The

peace in submission to Christ. "One day," remarks a fellow-student," he knocked at my door. On opening it, his countenance told me that the contest was over. storm had passed away. It was as the 'clear shining after rain.' He requested me to walk with him. We were silent until we had proceeded some distance from college. My own emotions were such that I had no disposition to speak. He was musing, and the fire burned. When we had come to a retired place, unable longer to restrain his feelings, he raised his hands, and exclaimed, 'O! sweet submission, sweet submission!' This expression he repeated many times during our walk. That he was in the hands of God was his theme, and the rejoicing of his heart. He expressed no hope of pardon. He appeared not to think of himself. The glorious Being, to whose character, law, and government, he had felt so much opposition, seemed to occupy the whole field of vision, and to fill his soul with inexpressible delight. Soon he spoke of the plan of salvation through the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God. It was unfolded in its glory, and excited his most grateful admiration. He saw how 'God could be just, and justify him that believeth in Jesus.' Believing, he rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.' Pressed with a sense of his obligations to redeeming grace, his fervent aspiration seemed to be, ‘Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?' The love of Christ, shed abroad in his heart, immediately manifested itself in vigorous, self-denying efforts for the salvation of his fellow-men."

It may here be remarked, that there is no discrepancy in the preceding accounts. It is highly probable that Mr. Cornelius had seasons of serious reflection during the preceding term, as well as in the January vacation. He might have appeared entirely abandoned to stupidity and thoughtlessness, while his soul was "ill at ease." 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 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 to all around him 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 fellowstudents, 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 serious 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

PREACH THE GOSPEL.

LITCHFIELD-LICENSE

то

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. Several of Mr. Cornelius's most valued class-mates and friends were at this time associated with him in these delightful pursuits. To one of the most favored of his fellow-students, 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, in times past, to remember each other, and make supplication for the seminary at which we received our education, and 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 from me might possibly have caused you to forget me, which I must confess your neglecting to write gives some ground to believe, 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? The truth I hope. 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 from almost shipwreck, how many days I had to spend, when the sun could not be seen for a long time 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, if I mistake not, 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 beheld, 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 inwardly, and beheld all manner of

wickedness, pollution complete, and what has caused me to be in bitterness, I have often found myself so hardened, that what would once cause me to burst into tears of joy and gratitude, I mean the love of our Saviour, now could not affect my rocky heart; and how cold at such seasons, all affection of love to the divine character, the Redeemer and his chosen ones, the precious of the earth. And can you wonder, dear brother, if indeed I am entitled thus to call you, when I tell you that I have doubted-ah, and most solemnly too, that I have almost, if not wholly given up my hope. But God who hath been abundant in mercy, hath been gracious, and not rewarded me according to my desert. I am what I am by his sovereign grace alone; every step of the Christian in his course, proves the necessity of the continual operations of the Spirit. I have, though utterly unworthy, been permitted to enjoy other scenes, and I trust that I am not wholly forsaken as I deserve. I think I learn from experience, the truth of that saying of our Saviour, "Without me, ye can do nothing; and what glorious condescension in our Redeemer to lend a sovereign hand of mercy, to one who is so faithless and ungrateful. May the good Lord pardon us freely for his own name's sake.

"I could write all night, in recounting what I have felt, seen, and heard, what I hope I have experienced of the loving kindness of the Lord, but I have already taken up, I am afraid, too much of your time in speaking of my experiences, which I confess, savors much of ostentation, were I not writing to a tender, beloved, and sympathizing friend. What I most fear is my own traitorous heart. I may be deceived, and yet dishonor the Christian cause.

“Since last commencement, I have been engaged in theological studies, principally such as the Bible, church history, some of Edwards's works, &c. Local duties, such as catechising children, attending to prayer and con