He received a B.A. from Yale College in 1915 and an L.L.B. and an M.A. from Columbia University in 1917.

He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1917 to 1919, before practicing law for a variety of firms in New York City from 1919 to 1935.

In 1930, Ely and his wife, Constance Jennings Ely met Frank Buchman, the leader of the Oxford Group, which came to be known as Moral Re-armament. The Elys became leaders in the movement and traveled extensively to Europe, Latin America, and Asia on its behalf. Albert Heman Ely, Jr. died September 28, 1964.

The movement has Christian roots but has grown into an informal, international network of people of all faiths and backgrounds. It is based around what it calls 'the Four Absolutes' (honesty, purity, unselfishness, love) and encourages its members to be actively involved in political and social issues. One of the core ideas is that changing the world starts with seeking change in one self.

In 2001, it changed its name to Initiatives of Change

ELY, NATHANIEL J S/O ALBERT HEMAN
 DATE OF BIRTH: 05/06/1939
 DATE OF DEATH: 01/03/1952
 DATE OF INTERMENT: 01/07/1952
 BURIED AT: SECTION 3  SITE 2457-D
 ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY