the first missionaries in prayer and exhortation, just before their departure.

On Wednesday morning, November 3, 1819, Mr. Fisk and his colleague embarked on board the ship Sally Ann, Capt. Edes, and bade their last adieu to the shores, the scenes, and the privileges of their native country. During a number of weeks he suffered much from sea sickness; of course little was attempted by way of study. As soon as his health was restored, he resumed his studies which he industriously prosecuted on the voyage. According to the arrangement of Captain Edes, and at his request, religious services were attended regularly on board. Particular attention was devoted to the spiritual welfare of the seaman belonging to the vessel, and, as was hoped, not without good effect.

Some of the correspondence of Mr. Fisk, while on his passage, will show the general state of his mind at this time. As each letter was written under different dates, the extracts will be arranged in the order of time.

TO MISS M. D. B. OF W.

"Ship, Sally Ann, Dec. 1, 1819. "Providence ordered things favorably. We were indeed called to sail a little sooner than we wished; but it was well. It would have given us a melancholy pleasure to have seen a few of our friends again, but no doubt, it was best we should be deprived of this pleasure. The suddenness of our departure made it seem almost like a dream. But it is reality. The long expected moment is passed. The object of so many hopes, and fears, and prayers, is accomplished. America, and American friends, farewell. The most precious blessings descend richly upon you."

TO MISS M. A. OF A.

"Dec. 2. You are happy to-day, with parents and sisters, enjoying the bounties of Providence,

reviewing the mercies of the past year, lifting up your praises to God for his goodness, and renewing your vows to be the Lord's. How precious is a day of Thanksgiving, when viewed in a proper light. And how much do they lose, who make this merely a season of festivity and amusement. Let it be one object of your life to promote by example, by conversation, and by letters, a proper observance of this religious festival.-Your brothers, I suppose, are absent. If so, this is an occasion on which they are no doubt remembered. And I assure you, it gives me no small degree of satisfaction to reflect, that to-day parents, sisters, and brothers, are accustomed to remember, and mention the absent meinbers of the family. If we observe this day aright, it will be an emblem, and at the same time, a precious earnest, of that eternal thanksgiving, in which unnumbered multitudes shall join in unceasing songs of praise."

TO MISS M. D. B. OF W.

"Dec. 7. Since my last visit at your father's, I have thought much of your parents, and of the duties you are discharging towards them. Setting aside filial affection, gratitude, and obligation; and assiduous endeavors to make old age happy, might seem to be attended with sacrifices and trials; the confinement might be tedious, and the task a grievous one. But when filial love stimulates to efforts for promoting the comfort of those, to whom we owe our being; of those who have suffered so much, done so much, and had so many nights of sleepless solicitude on our account,-I can easily conceive that every sacrifice will seem a gratification, every labor and effort a privilege. Indeed, when I think of an absent father, whose head is blossoming for the grave, and who is declining under the infirmities of age, I almost envy those who may employ their time and

skill, in cheering the gloomy evening of life, and in paying the debt of filial obligation.

"May you have the unspeakable happiness of finding all your efforts successful in contributing largely to the tranquillity and happiness of aged parents. Request them to accept the assurance of my affection and esteem. I have one request more to make. To your example and your prayers, add occasional remarks in your letters and visits, which shall tend to remind others of their obligation to parents. Let questions be started, rules and plans adopted, and motives suggested, relating to the subject. I once preached on the subject; and I believe, if I were to preach regularly, I should often introduce it. It appears to me, there is scarcely a more delightful scene to be witnessed on earth, than children assiduously discharging their duty to parents, especially where piety forms a prominent trait in their character."

TO MISS M. A. OF A.

"Dec. 13. We make slow progress; weather unfavorable, winds contrary, most of the time. The vessel is rocked and tossed about in a very disagreeable manner, and I have been more or less seasick the greater part of the time since leaving Boston.

"Sometimes I begin to grow impatient. When I feel the symptoms of this disorder, I take the Sketch of Missions, and read the history of other missions, and this always makes me ashamed of my impatience. We know nothing at all about self-denial. Just read (page 107, &c.) the history of Hans Egede. There is self-denial in good earnest. There is love to souls, and love to Christ. O when shall we see such a spirit pervade all the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then will the astonished world see that the benevolence of the Gospel is an omnipotent benevolence.

"But how trying it is to think of a state of high and holy attainments, of ingenuous and earnest piety, of active and successful labor, to think of it as attainable and indispensable, to wish, and hope, and pray for it, and yet find day succeeding day, and year succeeding year, while little or no progress is made towards these attainments. I could bear the slow progress of the vessel, and contrary winds, and long calms,—if I might but advance in conformity to my Saviour. What is this insurmountable obstacle that lies in the way? Why can we not forsake all for Christ, and enjoy habitually the unutterable happiness of resting in his love? What blasting influence is this, which so benumbs our souls! Sometimes I think, that the hope of my becoming holy, is the most desperate hope that ever was cherished. But, if at last grace does triumph over all this stubbornness and unbelief, what songs of praise will there be in heaven! And if other sinners are like me, and if a multitude which no man can number, shall at last be saved, what glory will redound to the Redeemer!"

TO THE REV. DR. P. OF SHELBURNE.

"Dec. 15. When I sit down to write to you, my thoughts naturally revert to former scenes, and to a variety of circumstances which are peculiarly interesting to me. I write to one who for years sus

tained to me the sacred and endeared relation of Pastor, and who has been, I trust, an instrument of the greatest spiritual good to me, and to a number of my dearest friends; and who has likewise afforded me, at different periods, much assistance in preparing for the work in which I am engaged; nor is it an indifferent circumstance that he, who was my pastor and teacher so long, is still the pastor and teacher of those whose religious interests are peculiarly dear to me. Be assured, Sir, the interesting events of days that are past, and your kind attentions

to me, have left an impression on my mind which will not soon be effaced. The recollections they furnish often make me feel almost as if I were in S. again. My last visit there, and the moment of parting, made me more sensible than ever I was before, of my attachment to that place; to the church and to the people. You can never tell so well the strength of cords, as when you attempt to break them. I have found it so in respect to my attachment to home, and friends, and country. I think I never perceived so clearly the force and import of the condition which our Saviour required, of those who would become his disciples, viz. That they must forsake all, and follow him."

TO THE REV. P. S. OF J., VT.

"Dec. 15. May the Lord Jesus dwell with you and bless you; make your house the abode of happiness and peace; draw your hearts nearer and nearer to himself; give you more and more comfort in Christian society; make your children sources of consolation, and promote vital piety among the people with whom you are connected. A. and E. are often thought of. Do they remember me? How I should love to see A. a good missionary in Asia. Would you consent, if the Lord should call him? Will you not even pray, that it may be so?

"You have no doubt, heard of my departure from Boston. We have now been out 41 days—have just entered the Mediterranean-passage thus far rather long. We are in a good ship, and have good accommodations;-try to do the sailors good; read, converse, and pray with them daily, and preach to them on the Sabbath. They are ignorant, but seem attentive, and in some degree interested. I hope our efforts will not be wholly in vain. But alas! how hard is the impenitent heart! Brother S., are you not sometimes quite discouraged in giving men invitations to enter heaven, while they so generally