ference 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 making myself acquainted with the subject of missions to the poor 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 assertion, 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. I feel for those poor creatures. 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 Hindoostan, would support two or three in Louisiana, or Illinois, or other places on our western frontier. In going to them we have no Atlantic and Indian oceans to cross. Missionaries would 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.

"New 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 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 remembrance of our prayers and our songs, which we have mutually offered; how pleasing the reflection upon the affectionate conversation, retired walks, and many evening meetings which we once enjoyed. Have we not now a hope of our union to the blessed Redeemer? Believe me, I think I am confident. 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 enjoyed together. Let us provoke each other to love and good works. Let us once more unite our prayers, and tell what God hath done for us. wish exceedingly to see you."

I do

"New Haven, June 11, 1819. "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 messenger 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 interesting such a character! What a fearful responsibility is attached to an office 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. Oh H., who is sufficient for these things?" 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 the grace given to you from above. Will you then remember your unworthy friend and brother in

your supplications at the throne of your divine Master and
heavenly Father? At present I am very low in religion;
the world is striving for my affections. 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 profes-
sors of religion; and no one, perhaps, is more completely
under its influence than myself. I do, however, experience
some quickening at times. This was particularly 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 indiffer-
ence. I can wish these things were not so. When I
reflect on my situation, I not unfrequently doubt seriously
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
effectually decide, and if he place me in that calling, 'his
shall be sufficient for me.' Of what consequence is
grace
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 time allotted us in this vale
of tears will soon be gone, and we, if indeed we are Chris-
tians, 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.'

"What though we be absent in body through the journey of life, if we do but meet in heaven. How much more perfect and delightful will be the joys of friendship there where all the air is love.' I should rejoice to hear from you by letter, and wish you would unfold your feelings as freely as I have my own. Above all, forget me not when you are at the feet of Jesus our Lord and Redeemer.”

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 partaken 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 by experience 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 condition of students, were among the most earnest and successful 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 but few 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 been hopefully converted while master of an East India ship. When cast away on the rocks of Bermuda, the lightning rending the masts asunder was the means, in the hands of God, of his conviction and subsequent conversion. He was a holy man while member of college. He completed his academical education when thirty-five years of age, and was a kindred spirit with Cornelius. 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 renewed and increased exertion on the part of Christians in behalf of the fearful state of impenitent students. I cannot, at this distant period of eighteen years, state by whom this proposition was made, but as we looked to brother Cornelius as a leader in those meetings, 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.