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because there are many who cannot comprehend all the doctrines of the Scriptures, and who if not guided by the enlightened decisions of the whole church, will certainly fall into error. But,' said I, 'supposing that a man capable of judging for himself finds the interpretation of Scripture by the holy church absolutely incompatible with every dictate of his understanding. What shall he do?' To which he answered, 'For example, I am the man you allude to. Now it is plain we cannot both be right; if I am right the holy church is wrong, if the holy church be right I am wrong. Now I will say, is it most probable I am wrong, I who am one being, or the whole Catholic church from the apostles to the present day?'

"The night coming on, I was very reluctantly compelled to part with my new and interesting acquaintance. He is a man of considerable talents, both native and acquired, and I cannot but believe a truly spiritual follower of Jesus Christ. He very earnestly requested me to call on him again, and I shall not fail to do it.

"March 7.-This morning went with several citizens, on board a Dutch ship recently arrived from Amsterdam and having on board two hundred and forty German Redemptioners, as they are called. The vessel had been sixty days on the voyage, and most of the passengers, as I understood, were from an interior province in Germany. Two other vessels were in company, having on board between three and four hundred passengers of the same description. My object was to ascertain if there were any orphans on board, and if so, to make provision for them. This was no sooner disclosed than there were presented before me nine miserable objects, seven girls, and two boys. Their parents had died during the voyage, and their situation was such as to excite the deepest compassion. One was a sickly looking infant of two years of age. Another was four years old, with but one

ness.

tattered garment, and that so poor that I was compelled to tie my handkerchief about its body, to hide its nakedSome of them were laboring under the worst cutaneous diseases, others were almost covered with vermin, and all were extremely filthy. Supposing that the Female Orphan Asylum would furnish them a home, I ventured to take thither all the girls, though in doing so I became responsible for the payment of the passage-money of the two eldest, amounting to one hundred and sixty dollars. An orphan boy, who had been the principal guardian of the little girls, though he rejoiced to hear that they were to have good food, clothes and a home, wept abundantly when he learned that I could not take him also. I could pacify him only by assuring him that if he did not soon find a home, I would provide him with one.

"Within a few hours, I had the unutterable delight of seeing the poor children washed, fed, and neatly clad. Several ladies, hearing of their condition, immediately sent in quantities of clothing and every thing necessary for their comfort, and at an early hour in the evening, I received from the young gentlemen of the city the generous donation of one hundred and twenty dollars, contributed as their free will offering towards the redemption of these children. Oh, I had rather enjoy the luxury of befriending, of feeding and clothing these friendless, hungry and naked children, than sit at the table of kings, or wear all the coveted badges of royalty.

"Fortunately, the managers of the Female Orphan Asylum were in session at the very moment these orphans were found, and as if God would give us every facility, the opportunity was afforded of recommending them without delay to the sympathy and charity of the directors of the asylum, most of whom wept and sobbed, as mothers could hardly fail to do, when I related my sad story to them. They immediately received them under their pa

tronage, and assumed the debt I had incurred for their redemption, at the same time authorizing me to obtain such other female orphans as I might find on board the other vessels.

"With the intention of executing their kind design, I visited another ship at 5 o'clock, but found so many of the citizens already on board, each endeavoring to redeem a number of passengers, that I was compelled to postpone my investigation until the ensuing week. I however saw two orphans. One, a boy of ten years of age, expressed great anxiety that I would take him with me. He said he had lost both his father and mother, that he was alone, but could read and write. The girl sought to recommend herself by saying she could knit and sew, and do many things. I assured them if they found no home until I saw them again, I would certainly provide for them."

It is gratifying to learn that these poor redemptioners never forgot the kindness of Mr. Cornelius. A few years before his death, a friend from New Orleans informed him, that some of the individuals whom he had rescued, were still living, and that they never heard his name mentioned, without exclaiming, their eyes filled with tears, 'God bless him.'

It has been before stated, that Mr. Cornelius had received a commission to labor in New Orleans from the Connecticut Missionary Society. It is proper to add that his exertions were fully acknowledged by the trustees of that association. The following extract is copied from their report. "Mr. Cornelius preached statedly and frequently to the people before the arrival of Mr. Larneda period of three or four weeks. After this, he turned his attention more particularly to other parts of the city, and preached in the hospitals, in the jail, to seamen, and to a congregation of two hundred Africans. His visits to the hospital were frequent and deeply interesting. To

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the sick and dying, he was a counsellor, a comforter, and often, with his own hands, administered both clothing and nourishment to their 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.

During Mr. Cornelius's 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 inducing 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

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His powers as a pulpit orator attracted universal admiration. He arrived in New Orleans, January 22, 1818, and was soon settled as the minister of the first Presbyterian congregation. The corner 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. Measures have recently been taken to form another church. 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