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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 appeared entirely abandoned to stupidity and thoughtlessness. 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 unbelievers.

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 circumstances. 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. . Cornelius 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. At one time, there were from eighty to one hundred young men in college, who were deeply solicitous in respect to their eternal welfare.

Early 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 RELIGION 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 communicated regular instruction. A number of Mr. Cornelius'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

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 deceived! 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 experienced. I find I am comparatively nothing, and my greatest 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

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