CHAPTER IV.

FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE,

Temptations and trials of a College life-pants for spiritual

converse-letter to a family-day of fasting-letter

"Looking unto Jesus"-refreshing visit at Lawrence.

ville-New Year's letter to his parents-efforts to rouse

others to duty-letter to a brother-humiliation and joy

in God-letter to afflicted relatives-to a lady apparently

near death-faithfulness to an individual-blessing on his

labors in vacation-holy joys-college honors-abundant

and successful labors in revivals in Connecticut in vaca-

tion-journal and letters,

163

CHAPTER V.

SECOND YEAR IN COLLEGE.

Labors in connection with the Pastor of a Church in New-

York-letter of warning to a friend-freedom from secta.

rianism-to an aged colored woman-New Year's letter

to his parents-to a Cousin-to a Female Friend-Diary

-to a Young Christian-Diary-requested to aid a neigh-

boring clergyman-forgoes visit to his friends, and spends

vacation in a revival-success of his labors-letter to the

Young Converts-to a young Lady-death of Summer-

field-to a minister of the Gospel,

240

CHAPTER VI.

LAST YEAR IN COLLEGE.

Letter to a Lady in feeble health-to a sister apparently

near death-letters to relatives-accused by a fellow stu-

dent-New Year's letter to his parents-to an aged cler-

gyman-to a Christian friend and family-to a candidate

for the ministry-Diary-entire surrender to God-re-

solves to labor for salvation of the students individually

-his gentleness-letter to a brother preparing for the

ministry-Diary-fear of sin-love of the Bible-benefit

of crosses-to his brother, an officer in the church-close

of his college course,

307

CHAPTER VII.

IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

Want of health-joins the Theological Seminary-to a fa-

mily at Princeton-to a Clergyman who had bled at the

lungs to his mother-labors in revivals of religion in

Connecticut-conversion of his friend L. P.-labors in re-

ligious meetings-Bible Class-success-bleeds at the

lungs-submission-aspirations for heaven-conversation

with a friend in view of his illness-to a brother, and a fe-

male friend-New Year's letters,

354

CHAPTER VIII.

VISITS AT THE SOUTH-SICKNESS-DEATH-CONCLUSION

Voyage to Charleston, S. C.-journies at the South-let-
ters respecting his health-Divine consolations-return
to New-York and Middle Haddam-licensed to preach
the Gospel-letters to friends-Diary-embarks for
Prince Edward, Va.-letters to friends-gradual decline
-death-letters describing the closing scene-letters
received by the Compilers-Conclusion,

388

MEMOIR.

CHAPTER I.

1

Early Life, till commencing Study.

JAMES BRAINERD TAYLOR, Son of Col. Jeremiah Taylor, of Middle-Haddam, Connecticut, was born on the 15th of April, 1801. His parents were in the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and greatly respected in the circle of their acquaintance. On the mother's side, he was connected with the family of Brainerd, a name to be held in remembrance as long as the devoted zeal of the self-denying missionary shall be had in honor. On the father's side, an old record traces up the lineage to a branch of the family of Jeremy Taylor. But, while no wise man ever undervalued the benefits of being born of worthy parents, no one of right spirit ever relied on this providential circumstance to bear him on through life. Our character depends on ourselves. So thought James B. Taylor. And while he honored and revered his parents with the truest filial affection, he went forth with the spirit of genuine independence to make his own way in the world.

Of his very early youth, the affection of friends has preserved many recollections of deep interest. He was particularly distinguished by an affectionate vivacity, which greatly endeared him to his relatives, and made him a general favorite in the circle in which he moved.