THE

QUARTERLY REGISTER.

VOL. V.

AUGUST, 1832.

No. 1.

REMARKS UPON THE CHARACTER AND PUBLIC LIFE OF MR. CORNELIUS.

IN forming an estimate of the character of an individual, there are always two classes of influence to be taken into the account. In the first place, the providence and Spirit of God are to be distinctly recognized. Men are not unfrequently placed in such circumstances, that they can hardly avoid acting a distinguished part. They came into existence at that very moment when the world was ripe for change. They had only to fall in with a current, which had received its direction long before they were born. Or, perhaps, some slight incident occurred in the early part of their history, which was entirely out of the range of their contrivance, but which essentially modified their whole subsequent course. The fathers of New England, though endued with almost prophetic sagacity, were, notwithstanding, deeply indebted to the providence of God. The persecutions which they suffered in England, compelled them to leave it. A spirit of adventure and foreign discovery, had been, for several years, abroad in Europe. Coming from a small island, over a wide ocean, and landing on a great continent, they would naturally feel an enlargement of soul. The idea must have been forced upon their minds, that they were to be the parents of a new race, the patriarchs of a new continent. They were also frequently the subjects of remarkable and entirely unforeseen deliverances. It is important to look upon the history and character of men, in this aspect. A main part of our object in reading biography, should be to trace the operations of the providence of God. If we lose sight of that, we shall certainly be in danger of paying idolatry to a few distinguished names. In Washington's character, there was a singularly happy combination of qualities, which were in part the result of his own effort and self-discipline. Still, God gave to Washington, powers of body and of mind altogether unusual, and placed him in circumstances, where those powers were nurtured and developed.

In the second place, however, men are free agents. Almost unbounded scope is given to them for industry, energy, and constant acquisition. There is a very great disparity among individuals in the same profession, with equal original powers, and with the same opportunities, because one will make those efforts which another refuses or neglects to make. God does not give wisdom to the thoughtless, nor energy to the idle. He dispenses his favors providently, as well as bountifully. It is a most interesting fact in the divine administration, that the industrious and observant man should meet with that favorable conjunction of circumstances on