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 BfOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 mitnuxQ 
 
 REV. SYLVESTER EARj^ED. 
 
 "TAe brifr/itest star in evening's train 
 Sets enrlujst in the rvestern main — 
 Tlic brightest star in mornings'' host 
 Scarce ris^n, in brighter birinis is losty 
 
 James Montgomery. 
 
 A a 2 
 
BIOGRArHY OF 
 
 SYLVESTER EARNED. 
 
 The Rev. Sylvester Larned, the subject of this me- 
 moir, was born in Pittsfield, (Mass.) August 31st, 1796, 
 and was the son of Col. Simon Larned, an officer of high 
 standing in the American army. It is said that tlic 
 germ of that commanding eloquence, for which he was 
 so much distinguished in life, began to be seen and felt 
 at the tenderest age. When quite a boy, while sporting 
 with his brother on one occasion, he laid a wager with 
 him that he could make him weep by talking to him. 
 There was at that time nothing solemn in their situation 
 or employment. But he commenced his appeal; and 
 such was the mighty power of tlie young orator's pathos, 
 that in a very short time he actually melted down his 
 brother into unwilling tears; and then, with a wagish 
 taunt, claimed his prize. At the early age of thirteen, 
 he was chosen by his fellow-students of the Academy of 
 Pittsfield, to deliver an oration on the Anniversary of 
 our country's independence. This he did with a self- 
 possession and a power, which surprised even those who 
 admired him most. In his class he led v/ithout an ef- 
 fort; always idle, yet always eminent, it became a sub- 
 
290 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 jcct of great surprise, how this peculiar boy could, by a 
 glance of thought, range his whole department of study, 
 and without ever seeming to fix his attention upon his 
 book, become familiar with its contents. 
 
 In his fourteenth year, he became a member of Wil- 
 liams College, (Mass.) but his instability of character in 
 so extreme youth, soon subjected him to the censure of 
 the ruling authorities. He therefore left this Institu- 
 tion ; but he afterwards attached himself to Middlebury 
 College, (Vt.) In the early part of his course here, also, 
 he was wild and unsettled. The elements of his cha- 
 racter were, by nature, tempestuously strong. His early 
 life was marked by a constant tendency to excess, and 
 his great activity of mind made him impatient of con- 
 trol. It was not until he had reached his senior year, 
 that the hand of God arrested him. Of the particulars 
 of this most important event of his life, and of the steps 
 by wliich he was led on to this result of mercy, we are 
 almost wholly ignorant. This cannot be too much 
 lamented. In a case so striking, every circumstance 
 would, probably, be eminently interesting and instruc 
 live. It is said, however, that his convictions of sin 
 were deep and awful ; the work rapid, conclusive, and 
 thorough ; and the change truly transforming. 
 
 Soon after this, he declared it to be the great purpose 
 of his life to serve God in the holy Ministry. And in 
 pursuance of this determination, after taking his first 
 <iegree, at the early age of seventeen, he formed a con- 
 nexion with the Theological Seminary at Andover, in 
 
REV. SYLVESTER LARNEU. 291 
 
 the autumn of 1813, lie left that Institution, however, 
 after the lapse of a single term, and returned home. 
 During the period of his continuance there, which did 
 not exceed a single year, he conducted a Grammar 
 School, carrying on, at the same time, his preparations 
 for the Ministry. 
 
 In the autumn of 1815, he was led to form a con- 
 nexion with this Seminary.* Here every step assumes 
 new interest, and an increasing importance accom- 
 panies every development of his unusual character. 
 At this most solemn point, we would gladly surrender 
 tlie subject to those who were members of the same little 
 band, and who felt, and thought, and acted with him. 
 They, who in the process of preparation knew him here 
 most familiarly, and marked, in the successive stages, 
 the formation of his character, possessed materials, the 
 lack of which renders our best attempts at faithful history 
 extremely imperfect. Yet even to those who were ha- 
 bitually with him, the unbroken uniformity, and noise- 
 less progress of a course of study here, give nothing pro- 
 minent in which character may be read, but the drift and 
 general effect. Judging in this way, the result upon 
 the whole bore a pleasing testimony to our departed 
 brother's advancement in knowledge and in grace. He 
 was a man of strong feeling, and of much action. Pa- 
 tient assiduity, and uniform habits of mind, were not so 
 conspicuous during his connexion with this Institution. 
 He thought more than he read, he acted and said more 
 
 * At Princeton, K. J. 
 
292 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 than he thought. His mind was uncommonly inde- 
 pendent, original, rapid, and rich; so that he made much 
 of little, and required much less preparation and thought 
 than ordinary men to act his part with effect. 
 
 But there was an evident and most promising increase 
 of strength of mJnd, of knowledge, and of personal 
 piety, during his course of study here. It is pleasing to 
 know, that he was often very actively engaged in doing 
 good around him, while a member of this Institution. 
 To the college he seems especially to have been ten- 
 derly drawn. He exerted a great influence over the 
 minds of the youth generally; and it is believed that in 
 more cases than one, he was the honoured instrument of 
 converting to God those who have since preached the 
 Gospel themselves. His religious feelings are said to 
 have been greatly revived within him during the last 
 year of his stay here. He had spent a short period of 
 time in Elizabethtown and Newark, during the work of 
 God in those places in the early months of the year 
 1817. From these sacred scenes he returned to Prince- 
 ton deeply revived; and ever after while here, threw 
 much more of the true spirit into all his duties, intellec- 
 tual and spiritual. It was at this time, especially, that 
 he laboured most faithfully and successfully in the 
 College. 
 
 In the summer of 1817 he was licensed to preach the 
 Gospel by the Presb3^tery of New York. The impres- 
 sion which he made upon the public mind was instanta- 
 neous, and very deep. Crowds began immediately to 
 gather around him wherever he preached ; overflowing 
 
REV. SYLVESTER LARNED. 293 
 
 congregations hung in rapture on his lips, and were 
 melted down under the power of his eloquence. Some 
 have thought that so much popular impression has been 
 made by no man so young, in this country, since the 
 days of Whitefield. 
 
 About this time the claims of Louisiana, upon the 
 Christian Church, began to be strongly felt. The 
 standard of Christ Jesus had scarcely ever been erected 
 in the city of New Orleans, though the centre alike of 
 a large population and an immense influence. The Rev. 
 Mr. E. Cornelius,* it is true, had, for a short season, 
 been labouring there with faithfulness, and great effect. 
 His connexion with the city was transient. But he was 
 a preparer of the icay to the efforts which ensued. 
 
 For the work of giving the Gospel a permanent and 
 triumphant location here, a character of eminent enter- 
 prise was required. Most persons were as unfit as they 
 were unwilling to attempt it. Larned was selected for 
 it. He acquiesced, and was soon after ordained as an 
 evangelist, for missionary labour in this important field. 
 He very soon set out on his journey thither. Penetrating, 
 in the first place, under the authority of a general mis- 
 sion, as far west as Detroit ; he then went directly south, 
 preaching the Gospel as he proceeded through Ohio and 
 
 * There was, in many points a peculiar, and very striking re- 
 semblance between these lamented servants of God, who have 
 been removed so soon from the field below to their reward on 
 high. It was this resemblance in fervour, boldness, commanding 
 eloquence, and even in the nobility of their personal appearance, 
 which enabled the one so harmoniously to succeed the other in the 
 enterprize at New Orleans.— T/ic Editor. 
 
294 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 part of Kentucky, until he reached Louisville, of the 
 latter State. Then, along with his fellow-labourer and 
 friend, the Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain, he left, the land, 
 embarked on the Ohio river, and descended it and the 
 Mississippi to New Orleans, touching as he went at the 
 most important points of the country. He reached Or- 
 leans in good season, before the departure of the Rev. 
 Mr. Cornelius, so as to derive all possible benefit from 
 the influence which he had already acquired. 
 
 The arrival of such a man, under such circumstances,, 
 was well calculated to produce an extraordinary im- 
 pression. A writer in the Christian Spectator, who was 
 his friend and fellow-student here, speaking of this ini 
 portant event, says : " On his first arrival in that city, a 
 general and unprecedented interest was awakened by 
 his preaching ; and every thing seemed to indicate that 
 Providence had sent him there to produce a great revo- 
 lution in the character of New Orleans. The uncom- 
 mon majesty with which he exhibited the truths of the 
 Gospel, the almost magic power by which he entranced 
 and rivetted his hearers, drew after him a multitude 
 composed of all classes, from the highest to the lowest in 
 society. It soon became an object with some of the 
 most respectable and influential gentlemen in the city, 
 to secure his permanent settlement among them ; and 
 measures were accordingly adopted to accomplish this 
 design. Mr. Larned listened to their proposals ; and, as 
 soon as v/as convenient, formed a Presbyterian Church, 
 of which he consented to become the pastor." 
 
 In the summer of 1818, he made a visit to the North 
 
REV. SYLVESTER LARNED. 295 
 
 and East, not only with a view to escape the sickly sea- 
 son of New Orleans, but to procure materials for build- 
 ing- a house of worship. During this, the last visit he 
 ever made to his native region, he preached in most of 
 our northern cities, and left an impression of his solemn 
 and overwhelming eloquence, which, it is believed, will 
 not soon be forgotten. 
 
 In the autumn of this year, he again set out for New 
 Orleans, Taking his route through the middle and 
 western States, and preaching the Gospel as he went, he 
 again embarked at Louisville, and reached his charge 
 early in the winter. By his persevering efforts he was 
 enabled to prepare for the reception of his congregation a 
 spacious edifice, at the commencement of the next summer. 
 During this season (1819,) he retired from the city to the 
 German coasts, (in its vicinity,) until the prevalence of 
 the epidemic had ceased. Shortly after his return to his 
 flock, he was married to Miss Wier, formerly of New- 
 buryport, Mass. 
 
 During the winter of 1819-20 he was invited by the 
 First Presbyterian church, Baltimore, to succeed the 
 Rev. Dr. Inglis; and he was at different times called to 
 Alexandria, Savannah, &c. But he resisted every call, 
 however seducing, and resolved to devote himself to the 
 cause of Christ in Louisiana. 
 
 It is highly interesting here to know that he projected 
 for himself a plan of a missionary exploring enterprize 
 into South America, as soon as he could in safety leave 
 his people for so long a time. But the God of Heavdn 
 had differently ordered. When the sickly season, at 
 
 B b 
 
296 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 which he had been accustomed to retire from the 
 ravages of death, came on, he resolved to remain behind, 
 and (if the God of Providence should please,) to perish 
 with the poor of his people, who could not flee the city. 
 Doubtless his soul was melted at the thought, that while 
 death was making havoc of this devoted population, none 
 remained behind when he was absent to point the dying 
 sinner to the Saviour. The reflection must have moved 
 him, that in afiliction this hardened people might be 
 tender ; and the suspicion of having been driven by fear 
 to fly from danger, he knew, with a people who measure 
 every thing by courage, might have injured the cause 
 of his Master more than even his life would benefit it. 
 Whatever the motive, he resolved to meet the issue at 
 his post, and if called to die, to die upon the field. 
 
 Until August, he was exceedingly well, and high 
 hopes were cherished that the city would be spared the 
 usual visitation of malignant fever. But they soon were 
 awakened from these illusive hopes by its sudden ap- 
 pearance in the most awful form. Larncd was indefati- 
 gable in his attentions to the sick and dying. It was 
 surprising, and was made a subject of remark, how soon 
 he found out even the afflicted strangers in the city who 
 had been overtaken by this destructive malady. 
 
 The last Sabbath of August had been appointed by 
 him as a day of public humiliation among his people, 
 and prayer to God that he would deliver the devoted 
 city from the awful visitation under which it groaned. 
 He met his people in the morning, and also in the after- 
 noon, of that solemn day. It was for the last time I Be- 
 
REV. SYLVESTER LARKED. 297 
 
 fore its close, he was laid prostrate by a most violent at- 
 tack of the fever. It soon broke his strength; it, for a 
 season, shook the powers of his mind; and on August 
 31st he breathed his last I Such was the wild distrac- 
 tion of grief and wo around him, that scarce a fact in 
 regard to his last hours has been treasured for the world. 
 When the delirium of dcatli was not on him, he was 
 firm and collected. When most aware of his danger, 
 he was most assured of his Saviour's presence and power; 
 and in the language of the writer quoted above, " He 
 was enabled to bear his dying testimony to the excel- 
 lence of that religion which it had been his delightful 
 employment to preach to others." As he approached 
 the final conflict, he was calm and composed, and he left 
 the world with the prospect of entering on an exceeding 
 great reward. 
 
 His death cast the deepest gloom over the widowed 
 city, and produced a strong sensation in almost every 
 part of the nation. In his native region, the public 
 grief was strikingly exhibited : and a sacred enthu- 
 siasm still kindles there, at the mention of his name ! 
 
 In sketching a character so blended and peculiar, 
 there is no small difficulty in adjusting its features so as 
 to be just, without appearing sometimes extravagant, and 
 sometimes severe. Of his intellect, it may be said, its 
 most striking feature was active power. He was not 
 remarkable for profound thought, or for very accurate 
 acquirement. But every effort he made on every subject 
 to which he chose intensely to direct liis attention, bore 
 witness that this was not owing to a want of mental 
 
298 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 power, but of mental patience. The fervour of his feelings 
 often made his mind discursive. His imagination was 
 extremely bold, vivid, and impatient of control : and it 
 is probable that his more solid qualities suffered from 
 these propensities. It was in truth natural for him thus 
 to be seduced by powers exerting such a controlling 
 influence over the passions of men. The paths of cool 
 inquiry would appear a circuitous route to the human 
 mind, to him who, by a single effort of irresistible pathos, 
 could transfuse his spirit through every auditor, and 
 break the heart in pieces at a blow. His eloquence was 
 chaste, ardent, and commanding. If it had a fault, 
 there was too much sentiment in it, and too little 
 thought; and the discerning hearer was sometimes 
 called to regret that the dress of a manner almost un- 
 rivalled was not always filled up by an equal power and 
 richness of matter. When he first appeared as a Min- 
 ister of the Gospel, (as he himself has owned) he was led 
 to bestow too much attention on what he thought most 
 likely to attract the mass of men ; we allude to his style of 
 writing, and mode of illustrating divine truth. But when 
 he became a settled pastor, he found that eloquence 
 would not feed his people. A great revolution imme- 
 diately took place in his style of instruction. He be- 
 came more plain, more didactic, and evangelical; and 
 the consequence was, that while they who had been at- 
 tracted by human power, were displeased, the sheep of 
 the fold found more of that food which came down from 
 above. 
 
 His piety, though sincere, was not of an order com- . 
 
REV. SYLVESTER LARNED. 299 
 
 mcnsurate with the other features of his character. He 
 was, pcriiaps, too much a man of frames, both in spi- 
 ritual and intellectual tiiing-s. He depended too much 
 on feeling'. When roused, he was remarkable for his 
 power in prayer; and, whenever he spoke in public, much 
 of the eftect he produced, was by a strong tide of feel- 
 ing, which, in its warm flow, melted down whatever it 
 touched. 
 
 Sometimes he sunk into great lethargy and inac- 
 tion of Christian spirit ; but again he would rise to a 
 hoight of glowing zeal, and long continued exertion, in 
 his Master's cause. 
 
 His natural constitution of character was impulsive, 
 and somewhat unstable, and might be expected to mani- 
 fest itself in his religious life. Probably, too, those fluc- 
 tuations of feeling to which all Christians arc subject, 
 were more exposed upon the surface of a character 
 which carried with it no power or purpose of conceal- 
 ment, but lived out every emotion to the eye of man. 
 And in an age of superficial piety, a part of the censure 
 which these remarks may seem to involve, attaches it- 
 self to the day in which he lived. 
 
 Yet there are written on the hearts of all his Chris- 
 tian friends, many sacred evidences of his Christian cha- 
 racter and worth: and every day he lived, continued to 
 strengthen their confidence and exalt their hopes. 
 
 The strength of his nerves and personal courage was 
 
 surprisingly great. It is related, that among his friends 
 
 in New Orleans, he had one, a man of much personal 
 
 prowess himself, who, in a fit of insanity, to which he 
 
 Rb 2 
 
300 BIOGRAPHY OF, 6zC< 
 
 was subject, formed the design of taking Larned's life. 
 This he kept a profound secret ; and Larned, not aware 
 of his friend's bewildered state of mind, was one day 
 asked by him to take a walk into the country. He con- 
 sented, set out, and had walked far out of view, when, 
 to his amazement, the madman drew a dagger from his 
 breast, and in a furious tone, ordered him to prepare to 
 die! Larned was unarmed, but not intimidated, or for- 
 saken by his presence of mind. Erecting himself be- 
 fore the armed madman in all the majesty of his bold 
 and striking appearance, he exclaimed, " In the name of 
 the Almighty, I defy you." His power of voice and 
 manner, and his undaunted boldness, disarmed the man 
 at once : the dagger fell from his hand: and he led him, 
 like a harmless child, back to the city ! 
 
 Such, in the freedom of truth, is the character of one 
 of the most interesting and extraordinary young men 
 who have ever appeared in our country. And now that 
 he has been cut down, who will meet the foe in the field 
 in which he fell ? who will gather the scattered flock, 
 and come forth in that city, great and guilty, to the help 
 of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty ? 
 
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