chain of true affection a frequent interchange of thought and feeling
serves to keep that chain bright and strong, but if no manifested love
wings its flight to those absent ones, its links, as it were, will rust and
grow weaker.

It may not be inaptly remarked that our thoughts are often shaped from
the events which are passing around us and the position and frame of
mind in which we view them, or at least that must be a strange tem-
perament which can view a land in commotion and not bestow a thought
thereon. And amid the excitement that now overspreads our country
while the tocsin of war is sounding and contending armies are gathering
and preparing for a deadly conflict, I view the scene in mental vision
with deep, heartfelt sorrow. When I read the exciting, thrilling call
to arms from political editors I do not wonder, but when I find men
who are standing high among their fellows as professed ministers of the
gospel of Christ, delivering discourses encouraging their congregations
to buckle on the armor, shoulder the death-dealing gun, to unsheath the
sword and go forth to destroy the lives of those even with whom they
are making a common profession of serving the same God, my heart is
filled with sorrow at their blindness and the blindness of the people, and I
feel to present to you for your candid consideration some views on this
subject and which seem to me to be more consistent with the mission of
Jesus.

We are professing to be Christians. This nation is called a Christian
nation. Now the first consideration for us is, What is a Christian? To
which the general answer would be, a follower of Christ. A follower of
Christ in what? Why, to my mind, as I understand the obligations resting
upon me in that direction, I am to follow Him in that course of life by
which He was preserved from the commission of sin ; and this, I find,
according to my apprehension, consisted in obeying, carrying out and
fulfilling the law and directions of His Father in all things and under all
circumstances.



Letters from 1858 to 1861 in

Well then, if this view be correct, let us trace, as He laid down in His
daily walk and in the precepts which are recorded as having been delivered
by Him, and sec if in the whole that has come down to us if there be a
single sentence or a single action from which we may draw the con-
clusion that it would be right under any situation or provocation for one
who is really a Christian to take the life of another fellow-man. It was
a precept given by Him in the Sermon on the Mount, referring to the
Mosaic command, " Ye have heard it said, an eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth, but I say unto you resist not evil, but overcome evil with
good. Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you, bless them
that curse you and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute
you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven/'
Then mark still further how He bears His testimony against everything
like retaliation, when He says: "If thine enemy smite thee on the
one cheek turn to him the other also, if he sue thee at the law and take
away thy coat give him thy cloak also." And still farther, " When thou
bringest thy gift to the altar," or as I understand it, when thou comest
into the presence of God to worship Him, and thou rememberest that thy
brother has aught against thee, leave there thy gift, first go and be recon-
ciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift.

We see here that no worship from us will be acceptable in the divine
sight while we cherish the least feeling of bitterness against a brother
or a sister, and then still further, " If ye love them that love you what re-
ward have ye, do not publicans and sinners the same? How then can a
man love God whom he hath not seen if he love not his brother whom
he hath seen," and then when pronouncing His blessings He says, Blessed
are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Thus
we see when we come to carry out these sublime precepts there is no
room for anything but love to all, not only to our friends but to our
enemies. Then let us follow Him to the close of His life and we find
that He fully carried out all that He had laid down. See how beautifully
He exemplified them when the emissaries of the chief priests came to take
Him in that hour when He knew He was betrayed and that He would
be put to death. When Peter, in his love for Him and in the promptings
of his animal nature, drew his sword and smote off the ear of the servant
of the high priest, mark the rebuke : " Put up thy sword for they that
take the sword shall perish by the sword," and then reached forth His
hand and healed the ear of him who had been smitten. Then let us
follow Him before Pilate where, when falsely accused, making no de-
fence, ret inning no railing, but as a lamb led to the slaughter, or as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so opened He not His mouth," and
when about to be crucified, when He bore testimony that His Father



ii2 Autobiography of John J. Cornell

could furnish Him twelve legions of angels if needful to rescue Him,
but no ; His work was done, He was at peace with God. He had no fear
of death and therefore in the fullness of that love which filled His heart
He could titter that sublime petition, " Father, forgive them ; they know
not what they do."

Oh, beloved cousins, when we thus contemplate the precepts of that
Holy One and trace them as carried out in His example, where can we
find any excuse to harm or injure a fellow-being? How, oh how can a
professed minister of the gospel call upon his flock to go forth to slay
and kill? Can these be the true ministers of the sanctuary? Can these
be they who, when done with time, will join that innumerable company
who have washed and made white their robes in the blood of the Lamb?

Let us look at another scene. Here in our own country Northern and
Southern brethren meet on the battlefield, each army has its chaplain, a
professed minister of the gospel of Christ which breathes that glorious
anthem, " On earth peace and good will to men," and let us in imagination
listen to the prayers that ascend a few brief moments before they are
engaged in the deadly strife, and we hear each praying to the same God
that success may crown the efforts of each army, that the victory may
be theirs, which means that their side shall kill or wound the most. Can
these be the followers of that meek and lowly Lamb of God I have above
described? I unhesitatingly say no, for I firmly believe that God never
did nor ever will order and direct that human beings should thus slay
and butcher each other. I know there are many who think that God
sends wars to punish mankind for their sins, but I do not so view the attri-
butes of Deity. For as I do not find any law of God but that if obeyed
would lead to happiness and peace, but man being a free agent and endowed
with the power of choice between obeying the laws of God and thereby
embracing good, and living in obedience to the dictates of his selfish
nature and thus producing evil, so as nations instead of living in obe-
dience to those beautiful and happifying laws of God. choose to live in
accordance with the promptings of their animal natures bring about
evil, and hence wars ensue to settle difficulties or to conquer the weaker.
Mark the workings of the animal nature as exemplified in the brute crea-
tion, as well as in our own individual experience, and we see that this
spirit of the stronger to rule over the weak and to retaliate for real or
supposed injuries, and then trace the workings of that silent yet powerful
monitor within us, and do we not find that its laws given, its efforts made
are to redeem us from this warring state and instead of retaliation, enab-
ling us to forgive instead of conquering by force, requiring us to love our
neighbors as ourselves? Then if this be our experience as individuals,
would not the same God who thus leads individuals, lead nations if all



Letters from 1858 to 1861 113

were obedient in the same path? Hence I draw my deduction that God
does not now sanction war, nor even the taking of life in self-defense, and
if not now, as He is unchangeably the same yesterday, today and for-
ever, so I am brought to the conclusion that He never did sanction the
taking of human life, even in self-defense. I may differ in this thought
from mankind in general, yet when we reflect that in order to be a
Christian that nothing but love can pervade our hearts, and when we
thus know that we are at peace with God it follows as a natural conse-
quence that death has no terrors for us, and when we know that a man
who would, while we were in this state, having nothing in our hearts but
love for the human family, take our lives, must be wholly unprepared to die,
let me candidly query, would life be so dear to us that we would be willing
to enjoy it at the expense of the consciousness that our hands had been
bathed in our brother's blood and that we had sent him unprepared before
the tribunal of a just God and doomed him to an eternity of misery and
woe.

I had no idea, dear cousins, of taking up this subject at so great a
length when I commenced writing, but something seemed to impress me
that it would be right and I have endeavored to follow the opening, trust-
ing that if you are not prepared to adopt the sentiments herein contained
they will at least furnish you food for reflection that may lead you to
trace the workings of the Infinite Spirit upon the mind of one so unworthy
as myself.

In much love, I remain affectionately your attached cousin,

John J. Cornell.

Mendon, Tenth month 6, 1861.
John Watson :

Beloved Friend. — I find that weeks have glided away until months have
gone since last we met in the body, but often, very often has the mind of
thy young friend recalled thy countenance and as often mingled with thee
in spirit, and now, as it is First-day afternoon, and though I have been
engaged in finishing copying the epistles for Philadelphia and New York,
yet I thought I would not lay aside my writing materials until I had given
thee some evidence that the bond of union, which has heretofore bound
us in sweet fellowship, remains unbroken on my part.

Oh, dear friend, my spirit is often humbled in thankfulness unto our
God for His goodness to me in that He has permitted me to number so
many of His dependent children among my most precious friends, and my
secret cry very often is, may I continue to walk worthy of their confi-
dence and esteem, which I know can only be done by a faithful abiding
at the feet of the Divine Master and being obedient to His commands.



ii4 Autobiography of John J. Cornell

Last week was our Quarterly Meeting at this place and a precious season
it proved to be to me, and I trust to many others, for my lot had been
for some days previous to be remanded to the stripping room, and I went
to meeting feeling very poor and low in spirit, but as I endeavored to be
faithful to the openings made and to the ability afforded, I came away
rejoicing. Blessed, forever blessed be the name of Israel's unslumbering
Shepherd.

My dear wife accompanied me to Yarmouth in the Eighth month to at-
tend the Half Yearly Meeting and visit our friends thereaway, and the
Master was not wanting to qualify for the service required, and I believe
that meeting will be long remembered by many who were present. It
has seldom been my lot to witness a season when so many were tendered
even to tears, and I believe some hearts who had until then stood out
and kept out the beloved of souls "until " His head was wet with the dew
and His locks as with the drops of the night," were made willing to open
the door and receive Him in the simple way of His coming.

I perceive that thy dear son, of whom thou spoke at our late Yearly
Meeting, has passed away, leaving no doubt a deep void in your hearts,
but I trust you have the evidence that all is well with him.

Our family circle remains as when I saw thee and we have been per-
mitted to enjoy our usual health, which I believe is the case with most
hereaway, though death has claimed some, and among these was the only
son of Joseph and Jane Baker. Thus is life interspersed with rejoicing
and sorrow, and happy is he indeed who recognizes through all the hand of
the omnipotent and is prepared in hours of joy to give Him thanks and
in hours of sorrow to acknowledge that He doeth all things well.

As I view the commotions which are agitating my country, while I re-
member that my countrymen who should be striving with each other to
promote her best and highest interest, are arrayed in dark, dread hos-
tility to each other, how my spirit mourns, and how I do long that men
might be willing to come under the guidance of the Prince of Peace
that they might hearken to the monitions of the still small voice and be-
come obedient to its promptings and thus be enabled to overcome the
monster self. How soon, were this the case, would we behold a different
state of things. But as He who created all things and overrules all can
stay the wrath of man and turn what he intends for evil into good, so
I feel to leave all in His hands and strive to perform my allotted duty,
trusting that all will work together in the end for good to those whose
desires are to serve the Lord.

In much love, I remain thy much attached young friend,

John J. Cornell.



Letters from 1858 to 1861 115

Mendon, Tenth month 31, 1861.
To I. B. W. :

Beloved Friend. — My mind this afternoon has been much with thee
and in accordance with the impressions made thereon I have under-
taken to convey through this medium such feelings and views as may
arise.

I think I am warranted in saying that there is a cord which binds our
spirits in nearness of feeling, which emanates from that invisible yet illim-
itable source of all good, and I trust thou will readily believe that it is
from and under the exercise of that feeling that I now write thee.

We are standing before our fellows with deep and high responsibilities
resting upon us, and although there is in reality no more necessity for us
to keep our eyes single to the pointings of Divine Wisdom than for others,
yet the consequences resulting from balking our profession, from appear-
ing to be one thing in the gallery and another when occupied in the con-
cerns which belong to this life in temporal things, has a wider influence
and is more pregnant with evil to others and proves a greater stumbling
block in the way of the honest yet unsettled enquirer and fills the minds
of those who love us with a deeper sorrow, and hence it appears to me
to be very necessary that we set a double guard at every avenue in
which the enemy of our souls (that is, our own self-will) may approach
remembering the injunction of Him whose example we are professing to
follow : " If any man will be my disciple let him first deny himself, take
up his daily cross and follow me." Oh, how hard this denying self. This
brings to mind the parting admonition of that dear old servant of the
Most High, Elizabeth Leedom, when she was last in this place. After a
favored meeting, in which our testimonies had mingled and blended in
sweet harmony, she said " Remember, John, the enemy is not dead yet."
How true, though overcome at one point, he quickly makes his appearance
at another, and how often it becomes necessary to scrutinize closely or
to turn the fleece more than once lest his appearance, clothed as an angel
of light, deceive us.

How often do we cling to some cherished hope or plan and seek to
make a course of conduct appear to be right? How often does it recur
to the mind that what we desire is lawful and that man will justify us
in its performance, but when we scan the motive closely it will not bear
the test of divine unselfish love. There is something of our own plan-
ning or of our own willing lurking within, and if so the future will be
shrouded in darkness and dismay;

But when the heart recoils from the commission of that which, though
appearing to bring with it a seeming outward gain, and throws itself
unreservedly, as it were, into the arms of an omnipotent God, whose



n6 Autobiography of John J. Cornell

spirit by the revelation of its light upon the understanding has shown us
what we must surrender, I have full confidence that He who was never
foiled in battle, whose arm is ever bared for the protection of His truly
dependent children, will open a way even when our poor visions cannot
discover any possible way, and if we are faithful to move only at His
command we shall have cause to sing His praise as on the banks of
deliverance.

How deeply interesting is that account of the children of Israel, when
camped by the Red Sea, with mountains on either side and a relentless
enemy pursuing them from behind. Behold their tribulation and the fear
that would naturally arise that all was lost and that they must be utterly
destroyed. If the present impression of my mind does not deceive me,
thou at this time can fully understand this condition, and that there
appears but little if any way for thee to move, and the conflicts of mind
thou hast undergone and art undergoing are deeply distressing. And the
language to thee is, " Be still and see the salvation of God." In the hour
of mortal conflict resist the temptation of the enemy that is assailing thee,
give all up to the care and direction of Him who sees not as man sees and
when He shall be pleased to open the path for thy feet move bravely for-
ward, heed not the whisperings of self within, nor trust the advice of those
without, though it may cost thee all outward possessions, though it may
seem that thy outward enemies may gain a temporary advantage, but move
bravely forward, trust implicitly in that guide whom thou hast known
in days past to lead thee out of the mire of despair, and plant thy feet
upon that sure foundation wherein thou hast found safety. I do not
know why my mind should be so impressed, yet so vividly do I feel,
so clearly do I see the agitations which are troubling thy mind, though I
know not their nature, that I felt my peace consisted in sounding the
warning to heed the monitions of the swift witness for truth, to let thine
eye be kept wholly and singly to the shining of that light which is even
now glimmering as in the distance. Eye it steadily and it will approach
nearer and nearer unto thee and when it shows thee the path before thee
advance therein, leave all doubtings behind thee, and it will lead thee
out of the wilderness that now surrounds thee and bring thee to the
glorious mansions of peace, and abilitate thee to exclaim in truth " Great
and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are all
Thy ways, Thou King of Saints."

Oh, lose not this high behest, this glorious prize for a seeming temporal
advantage, although it may seem to be easily obtained, for if it cost thee
such a loss of what benefit will it be to thee? Where will be the en-
joyment if the consciousness of disobedience and a turning away from
clear convictions of right are continually arising to annoy?



Letters from 1858 to 1861 117

But if thou follow this sure guide it will not only enable thee to par-
take of those great privileges of which I have written, but will abilitate
thee to meekly bear the railings of thy accusers, and return good to them
that hate thee, to bless them that curse thee.

It is the deep and earnest breathing of my spirit that this may be
fully realized by thee, for I feel that the Lord hath need of thee and that
thy present deep trials may yet prove great blessings. Let us then
humbly and meekly seek to know His will and His alone, that we may
be preserved through every earthly trial in an unwavering implicit trust
and confidence in Him who doeth all things well, and that when we
shall be called away from these scenes to the dark confines of the tomb
our spirits may be fully prepared to join the angelic hosts who are
eternally singing hosannas to our God.

In much love to thee, I remain thy fellow traveler and, I trust fellow
laborer, in the service of our Lord,

John J. Cornell.

Note. — It will be proper to here state that, by a letter received from the
person above addressed in a few days after it was written, I was informed
that I was correct in my feelings regarding her situation, and that my
missive had greatly encouraged her.

Mendon, Eleventh month 2, 1861.
To Isaac Brown :

Esteemed Friend. — Such has been the nearness of feeling going out to
thee, so strongly have my sympathies been drawn out towards thee that
thou art often brought before me in my moments of calm mediation,
when my mind seems encompassed by the matchless love of Divine Good-
ness, and as the inclemency of the weather precludes my laboring out of
doors I thought I might profitably employ my time in penning some of my
feelings and reflections for thy perusal, believing if it shall serve no other
purpose it will at least tend to strengthen the chord of affection under
which our spirits have been drawn towards each other.

When we gather into that solemn profound silence of mind wherein
the things and cares of earth, with their anxieties and perplexities, are
brought into subjection and kept as under the feet, and the soul then
drinks in from the outflowings of the fountain of immaculate and pure
divine wisdom, receiving therefrom a renewed vitality and new accessions
of the knowledge of those bright realities of the Kingdom of Heaven
which are mysterious to the natural understanding of man, of how little
account do the acquirements of the human intellect appear? It is only



n8 Autobiography of John J. Cornell

while thus gathered that we fully understand the riches of the love of our
God, its universality and its adaptation to the wants and capacities of the
souls of men under whatever circumstances they may be placed. And
as we thus learn the depth of its riches we realize which of the three
heavenly virtues — Faith, Hope and Charity — or Love, that charity is
the greatest. Faith and Hope are in comparison selfish virtues because
they belong wholly to ourselves ; we can divide them with no one, we can-
not partake of them with another. The faith we have is derived from the
evidences unfolded to us, and though we may attempt to describe the
means and methods whereby we have arrived at our faith, the evidence
which is able to convince another so that they may arrive at the same con-
clusion, can only be furnished by the same power and through the
same channel by which we received it. Then too, as hope is and can
only be ours in accordance with the faith we have and hold, so it must be
evident that none can partake of this same hope until he be possessed of the
same faith. But when our faith becomes firmly grounded in the immedi-
ately revealed will of God through the Christ within the heart, and we
thereby have a hope that we may become the sons of God by adoption,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, which state is only attain-
able through our humble, passive obedience to the requisitions of the Di-
vine will as thus immeditely revealed. Then we know our selfishness or
the selfishness of our nature subdued, and in its stead more of that pure,
high, and holy principle, Charity, or the Love or God, which is wholly un-
selfish, fills the heart and radiates from us towards all those with whom
we are brought into contact, and over whom we exert an influence. This
is the high prerogative of a true son of God, and is the mark for which
all should aim, but more especially should it become the clothing of those,
who like ourselves at times, stand as mouth for the Lord to the people
and as instruments in His holy hand.

I trust that in thy experience thou hast been brought to see that God in
His nature and vital essence is wholly replete and complete without man,
that it does not add to Him or His enjoyment if man always obeys His
commands, neither does it detract from Him or His enjoyment if man is
disobedient and rejects His counsels. Hence in all His dealings with man,
in all the laws established for his government, in all the penalties insti-
tuted for the transgression of those laws it is the welfare of man and his
best and highest interests He has in view, and man alone receives the benefit
of his obedience to those counsels and those laws by which his spirit be-
comes more and more fitted to enjoy the communion with his Creator,
becomes more and more likened unto Him, approaches nearer and nearer
to that state of perfect worship wherein all the evil propensities of his