} X- ^ ^ -1 %^ THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS *.■• hi LIBRARY M A Y >: %>: >m MOB HlSTORICAl SBMf Kfi^wed by J.B LoHgMf 4 fnsw, •» ikirvtuj iw. . Meicalf MEMOIR OF TH« REV. ELIAS CORNELIUS. By B. B. EDWARDS. SecontJ Etiftfon. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY PERKINS, MARVIN, & CO, PHILADELPHIA: HENRY PERKINS. 1834. J>ntercd accordius; to Act of Con^iex.s in the year 1833, Hy Pkriciivs & Marvin, in the Clerk's OlTice of the District Court ol Massachusetts. 3 CONTENTS. Preface, CHAPTER I. Birth — Preparation for College — Admission to Yale College — Studies — Conversion, 13 r CHAPTER n. Study of Tlieology with Dr Dwight — Revival of Religion at Yale Col- lege — Fairliaven — Benevolent efforts — Residence al Litchfield, . 26 6 CHAPTER III. License to preach tl'C Gospel — Engagement as an Agent in behalf of the Bombay s< hools — Ordination as a Missionary— Agenoy among the southwestern Indians — Ilesidonce in New Orleans — Marriage — AgciR-y for raising a Fund for the Corresponding Secretary of the American Board of ilissions — Studies at A ndover, . . . . CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. Social and Domestic Character, .... 48 Installation in Salem over the Tabernacle church — Studies — Sermons — Pastoral labors — Benevolent agencies — General influence, . . \t\ 166 CHAPTER VL Sketch of the history of Education Societies — .\gencies of Mr. Corne- lius, in behalf of the American Education Society — Appointment as Secretary of the Society — Dismission from his pastoral charge at Salem — Removal to Andover, 196 i ■iSifi49 IV CHAPTER VII. Labors in conneclion with the American Education Society, from 1826 to 1832, 216 CHAPTER VIII. Character of Mr. Cornelius, as a Public Agent, Ml CHAPTER IX. Appointment of Mr. Cornelius as Corresponding Secretary of th« American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions — Delib- erations—Acceptance of the appointment — Agency in Boston — Illness-Death, 326 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The delay in the publication of the following Memoir is to be ascribed, in part, to the difficulty ex- perienced in procuring a portion of the materials. Some of the most valuable of the letters, did not reach the compiler until the last summer. The extracts in the volume from the journals of Mr. Cornelius, are exclusively taken from the public memoranda, or notes, which he was in the habit of recording. Some of them are drawn out into con- siderable detail ; but, in general, they are simply rough sketches, containing dates, names of towns, number of miles which he travelled, &lc. In examin- ing his papers after his death, a large collection was found, embracing evidently the records of a number of years. On the envelope, the following sentence was written. " Private papers, to be read only by the owner, and when he has done with them, to be VI consumed, without opening or examination.^^ The words underscored seemed to have been recently added. A small book was also discovered, upon the first page of which were these words. " This manu- script contains ray private journal of things concerning the interests of my soul. To be read and examined only by the owner, and when he has done with the same, to be consumed in the fire. This he leaves as his solemn charge, and dying request, to him, whoso- ever it may be, that shall obtain possession. Let him, who would have others faithful to himself, be faithful to me." The latter manuscript was commenced, as it would appear from the envelope, after Mr. Cornelius left home for the last time. The wish of the owner of the manuscripts has been scrupulously complied with. However great the interest, which extracts from them might have imparted to the memoir, there was obviously but one course to be pursued ; that of leaving them untouched. It may be a matter of regret that Mr. Cornelius decided to have them de- stroyed, but the adherence to his wishes, so explicitly made known, will be justified. In the perusal of the volume, the reader may do well to recollect, that Mr. Cornelius passed nearly the whole of his life in the performance of public duties of various and exhausting description, and that conse- quently he had little time for social, literary, or reli- gious correspondence, except so far as the indispen- sable calls of duty required. ' The compiler would have preferred, on several ac- counts, to have confined his attention entirely to the Vll editing and arranging of the manuscripts, which were placed in his possession, occasionally adding an ex- planatory or connecting paragraph. Those biogra- phies are the most instructive, in which the subject is allowed to give his own narrative, and develope his own sentiments, in such words as pleased himself. In the present case, some deviation from this rule was thought to be desirable, as the private journals of Mr. Cornelius were not accessible, and nothing in the shape of an autobiography was in existence. The remarks which are made upon his character as a pastor, preacher, and public agent, are offered with unfeigned diffidence. The few brief extracts which are given from the reports of the Education Society, are favorable speci- mens of his style of writing, and they will serve to give a connected, though condensed view of the history of the institution. Those persons, who are familiar with this history, will please to remember, that there is a large and increasing class of youthful readers, to whom its statements will be new. For the same reason, explanatory notes are occasionally added. It will be observed that the title of doctoi- in divinity, which was conferred on him, in 1829, by one of our most respectable colleges, is not retained in the me- moir. It has been omitted in consequence of views repeatedly expressed by him on the subject, especially in his last illness. He did not decline the honor from any disrespect to its source, or with any wish to con- demn others, who may judge differently; but from a belief that its assumption is not altogether in accord- ance with the spirit of the gospel. Vlll The likeness prefixed to the volume is not con- sidered a good one in all respects. It was engraved from a painting of Mr. Cornelius, which fails to give an accurate representation of his features. He sat for the picture at a time when he was recovering from illness. The execution, both of the painting and en- graving, is fine, and in some respects is strikingly- conformed to the original ; but in others, it essentially fails. A number of words and phrases in the volume, which are not pure English, or against which some objection lies, are printed in Italic characters. It is difficult to describe certain subjects, introduced into this memoir, in phraseology which is entirely correct. Boston^ December, 1833. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. A FEW corrections and alterations are made in this edition of the Memoir. Occasionally, unimportant paragraphs have been expunged, and in a few instan- ces the sentiment has been slightly modified. Boston, May, 1834. M E M O I R REV. ELIAS CORNELIUS Ki'piK, ri fi£ 9i'\sii zoirjffiU Acts ix. 6. MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. BIRTH PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION TO YALE COLLEGE STUDIES CONVERSION. Elias Cornelius, the subject of the following sketch, was born at Somers, Westchester county, New York, on the 30th of July, 1794. His paternal ancestors came originally from Holland. His father had commenced the study of medicine, under the superintendence of doctor Samuel Latham, a physician of New York city, when the war with Great Britain commenced. In entire opposition to the wishes of all his relatives, doctor Cornelius entered the service of his country, at the age of twenty years, in the capacity of surgeon's mate, in the second regiment of Rhode Island troops, then under the command of colonel Israel Angell. He was soon after taken prisoner, and thrown into the old Provost prison, in New York, where he was confined for a considerable period, and where he suffered almost incredible hardships. In March, 1778, he escaped, rejoined the army, and remained in the service of his country till 1781. He then commenced his professional business in Yorktown, about fifty miles from 2 14 MEMOIR OF the city of New York. While in the army he had become the subject of permanent religious impressions, which rendered him afterwards, in a spiritual sense, " the belov- ed physician." He joined the Congregational church in Yorktown, and in 1787, was appointed to the office of deacon. He soon after removed his residence to the northwest part of the town of Somers, and in 1790, formed, in conjunction with a few individuals, a church in Carmel, opposite Somers, the members of which were gathered from four or five contiguous towns. This was called the Red Mills society, or the church at Red Mills. The medical practice of doctor Cornelius extended, for many years, over a large district, comprehending portions of Somers, Yorktown, Carmel, Phillipstown, and Fred- ericktown. Though he had not enjoyed the advantages of an early education, yet by industry and love of study, he had acquired much general, as well as professional knowledge. To all his duties he brought a large measure of energy and firmness. His exertions in building a meeting-house, and in procuring and maintaining a preacher, were of the most prompt and liberal character. His first wife was a daughter of doctor Brewer, by whom he had four or five children, all of whom died at an early age. Mrs. Cornelius soon followed them to the grave. By his second marriage, doctor Cornelius had one son, and four daughters. The widow, and three of the daughters, are still living. In the early history of young Cornelius, nothing of special interest occurs. " I was very intimate in the family," says a venerable clergyman, who then officiated at the Red Mills church, " and was conversant with the history of the education of that only son. He was a very frank, active, and pleasant boy, full of vivacity, fond of the social circle and conversation ; but easily governed. ELIAS CORNELIUS. 15 His turn of mind exposed him sometimes to acts of juvenile indiscretion ; but he was readily corrected, and brought to a sense of his faults. We foresaw that his social disposition might expose him to the influence of crafty and vicious company ; and this circumstance some- times discouraged his father. He was apprehensive that an education would only qualify his son to do extensive mischief But it was strongly represented to him, that these traits of character would prepare the lad for eminent usefulness, if they could be turned into the right channel." As both his parents were pious, he was early and faithfully instructed in his duties to his Lord and Redeemer. Of the prayers and labors which were expended in his behalf, no marked fruits appeared for a number of years. He sometimes, however, manifested a warm interest in the in- telligent and devout conversation of his superiors in age. His conscience, enlightened by perusal of the Bible, and by the living example of his friends, did not allow him to remain in quiet, while alienated from his Maker. At one time, in his early boyhood, his feelings were deeply interested in reading Lindley Murray's ** Power of Re- ligion," a book which records the happy experience of many dying believers in Jesus. It was a signal favor to the church, that doctor Cornelius united in his character, those qualities which could control the high spirits of his son, and at the same time implant in his bosom the principles of the most affectionate and endearing filial attachment. No measures more intelligent and judicious could have been adopted, in providing for him an elementary and academical education. His preparatory studies for college were committed, in part, to the care of the Rev. Herman Daggett, afterwards principal of the Foreign Mission School, at Cornwall, Ct. To the instructions of this gentleman, Mr. Cornelius was greatly indebted for his skill in penmanship, and for the IQ MEMOIR OF order, accuracy, and fine tact, which he ever exhibited in his pecuniary and business engagements. Mr. Daggett might be called an instructor of the " old school ; " possessing much of that manual dexterity, as well as thorough enthusiasm in his pursuits, which have rendered the names of Corbet, Ezekiel Cheever, and master Moody, so famous in the records of elementary education. To a well-trained mind, and to a perfect acquaintance with all the minutiae of his duties, Mr. Daggett united gentle affections, warm sensibilities, and winning manners. Mr. Cornelius ever looked back to this period in his life, with deep interest, associating the acquisition of habits of great importance to himself, with the faithful services and affectionate heart of his revered instructor. Mr. Daggett has within a few months been summoned to join his beloved pupil, as we doubt not, in " the general assembly and church of the first born." In September, 1810, when a little more than sixteen years of age, Mr. Cornelius entered the sophomore class in Yale college. His father had preferred Columbia college, in the city of New York, as a place for the education of his son ; but he wisely listened to the suggestions of a mutual friend, who thought it injudicious to expose a young man of so ardent temperament to the dangers of a great metropolis. Of the history of his mind at college, or of his literary course, the notices must necessarily be brief Having passed his life in the country, amidst interesting natural scenery, and possessing habits of great bodily activity, which led him frequently into the woods and fields, he early developed a strong predilection for mineralogy and the kindred sciences. This tendency was probably strengthened by those habits of orderly arrangement, which so strikingly characterize some of the departments of natural history. He saw in these studies much which ELIAS CORNELIUS. I7 could gratify the taste which he had early formed for beauty of proportion, and skilful arrangement. He rambled many miles in the country around New Haven, with his steel, mineral tests, and stone-hammer, and returned with heavy loads of stone and ore. He was accustomed to mark all his specimens in mineralogy, many of which were valuable, with great care ; and on a particular shelf he had written, in prominent letters, " Handle not." Some years before Mr. Cornelius united with the seminary, colonel Gibbs, of Newtown, near New York city, a very liberal benefactor to science, had established a small fund for premiums in natural history. From the avails of this fund, costly mineralogical speci- mens were awarded to the two members in a class who were most distinguished for their researches in mineralogy. *' Mr. Cornelius," remarks a class-mate, "received the first premium during junior year, and I the second. In senior year, we again received the premiums in a reversed order. There was on neither occasion any feeling of rivalship between us ; least of all, in senior year. On the last occasion, Cornelius coming directly from the minera- logical lecture to my room, remarked, ' Well, well, I hope we have both got a better part, which shall never be taken away from us.' " In reference to his intellectual character and pursuits, another class-mate makes the following observations. " I was not aware of Mr. Cornelius's extreme youth while in college ; at least so important a fact in his history, if known, made no permanent impression on my mind. I am induced to believe that to this circumstance must be attributed, principally, his character as a student while in the seminary. I do not recollect that he was deficient in any branch ; but while he was distinguished in those studies which relate to natural history, he appeared not to have the same attachment to other pursuits. The native ardor 2* 18 MEMOIR OF of his mind, which was so early developed, previous to maturity of intellect and the stability of years, led him almost as a necessary consequence to the course which he pursued, especially while not influenced by the princi- ples of religion. In our estimates of character, I think we do not always bring into view sufficiently the original structure of the mind. It would not, perhaps, be correct to state that the faculties of Mr. Cornelius's mind ripened late ; in some respects the reverse was true, yet certain traits which early appeared, wanted the balance of opposite qualities. This circumstance incidentally turned his at- tention from those branches which demanded the severest mental discipline, to those which presented a more ample field for action and experiment, in which he ever de- lighted. And this, I conceive to be perfectly consistent with the fact, that he subsequently applied himself to other branches of study, and became conversant with literature to the extent which his other avocations would admit. Very kw persons of his age are prepared, what- ever may be their previous powers of mind, to make the highest attainments in the studies of college, unless piety has given stability of character, or some favorable circum- stances have existed with respect to associates. It is my impression, that the studies to which he attached himself with special interest, gave a fixedness of character to his mind, and prepared him afterwards to pursue other branches with greater benefit. I am in some degree inclined to believe, that it is not so important by what branch of study the mind is, in its earliest years, disciplined, as that the energies should be directed to some one useful and interesting object of attention." There is no necessity of dissenting from these intelligent remarks. Complete justice, however, would hardly be done to the character of Mr. Cornelius, not to add, that the imperfect acquaintance which he obtained of some of ELIAS CORNELIUS. 19 the college studies was ever to him a matter of deep regret. He accordingly labored to remedy the defect so far as was in his power ; and he always threw the whole force of his influence in favor of the most ample classical preparation for professional life. The studies of college are adapted to develope and invigorate all the faculties of the mind. They are framed with a wise regard to every exigency of active life. Ignorance of the ancient lan- guages is an evil, which can never be remedied. The studies of natural history are attended with obvious ad- vantages in respect to the health, the taste, the moral sensibilities, and in their reflex action, on the mind, but they can never be placed in the same rank with the lan- guages and mathematics. They cultivate almost exclu- sively the powers of observation and of the external senses, not of meditative thought, and inward reflection. The social character and general influence of Mr. Cornelius are thus described by one of his intimate friends. " During most of his college life, he was cer- tainly a very thoughtless young man. Of prepossessing personal appearance, of a generous, frank, and sociable disposition, fond of company and amusement, his society was coveted by the inconsiderate and irreligious portion of his fellow-students. Among them he was a leader, primus inter juires, although not addicted, so far as I know, to what are termed vicious practices.'^ In reference to the most important period in his life, when his mind was decisively turned to those great sub- jects which concerned him as an immortal and accountable being, the readers of this memoir will be gratified with the statements of different individuals. " It is a remarkable fact, though not rare in the history of revivals of religion, that there existed at this time in college, and especially in the senior class, some instances, as it afterwards appeared, of solemn reflection on religious truth, produced by causes 20 MEMOIR OF haviiiDT no connection with each other. A few individuals, during the preceding term, had been led to consult volumes on practical theology, and had advanced so far in their inquiries, as to introduce prayer in their rooms. They were deeply impressed with the importance of religion, during the vacation, or at a previous period, by the last warnings of a pious mother, and in various other ways ; and yet, on their return to college, no communi- cation was made on the subject, beyond the walls of private apartments. My room-mate and myself had been accustomed, for a season, to unite with each other in prayer, but further than this, had concealed our emotions in our own bosoms. Happening to be in a room opposite, near the commencement of the term, my class-mates said, ' It is thought that Cornelius has become attentive to the subject of religion, and that that is the cause of the change in his countenance.' The words came to me with great weight, though I made little or no reply. My room, in the appointment of Providence, was directly under that of Cornelius, and according to college-custom, we visited each other frequently. On the evening of the same day, if I remember correctly, after the students had generally retired for the night, with the exception of the occupants of the room above, from some indefinite motive, or light errand, I went to Cornelius's door, and on knock- ing, was admitted, though I was surprised to find that the door had been locked. After a few words had passed between us, he said, ' We were about to unite in prayer, and I presume you will have no objection to join with us.' He then kneeled with his room-mate, and poured forth such a prayer as I had never heard before. The whole ardor of his soul was directed towards hea^n, in suppli- cations for blessings on ourselves and others. The next day he called at our room, and earnestly entreated us to commence with him immediately in seeking salvation. ELIAS CORNELIUS. 21 Our hearts were full before ; and this led to a free com- munication of our feelings. We now became earnest in our inquiries, and soon it was found that others were in a similar state of mind." Another individual writes as follows : — " When the little college-church awoke from its guilty slumbers, and as the result, the effusion of the Holy Spirit was earnestly sought and confidently expected, I well remember, that we selected Cornelius as likely to become a leadincr opposer of the work of God, and on that account, perhaps, he was made the subject of special prayer. A revival commenced, and to our inexpressible joy, he, if not the first, was one of the first awakened. He early disclosed to me the state of his mind. There was somethino- about him, which excited the most lively interest in his case. His convictions were unusually deep and painful. Of the character of God, as holy, righteous, and sovereign, of the purity of his law, and of the extent of his require- ments, of the entire depravity of his own heart, and of the sinfulness of his past life, he had very clear percep- tions. Of the truth of the declaration, ' the carnal mind is enmity against God,' he had most distressing proof in his own experience. He saw that he was in the hands of God, who was reasonable in his demands, and would be just in condemning the sinner. But his heart rose at times in fearful rebellion against his Maker. Like the * bullock unaccustomed to the yoke,' he struorcrled and seemed determined not to submit ; and I trembled lest the Spirit thus resisted, would ' let him alone.' The anguish of his soul was almost insupportable." From a letter of a third person, the following state- ments are gathered. " I have a distinct recollection of the altered appearance of Cornelius, when he returned to college, at the close of January vacation, 1813. A fellow- student, whom I have consulted, thinks that Mr. Cornelius 22 MEMOIR OF became somewhat thoughtful, while at home during the vacation. It was, however, my own opinion then, and has been ever since, that he had been unusually gay and thoughtless during the vacation ; and that his first emotion of solemnity, occurred after he had made a fire in his room, on the Tuesday evening of his arrival, and had seated himself alone. I understood then, that while considering the disregard he had paid to parental injunc- tions, and parental solicitude for his soul, he became deeply penetrated with a sense of ingratitude to his earthly parents; and that, before he slept, while alone, without the intervention of a human being, and under the inspec- tion of no eye but that of God, he became irresistibly impressed with the worth and lost condition of his soul. On the following Saturday, I perfectly recollect his making his first entrance into the Moral Library, of which I was librarian, and selecting the ' Memoir of Susanna Anthony.' The reason of my being impressed with this occurrence was, that although Mr. Cornelius was never considered as a vicious or abandoned member of our class, yet he always appeared so full of vivacity, gaiety, and even thoughtlessness, his very solemn manner and his inquiry for such a book, could not escape the observation of any one w'ho had known him previously. From this time I do not believe a smile appeared on his countenance, till his conversion. He lost flesh rapidly, and the effect of this external change was irresistible upon the most irre- ligious of our class. I have no remembrance of ever witnessing so visible and affecting an alteration in one's external demeanor. And it was a remarkable fact, that our very large and respectable class, then in their senior year, became immediately and generally impressed with a sense of their oivn accountability ; which I have no doubt arose through the instrumentality of the marvellous altera- tion in our gay friend, Cornelius," ELIAS CORNELIUS. 23 Only one of the letters which he wrote, in this state of anxiety, is now accessible. This is dated on the 25th of March, and is directed to his sister. In the month of March, about six or seven weeks after the commencement of his religious impressions, he found peace in submission to Christ. "One day," remarks a fellow-student, " he knocked at my door. On opening it, his countenance told me that the contest was over. The storm had passed away, and it was as the ' clear shining after rain.' He requested me to walk with him. We were silent until we had proceeded some distance from college. My own emotions were such that I had no disposition to speak. He was musing, and the fire burned. When we had come to a retired place, unable longer to restrain his feelings, he raised his hands, and exclaimed, * O ! sweet submission, sweet submission ! ' This ex- pression he repeated many times during our walk. That he was in the hands of God, was his theme, and the re- joicing of his heart. He expressed no hope of pardon, and appeared not to think of himself The glorious Being, to whose character, law, and government, he had felt so much opposition, seemed to occupy the whole field of vision, and to fill his soul with inexpressible delight. Soon he spoke of the plan of salvation through the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God. It was unfolded in its glory, and excited his most grateful admiration. He saw how * God could be just, and justify him that believeth in Jesus.' ' Believing, he rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.' Pressed with a sense of his obligations to redeem- ing grace, his fervent aspiration seemed to be, * Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ? ' The love of Christ, shed abroad in his heart, immediately manifested itself in vigorous, self-denying efforts for the conver.sion of his fellow-men." 24 MEMOIR OF It may here be remarked, that there is no discrepancy in the preceding accounts. It is highly probable that he had seasons of painful reflection during the preceding term, as well as in the January vacation, though he might have ajjpeared entire]y abandoned to stupidity and thought- lessness. It is not uncommon that a special manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit is preceded by apathy on the part of many of the servants of Jesus, and of secret feelings of uneasiness and alarm in the hearts of unbe- lievers. Having been thus " apprehended " by his gracious Saviour, he resolved to " count all things loss " for his sake, and to testify of that love which filled his own soul. He applied himself, indeed, more closely to his studies, that he might be better prepared to preach the everlasting gospel, and in a measure to redeem the time he had lost. But action, benevolent action, was the element of his soul. For the conversion of his fellow-students, he labored and prayed incessantly. On one occasion, he invited a young man to walk with him, who had been for some time in a thoughtful state of mind, but was quieting himself in a delusion which is often fatal to persons in such circum- stances. His remarks to the individual were so appropriate to his very critical condition, and his expostulations were so earnest, that it was the occasion, under God, of awakening the delaying sinner, and of leading him, as it was believed, to " lay hold of the hope which was set before him." Though in the class, to which Mr. Corne- lius belonged, there had not been previously more than four professors of religion, yet the moral change was glorious, and was the means of affording many useful and distinguished men for the vineyard of the Lord. Atone time, there were from eighty to one hundred young men in college, who were deeply solicitous in respect to their eternal welfare. ELIAS CORNELIUS. 25 ;^arly in June, 1813, Mr. Cornelius united with the church in Yale college. Such was his life, during the remainder of his residence in New Haven, that no one was disposed to call in question the genuineness of his piety. In September, he received his first degree. CHAPTER II. STUDY OF THEOLOGY WITH DR. DWIGHT REVIVAL OF RE- LIGION AT YALE COLLEGE FAIRHAVEN BENEVOLENT EFFORTS — RESIDENCE AT LITCHFIELD. Soon after leaving college, Mr. Cornelius commenced the study of theology under the direction of president Dwight. This eminent individual then discharged the duties of professor of divinity. In addition to the sermons and lectures which he delivered "on the Sabbath, and at other times, before the undergraduates, he generally had a select number of theological students, to whom he com- municated regular instruction. A number of Mr. Corne- lius's most valued class-mates and friends were at this time associated with him in these delightful pursuits. To a fellow-student, then at Andover, he thus writes on the first of March, 1814. " You see by the date of my letter, that I write on the day which we have agreed upon, to remember each other, and make supplication for the seminary at which we received our education, and for the church in it, together with absent brethren. No doubt but you remember our last church meeting, when we solemnly agreed to visit the throne of grace on the first day of every month at sunset, and pray for these blessings. And how pleasing the thought, that although absent in flesh, yet present in MEMOIR OF CORNELIUS. 27 spirit with our distant brethren, we are uniting with them in one request, visiting one throne of grace, and asking of one God, even our Father, such blessings as our souls desire, through one Mediator and Saviour Jesus Christ. At such a time, a thousand fond reflections on scenes and events which are past, rush into the mind, and afford us the rarest pleasure. And although your distance might possibly have caused you to forget me, which I must confess your neglecting to write gives some ground for supposing, yet distance cannot obliterate the remembrance of you from my mind. Had my acquaintance with you been only of a worldly nature, I confess that might have been the case. But, dear H., are we not united by ties stronger than this world can make ? If we are not, how am I deceiv'ed ! No doubt, my friend, you would know how my soul prospers in this barren wilderness, where sin abounds, and vice reigns almost universally. What shall I tell you ? Little did I know when I parted from you, what a stormy sea I was about to navigate, how many narrow escapes I was to experience, how often to be saved almost from shipwreck, how many days I had to spend, when the sun could not be seen for the clouds which completely obscured him from my sight, how often I should lose my anchor, my hope, and then be driven about by the mountain-waves ; but these things I have experi- enced. I find I am comparatively nothing, and my great- est strength but weakness. The Christian course is beset by a thousand snares, artfully laid by a thousand foes. " I hope, dear H., you are not that faithless servant which I must acknowledge myself to be. I have felt, though not without severe regret, the fervency of my affection abate, my love grow cold, my zeal relax into stupidity in the cause of Jesus. I have been often stung by the poison of the world. I have looked within, and beheld all manner of wickedness, pollution complete, and 28 MEMOIR OF what has caused me to be in bitterness, I have often found myself so hardened, that what would once make me burst into tears of joy and gratitude, I mean the love of our Saviour, now- could not affect my rocky heart; and how cold at such seasons, all affection of love to the divine character, the Redeemer and his chosen ones, the precious of the earth. And can you wonder, dear brother, if indeed I am entitled thus to call you, when I tell you that I have doubted — ah, and most solemnly too, that I have almost, if not wholly given up my hope. But God who is abundant in mercy, hath been gracious, and not rewarded me according to my desert. I am what I am by his sovereign grace alone ; every step of the Christian in his course, proves the necessity of the continual opera- tions of the Spirit. I have, though utterly unworthy, been permitted to enjoy other scenes, and I trust that I am not wholly forsaken as I deserve. I think I learn from experi- ence, the truth of that saying of our Saviour, ' Without me, ye can do nothing ; ' and what glorious condescension in our Redeemer to lend a sovereign hand of mercy, to one who is so faithless and ungrateful. May the good Lord pardon us freely for his own name's sake. "I could write all night, in recounting what I have felt, seen, and heard, what I hope I have experienced of the loving kindness of the Lord, but I have already taken up, I am afraid, too much of your time in speaking of my experiences, which I confess savors much of ostentation, were I not writing to a tender, beloved, and sympathizing friend. What I most fear is my own traitorous heart. I may be deceived, and yet dishonor the Christian cause. " Since last commencement,* T have been engaged in theological studies, principally such as the Bible, church * The anniversary at the American colleges is so called ; Avhen the senior class leave the institution, afler having had a public ex;- hibition, and received their first degree. ELIAS CORNELIUS. ^ history, some of Edwards's works, &lc. Local duties, such as catechising children, attending prayer-meetings on secular days, Sabbath evenings, &-c. I have, for almost five months past, had a small private school under my tuition, consisting of four or five individuals. I have also devoted considerable time to makincr mvself acquainted with the subject of missions to the heathen, and have, I hope, been profited thereby. O how highly are we exalted ! How encouraging the view, which, even amid the noise and tumult of war in which the world at the present day is involved, a Christian must take of the dispensations of God. * You will no doubt justify this as- sertion, if you have read Dr. Dwight's sermon before the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. But I confess I do desire to see greater exertions made to Christianize the poor Indians at the West, who reside so much nearer us than the inhabitants of Hindoostan. But who feels it not to be a most solemn trust committed to these United States, to send the gospel to the multitudes bordering on us ? What supports one missionary in Hin- doostan, would support two or three in Louisiana, or Illi- nois, or other territories on our western frontier. In going to them, we have no Atlantic or Indian oceans to cross- Missionaries could travel through our own country, which would greatly diminish expense. Who must perform this work ? The Christians in Great Britain ? What answer does economy give ?" The two following letters were addressed to the same individual. « JVeiy Haven, May 29, 1814. '* I trust you have not forgotten us, and the pleasant scenes through which our heavenly Father led us the last year. Here you first found the great Physician of 3* ^0 MEMOIR OF souls ; you have made, you hope, your peace with God. Oh come and let us together converse on those things which we once experienced, and on what our eyes have since seen, our ears heard, and our hearts felt of the loving kindness of our God. Dear H., how sweet is the remem- brance of our prayers and our songs, which we have mutually offered ; how pleasing to reflect upon the af- fectionate conversation, retired walks, and many evening exercises which we once enjoyed. Have we not now a hope of our union to the blessed Redeemer? I am con- fident I feel something of the unity of the Spirit with you; we are engaging in the same service, we have a common Lord and Redeemer. Oh may we not once more meet this side the grave, and renew that pleasure we once enjoy- ed together. Let us provoke each other to love and good works, once more unite our prayers, and tell what God hath done for us. I do wish exceedingly to see you." " New Haven, June 11, 1814. - " You have by this time, dear brother, it is presumed, gained some acquaintance with the nature of that calling, in which God, by his grace, has placed you. You, no doubt, feel that it is solemn as eternity itself. A messen- ger from God, the sovereign of all worlds, the governor of the universe ; an ambassador from heaven to guilty rebels ; a servant and minister of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. How solemn, how holy, how in- teresting such a character ! What a fearful responsibility is attached to an officer of ' the King of kings and Lord of lords.' How necessary that ' holiness to the Lord,' be written on his heart and manifested in his life. ' Who is sufficient for these things 1 ' None, indeed, but those who with Paul can say, ' I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' I hope and doubt not but you are enabled to use this language of faith through ELIAS CORNELIUS. 31 the grace given to you from above. Will you then re- member your unworthy friend and brother in your suppli- cations at the throne of your divine Master and heavenly Father ? At present, the world is striving for my affec- tions. I hoped when I reached this place to renew all those pleasing scenes through which I had passed one year before. But alas, things appear widely different in college now, from what they did then ; a general stupidity prevails among professors of religion ; and no one, per- haps, is more completely under its influence than myself. Sometimes, however, I am revived. This was particu- larly the case last Sabbath, it being communion, and also the anniversary of my admission to the church. These circumstances rendered it more pleasing and interesting. But with me such scenes are of short duration ; before another setting sun, I am fast in the icy fetters of stupidity and indifference. When reflect- ing on my situation, I not unfrequently doubt whether I ought to assume that profession on which you have entered. I need more light, and vastly more grace than I now have evidence of possessing. I trust God will ef- fectually decide, and if he place me in that calling, ' his grace shall be sufficient for me.' Of what consequence is it, my beloved friend, where we receive our education, if we be properly fitted for our work. What though we are removed very far from each other, yet if we are one in spirit, one in respect to our ends, and ultimate hopes, and prospects, the short space of tim'e allotted us in this vale of tears will soon be gone, and we, if indeed we are Christians, shall meet in the kingdom of our heavenly Father, perfect in love, and holiness — never more to separate — in the enjoyment of God, our Redeemer and Sanctifier — in the company of angels and saints ' Where streams of pleasure ever flow. And every heart is love.' " 32 MEMOIR OF It is natural to suppose that Mr. Cornelius would feel a strong interest in the subject of revivals of religion in colleges. It was on college-ground that he had first par- taken of the joys of forgiven sin, and of hopes full of immortality. He was thus preparing to exert a most important influence upon young men placed in similar circumstances. He had known the temptations which beset the thoughtless and inexperienced undergraduate. He had learned how a community of ardent young men are affected, what truths are specially appropriate to their condition, and in what manner and measure to present these truths to their consideration. The great importance of revivals of religion in literary institutions was impressed on his mind with indelible distinctness. It is not too much to say that his labors in respect to the religious con- dition of students, were among the most earnest and suc- cessful in which he was ever engaged. On the 5th of December, 1814, he says, " The state of religion is low indeed in college, though we are hoping for better days. The brethren appear to be in some measure at least awake. We have agreed to unite in a secret concert of prayer every Sabbath morning, at sunrise, for a revival of religion in college. Will you and your brethren unite with us? There are two instances of awakening." It may here be proper to remark, that not many of the students of Yale college, were at this time professors of religion. A considerable proportion of those who became pious in the revival of 1813, were members of the senior class, whose connection with college had terminated in September of that year. Mr. Cornelius had, however, some efficient coadjutors. Among these was Samuel B. Ingersoll, who had become religious while master of an East India ship. When cast away on the rocks of Ber- muda, the lightning rending the masts asunder was the ELIAS CORNELIUS. 33 means, in the hands of God, of his conviction and sub- sequent conversion. He was a holy man while member of college, and was a kindred spirit with. Cornelius. He completed his academical education when thirty-five years of age. Soon after he had entered on the ministry, he rested from his labors. The important part which Mr. Cornelius performed in the revival of religion which occurred in Yale college in the winter of 1814-15, a respected minister of the Baptist church, then a member of the institution, describes in the following manner. '* The piety of Mr. Cornelius was of the active kind. He felt for the souls of those young men whose skepticism, if not infidelity, recalled to mind his own former life when 'without God and without hope in the world.' In some of our usual or stated prayer-meetings, attended by Mr. Ingersoll, and a few other pious students, who are now useful ministers of the gospel, a proposal was made for increased exertion on the part of Christians in behalf of the fearful state of irreligious students. I cannot, at this distant period of eighteen years, state by whom this proposition was made ; but as we looked to Cornelius as a leader in those meetincrs, I am induced to attribute it to him. We accordingly agreed to meet at an early hour in the morning, before prayers in the chapel. In a short time, students began to feel solicitous. This awakened our hopes, encouraged our prayers, and greatly increased the zeal and warmth of Mr. C.'s exhortations; indeed in such a manner as I shall never forget. Though our acquaintance continued at intervals until his death, still there is scarcely a period of his life so vividly printed on my memory, as when he addressed us in these prayer- meetings and conferences, with those soul-stirring appeals for which he was peculiarly gifted. I well recollect one 34 MEMOIR OF very cold night, in which we walked nearly half a mile from college, at the early hour of three o'clock, to a private room to pray, and I have always remembered that morn- ing as one of the happiest I ever enjoyed. It was truly a season in which heaven seemed to be let down to earth, and to adopt his language at the time, ' The foundations of college began to tremble.' Mr. Ingersoll, with two or three other excellent young men, commenced visiting from room to room, and scarcely a room did they enter, in which there was not found at least one awakened sinner. Some infidels fastened their doors, determined to shut out visitors and conviction. But the Spirit of the Lord reached them, and compelled them, not only to open their doors, but also their hearts, to receive the truth. For a number of days we were scarcely able to study or recite at all. So universal was the excitement, that it was be- lieved there were not more than three or four students in college, who were not impressed with concern for the soul. " About eighty were considered as fruits of the revival in the institution, besides many other persons in the city. Though a number afterwards gave reason to believe they had deceived themselves, yet it was a glorious revival, and many will forever bless God that Cornelius was there, and labored for their salvation." The same scenes were thus detailed by Mr. Cornelius. ''Mew Haven, April 13, 1815. *' Had you been here you would have seen the most decisive evidence that the work was of God. It was so great that all were astonished at the sight. This was particularly the state of things on Monday and Tuesday of last week. Those days may emphatically be called days of awakenino; and conviction. Instances of this nature increased so fast, that it was impossible to tell at any one time what was the exact state of college. Those who ELIAS CORNELIUS. 35 were awakened, were requested to assemble at particular rooms — of which one was designated for each entry, and proper persons were appointed to take charge of the meetings. The. attention to the subject was such, that religion might properly be said to be the general topic of conversation. It seemed at one time, as if a universal solemnity prevailed, and every individual was prepared to hear conversation on the subject. It was at this time, that I wrote my letter to Mr. B., the contents of which I sup- pose you have seen or heard. The number I then stated to be religiously impressed, was one hundred ; this was mere conjecture on my part, most persons estimated the number much higher, and I thought that I was below the truth. But it now appears that much of the feeling then visible was the effect of mere sympathy, and probably not more than eighty or ninety students have experienced real conviction of sin. A number who were at first awakened have returned to their state of stupidity, and since Tuesday of last week I do not remember to have heard of more than five or six instances of awakening. From that time to the present, the period may be styled the days of conversion. The number of those who hope they have ' passed from death to life,' I cannot exactly state. There are some of whom we stand in doubt. About forty give clear evidence of conversion. For two or three days past, the revival has appeared to be stationary ; we now hope it is advancing again. Almost every day, some instances of conversion occur. " I hope you will answer this soon, and let me know of your affairs ; once we walked, we prayed, we sang, we sweetly conversed together. Oh ! blessed days, when worldly care and worldly affection were in some sense strangers to our breasts, and sweet submission and Chris- tian simplicity made us happy in the presence of God. Oh our divine Benefactor, may those days return, and our 36 MEMOIR OF hearts again be given unreservedly to thee, and we be fitted for thy presence in glory." In June, he thus mentions a proposal for a general concert of prayer in behalf of colleges. " A plan is on foot for establishing a concert for prayer in all the colleges in the United States, at nine o'clock every Sabbath morn- ing. It has been already extensively communicated in many directions. If any other hour has been heretofore thought of, I trust it will be relinquished for the reason, that all may he united in this. You will do what you can to promote the blessed design. I hope we all shall see the providence of God in it. Our concert was held last Sabbath morning, and will be continued till another revi- val of religion, and from that period, I hope, till the mil- lennium. Oh what things do we witness. Let heaven and earth rejoice. The Prince of peace and glory is riding through the world. The angel is flying in the midst of heaven with the everlasting gospel." A deep interest was felt about this time in the minds of many in the Christian community, in behalf of several young men from pagan lands, providentially thrown on our shores. Four or five natives of the Sandwich islands, particularly, were the means of calling forth strong sym- pathies, which resulted in the adoption of systematic mea- sures for their education. In these philanthropic labors, Mr. Cornelius took a decided part. In conjunction with Samuel J. Mills, and another individual yet living, he toiled perseveringly and with great success to direct pub- lic attention towards the interesting strangers from the *' isles of the sea." The circumstances in respect to the first suggestion of a Foreig.n Mission School, are thus detailed by the individual last alluded to. '* The heathen youth, to whom Mills, of blessed memory, paid so much attention, early attracted the notice of Mr. Cornelius. He ELIAS CORNELIUS. 37 found a native of Hawaii in New Haven, and with some difficulty obtained his release from an engagement into which he had entered. It was ascertained that several others were in different parts of the country. As we were one day deliberating in respect to what could be done in their behalf, the idea of a foreign mission school was suggested, whether by him or myself it is impossible to determine. It is very probable that the suggestion first came from him. We concluded that the subject must in some way be brought before the Christian community. He said to me, I will collect what information I can re- specting these heathen youth, and you must write a tract. The piece thus produced was first published in the Pano- plist, and afterwards constituted the substance of a pam- phlet. I have a copy of it now lying on my table, in Mr. Cornelius's handwriting." In the course of this year, Mr. Cornelius resided for a number of weeks at Fairhaven, in the vicinity of New Haven, Ct. The people of the place were destitute of the regular preaching of the gospel, and had severely suffered in consequence of that destitution. It was a field demanding diligent and laborious cultivation. The main object of Mr. Cornelius in resorting to this village was to secure an opportunity for retired reading and study. But the circumstances of the people called forth his sym- pathy, his earnest prayers and efforts. God was pleased to bless his labors with the influence of the Holy Spirit, many were awakened from the death of sin, and a con- siderable number were made " new creatures in Christ Jesus." The whole aspect of the village was changed. The fruits of holiness abounded to the glory of God. The labors of his young servant were also remembered with ardent gratitude, and even to this day, individuals are found in that village, who testify to his great love to them for Jesus' sake. 4 38 MEMOIR OF Many readers of these pages will be filled with admira- tion, we doubt not, at the extraordinary activity which he manifested, from the first, in the service of his divine Master. 'He could not hut speak the things which he had seen and heard.' The whole current of his soul was turned into one channel — the conversion of all mankind to Christ. For twenty years he pursued this object with undeviating purpose. The vacations, which other students spent in amusement, or in simple relaxation from study, were to him harvest seasons, in which souls were gathered for Christ. In one of the vacations from his theological studies, he succeeded in forming a temperance society, substantially on the principle, and with the formal pledge, of entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits. This was as early as 1814-15, a period when the deluge of in- temperance was at its height, and when the friends of good order were trying to arrest its ravages by inducing men to report every year lioic much ardent spirits had been con- sumed in their families ! The association, which Mr. Cornelius was instrumental in forming, was highly useful. During another of these vacations, he surveyed the whole country between the Hudson river and the State of Con- necticut, for the purpose of ascertaining its moral condition. At a later day, and near the time of the formation of the American Bible Society, he succeeded in establishing, amidst much obloquy and opposition, an auxiliary associa- tion in Putnam county. New York. The results of one of his visits at the period now referred to, are here given. " Somers, jV. F., Oct. 20, 1815. "I remained in New York about eight days, and re- covered so fast, that during the last half of the time, I was able to visit, attend prayer-meetings, and other duties. Immediately after the great storm abated, the wind became fair, and my mother, myself, and two young ladies, our ELIAS CORNELIUS. 39 friends belonging to the city, sailed up the river to Peekskill, where my father was waiting for us ; we rode home, arrived safely, and found all well. I ascertained that there were some favorable appearances of a revival of religion among the people, though nothing very extraor- dinary. Two or three persons had lately become hopeful Christians. But I was sorry to find that not a single prayer-meeting was held within the bounds of the society. I immediately consulted our minister, and several appoint- ments for meetings were made in different parts of the congregation, which are continued regularly. These meetings are remarkably well attended, being literally crowded. Since they have been held, God has, we trust, been pleased to give us encouraging tokens of a revival of religion. The attention is most evident in my father's neighborhood. We had at my father's house, last Tuesday evening, a meeting for those who had lately become thought- ful, and though it was a stormy evening, and all who were disposed, could not and did not attend, yet we had as many as twelve or thirteen persons of this character. There are some interesting cases. Most of those who are awakened are youth and children; many of them my own catechumens. One old man, belonainff to the most vicious part of our society, was thoroughly awakened, two weeks ago, at a special meeting held to pray for a revival of religion at which he was present. He could neither sleep, nor take rest in any way ; he came three miles on purpose to talk v/ith me on the great concerns of his soul, but I was absent. My father told me he was the most distressed man he ever beheld. " Here, as in other places, some of the most discourag- ing things to be met with, are from professing Christians, and those of influence. But there is now certainly more of a spirit of prayer among them than I ever witnessed before. Some are longing for a revival of religion with 40 MEMOIR OF tears in their eyes. A means which has been most blessed among us, is that of ministerial visits to families. Mr. B. our minister, and myself, spent the first three days of this week in making such visits, in which time we called upon thirty-eight families, and held two meet- ings for prayer and exhortation. His plan is to call the whole family together, and enter into personal conver- sation with each one. He is very plain, and spares no pains to convince them of their need of salvation. The whole is concluded with prayer. Every house and family, let them be who they will, are thus visited. In one neighborhood we found many very thoughtful. I wish that this mode was more generally adopted." In the autumn of 1815, Mr. Cornelius closed his con- nection with the theological class in Yale college, and soon after repaired to Litchfield, Connecticut, to avail himself of the instructions of the Rev. Dr. Beecher. He had completed a course of reading in sacred and profane history, had studied somewhat at large the system of divinity which his venerated instructor, Dr. Dwight, had prepared, and had attended in a measure to the composi- tion of sermons. To practical and pastoral duties he had given considerable attention. For the performance of such labors, his personal appearance and habits were a remarkable qualification. To the same course the feel- ings of his heart strongly inclined him. It had been at one time his fixed determination to join either the An- dover or Princeton theological seminaries, and pursue a regular three years' course of ministerial education. But ill health and other circumstances prevented him. Soon after reaching Litchfield, he thus wrote to an old friend, who was then making preparation for a visit to Charles-* town, Massachusetts. ELIAS CORNELIUS. 41 « Litchfield, CL, Dec. 23, 1815. " Another reason why I wish your visit to Charlestown may not take place immediately, if health does not im- peratively demand it, is that the Atlantic States need exploring, just as Messrs. Mills and Smith have explored the country west of the Alleghany mountains. You, and Mills, (if he will go,) are just the persons needed. God has fitted you eminently for this service. If you could get the patronage of any respectable, able society, you might make this tour without expense to yourself, while you would receive the same compensation as young can- didates for the ministry ordinarily do, for your trouble. You would acquire the same kind of public character as Mr. Mills has done, and this would give you a leadino- influence in all our public societies, such as he already has. A most interesting object would fall in your way in this tour, and that is the thousand poor, hapless children of Africa. We are, to a great extent, ignorant of their miseries. You would be able in this way to inform us what those miseries are. Besides, Mills can show you a plan already projected for their good. " But after all, you are the best judge on this subject. Your health must be watched with an eagle's eve, and at present every other consideration must bow to that. Go to your Lord and Master and ask him what to do, and while you cast your all on his arm, choose what seems to be the will of Providence, and turn neither to the riorht hand nor to the left. I think, however, too much care on your mind will be injurious, and I am afraid I shall do you more hurt than good by my letter. Endeavor to get above depression. I verily believe you have God on your side, and therefore ' rejoice always, and again I say re- joice.' You will do good, and you have been instrumen- tal of doing much already. Let your motto be, ' I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' God 4 * 42 MEMOIR OF Jias given you a large share of gifts, as all your friends, who best know you, believe. It is no part of humility to underrate what God has given you. " I came to Litchfield on the 29th or 30th of Novem- ber. I have written one dissertation of four sheets on the Existence of God, and another, of nearly the same length, on the Necessity of Revelation. I think I study as much as consists with my health. I attend religious meetings two or three times in a week, and have several little projects all the time in agitation. My feelings have been much excited in behalf of the female academy. There is evidence that the revival of religion continues. There are three or four instances of recent awakening, and two, perhaps, of conversion. Our Hawaiian affairs are prospering. T. came to visit me a few days since. The grace of God towards him and Obookiah has been most wonderful. They are at Mr. Prentice's house." The subsequent letter is dated December 11th. " Mr. Beecher calls upon me to attend religious meet- ings two and three times in a week. His sermons are very interesting and useful to me. I take notes from them. Yesterday in the afternoon his text jvas Isaiah Iv. 6, and the sentiment deduced was that, * the appropri- ate scriptural sense of seeking God is, that it is a holy exercise of the heart.' This, I think, was satisfactorily proved by a long series of texts. I only mention it that you may think of it, if you have not already. It com- pletely explains Matthew vii. 7, Luke xiii. 24, &c. I wish I had time to say more on this subject. It is fearful to a sinner. It shows him at once what is the reason his seeking does not succeed. One head of the sermon, proving the efforts of sinners to be unholy, was thus expressed. ' Those who keep on in a course of unre- ELIAS CORNELIUS. 43 generate seeking, and hold out to the end of life in that way, will certainly be lost.' You will see it is a two- edged sword. " I congratulate you on the animating prospects which God is giving us relative to our dear Hawaiians. " I wish you would come and pay us a visit, praying all the way for a revival of religion in the school here." In January, 1816, he communicates the following : *^ Mr. Beecher has written a long letter to Dr. Green, on the subject of a National Bible Society. And, agreeably to Mr. Mills's request, I shall write to him immediately, and acquaint him of the fact, as possibly he may be able to make a happy use of it. It gave Mr. Beecher, as well as myself, great satisfaction to learn the change of senti- ment in the New York Bible Society on this subject. It is a most favorable omen. We have no doubt of the ultimate success of the society. " Last Tuesday I rode from Litchfield to Kent, to attend a ministers' monthly meeting of ' Litchfield North,' as it is called. There saw Messrs. H. and P. Mr. H. has. lately written to Mr. Evarts, on the subject of the heathen school, requesting the prudential committee to appoint a number of persons to draw up a plan to be submitted to the committee immediately. Mr. P. says the boys are doing well, and learning fast. In Salisbury, there have been two hundred hopeful conversions. In Colebrook, one hundred and fifty. In all that district, the work of the Lord still goes on. In Farmington, a revival of reli- gion has just commenced. At Norwalk there is a power- ful work of grace." To the same correspondent he thus unfolded the feel- ings of his heart. 44 MEMOIR OF " Litchfield, March 3, 1816. " The Sabbath after I saw you, I spent in New Haven, It was sweet to worship God in company with so many precious old friends. You know how sweet. I had also the satisfaction of seeing my own dear people among whom I labored last summer, and was comforted. Oh, my brother, how rich a reward in this world do those enjoy, who have any reason to hope they have been in- strumental of saving souls. No matter how much toil has been sustained ; one soul is enough to pay for toil infinitely greater. Blessed Jesus, strengthen our weak faith. Fill our hearts with the spirit of heaven, and make us burn as flaming fires in thy service. Does not your soul respond ' amen, even so, Lord Jesus ' ? " The Lord be with you and give you great success in the wide vineyard where you now are. Lay down your life in Jesus' service. How delightful it will be to go to heaven amid the prayers and penitential tears of those whom you have just been instrumental in saving from death ;^-to carry as it were the tidings of their repentance. It is enough to make one's soul leap for joy. '/ Brother S., what a time it is in heaven now ! What rejoicing ! In the dark ages of the church, ministering spirits could find but here and there a solitary instance of conversion with which to reanimate the heavenly hosts, if indeed they can be reanimated. But now myriads of such instances are daily celebrated with anthems of praise. " Mr. Beecher has just received most enlivening intel- ligence from Long Island. You remember he paid the people of his former charge a visit last fall, and God made him instrumental of great good. There are now hundreds converted to God ; seventy in Sag Harbor, seventy in East Hampton, and several in Bridgehampton. On Shelter Island, God has come down gloriously. ELIAS CORNELIUS. 45 ^' I have just had a letter from Mr. N. of Weston. He mentions revivals of religion in Norwalk, where seventy- two have already joined the church ; in Wilton, one hundred are awakened and the whole town apparently shaken. Some tokens of good in his own society ; some in Ridgefield, and a blessed work in New Canaan. On Litchfield Hill, and especially near the boundaries of the society, the Spirit is continually descending. It may be said with truth, that God is blessing us with a perpetual revival. In Kent to the west, and New Preston to the southwest, God is pouring out his Spirit. Oh, what a time we live in ! Rejoice ye heavens and earth, for the day of his power and glory and grace is come, and who will not bow before him ? " The correspondent of Mr. Cornelius, to whom many of the foregoing letters were addressed, was at that time residing in New York, engaged in labors of a highly im- portant character in that city. This circumstance will explain some of the allusions in the following paragraphs. "Litchfield, March 17, 1816. " We weep and rejoice on your account. Could you be witness, you would hear many prayers put up to God, in the social concert, at the family altar, and in the closet, for that great city where thousands are perishing in a mass — for those dear ministers of Christ who are spending their strength in his cause. It would exceedingly gratify you, dear brother, if you could witness the interest which is excited in the breasts of Christians in this place for New York. I do not now remember to have heard a family prayer offered for some days, in which special mention was not made of New York, and often it is the principal part of the prayer. I received your letter on Friday evening. It gave great joy in the first place to 46 ME310IR OF this family. Next day I was at judge R.'s, and disclosed the contents of it. It would have afforded you great plea- sure to have seen the eyes of the venerable judge spark- ling with joy. We all said, ' What shall be done to help them ? ' On the afternoon of the day, we held a concert of prayer principally on your account, and before we separated, agreed to set apart the hour before sunset on the Sabbath, for the same object." Among the plans in which Mr. Cornelius was interested, while residing in Litchfield, was the formation of a society in the female school in that place " for doing good." Once a week he delivered a lecture to this association. The members of the school belonged to various parts of the northern States, and some of them were natives of towns which were very destitute of religious instruction. Facts were collected from many places on the subject of instituting societies for benevolent purposes, a small library was formed, and other means for doing good de- vised. In this way a number of individuals were pre- pared to engage intelligently, and with zeal, in various enterprises in behalf of their suffering fellow-creatures. In nearly all the letters of Mr. Cornelius, which were written during this period, allusion is made to the Hawaiian youth, and the foreign mission school. It was a suljject in which his benevolent heart was most thoroughly engaged. The evidence is probably decisive, that to him, as much as to any other man, the deep inter- est which was felt in that object, is to be attributed. His mind had been for some lime greatly interested, as the reader has already learned from one of his letters, in a plan for exploring the Atlantic States, after the manner in which the regions west of the Alleghany mountains had been surveyed by Messrs. Mills and Smith. The objects, which his comprehensive mind had sketched, ELIAS CORNELIUS. 47 were the following : To furnish candidates for the Chris- tian ministry with the necessary information respecting those districts of country which were in the greatest need of religious instruction ; to form Sabbath schools in every city or considerable village through which the tour should be made ; to aid the American Bible Society, by learning the facts in regard to the destitution of Bibles, and by establishing auxiliaries ; to circulate religious intelligence by preaching missionary sermons, conversing on the subject, obtaining subscribers for religious newspapers, with a view to awaken Christians to exertions demanded by the present state of the world ; to raise a fund by direct solicitation for the liberal support of the mission school ; to ascertain the condition of the slaves in the southern States, in respect to their want of religious in- struction ; and in general to execute a commission of the most enlarged character, as preparatory to specific labors. CHAPTER III. LICENSE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ENGAGEMENT AS AN AGENT IN BEHALF OF THE BOMBAY SCHOOLS— ORDI- NATION AS A MISSIONARY AGENCY AMONG THE SOUTHWESTERN INDIANS RESIDENCE IN NEW OR- LEANS MARRIAGE AGENCY FOR RAISING A FUND FOR THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS STUDIES AT ANDOVER. On the fourth of June, 1816, Mr. Cornelius was licensed to preach the gospel by the South Association of Con- gregational ministers, in Litchfield county, Connecticut. The readers of this memoir will be gratified to learn the opinions which were entertained of him at this time by an individual who had every facility for forming a correct judgment. " I have forborne to say all I think of Mr. Cornelius and his prospects as a popular preacher in the best sense of the term, and as a missionary of great enterprise and prudence, lest, upon experience, some deficiency, unperceived by me, might be discovered. But the successful manner in which he has conducted the enterprise in which he is now engaged, (that of raising funds for the support of heathen children in the schools at Bombay,) and the ihfluence he has exerted upon all classes of people, young and old, good and bad, and the confidence reposed in him by all the ministers and churches around us, make me feel as if it was safe and as MEMOIR OF CORNELIUS. 49 if it was duty to state freely to you my opinions and views. Mr. Cornelius has been as signally blessed in promoting revivals of religion, as in soliciting charities. I have never known a young man of such ardent feeling and ardent piety, and so much maturity of judgment and prudence, and who combines so many advantages to in- fluence, as a public speaker, and in private conversation, the minds of men." Notwithstanding the eminent advantacjes which Mr. Cornelius possessed from the God of nature and grace, it may admit of a doubt, whether a somewhat different and a more exact theological discipline would not have in- creased his powers for doing good. Considering the circumstances of his own character, and the peculiarly excited state of the Christian community at that time, in respect to benevolent exertions, when the attention was first aroused to the subject, it is evident that he was exposed to peculiar danger of premature entrance on the great work of the Christian minister and missionary. He was possessed of a vivid imagination, and of a ready elocution, which, added to active habits, exposed him to fall into a loose and prolix mode of preaching. He was certainly capable of reasoning and writing in a concise and logical manner, of methodizing his ideas on all subjects upon which he reflected, and of unfolding them in proper order, and without circumlocution. Such a *' chosen vessel " should have had every possible polish. A little more vigorous discipline, and a somewhat closer attention to taste and accuracy in composition, would have considerably increased his singular ability in the service of his Lord. Allusion is made to these things, from a desire to give an impartial view of his character, and also from the knowledge that, in subsequent life, he himself regarded the subject in the light in which it is here presented. Very few men judged of their own char- 5 50 MEMOIR OF acter and attainments with more accuracy and real humility than Mr. Cornelius. None desired more ear- nestly, all those qualifications which would have enabled him, by the grace of God, to confer eminent blessings on his fellow-men. The following incident, while it illustrates the preceding observations, will show a very uncommon attainment in one of the most difficult of the Christian graces. We re- late it in the words of the excellent individual who com- municated it, and who is now, as it is believed, partaking of the blessedness of the saints in light. " In the year 1816, soon after Mr. Cornelius became a preacher, he received a commission, to solicit benefactions for foreign missions. Under this commission he preached with great acceptance, in several places in the north- western parts of Connecticut. Many individuals went from town to town to hear him ; some of them exclaiming, ' he is a second Whitefield.' It was my privilege to listen to him at Norfolk. His text was Psalm Ixxiv. 20. ' The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.' His discourse was in itself excellent. He gave a most striking account of the wickedness and woes of heathenism. His manner was still better. Without any appearance of wild-fire, he was wholly inflamed with his subject. Soon the flame seemed to spread through the house, and kindle every hearer. The effect was most happy. The people contributed much more than he re- quested. Still his discourse was probably less instructive, and less useful, than if it had been more regularly ar- ranged, and more accurately composed. And now the question with me was. Shall I tell my young brother of his defects? Can I expect that thus borne onward by such a tide and torrent of popularity, he will be willing to stop and listen to chilling criticisms from me, upon points of comparatively small importance? I concluded, how- ELIAS CORNELIUS. 5| ever, that if my counsel should be rejected, the evil would be trifling; that if accepted, the advantage might be con- siderable. Rousing up all my courage, therefore, I told him my whole heart. Never could I wi