portance? I concluded, however, that if my counsel should be rejected, the evil would be trifling; that if accepted, the advantage might be considerable. Rousing up all my courage, therefore, I told him my whole heart. Never could I wish any pupil to listen with more respectful and earnest docility, or greater desire to profit to the utmost by every remark. This was sufficient to win my heart. But this was not all. At the conclusion, he manifestly felt more gratitude than he could express. Such was the basis of our friendship-a friendship which continued rising and consolidating till the day of his death-a friendship which, I hope, is destined to flourish and ripen for ever. li I might here introduce many other illustrations of the powerful influence of Christian feeling and principle that appeared in this excellent man's character, but were I to do so, I should only anticipate such as will be read with more advantage in the connexion in which they occur. Those who can appreciate a distinguished example of personal piety and active usefulness may peruse, with no very mited expectations, the following pages, and I am persuaded they will not be disappointed. I can only say that I have met with few or no specimens of biography more worthy of a careful perusal, or from which the Christian reader, especially the theological student or the minister of the gospel, is likely to derive more important lessons or a more powerful' stimulus to improve his time, his talents, and opportunities to the utmost in the service of God. WILLIAM INNES. Edinburgh, March 10, 1834. CONTENTS. Study of Theology with Dr. Dwight-Revival of Reli- License to preach the Gospel-Engagement as an Agent in behalf of the Bombay schools-Ordination as a Missionary-Agency among the south-western Indians -Residence in New Orleans-Marriage-Agency for MEMOIR OF ELIAS CORNELIUS. 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, and settled on Long Island. His father had commenced the study of medicine, under the superintendence of Dr. 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, he 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 Angell. He was soon after taken prisoner, and thrown into the old Provost prison, in New York, where he was confined for several years, 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 B |