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 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- 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 388 MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. 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. The first deep religious impressions on his mind were made by an elder brother, who, while on a visit to his father, took occasion, after family worship, to make some observations on a portion of Scripture, and to apply them to the state of those around him who were out of Christ. He was affected even to tears, and, for the first time in his life, went on his knees in secret prayer. The feelings, however, which had been thus awakened, were almost entirely suppressed, in a way not at all unusual. James had been exceedingly devoted to the gayeties of life, and was particularly fond of dancing. Just about this time he was prevailed on by some young companions to go to a party formed for this purpose in the neighborhood. The result was the loss of his seriousness, and the commission of sins of which he never before had been guilty. No one ever resists the Holy Spirit, and suppresses the convictions of his own heart, without a great increase of sinfulness. In this state of mind he was placed as a clerk in the store of a merchant in New-York. Two brothers, both older than himself, watched over him with all the solicitude of fraternal affection; and thus he was preserved from the paths of that destroyer which lurks in all our large cities, and takes in her snares so many of our most hopeful young men. James attended the ministry of the Rev. Dr. John B. Romeyn, pastor of the church then in Cedar-street, New-York; and there, at the age of fifteen, publicly professed his faith in Christ, and joined in commemorating his dying love. Nothing in the history of his religious experience, at this time, shows it to have been very remarkable |