"3. To be more industrious, and to fill up every moment in doing or getting good, by study, conversation, exercise, or devotion.

"4. To be more sincere and spiritual in the religious services of every day, at table, in my room, in the chapel, and on the Sabbath.

"5. To cultivate a better temper towards my fellow men, more tenderness, patience, sympathy love, and forbearance. Amen.

"Dec. 19, 1817. With several of my brethren I have set apart this day for fasting and prayer. My mind this morning is in a very serious and agreeable state. My usual morning devotions were particularly pleasant. My room-mate and I united repeatedly in social prayer. It was easy, and solemn, and agreeable, to pray that our Saviour would be with us and our brethren to-day-to pray that he would grant the light of his countenance to one who is in darkness. I then read with interest the book of Joel with Scott's Practical Observations. O that I could 'sanctify a fast.' In my closet I have been enabled, with some degree of feeling, to confess my sins, my neglect of secret prayer, self-examination, and the Scriptures; my intemperance in eating, and my sinfulness of heart and life. I am vile-my sins are aggravated-my heart seems to be little else than a mass of corruption-my life is filled up with irregularities-I am sick of myself. Dear Saviour, make me like thyself; give me such compassion for souls, as led thee to die for them; such love to my heavenly Father, as led thee to esteem it meat and drink to do his will; and let all my brethren possess, and exhibit, the same spirit.

"Dec. 25, 1817. Ten o'clock, A. M. I hope to have four or five hours to spend now without interruption in fasting and prayer, with immediate reference to the great work of preaching the Gospel. The exceeding vileness of my heart, my great want of love to Christ, and compassion for the souls of

men, and my ignorance on divine subjects, make it exceedingly important that I fast and pray. After imploring divine aid in the duties of the day, read the 2d and 3d chapters of Ezekiel, and meditated on the magnitude of the preacher's work, the difficulties and trials he must encounter, and his constant need of divine aid, guidance, and support. 'Who is sufficient for these things?'

"Endeavored to recollect and acknowledge the distinguishing favor of the Redeemer, in selecting me for the ministry, and giving me so many advantages for preparation, and so much comfort and success in my few feeble labors. Endeavored also to humble myself for my want of purity, love, and activity, and for my abuse of privileges, while preparing for so sacred a work. O how little have I learned of God, of truth, of duty!

"Spent some time in pleading that I may be qualified for the work of the ministry; gave myself up to the Redeemer, to be employed as he shall see best; to be prospered or disappointed, to be honored or despised, to be afflicted and disposed of, as he may appoint. And now, blessed Jesus, I would consider myself wholly thine. Amen.

"Jan. 20, 1818. To-day I devoted a few hours to self-mortification, fasting and prayer, that I may be enabled to keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; to be temperate in all things, to keep my heart with all diligence, to subdue every wanton desire, and to be holy like my Redeemer.

"Read with unusual interest some parts of the Epistle which gives cautions against lusts, and requires us to be spiritually-minded. It seems to me that I desire to be spiritual, to live no longer to the lusts of the flesh, but to the will of God. But O, how strong the old corruption! How deeply it is interwoven with every feeling and principle of my moral nature! But it is my work, the grace of God assisting, to subdue this corruption; and looking to

God for help, I do now soberly resolve, never to cease my efforts, till the work is done.

"February 27, 1818. Semi-annual fast of the Seminary. This morning I have been in my closet, endeavoring to recollect and confess my sins. I could do little more than enumerate the black catalogue. The time spent in my closet has often been short, and I have hasted away without getting near to God.

“I have had many wandering thoughts, and vain desires, and much stupidity in seasons of public and socia! devotion: In short the history of my closet, my studies, my meals, my devotions, my intercourse with others, my meditations, and all my words, actions, and feelings, seems to be little else than an account of the various forms and operations of sin. The dawn of the morning finds me awaking to sin, and the shades of the evening find me ending the day as I began it. If I sometimes get half a thought, or half a wish raised towards heaven, my corruptions drag me down again to earth, to cold formality, to moral death. Thus my God is treated by a worm whom he created and upholds. Thus my Redeemer is treated by a sinner whom he died to redeem, and who professes to love him supremely.

"Sept. 4. Semi-annual fast. This morning I have been enabled to confess my sins with more than my usual feeling. In looking back on my conduct, and inward on my heart, I feel ready to sink. Can I ever be pardoned? Can I ever be made holy? O how cheering is the hope, that I shall sooner or later be entirely conformed to GOD!"

It will have been perceived in the preceding pages, that Mr. Fisk possessed a missionary spirit. The deep interest which he took in the subject of missions, while connected with the Seminary, will be now more particularly evinced. A missionary now in the field, who was intimate with him at this

period, has remarked concerning him, that he loved the cause of Jesus in heathen lands. "And I believe," says he, "nothing of a worldly nature could tempt him to give up the heathen. He indeed has told me that he had large offers made him, as a pecuniary compensation, if he would accept a settlement in this country. 'But,' said he, 'brother B., it must be a settled principle, that, if a man has devoted himself to the service of Christ among the heathen, and is accepted in this service, no church, no college, no body of men, ought to ask him to stay in this country.' When he thought that there were any movements to detain one in America, whose heart felt as his did for the heathen, his soul at times would almost take fire. I have seen his countenance kindle with vivid expression, while speaking on this subject. But when devoted and well qualified individuals have not considered it their duty to engage in a foreign mission, he used to say; "These brethren may have more love to the Lord Jesus while staying here, than we in going to the heathen.""

Ever jealous of his own heart, and feeling that his determination to become a foreign missionary, might possibly result from unhallowed motives, he reviewed the whole subject during the second year of his theological course, that he might determine more satisfactorily the question of duty. The following are some of his reflections, while engaged in the examination of this important question.

"WHAT IS MY DUTY RESPECTING MISSIONS?"

"February 3, 1817. Desirous of ascertaining my duty on this subject I set apart this day for fasting and prayer, and inquiry. After imploring the divine assistance in the important work of the day, I propose to meditate, read and pray, and write down my views.

"In answer to the question, I am convinced that it is my duty to pray much. I ought to pray for Pagans, Mahommedans, Jews, Papists, and Protestants. Their souls are all precious, they are all sinners, and can be saved only by Christ; they are all my fellowbeings, and objects of Christian benevolence.

"I ought to pray for missionary societies, missionaries, native preachers and converts, and those who contribute, or pray for the spread of the Gospel. For they are all imperfect, liable to mistakes, and wrong feelings, dependent, short-sighted, exposed to temptations; and on their spirit, prayers, plans and exertions, the conversion of the heathen very much depends. I ought to pray that God would raise up missionaries, societies, and benefactors for the work. I feel it to be my duty to pray much for all these objects, to remember them often in my prayers, to set apart seasons for special prayer for them; to be particular, and fervent, in my petitions; to cry mightily to God on their behalf. My conscience condemns me for not having discharged this duty as I ought, I wish to be humble, and I pray that a spirit of fervent supplication for the heathen may be given me.

"It is my duty to acquire and communicate information respecting missions. For this purpose I feel bound to improve leisure hours, and to seek leisure, that I may have it to improve for this purpose. For this I would read attentively the biography of missionaries, the history of missions, missionary reports and journals, descriptions of different countries, geography and history; I would correspond and converse with intelligent men, as I have opportunity, and devise every method, and improve every facility for obtaining information relative to the number, character, religion, condition, and prospects, of the heathen; the number, situation, exertions, and success of missionaries; the character of native converts, and the best fields for missions; the societies that are making exertions to spread the Gospel, the con