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bodies. Through his influence, the internal regulations of the hospital were considerably improved, and the condition of the sick greatly meliorated. From the sick, the dying, and the condemned, he turned his attention to seamen. He preached in a ship, which was lying in the harbor, to as many as could be collected; the cabin of which was filled with sea-captains; and he had the pleasure to find the assembly solemn, and attentive. His congregation of colored people were no less interested in the preaching of the gospel. The various scenes through which he passed, were of the most affecting kind, and he had the satisfaction of being hopefully the instrument of much good both to the bodies and souls of his fellow-men."

Not a little value is to be attached to his efforts in preparing the way for Mr. Larned. After the arrival of this promising young man, Mr. Cornelius was of great service. to him, by his acquaintance with the people, by his kind advice, and by awakening an interest in Mr. L.'s favor, wherever he went. There seems to have been in both parties a remarkable freedom from envy, jealousy, and all those passions, which sometimes, in similar circumstances, greatly interfere with the usefulness of the servants of Christ. The sympathies of Mr. Cornelius were so excited in behalf of New Orleans, that he never ceased to feel the most lively interest in its spiritual desolations.*

* It is proper in this place to add a slight notice respecting Mr. Larned. It may be worth something to young readers, if not to others. He was the son of colonel Simon Larned, of Pittsfield, Mass., and was born August 31, 1796. He received his academical education principally at Middlebury college. In his senior year,

his mind was first interested in religious truth. He acquired his theological education at Andover and Princeton. He was licensed to preach the gospel, in 1817, and was ordained as an evangelist. His powers as a pulpit orator attracted universal admiration. He arrived in New Orleans, January 22, 1818, and was soon established as the minister of the first Presbyterian congregation. The corner

During his residence in New Orleans, an incident occurred, which we record, as it throws light upon his character for forethought and decision. It shows the nature of those measures, which the enemies of Indian improvement have resorted to for the accomplishment of their designs. At that period, also, every benevolent effort was regarded as chimerical, and denounced and maligned by many, with an obstinacy and an effrontery, of which we can hardly form, at the present time, an adequate conception. Mr. Cornelius was followed with calumnies and insinuations of the most painful character, both on his way to the Indian tribes, and on his homeward journey. At the time in which he visited the councils of the Creek and Cherokee Indians, for the purpose of in

stone of the meeting-house was laid, on the 8th of January, 1819. Desirous to pursue his labors uninterruptedly, he ventured to remain in the city, during the summer of 1820. While the yellow fever was extending its ravages, he continued firm at his post. On the Sabbath preceding his death, he preached from the words, 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' He closed his discourse in tears. On the following Thursday, August 31, 1820, he fell a victim to the prevailing epidemic, and closed his eventful and brilliant career. He was equally remarkable for the powers of tender and pathetic appeal, and bold and vigorous eloquence. As an extempore debater, he was nearly unequalled. Churches in Alexandria, Baltimore, and Boston, had sent him earnest invitations, but he supposed that his services were more important at New Orleans. His widow died at Washington, in January, 1825.

The Rev. Theodore Clapp succeeded Mr. Larned as pastor of the Presbyterian church. A second Presbyterian church has lately been formed, and the Rev. Joel Parker has become its pastor. The religious condition of the city has been considerably elevated since the period of Mr. Cornelius's visit. Still, however, the great work of intellectual and moral improvement is hardly begun. The nature of the population, being composed in great measure of French Catholics or of African slaves, the unhealthiness of the climate during the summer months, the depraved conduct of many of the boatmen, who periodically visit the city, as well as other evils attendant upon its character as a commercial mart, all combined, present a fearful array of obstacles to its thorough reform. No efforts can be entirely

ducing them to co-operate with the Board of Missions, in the establishment of schools, the government of the United States were endeavoring to induce the Indians to remove west of the river Mississippi.* Soon after the arrival of Mr. Cornelius in New Orleans, a friend in Tennessee informed him that a report was in circulation in that State, to the effect that he had used all his influence while with the Indians, particularly at the time when he met at Caney Creek, a portion of the Cherokees, who were returning from a plundering expedition to the Arkansas territory, to persuade them not to sell their lands and emigrate; and further, that on the strength of this report, the governor of Tennessee had written to the secretary of war, cautioning him against the designs and influence of Mr. Cornelius. This intelligence, wholly unexpected as it was, did not lead him to act unadvisedly, neither did it prevent him from acting promptly. It happened very

successful until the causes of the dreadful pestilences, which periodically lay waste the city, are removed. It has been the last year a 'city of the dead.' The little band of Christians, who reside there, have done nobly; but what are they among so many thousands? The moral regeneration of New Orleans constitutes the problem in efforts for the best good of our cities. That city stands at the outlet of an empire, yet to be, greater than that of Augustus Cæsar's. The Mississippi and its tributaries above New Orleans, have an extent of more than twenty thousand miles of waters, already navigated by steam-boats, and passing through the richest soils, and the most delightful climates.

* This remark is consistent with one on a preceding page respecting the patronage which the government of the United States were extending to the schools, &c., which were established among the Indians. The original policy of the government, in promoting aboriginal civilization, was undoubtedly based on the supposition that the Indians would remain on this side of the Mississippi. But as early as 1818, there were indications owing to various causes, that the Indians would be forced to abandon the territory of their fathers, and seek an asylum further in the wilderness. The former policy, however, prevailed, for the most part, during the adminis trations of Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Adams.

providentially, that when he met the Cherokee Indians at the place mentioned, two or three merchants from Tennessee, were in company, on their way to New Orleans, and had heard all his communications with the Indians, as he had acted solely through the medium of an interpreter. He immediately procured affidavits from these merchants, fully disproving the charges which had been made against him, and forwarded them to the department This measure at once removed the misapprehension, and restored to him the full confidence of the government. He had subsequently an interview with the governor of Tennessee, who expressed to him the most unqualified regret that the rumor had ever been put in circulation. On his return to Washington, he deposited in the records of the department of war, a document, containing a complete view of the case.

of war.

Allusion is not unfrequently made in Mr. Cornelius's public journals to the condition of the African race, free and slave. Such a subject as this could not fail to interest a heart so susceptible, especially as he travelled very extensively in the States where slavery is allowed. His intercourse with slaveholders, many of them men of generous dispositions, and his familiar acquaintance with the system, never closed his eyes to its great political and moral evils. He witnessed, on several occasions, the sale of slaves by auction. We select from his public journal the following instance which occurred in Alabama.

"The miserable objects of the slave-traffic are bought in the old States, and driven like cattle to a western market, where they are sold and bought with as little compunction of conscience, as if they were so many swine or sheep. One of these sales I witnessed at -. A number of Africans were taken to the centre of the public square, and soon a crowd of spectators and purchasers

assembled. The scene to my feelings was shocking to the last degree. I stood and beheld as long as I could. I was ready to cry out with indignation, and weep over the miserable wretches who had been brought from afar, and who were exposed in this manner. At an interval of silence I exclaimed, 'Well did Mr. Jefferson remark on such a subject, "I tremble when I think that God is just," and immediately left them." *

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Mr. Cornelius commenced his return to New England, on the 2d of April, 1818. While on the eve of departing from New Orleans, he presented the subject of foreign missions to the consideration of the people, and obtained subscriptions of more than one thousand dollars-a generous sum, considering the circumstances of the contributors.

The reception which he met at Natchez, Mississippi, he thus communicates to Dr. Worcester.

"Rev. and very dear Sir,

"Natchez, April 21, 1818.

"Last week was propitious to the funds of the American Board in this distant region. On Sabbath, the 12th instant, I preached a sermon on the subject of Indian reformation, to a very respectable audience, and on Monday, commenced the business of solicitation; and will you not unite with me in an expression of gratitude to the

* It is to be hoped, for the honor of our country, that this infamous and inhuman traffic will soon be abandoned. In what respect does it differ in criminality and atrocity from the African slave-trade? Perhaps, however, it is inseparable from the slave system. It is matter of rejoicing to perceive, that the citizens of some of the slave States are manifesting their abhorrence of it. A spirited article on the subject, was inserted in a late number of the Western Luminary, printed at Lexington, Kentucky.

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