainly polemic. One of his most notable publications was the indirect result of a change in pastorates. In 1810 he resigned his first charge for the purpose of forming a new congregation, which in 1812, as Murray Street Church, occupied its new edifice. In the interim his people had worshipped in the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church, and had joined with its congregation in the communion service. Though the General Synod declined to censure him for this departure from denominational regularity, criticism was general and severe. He responded in 1816 with A Plea for Sacramental Communion on Catholic Principles, a book which produced keen interest in America and abroad. From 1795 until 1811, and from 1812 to 1824, he was a trustee of Columbia College. In 1809 he became a member of a committee on raising the standards for college admission, and spent much time on the problems involved. The trustees in 1811 adopted a final report, providing for a new curriculum. The same year the office of provost was created, and Mason was elected thereto. His duties were to exercise "the like general superintendence with the president", to occupy the president's position in the latter's absence, and to teach classics to the senior class. The office evidently was created specially for his occupancy. His work on the committee and as provost definitely enhanced the reputation of the college. While at Carlisle, in 1822, he left the Associate Reformed Church and became a member of the Presbyterian Presbytery of New York. The Complete Works of John M. Mason, D. D. , edited by his son Ebenezer, was published in four volumes in 1832.
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Ill health caused his resignation as provost on July 11, 1816; even his strong physique could not long endure the strain of his many duties in college, seminary, church, and public affairs. Despite several rest periods, during one of which he spent four months in Europe, his vigor was so evidently impaired that in 1821 he resigned his other positions in New York and, hoping that change of climate and responsibilities would benefit him, accepted the presidency of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. His health failed to rally, however, and in 1824 he returned to New York, where, in moderate physical health, he remained until his death.
He was handsome, with patrician features, graceful gestures and carriage, and had a manner attractive and sympathetic. His quick perceptions, power of rapid analysis, extensive vocabulary, and forceful, original speech gave him command of his hearers both in conversation and in public address.
His wife was Ann, only child of Abraham Lefferts of New York, whom he married May 13, 1793. He had five sons and two daughters.
