wishes of his parents; and he was one whom they fondly hoped to retain with them, to be the staff and solace of their declining years. Hence it was not without some reluctance that they listened to the expression of a desire on his part to receive a public education-an event which they had some reasons to anticipate from his early partiality for books and study. His literary advantages, during the first seventeen years of his life, were confined to a common English school; but these were diligently improved. Great industry and perseverance characterized his earliest application to elementary studies. Soon he manifested a taste for mathematical science. His predilection for this science was such, even in childhood, that it was thought advisable for him to defer attention to it, till he had made competent proficiency in the other elementary branches. He obtained permission, however, to devote his evenings during a winter quarter to the study of arithmetic, and at the close of the term, he had acquired a good knowledge of the principal rules.

The Christian example and counsel of pious parents made, at an early period, such deep impressions on his mind, as were favorable to the susceptibility of the stronger convictions of religious truth. In his sixteenth year he was led to realize his lost condition, and to feel that he must be in earnest about his salvation. After a season of pungent convictions and great anxiety of mind, he discovered with the eye of faith 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,' and believing he rejoiced with joy unspeakable. At this time he manifested a very thorough acquaintance with the operations of his heart, uncommon clearness in his religious views and feelings, and was able to give distinctly 'a reason of the hope' he began to cherish. It was very soon perceived that his piety would be ardent and active.

The following account of his religious experience was written by himself about two years after he began to hope that he was a Christian.

"I consider the whole of my life till my sixteenth year, as having been one continued course of rebellion against God. Not one holy affection can I find by examination during that whole period. Never did my heart exercise any love for God-never was I willing that God should reign a Sovereign on his throne. I have even wished there were no God, or that he would annul the penalties of guilt, and proclaim impunity to offenders. As I was educated in a religious family, and heard much conversation about the things of religion, I often felt alarmed at the prospect of dying in my sins, and going down to destruction. Such fears, however, though frequent, were of short duration. Often did I resolve to become a pious, prayerful youth; but these resolutions were forgotten, as soon as I renewed my intercourse with thoughtless companions. Although convinced that delays are dangerous, yet I cherished the fond hope, that at some future period, when others should be seen turning to the Lord, or when the time of trial and distress should come, or when I was laid upon a dying bed, I should make my peace with God. So astonishing was my stupidity, that I supposed, a few weeks of seriousness would, at any future time, ensure my conversion. Destitute of a sense of dependance on the renewing influences of the Holy Spirit, I was trusting to works, to be performed at a future day, and under the influence of the carnal mind which is enmity against God.

"In the summer and autumn of 1807, it being a season of general stupidity among Christians, I indulged myself in sin with less restraint, than I had ever felt before. Never did the concerns of religion make so light impressions on my mind-I was busily employed in plans of vain amusement and sinful pleasure. I longed to be released from the

restraints of parental authority, that I might feel more free to pursue my career of youthful folly;and yet I wished to avoid all those appearances that would lower me in the estimation of the sober part of society. But God in mercy did not suffer me to proceed to such lengths in wickedness, as my depraved heart would, unrestrained, have led me.

"While many professed Christians were thus sleeping, and the youth were pursuing their career of sin with unusual levity, a few of Zion's friends, alarmed for the cause of religion and the souls of sinners, commenced a meeting for prayer. Though at first but few attended, the number soon increased; and after a few weeks they were frequent and full. On the first day of Jan. 1808, I met an intimate associate, with whom I had spent much time in sin, and he thus addressed me;-Remember, you have an immortal soul that must exist beyond the grave either in happiness or woe!'-I knew not till then of any change in his feelings. His address took hold of my heart; and after much reluctance, and many hard struggles for a few days, I determined to forsake the vanities of youth, and seek religion. I endeavored carefully to keep my mind on religious subjects, I read much, prayed often, and frequently attended religious meetings. I began to conclude that I was a subject of genuine conviction and should soon be converted.

"The person who first addressed me, after a season of anxious inquiry, which continued about three weeks, was relieved from his burden of anxiety and distress, and gave evidence of having 'passed from death unto life.' This was to me a trying time. The hope of being soon relieved from my fears of hell had afforded me some comfort, which now was gone. I had been serious and anxious, quite as long, I imagined, as persons generally were previously to conversion. But I did not feel, as I had expected I should. I therefore began to fear that

REV. PLINY FISK.

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my expectations of being converted were delusive. This led me to more diligence and earnestness. I began to think that what I had considered conviction, was not; and that something more was necessary to constitute a Christian, than anxious thoughts, or convictions of sin. I now realized, in some measure, the power of the doctrines of grace. I found myself to be 'dead in trespasses and sins'I had no heart to love God—I was vexed that a just God possessed all power, and would do his pleasure, without regard to the dictates of his creatures. During all this time, though wearisome days and nights were appointed me, I continued in rebellion against God, and refused to accept of mercy on the terms of the gospel. And I am fully persuaded that I should have continued in my sins, and rejected the Saviour, and grieved away the Spirit, had not God, of his own good pleasure, applied to my heart 'the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name,' who was pleased, as I humbly trust, to deliver me from the servitude of sin, in which I must otherwise have perished with the enemies of God. I had spent my living upon physicians, and when I 'was nothing better, but rather grew worse,' then, as I hope, the Lord was pleased to speak the word, that I might be healed. And, O how sweet the joys of believing in Jesus! what pleasures didst thou my soul realize, when the light of God's countenance first shone upon thee? What can compare with the joy and peace of believing in Jesus? When compared with this, how mean are all the pleasures, which honor, wealth, power, and sensual gratification can afford!

'Could I command the spacious earth,

And the more boundless sea;

For one blest hour at thy right hand
I'd give them both away.'

"Give me 'affliction with the people of God,' rather than 'the pleasures of sin for a season."

Let the

Lord be my God, and may I never be unfaithful in his cause. I devote myself, O Lord, to thee. Wilt thou accept the offering? Cleanse me from my sins-save me from stupidity-keep me humbleprepare me for thy service, and make me an instrument of good in the world-may thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as in heaven; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.".

After a season of trial and self-examination young Fisk professed religion, and was received to the church in his native town, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Theophilus Packard, D. D. From this time he manifested a deep solicitude for the salvation of sinners, and often exhorted, and affectionately urged them to immediate repentance. At an early period he was requested to assist in the services of private religious meetings, and his performances, though but a youth, were appropriate, judicious, and impressive. To religious meetings of this kind he was always partial; and such was his facility of communication, his earnestness, and faithfulness, that he rendered them in a high degree profitable. Many will long remember, how on such occasions he warned them with entreaties and tears to be reconciled to God.

His love for the service of his Divine Master was so strong, that he very soon determined on devoting himself to it, in the work of the ministry. His feelings were communicated to his parents; and though they had once tried to discourage him from pursuing a public education, they now acceded cheerfully to his wishes, promising him whatever assistance, it was in their power to render. He accordingly commenced his preparatory studies about a year after he had professed religion, and pursued them principally under the direction of Rev. Moses Hallock, of Plainfield, Mass. His application to study was vigorous and diligent; but he kept such