which success often depends. There are placed before us, not only general promises of aid, but the strong probability that we shall meet with some of those unforeseen events, which will enable us to confer eminent benefits on mankind. It was the patient and thoughtful Newton, to whom was revealed the beautiful order of these material heavens. It is the laborious experimentalist who effects the most important discoveries in any of the sciences. The celebrated inventions in the arts, were the product of intense and long continued thought. So it is in the spiritual world. We do not attain to distinguished usefulness by accident or by miracle. Our hearts must be divested of pride and self-sufficiency, and our hands must be ready for effort, before we can discover and take advantage of the openings in the providence of God.

In order, therefore, to give a consistent view of any man's character, "we must keep in mind the two classes of facts and influences to which I have adverted. Mr. CORNELIUS was, in some respects, a self-educated man. If he had original force of character, he was never accustomed to put any blind dependence upon it. He knew what his powers for doing good were, and how they might be strengthened and perfected. Through his whole public life, he manifested uncommon industry, and a methodical and intelligent application to his various duties. At the same time, it cannot be denied that he was indebted to extraneous influence, and to the arrangements of that Power, who ruleth over all. In the following remarks, it is proposed briefly to consider his character and public life, under both the aspects which have been mentioned.

One of the most striking attitudes, in which Mr. Cornelius is presented to our minds, has respect to his bodily organization. While this was doubtless affected in various ways, by his regimen, and his attention to the rules of exercise and temperance, yet it was to be regarded pre-eminently as a gift of the Creator-and it was a gift of surpassing beauty and proportion. It is not transgressing the bounds of truth, to say that he had all the qualities which compose a perfect human form. If, when gazing upon that form, an emotion of envy has arisen in our hearts, the emotion has been checked by the thought, that such powers were accompanied with corresponding responsibilities-and that a failure fully to employ them in the service of their Creator, would be attended with great guilt. All the parts of his frame were, if we may so express it, in keeping. The effect of one feature or limb, was not heightened by contrast with the deformity of another. On the contrary, each was rendered more attractive by being in harmony with others. A remarkable trait in his personal appearance, was the variety and quick succession of emotions which he exhibited through the medium of his countenance. The operations of his mind were in an extraordinary degree visible through that natural mirror. We have seen feelings of grief, of affectionate confidence, of intense solicitude, and of exulting hope, depicted on his features, with such strength and vividness as to mock all delineation either by pen or pencil. It was like the crossing and recrossing of light and shade over a harvest field. This circumstance helped him to retain command of the eye and the attention, when addressing a public audience. It was a passport to the hearts of men. The thoughts and feelings which were communicated by his language, were beaming and burning on every feature. The lines and colors of his countenance were the handmaids and interpreters, and, in many cases, the harbingers of what fell from his lips. The structure of his frame, and his general aspect was that of dignity. He was formed to be a leader in any enterprize in which he might be engaged. His erect position and majestic frame

impressed every beholder. It won the esteem of those, who had no sympathy with his religious opinions. It enabled him to declare the truth of God, in the presence of great men, without hesitation and without detriment to his cause. It also awakened a strong interest in his behalf in the most unenlightened and depressed classes of society, with which he came in contact. Accompanying and enforcing all the preceding qualities was his voice. It was one of uncommon clearness and compass. It could reach the most distant auditor with perfect distinctness, and fill every corner and niche of our largest edifices. It had not, perhaps, the delicacy and flexibility of tone which some voices possess. Still it was not deficient in these qualities. He produced the most powerful effects upon our feelings by the employment of the milder and lower intonations. There was occasionally a subduing tenderness, which was in strong and delightful contrast, with some preceding exhibition of overwhelming power. His clear and sonorous voice was to him as a public agent, a powerful auxiliary. Very few individuals who have lived in this country, have been called to address audiences more numerous, or convened in edifices more diverse in form and size.

The character of his father, was another circumstance worthy of distinct consideration. This excellent man had passed through scenes, which had imparted to him great energy and firmness. Early in life he had engaged in the service of his country, without the cordial concurrence of his family friends. He escaped from a long and severe imprisonment in a British jail, by his boldness and ingenuity. He maintained, during the latter period of his military career, a consistent religious profession, and to the close of a long life, he upheld the institutions of the gospel, in the face of much discouragement and opposition. This determined character he impressed upon his son. Perhaps the consideration that he was an only son, led him to guard more carefully against the dangers, by which a father in such circumstances, is surrounded. At all events, the course of discipline which he adopted, was manly and decisive, and the effect on the character of the youthful subject was great and salutary. It imparted a vigor and determination to his mind and whole character which never forsook him. In this connection, it is important to dwell, for a moment, upon a fact in his religious history. The remark has been sometimes made, that when God intends to employ an individual in a sphere of distinguished usefulness, he so orders it that his conversion is marked and unequivocal. This assertion is not meant to imply that there must be, in all cases, very deep convictions of sin, or corresponding emotions of joy, or an immediately decisive alteration of any kind. The change in Baxter, Buchanan, and Martyn, was so gradual, that the time when it commenced was not obvious to themselves or to others. At length, however, the evidence that they were Christians was to themselves distinct and full. Martyn said that he could no more question it than he could his own existence. The different manner and circumstances of this great change must exert a decided influence on the whole subsequent life. Persevering effort for the salvation of others, is not consistent with prevailing doubts in regard to one's own safety. What would a soldier be worth in the day of battle, if he followed his commander with hesitating and doubtful steps. A person must be rejoicing in hope, and, in some measure, confident of his high calling, before he can do good to all men as he has opportunity. It is of great importance, therefore, that a Christian should commence his course with as much impetus as possible from the circumstances of his conversion. The very recollection of the "marvellous change," will inspire him with new ardor

in his pathway to heaven. With this signal advantage did Mr. Cornelius enter upon his religious course. His conviction of sin was uncommonly deep and thorough, and his first exercise of faith in the Saviour, cordial and soul-transforming. The reality of the change was clear to his own mind as well as to those of others. A consciousness of love to Christ diffused a sweet serenity through his soul, and armed him with courage for the day of conflict. He often referred to this period as emphatically a season of grace and peace-a foretaste of never ending joy. Darkness and doubt, indeed, occasionally visited his soul within a short time after his conversion, but they only made the recovered beams of the Sun of Righteousness more pleasant and vivifying. He possessed in some good measure the feelings of Paul, when he deduces from his confident expectation of eternal life, the sublime inference, WHEREFORE we labor.

Mr. Cornelius entered on his religious life, at a period when many circumstances must have combined to produce a strong impression on a heart so susceptible as his. It was an era in the history of Christianity. The churches of Christ were just beginning to realize the great fact that their religion is to be propagated among all nations. The first company of missionaries had just departed to carry the gospel to India. Mills had commenced his career of seraphic benevolence. Our Western States were becoming known, as, in many parts, scenes of moral desolation. An unaccustomed interest was awakened in behalf of the children of Africa. The glow and freshness of youth was upon every thing which had respect to the propagation of Christianity at home and abroad. There had been no period like it, since the reformation. The preceding years of the nineteenth century were, comparatively, a season of apathy. At the present time, the subject of the evangelization of the world, has become, to some extent, a matter of sober calculation, and of fixed principle. The fact, therefore, that Mr. Cornelius entered upon the Christian life, at the time in which he did, shaped, in no inconsiderable degree, his whole future destiny. It gave a tenderness to his feelings, and an enlargement to his views, which would have been attained, probably, in no other circumstances.*

His familiar acquaintance with a few such men as Mr. Evarts and Dr. Worcester, it is generally supposed, contributed, in no slight degree, to the formation of his character. Frequently as he enjoyed such opportunities, and highly as he valued them, they could hardly fail to leave a deep impression on his inquisitive mind and susceptible heart. We are inclined to the belief, however, that the intercourse which he enjoyed with those venerated men, though highly important, did not essentially modify his character. He learned from them, indeed, many lessons of practical wisdom. They corrected the decisions of his inexperienced youth, and helped him to control his feelings, by giving additional clearness to his conscience, and strength to his judgment. At the feet of Dr. Worcester, especially, he always delighted to sit, and listen to the words of wisdom, which dropped as honey from his lips. Yet his character, as to all its main features, was formed, before his acquaintance with the individuals in question. He never manifested a sounder judgment, or a more enlightened zeal, than on his mission to the Indians, when hardly twentytwo years old. That agency brought him into connection with men high in civil life, yet he acquitted himself of all his difficult undertakings with uncommon fidelity and prudence. His resources were developed very early in life. He did not need that protracted experience, which many

* He read, at this time, with singular delight and profit, the Memoir of Mrs. Harriet Newell.

others must acquire, before their powers can be safely, and to the highest degree, employed. The effect of his intercourse with more mature minds, consisted in giving a uniformity to his character, and in correcting his judgment in the lesser circumstances and occasions of life.

We are now prepared to consider some of the traits in his character, in the formation and culture of which he exerted a more direct agency himself.

The versatility of his powers was uncommon. There are very few species of labor, intellectual or physical, in which he would not have excelled, had he pleased to have given his attention to them. He could turn instantly from one employment to another. He had that ready address, that self-possession, attractive personal appearance, acquaintance with the modes of intercourse in society, firm muscular power, excitableness of emotion, which qualified him to discharge, with entire success, a great variety of complicated duties. He did not possess, as he was ever ready to acknowledge, very copious stores of science and literature. Still, he had the mental ability-the stamina of a scholar-power of laborious investigation-of seizing upon fundamental principles-of subjecting a topic to logical analysis and generalization. Had he seen fit to accept of his appointment of Theological Professor, at one of our more important colleges, he would, doubtless, have qualified himself to have discharged its duties, with eminent ability. On one occasion, he had opportunity to show his mental resources, on the field of controversy; with what success need not here be mentioned. His sermon on the Trinity, is a happy specimen of clear and simple illustration, and of condensed thought, on a subject which has been frequently involved in unnecessary darkness. His executive powers were so remarkable, that it has been sometimes supposed that he resorted to his study with strong reluctance. But the fact was the reverse. A mind so intelligent and inquisitive, was certainly capable of acquiring habits of abstraction, and of severe and protracted thought.

The entire harmony of his character was as remarkable as the versatility of his powers. He was a faithful and an affectionate friend, a valuable counsellor, lovely and interesting in all his social relations, ready to sympathize in every form of human calamity, and to take a real and effective interest in the concerns of others. He rejoiced in the extension of civil liberty and the rights of man. He was an impressive preacher of the doctrines of the cross, and an eloquent advocate of every philanthropic enterprize. At home or abroad, among strangers or friends, in the great congregation, or on the solitary journey, there was a delightful consistency of feeling and conduct.

But it may be well to consider, more at length, some of the qualities of his character, which have just been enumerated. For a professional man, his acquaintance with the affairs of common life and business, was uncommonly extensive and accurate. He adhered to the maxim, that what was worth doing at all, was worth doing well. He conducted his pecuniary accounts with great regularity and neatness. The various public documents, which were intrusted to his care, were arranged with order and intelligence. His style of penmanship, if not distinguished for elegance, was very neat and perspicuous. To the most minute details of the office, to the most laborious examination and arrangement of documents, he submitted with entire cheerfulness. This intimate acquaintance with the details of a system, enabled him to act with confidence and energy. The effect of such knowledge, and such habits on his conscience, was by

no means inconsiderable. The tenderness and power of that faculty are often greatly lessened by the loose and desultory manner of transacting pecuniary concerns, which many professing Christians adopt. A great revolution in the habits of men, in this particular, will be effected when they will bring their conscience beneath the clear and searching light of God's law. They will see and feel that a Christian character, in its proper meaning, can be maintained only by doing at the right time, and in the right manner, every duty which devolves upon them.

Closely allied with the preceding trait was integrity. Of the property of the church, which was intrusted to his care, Mr. Cornelius was a faithful steward; conscious that the prosperity, if not the very existence of our benevolent associations, is depending on the rigid honesty of those, who have the disposal of the public funds. He had evidently studied this subject, with much seriousness and attention. Instead of subjecting himself to the charge of delinquency and carelessness, he, perhaps, erred on the other extreme. He frequently mentioned to the writer of this article, that he never performed a journey of considerable length, in behalf of a public object, without a sacrifice of his pecuniary interests. When urged to adopt efficient measures to secure a more comfortable pecuniary support, he was accustomed to bring forward in justification of his conduct, the example of Paul, who gladly relinquished his own rights that he might put no hindrance in the way of the gospel. We have rarely known an instance of honesty more scrupulous, of integrity farther beyond the reach of suspicion, accompanied, at the same time, with great, and, considering his circumstances, munificent liberality.

Mr. Cornelius possessed, in a striking degree, the power of inducing others to co-operate with him, in the accomplishment of his plans. It was very difficult for an individual, however fortified in an adverse opinion, to resist his eloquent persuasions. One secret of his success, in this particular, was his personal experience in deciding questions of duty. He had fully investigated those considerations by which all men of religious principle are wont to be guided. He could also state a question to every description of minds with remarkable clearness. He did not carry his point so much by the invention of new arguments, as by a luminous presentation of the obvious and ascertained facts and arguments belonging to the question. We have been surprised at the facility with which men of moderate capacity, apprehended his meaning. He had none of that vanity which causes a man to hunt for original thoughts and modes of expression, at the expense of perspicuity and impression. He was willing, also, to reiterate the same great motives and arguments, when an ambitious spirit, or personal intellectual benefit, would have tempted him to have taken a different course. Such, moreover, was the vigor of his imagination, and the strength of his feelings, that he could clothe a subject in rich and attractive colors. He was deeply interested himself in whatever business he undertook, and this enabled him to present it to others in its most impressive forms. His object was not, however, attained by overstatement, or by an enumeration of unimportant circumstances, but by showing the prominent aspects of the question in their bearing on the salvation of the world. And here it may be remarked, that he ever retained the friends and auxiliaries which he had secured to his cause. Those who had bestowed of their substance, bountifully, at his solicitation, welcomed his return. He had qualities, which made it delightful to be associated with him-a deep and sincere interest in the welfare of others, even in minute particulars unaffected kindness of manner-great delicacy of feeling