Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

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 extraordinary. 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 appointments 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 thoughtful, 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, belonging 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 with 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.

[ocr errors]

Here, as in other places, some of the most discouraging 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

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 meetings for prayer and exhortation. His plan is to call the whole family together, and enter into personal conversation 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 connection 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 composition 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 feelings of his heart strongly inclined him. It had been at one time his fixed determination to join either the Andover 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.

"Litchfield, Ct., Dec. 23, 1815.

"Another reason why I wish your visit to Charlestown may not take place immediately, if health does not imperatively 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 candidates 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 leading 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 eye, 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 right 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 rejoice.' You will do good, and you have been instrumental of doing much already. Let your motto be, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' God

[ocr errors]

has 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 November. 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 meetings 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 was Isaiah lv. 6, and the sentiment deduced was that, the appropriate 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 completely 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

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 sentiment 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 religion has just commenced. At Norwalk there is a power

ful work of grace."

To the same correspondent he thus unfolded the feelings of his heart.

« AnteriorContinuar »