Being thus left again without an antagonist, and becoming convinced that controversy was really dreaded by the opposition, Mr. Fuller suffered no discouragement, but continued faithful in the cause of truth. He labored with invincible ardor at home, and as opportunity occurred he visited different parts of the country to preach the Gospel. Wherever he went his friends were satisfied and delighted with his efforts, while the enemies of his doctrine found in him a "good soldier of Jesus Christ," fully equipped and ready to "fight the good fight of faith." He was always zealous and industrious; and success attended his labors as long as he was able to declare the testimony of God in demonstration of the spirit and with power.

CHAPTER VII.

His Character.-Illustrative Anecdotes.

In attempting a brief delineation of the character of Mr. Fuller, I wish to make no statement not strictly compatible with truth. That he was a great and good man I cannot doubt. And it is quite possible that my friendship for him may carry me too far in his praise. He had his faults in common with our erring race, and was sometimes the victim of suspicion as well as others equally pure and good. But considering the whole course of his life, few men have passed through this state of trial and suffering less unspotted with the sins and corruptions of the world. He was an ornament to society and to the Church of God in life, and in the hour of death he gave full proof of the sincerity of his heart and the purity and strength of his religion.

He was obedient to "the first commandment with promise," and gave honor to his father and his mother. Notwithstanding his parents widely differed from him in their religion, and greatly opposed his preaching Universalism, he ever cherished for them the most filial and affectionate regards, and rendered them every possible service in his power. I never knew a man to speak of his parents with more real respect and

gratitude than he always did. They would seem present to his mind even in his public labors; and he would refer to them with such evipent feelings of love as to convince his hearers that he did indeed honor his father and his mother. He delighted to send them such presents as he could afford in token of his mindfulness and gratitude. And when near the close of his life and apparently dying, a ministering brother quietly stepped to his bedside and heard him feebly say, "God bless my mother. bless my father.'

God

This trait in the life of the departed should be kept prominently in view in describing his character. It is important in this work, and speaks more in his praise than all the labors he ever performed. Alas! how many young men leave the paternal fireside and the scenes of their childhood, and become engrossed with the cares and business of the world and form new acquaintance in other places, and seem hardly to think of the mother who watched over their infancy, and the father who led them up to manhood. The parents' prayer rises in fervor to God for their happiness, but the childrens' hearts and affections are far distant. And if you would know the real character of a young man thus removed from home, do not inquire whether he supports this institution, or generously gives for the benefit of that benevolent object; but ascertain whether he thinks with gratitude and love of his poor aged parents, and labors to supply their need. They will not expose his dereliction of duty, but rather cover his faults with the broad mantle of affection.

He knows that while far from home he may utterly neglect his parents, and still suffer no loss of human respect where he resides. And if, in such circumstances, his filial love is manifested toward his parents, and he steadily labors to render their declining life peaceful and happy, he gives certain proof of a generous and noble heart. And such was the character of my departed friend. Though removed from home, he never forgot his parents; and though poor himself in the things of this world, he gladly shared his substance with his father and mother.

Mr. Fuller was a man of uncommon benevolence. And I mean by this expression, not merely that he was liberal in his secular dealings, but that in all his intercourses with mankind he exhibited the fruits of a generous disposition. While on every subject he held his sentiments with the utmost tenacity, and maintained them with uncommon ability, his heart was a stranger to malice, and even his opponents in argument found in him a warm-hearted friend. An opposer of the religion which he preached has said of him, (as the reader will perceive at the close of this memoir,)" although we might not always agree with him in the results of his investigations, there was a sweetness and beauty, united to a firmness and manliness in all his literary disquisitions, which invariably secured the kind feelings of his most decided opponents." Nor was it merely on subjects of a literary character that he was thus generous and kind. The same opposer of his doctrine has shown that even in religious matters he was equally regardful of

the feelings of others, and no less manly and christianlike in his disposition. He was the pub⚫lic advocate of an unpopular doctrine, and spurned every trick of policy to secure the applause of men. And yet perhaps there was never a clergyman in this city, to whom true benevolence of character was more generally accorded. His connexion with various associations extended his acquaintance among those of different religious belief, and fairly tested his real character. And the warmest encomiums that have been uttered in memory of his worth, have proceeded from those who despised and rejected his religion.

That he was most zealously and devotedly attached to Universalism, neither the friends nor the enemies of this doctrine will ever deny. This was the theme above all others upon which he delighted to dwell. And he suffered no suitable opportunity for the inculcation of gospel truth to pass unimproved. But it is believed that in the very numerous addresses which he delivered before different associations, he never took any improper advantage of the occasion to attack the religion of others, or to inculcate the peculiarities of his own. In this respect he has been justly considered a perfect model for others.

In disputations on religious subjects, in which he frequently engaged, Mr. Fuller's onset was always characterized by mildness of manner and honorable concessions. Though firm and decided, he was candid and reasonable. And the sharp rebukes which he sometimes administered, were never heard except when he encountered a perverse opponent; and even in such instances