cility with which he conceived new thoughts, at once gave him a superiority over all his associates, and secured him every possible mark of distinction. Every advantage was now improved; and every accession of knowledge served to increase his desire and stimulate his efforts for more abundant supplies. He became fond of public speaking, and delighted in discussion. His company was sought by his seniors; and wherever he became known he was respected for his talents, and loved for the excellent qualities that adorned his life. Mild and courteous, cheerful and agreeable, he was the favorite of his acquaintances, and the hope and pride of his parents.

An incident, related to me by his brother, will serve to show the estimation in which he was held at the time of which we speak. His mind being early and strongly impressed with religious feelings, he considered it his duty to "seek religion." For this purpose he attended a Methodist meeting, determined, if possible, to obtain a 66 change of heart" and become converted. His thoughts had been chiefly confined to other subjects than that of religion, and his mind was still subject to the influence of early prejudice. He was comparitively ignorant of the Scriptures, and knew nothing from investigation of the plan of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. The prepossessions of education still maintaining a hold upon his mind, he was a fit subject to be deeply affected by the exercises of the meeting. And under such circumstances it will not be thought strange that he

was deeply and powerfully moved, even to tears. He quailed beneath the terrible fulminations of wrath and vengeance that issued from the minister of condemnation. And as his agony and despair increased, his tormentors fancied that they saw the beamings of encouraging hope. They labored hard to entrap him, and employed extra exertions in the work, because they considered him a great reasoner, and hoped to enlist his influence in behalf of their cause! As though such a man could rest satisfied with Methodism after embracing such a doctrine and yielding to such measures! But when he had recovered a little from the first shock of alarm, he began to think, and of course the work was materially checked in its progress. He conceived that the fear of merciless woes in the future world was not the proper incentive to worship the God of love, and to practice the virtues of the Christian life. And he left the meeting without being "brought out" and numbered among the "hopeful. But the trial

through which he had passed was not without good effect. It was the means of directing his thoughts more earnestly to the great subject of religion. He saw the importance and necessity of candid and serious inquiry, and of sincere prayer to God for light to guide him aright. He panted for religion: but he could not blindly embrace a system of doctrine, and bow in devotion before an "unknown God." He began to read and examine for himself; and though he was still the victim of false prejudice, and tenaciously held the errors of his fathers, he

pushed his inquiries until he overcame every difficulty, and found joyous rest to his soul in the belief that God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

So rapid was Mr. Fuller's progress in learning that he was soon able to take charge of a school, in which the simple branches of education were taught. He commenced this employment, probably in 1822, and taught in the Winter, and continued to labor on the farm and in the workshop during the Summer. In 1825 he engaged himself as a journeyman cooper in Bridgewater, but soon returned to the neighborhood of his parents' residence, and resumed his favorite employment of teaching. But he was not allowed to continue this labor through the whole year, and the following Summer found him in Rome, pursuing his accustomed avocation of the season. The same course of life was continued for several years; and I am not sensible that it would add any interest to this memoir for us to follow him through this period.

About 1827 he laid aside one of his crutches, and used a cane in its stead. A part of the Spring of 1828 he was employed in a store in Livonia; and in the ensuing autumn he was engaged again in teaching school in West-Mendon. His health continued to improve, and he soon became strong enough to give up his remaining crutch, and to walk with the mere aid of a cane. 3**

CHAPTER III.

His Conversion to Universalism.—Studies for the Ministry.—Commences Preaching.

IT has already been stated that Mr. Fuller's early prejudices were all opposed to the doctrine of Universalism. But he possessed a vigorous and inquiring mind; and having once heard this doctrine, he could not fail to examine its claims upon the belief of man. I am informed by a friend who knew him well, that he was on a visit from home, when he accidentally heard the preaching of the restitution for the first time. His companions invited him to go and hear a Universalist, (probably W. I. Reese,) and without any serious intention, and for the purpose of finding fault, or of amusing himself with the errors of poor deluded wretches, he consented to attend. But instead of scoffing, he learned to pray. The exercises of the occasion made a deep and lasting impression upon his mind; and the arguments of the speaker were at once so clear and convincing, and so compatible with the Scriptures, that he immediately determined to make himself better acquainted with the true grounds of Christian faith. This was early in 1828. He soon made himself known to Mr. Reese, and from him obtained books treating of the subject of Universalism.

At first he saw "men as trees walking," and had but faint and misty views of the great truths of Christian revelation. But having tasted of the good word of God, he meant to satisfy his soul with fatness. He eagerly pushed his inquiries, and doubtless prayed that wisdom from on high might enlighten his mind, remove his doubts, and give him joy and peace in believing. One book after another was perused with deep and absorbing interest, while the Scriptures were kept constantly in view, and the one compared with the other. The scales began to fall from his eyes; and the great plan of universal salvation through a crucified Redeemer, was gradually unfolded before his mind. He sought every opportunity to attend the ministry of Mr. Reese, and was not long in forming the resolution, that with the help of God, his own life and powers should be devoted to the work of proclaiming salvation to the world.

But he saw that trials and tribulations must be endured. His doting parents and the friends of his earlier years regarded Universalism as a mere device of Satan to destroy the souls of men. They feared that all their labor in his behalf had been utterly lost; and that just when he began to give some promise of future usefulness, an evil spirit should enter into his mind and lead him to ruin.

He loved his parents, and would have made any reasonable sacrifice to avoid offending them and incurring their displeasure. He pondered the course which he meant to pursue; and after enduring a severe conflict of feeling, he thought of what the Saviour had said, that we