in holy living. He would come to my room and propose a walk,-"But where shall we go? and what shall we talk about?" would be his first inquiries. Once when I went with him, he led me to the house of an aged negro. The old man appeared gratified, and like a Christian. Mr. Fisk viewing him and his aged companion as standing on the brink of the grave, introduced the subject of death, requesting me to state, what constituted a preparation for death. After a few remarks were made, he resumed the subject, and pursued it. We prayed and then returned. When returning, after having visited a family for the purpose of religious conversation with the members, he would say; "The next time we pray for ourselves, we must pray for these persons." When on the way to attend a religious meeting he would inquire; "On what subject shall we discourse?" Perhaps he would mention one, give a brief view of it, divide it, and then say to me; "You may speak on which part you please, and I will take the other; and you may begin or conclude the subject, as shall best suit your feelings." Once as we were returning from one of these excursions, during which he had conversed much about the heathen, he remarked; "How little we feel, that probably now there are 500,000,000 of people entirely ignorant of the Saviour!" The thought came home to my soul. At another time in view of the rapid and mighty operations of the present day he said; "We must hasten forward, or we shall not be able to do any thing. It seems to me much as it did, when I went to 'a raising' while a boy. Several men would grasp a beam at once, and I had to hasten, or it would soon be out of my reach, and then I could help none; so it seems to me now, and we must hasten forward."

An intimate friend of Mr. Fisk, speaking of their mutual intercourse, has said; "I rarely knew of an occasion, when it was necessary to give him any

thing like a reproof. But once when sitting in my room with the door open, I heard him, as he came from the lecture room, talking quite earnestly and saying, "I was provoked with brother ****because he continued to speak, after the Professor had given his opinion." I called to him by name, he replied, "What do you want?" I said, "The sun will go down by and by." He answered, "Very well." In about fifteen minutes he came into my room with an honest and affectionate smile, took me by the hand, and said, "I am ready now to have the sun go down." This instance serves to show, with what a spirit he received a reproof, and how readily he profited by it. There was no kindness which he so gratefully received from a fellow student, as a reproving hint. And he enjoined it upon all his intimate associates, as a pledge of Christian friendship, that they should frankly tell him of every fault, and every impropriety of deportment, which they at any time should detect in him. The same kind service he was careful to perform, as a matter of duty, as well as Christian faithfulness.

From the observations which have been made respecting the religious intercourse of Mr. Fisk, with the members of the Seminary, it must not be inferred, that there was about him any thing which savored of religious austerity, or of that excessive reserve which repels familiarity. On the contrary he was remarkably affable and familiar. The merest child might feel free to approach him, and would be sure to meet from him the unaffected expression of kindness. During intervals of relaxation from the engagements of the study and the closet, he was always cheerful, occasionally humorous, and indulged an agreeable "flow of soul," which rendered him a very pleasant companion. It was a source of regret to him, that he did not exhibit an example of more gravity; though it was seldom that any thing appeared in him inconsistent with the deportment

of an exemplary follower of Jesus. They who enjoyed the privilege of intimate acquaintance with him, will never forget how they "took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company."

His intercourse with the Professors of the Seminary was uniformly modest and respectful. He went to them, as one would go to his father, for the counsel which their experience might enable them to give; and though in matters. of faith he called no man Rabbi, yet he used to express much confidence in their judgment, and profited by their advice in cases, where he was not fully satisfied respecting the expediency of any measure, or the path of duty. He greatly endeared himself to them, and they had a high respect for his character as a Christian, and a

man.

One of them has remarked concerning him, that "he was very ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, and in his religious duties. But his ardor was tempered with great sobriety and judgment. He was attentive to the laws and regulations of the Seminary, and suffered nothing to divert him from his appropriate business and duties, as a theological student. To every subject, which came under consideration, he brought strong excitement, and vigorous effort of mind.

He made visible advances in piety from year to year, and felt it to be indispensable to have his growth in grace no less evident, than his progress in knowledge. Sensible of his failings, he pursued no object with more zeal, than the difficult work of correcting them. He received advice from us in a most dutiful manner; and regarded those as his best friends, who most plainly reminded him of his faults, for the purpose of helping him to avoid them. He was so pious and exemplary,-so prudent and amiable,—that his influence was great over the minds of his fellow students. They, who were conversant

with one so wakeful, could hardly indulge in heaviness. His influence was permanent,—rather greater, after he was gone, over those who remembered him, than, at the time, over those who were more intimate with him. The familiarity became less apparent, and the sanctity more.

One thing more, worthy of special notice, is the valuable habit he formed, of uniting Christian action with study and devotion. I might enlarge here, but it is presumed this trait in his character will not be overlooked in the account that will be given of his life."

Such is the expression of esteem cheerfully contributed by one of his beloved instructors at Andover; and it is what each of them doubtless would subscribe to, as they all stood equally high in his estimation, and he probably did in theirs.

In every concern of importance Mr. Fisk solicited counsel and advice from those whose age, experience, and judgment claimed, as he thought, his confidence. Among his advisers may be mentioned in particular his former pastor, Rev. Dr. Packard, the Professors of the Seminary at Andover, and members of the Prudential Committee of the Board of Missions. Others were consulted by him, as opportunity occurred. Many of his letters were written for the purpose of eliciting the views and advice of his correspondents on points, where he hesitated to rely implicitly on the decisions of his own judg-` ment. This habit originated not in the want of mental decision or independence, but in a strong desire to be kept invariably in the path of duty.

The trait of character, to which the preceding remarks relate, may be beautifully illustrated by reference to a part of his correspondence, not only while connected with the Theological Seminary, but after he had become engaged in his missionary work.

"Theological Seminary, August, 1817.

"Reverend and Respected Instructors.-I take this method to make you acquainted with my past and present views, and to ask your advice, respecting a question of deep interest to me, viz: What is my duty in respect to missions? Early in life I professed religion, and soon desired the work of the Gospel ministry. About this time I read Horne and Buchanan on the subject of missions. The subject deeply interested my feelings more than a year, and for a few months engrossed a large share of my attention. The result was a conviction that it was my duty, and an earnest desire, to be a missionary to the heathen.

"Knowing that I was liable to misjudge, that my resolution might fail, that Providence might defeat my purpose, I said but little, except to particular friends. Since that time I have endeavored to watch the indications of Providence, and inquire after duty. My conviction of duty and desire to perform it increased, till I left college. This single object, a mission to the heathen, was almost invariably before me. And this was the principal thing that led me to this Seminary. Here I have endeavored to set aside all former decisions, and re-examine the whole subject. At times I have had fears, arising from the apprehension that my qualifications may be deficient; this point I have thought it safe to submit to the decision of others. Though the result of my examination has, on the whole, been such as to lead me to conclude, it would be right to offer myself for the service of Christ among the heathen, still my views may have been wrong. If so, it seems desirable to have them corrected now.

Having made this statement, I most cheerfully submit the question, whether I shall offer myself to the Board or not. Asking your advice and prayers,