large frame and healthy constitution were soon enfeebled by the ravages of disease; and he was unfortunately rendered unable to avail himself of the common advantages of childhood. The superior mental faculties, by which he became honorably distinguished in after life, had not begun to be developed; and he exhibited no indications of any thing more than the most ordinary mind. The germ of his future greatness gave no signs of life; and no reason appeared to encourage the hope that he would ever rise above the most common attainments of human life. His mind was weighed down with affliction, and too feeble to overcome the infirmities of the flesh. And indeed the mere account of his sickness is the history of his life through the whole period in which we have viewed him.

The first impressions of Mr. Fuller on the subject of religion, were no doubt such as children usually received at the time and in the place where his education was commenced.' The dogmas of Calvin were probably the first lessons that he ever heard, and the Westminster Assembly's Catechism the first reading book that was ever placed in his hands. His parents are believed to have been connected with the established church; and in corformity to custom, and under the influence of pure motives and strong religious feeling, they doubtless labored to bring all their children into the communion of the faithful. And though he afterwards departed from the faith of his fathers, and found "a more excellent way," he always felt grateful to his parents for their benevolent efforts to train him

in the ways of religion. In looking over his papers I find that he has referred to this subject; though I regret that so little of what he has said has come to my knowledge. Speaking of the subject of religion, he says, "I have already hinted that I had thought seriously upon the subject of which I am treating. My early education, for which I feel thankful to God and grateful to those friends who guided my early thoughts, was strongly marked with religion. That education, so far as tenets of doctrine are concerned, I now consider erroneous; not however, erroneous because religious, but because that system in which I was instructed is tinctured with many absurdities and improprieties. When the time came for me to think for myself, I found my feelings strongly impressed with the existence and supervision of Almighty God."

This fragment plainly shows that his mind was influenced by religious inculcations before he was prepared to think and decide for himself; and also that he then received impressions which the more mature exercise of his own thoughts led him to repudiate. He was educated in the popular faith of the times-a faith that ill accorded with his natural cheerfulness, and was too feebly supported to bear the scrutiny of his clear and penetrating mind. And he possessed a benevolence of soul that would not allow him to view with indifference the prospective miseries of his kindred spirits, nor to rest satisfied with a doctrine at once so dishonorable to God and distressing to man. He only wanted time and opportunities to bring his powers into exercise

to enable him to understand the difference between human creeds and the traditions of the church, and the pure word of life and salvation. And we shall yet see that he passed through tribulations before he entirely overcame the prepossessions of an 'erroneous education, and found rest to his soul in believing the whole counsel of God.

CHAPTER II.

Removes to New York.-Employment.-
Progress in Mental Culture.

In September, 1815, Mr. Fuller removed with his father's family to Decatur, Otsego County, New York. This was a most unfavorable place for a sickly youth who needed a more genial clime, and the advantage of instructions not there to be found. It was a cold and sterile region, "remarkable (it is said) for nothing but heavy snows and poor inhabitants." The country was thinly populated; and the intercourses of society were almost unknown to some of the families scattered over the wilderness. Here he enjoyed scarcely any opportu nities for attending school; and suitable books to read at home could not be obtained. In this poor condition and under all these disadvantages, he remained in this place about two years. During this time no change appeared in the state of his health, and but little progress was attained in the way of learning.

Emerging from childhood, the prospects of his future years gave no good signs of promise to his parents. Feeble in body and uncultivated in mind, he seemed fitted for no manuel labor, and was doing but very little towards preparing himself for any other useful and creditable em

ployment. His father must have regarded him with intense and distressing anxiety, while his mother's breast heaved with many a sigh. What was to become of their crippled child? Who, with a parent's care would direct his steps and supply his wants, if they should be removed from the earth? Ah! who knows the ardor and strength of parental affection, save those who have been blessed with children, and have fondly watched over them in the days of their helplessness and infancy? And the sick and afflicted become specially endeared to the parent's heart by their own feebleness. He was loved with doting fondness, and received every mark of favor that the circumstances of the family could afford. But a brighter scene began to appear; and cheerful hope gradually dispelled the gloom of despair.

In 1817 the family again removed to farm in Delaware County, New York. Their residence was now remote from the nearest school house; but it was not without advantages to the suffering invalid. The farm lay on the bank of the Susquehanna river. He was fond of the water, and delighted to hobble down to the river and indulge himself in bathing. To the great joy of his family it was soon perceived that frequent ablutions produced a most beneficial effect upon his health; and even caused his defective limb to increase both in size and in strength. He continued the practice, and constantly grew stronger and more active. His prospects grew brighter, and a new era was opened before him. And in a few months-certainly in a year or two,