should be willing to forsake father and mother and brothers and sisters for the cause of truth, and he solemnly determined to follow his own convictions of duty, whatever might be the consequences. He frequently referred to this trial in his public discourses; and while he spoke with filial gratitude of his parents, he could not regret that he obeyed the voice of God rather than man. I once heard a relative reprove him for preaching Universalism, and tell him how much trouble and anxiety he had caused his mother, and that he ought to be ashamed to persist in such a course. His reply was characteristic of the man, and displayed a truly Christian spirit. "I love my mother, (said he,) but love the cause of my Master more."

Mr. Reese being a close and careful observer, and capable of reading the signs of promise, encouraged Mr. Fuller to prosecute his studies, with the view of preparing himself for the Christian ministry. Convinced of the moral worth of his new friend, and also of his uncommon strength of intellect, Mr. R. supplied him with the means of study, and also set before him a most worthy example. Mr. Fuller continued his studies as he had time and opportunity, during the intervals between school hours; and though he pursued no regular course of reading, he was constantly storing his mind with useful knowledge, and fitting himself for efficient services in the ministry of Christ. The long winter evenings were well improved; and in the Spring of 1829, his progress was

such that he was able to preach the Gospel with credit to himself and much to the satisfaction of all who heard him.

In regard to the close of his studies and the commencement of his ministry, I am happy in being able to give the account as written by his principal tutor, his warm-hearted friend and patron, Rev. S. R. Smith, of Albany, N. Y. He says, "I first saw, and was introduced to Br. S. W. Fuller, in West Bloomfield, N. Y., in June, 1829. He was then teaching a school in West-Mendon-a small village in the vicinity, and I believe making some progress in study with a view to the ministry. However this may be, while in conversation with the late Rev. W. I. Reese and myself, he spoke freely and decidedly of his determination to preach the doctrine of the reconciliation. In the course of a short time he commenced preaching-not statedly, but as occasion favored, at the same time continuing his school. From Br. Reese, who was a very vigilant observer, I received every assurance of the high moral worth, and excellent character in every moral and social respect, of our departed friend.

"In July, 1830, Br. Fuller came to reside with me in Clinton, N. Y., with a view to read such works as I possessed, calculated to promote his usefulness-and at the same time intending to supply any destitute societies in the vicinity. A formal course of reading was no part of his plan, and his ready and tenacious mind revolted at the thought of writing sermons. Whether he

ever read a discourse in the pulpit I am not informed-but presume that he never did after he resided with me.

"His labors now became quite regular, and his attempts to teach, rendered him a most acceptable visitor-not only at the desk but at the fireside. And his zeal in the great cause in which he was engaged, prompted him to make exertions far beyond his strength."

These extracts undoubtedly present a correct account of Mr. Fuller's early labors in the ministry of reconciliation, except as to the mere time of his commencement. He must have attempted to preach before Mr. Smith saw him, though, perhaps, without having really determined to engage steadily in such labor. For he says himself; "My first public attempt to serve the cause of my divine Master, was made in the town of Livonia, in a large and commodious school-house, beautifully situated in an elegant hickory grove, in the month of May, 1829, on Sunday, where I delivered two sermons, if I' may so call them, on the texts found in 1 Peter iii. 15, and Matt. xxiv. 3.

"Grateful to my heavenly Father for his gracious support, in this, my first effort in the blessed ministry of Reconciliation, I made another attempt two Sundays after, in a neighbouring town, West Mendon, where I then resided; and though much discouraged, I preached to a full house on Psalms cxlv. 9, in conjunction with Matt. v. 45, to, I believe, general acceptance."

He began the life of a preacher with humble

ness of mind and sincerity of heart. The ardor and strength of his feelings urged him to the work before much preparation had been attained; and daily experience added to the convictions of his soul that necessity was laid upon him to preach the gospel. He saw that, long as christianity had been preached, and widely as it had prevailed in the world, few seemed really to understand it, while its excellent fruits and its comforting power were hardly known. It had been

corrupted in theory and was violated in practice. And he was well convinced that the prevalent systems of the day could never "heal the hurt of the people," and bless the soul with peace and comfort. An incident occurred on the second day of his public labors, which served to enkindle his zeal and carry him forward in the great work of releasing his fellows from the shackles of a partial and cruel system of faith. He says, "At the close of the foregoing discourse, a Presbyterian clergyman who had a previous appointment to preach there, at an earlier hour than my own appointment, made a most virulent and malicious attack upon Universalism, and in a most unbecoming manner pointed his spleen and rage at me, while I sat, unmoved by his gall, till he apparently vomited to emptiness, a soul, filled, like Saul's of old, with threatnings and slaughter. Perhaps no circumstance in the early part of my labors was more signally profitable to me than the above, and none ever made me more sensible of the necessity of preaching a more merciful system than Orthodoxy."

He saw that the preacher was influenced by

any other spirit than that of Christ; and that the fruits which appeared in his conduct could not have been produced by the religion of him who was meek and lowly in heart, and who when he was reviled, reviled not again, nor threatened when he was persecuted. So much rancor and bitterness could not be the fruit of a Christian spirit. The wisdom from above is full of mercy, and it blesses and curses not. And he was sure that the true preaching of Christ Jesus and him crucified, would show forth" a more excellent ministry," and produce more happy and heavenly fruits. He continued his ministerial labors as opportunity presented, preaching zealously and successfully in Henrietta and other places, until July, 1830, when he removed to Clinton, New York. Here he made his abode in a family for whom he ever cherished the greatest possible respect. Mr. Smith was his friend and instructor, and took great delight in aiding one who was so honest in his purposes, and gave so much promise of usefulness in the cause of Christ. Here Mr. Fuller renewed his studies, as we have already stated, but without ceasing to preach the gospel. He was most zealous and indefatigable in his public efforts, and labored far beyond his strength. His ready and gifted mind was always prepared for the duties of his calling; and the meat and drink of his spirit were found in serving his Lord and Master. Perhaps no man ever entered the Christian ministry with more ardent and devotional feelings, and with a more fixed and honest determination to magnify his