[1] After his ordainment, McPhail was called upon to preach at a number of Episcopalian churches, leaving at various times due to health problems.

[2] In 1857, while preaching Brainard Church, he was elected president of nearby Lafayette College, where he served until 1863.

[3] During the 1861 school year, and with the advent of the American Civil War, Lafayette saw a drastic decrease in enrollment.

Though interest in the school began again after the Battle of Antietam, it waned again following General Robert E. Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, leaving Lafayette with nearly no pupils.

[4] After Lafayette, McPhail taught at an all-ladies seminary in Philadelphia before taking on the role as president at Davidson College in 1867.