peace and comBut his voice be

exercise he feebly expressed the fort which it gave his soul.

gan to faulter, and the warm current of life coursed slowly through his wasting frame. And at eight o'clock on Sunday morning, May 17, 1840, in the 37th year of his age, without a struggle or a groan, he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. The last words that he uttered were, "BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL !"So saying, he fell asleep in Jesus-leaving his dying testimony, as hundreds of others have done, in favor of the comforting and sustaining power of UNIVERSALISM in the hour of death. "See in what peace a Christian can die."

"Sure the last end

Of the good man is peace!-How calm his exit!
Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground,
Not weary worn-out winds expire so soft.
Behold him in the evening-tide of life,

A life well-spent, whose early care it was
That riper years should not upbraid his green :
By unperceiv'd degrees he wears away;

Yet like the sun, seems largest at its setting!
(High in his faith and hopes,) look how he reaches
After the prize in view! and, like a bird
That's hamper'd, struggles hard to get away!
Whilst the glad gates of sight are wide expanded
To let new glories in, the first fair fruits
Of the fast-coming harvest.-Then, oh then!
Each earth-born joy grows vile, or disappears,
Shrunk to a thing of nought.-Oh! how he longs
To have his passport sign'd, and be dissmiss'd!
'Tis done! and now he's happy!-The glad sonl
Has not a wish uncrown'd."

The funeral of Mr. Fuller was attended on the Tuesday afternoon succeeding his death. A vast concourse of people were drawn together by the occasion; and by many it is thought to have been one of the largest funerals that ever occurred in Philadelphia. The burial services were performed in the Second Universalist Church in Callowhill Street, of which the deceased had been Pastor. And although the house is very spacious, the crowd was so great that many were unable to gain admission. The corpse was placed in front of the pulpit during the exercises of the occasion. A most deep and solemn silence pervaded the whole audience, save the suppressed sighs of grief that were heard in every part of the house, while the writer hereof attempted to preach an appropriate sermon, being assisted in the services by Revs. J. H. Gihon and J. Perry.

At the close of these services the corpse was conveyed to its resting-place in the front yard of the Church. A suitable stone will doubtless soon mark the spot. And the worshippers on entering the house of God, will look with grateful sorrow upon his tomb, and call to remembrance his virtues and his worth. May they learn to imitate his fidelity and zeal, his piety and devotion; and like him keep the faith and finish their course with joy!

CHAPTER IX.

Marks of Respect.

THE death of Mr. Fuller, though generally expected by his friends for sometime before it occurred, produced a deep sensation of grief throughout our Churches, and was much deplored by the public. He had endeared himself to many hearts, and was most highly esteemed and affectionately loved where he was best known. His name will dwell in the recollections of the living, and ever be associated with a useful and virtuous life, and a peaceful and happy death.

Of the many marks of respect which have been shown for his memory, we shall notice but a few. Rev. Thomas Whittemore, editor of the Boston "Trumpet," in speaking of his death, justly and truly says:

"Thus have closed the earthly labors of one of the best men we ever knew. Mild in spirit, cheerful in disposition, bland and courteous in his intercourse with others, faithful in all his relations, he was best loved by those who knew him most. He was a man so frank, open-hearted and kind, that his countenance when it beamed upon one, was of itself a benediction. In his character as a clergyman he was ‘a bright and shining light.' He loved the work of the

ministry; his whole soul was engrossed in the proclamation of the gospel. It was his theme in life, as we now see it was his triumph in death. He visited New England several times during his residence in Philadelphia, and his demeanor and labors here always excited the love and respect of the people."

Rev. Henry Bacon, editor of the "Universalist and Ladies' Repository," thus speaks of our lamented friend and brother; "We never saw an individual we learned to love faster than Br. Fuller. He was the very picture of good nature and christian kindness; and wherever he went, a gentlemanly courtesy and rare social qualities gained for him the respect and esteem of all. His talents as a preacher were of the first order for his mind was richly stored with the wealth of the Bible, his heart deeply in love with its precious revelations of God's love, the Savior's tenderness, and the glory and blessedness of the spirit world. He was an enthusiastic lover of nature-as the mirror of Godand never shall we forget one occasion when in his own desk we heard him present its revelations of the Divine care and benignity to his hearers. His eloquence was-the best of all eloquence-that of a sincere mind and warm heart, earnestly desirous to persuade men to cherish true trust and confidence in God, and bring forth the fruits of well-doing. Great, great is our loss. From Zion's beautiful towers one of her most faithful watchmen has vanished, and the inhabitants of the surrounding hills and valleys who rejoiced in the music of his voice,

now lament and mourn! Many hearts throughout the land will echo the lament. We mourn for ourselves-for Philadelphia-for man-for the cause of the Redeemer-not for him. For him we cannot mourn, believing that the spirit, whose vitality and joy were in thought of God, and Christ, and heaven, has thrown off the earthly chain-unfolded its wings of freedom, and rejoices now in the paradise of God.'

A short time previous to his death, Mr. Fuller received the following distinguished mark of respect, which will sufficienty explain itself.

66

Whereas, in consequence of severe illness, our esteemed member S. W. Fuller has resigned his office of Treasurer, which office he has filled to our entire satisfaction; and also having resigned his right of membership in this Lyceum, therefore

Resolved, That in accepting the same, the members of the Lyceum sincerely regret the loss of his valuable services and deeply sympathize with him in his present afflictions.

Resolved, That Savillion W. Fuller be enrolled as an honorary member of the Philadelphia Lyceum, and should it please Providence to restore him to health (which we sincerely desire) he is hereby invited frequently to visit us, that we may again listen with pleasure and instruction to the emanations from his well cultivated mind."

Signed in behalf of the Philadelphia Lyceum, by

SAMUEL WEBB, President,

JOHN SIMMONS, Vice-President.

Philadelphia, 4th mo.11th, 1840.