PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.

IN presenting to the American Public, another Memoir of the illustrious individual whose life and writings form the subject of this volume, a brief exposition of the object intended to be accomplished, may not be inappropriate.

To lead the minds of the thoughtful and ingenuous to a consideration of the doctrines and duties which Mr. Fuller stated with such lucid distinctness, and defended with such force of Scripture and reason-to excite in all whose circumstances will possibly allow its exercise, the same ardent thirst for intellectual and biblical attainment which he exhibited, and to hold up in full relief, the example of industry, enterprise and perseverance, furnished in his life and labours, to the imitation of Christians, and especially of Christian Ministers, has seemed of sufficient importance to warrant the sending forth of another volume from the press.

It will naturally be asked, Has not the Life of Fuller, by the late Dr. Ryland, which was some years since republished in this country, accomplished the object here proposed? To some extent it undoubtedly has; but the more judicious and discriminating, on both sides of the Atlantic, have earnestly desired a more striking delineation of those powers of mind and habits of life, which, by the grace of God, raised the subject of these Memoirs from obscurity, and enabled him to confer favours so immense on British and American Christians, and on the idolatrous millions in India.

Such a delineation is here presented. I has been received-especially the enlarged and greatly improved edition from which this is printed-with most decided approbation by those who are best qualified to judge of its faithfulness and ability. To render it more generally acceptable

and useful in this country, some omissions have been made, both of incidents possessing a mere local interest, and of remarks and reflections, arising from a relation and bias of decidedly personal character. The omission of some sentences and paragraphs of this description will certainly not be regretted, especially as the space which they occupied, has been filled by a selection from valuable materials, to which the author in composing the work, could not have had access.

In preparing this edition, besides consulting the most able and impartial reviews of the work, in the contemporary English journals, the Editor has availed himself of the information of individuals in this country; and particularly of one, who, as the pupil and successor of Dr. Ryland-the neighbour of the Author of these Memoirs-and the intimate and confidential friend of the subject of them, till his death-possesses advantages for rendering assistance in this service, of a most valuable character, and for whose kindness in imparting the necessary information, this slight acknowledgment is felt to be a very inadequate

return.

Two classes of individuals, it is believed, will derive very important advantages from the perusal of these Memoirs. Those who have already been constrained, by circumstances beyond their control, to attempt discharging the duties of the Christian ministry, with but very slight literary or theological attainments, and with minds but imperfectly disciplined, will here see what may be done, even in the most discouraging circumstances, to prepare them more perfectly for their great work. They will learn from the example here presented, that it is not in the want of College Halls, extensive libraries, uninterrupted and dignified leisure, and able instructers, to prevent the progress of one whose soul thirsts for divine truth, and who is conscientiously impelled to possess himself of clear and correct views of it, in order to inculcate it effectually. Let but this spirit animate all the ministers of the gospel, and ignorance would not long disgrace their sacred office. They will see too, in the zeal and self-denying efforts for the Missionary Society, here described, what can be done in a great and good cause, by the persevering devotedness of a Christian pastor, who never conceived of his duty as cir

cumscribed by the limits of his own parish, but who felt the force of the mandate, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

The examples of self-improvement, and enlarged evangelical efforts, which are presented in the lives of such men as Fuller and Baldwin, and the still surviving and venerable Dr. Carey, should not be lost. On the younger class of ministers, whose circumstances in the commencement of the work are similar to theirs, such instances of success present the most cheering encouragement.

The other class of readers, for whom this volume, especially the reviews it contains, seems admirably adapted, consists of by no means an inconsiderable number, who, having imbibed a violent prejudice against the doctrines which they suppose that Fuller advocated, have never been candid enough to read the very works which they so loudly condemn. They will here find, within limits so reasonable, that none need be repelled from making the experiment of their perusal, such an outline of his real sentiments, as will probably lead them to reverse their unfavourable opinions, and read at length, some of the admirable treatises, both doctrinal and practical here brought to their notice. Should this result be extensively effected in the churches of Christ throughout our country, their best interests would in a very high degree be promoted.

The eloquent Robert Hall, in one of his controversial works, having incidentally mentioned the subject of these Memoirs, proceeds with his usual felicity and discrimination, to characterize him in the following manner: "I cannot refrain from expressing in a few words the sentiments of affectionate veneration with which I always regarded that excellent person while living, and cherish his memory now that he is no more; a man, whose sagacity enabled him to penetrate to the depths of every subject he explored; whose conceptions were so powerful and luminous, that what was recondite and original appeared familiar; what was intricate, easy and perspicuous in his hands; equally successful in enforcing the practical, stating the theoretical, and discussing the polemical branches of theology. Without the advantage of early education, he rose to high distinction among the religious writers of his day;

and in the midst of a most active and laborious life, left monuments of his piety and genius which will survive to distant posterity. Were I making his eulogium, I should necessarily dwell on the spotless integrity of his private life, his fidelity in friendship, his neglect of self-interest, his ardent attachment to truth, and especially the series of unceasing labours and exertions in superintending the mission to India, to which he most probably fell a victim. He had nothing feeble or undecisive in his character, but to every undertaking in which he engaged, he brought all the powers of his understanding, all the energies of his heart; and if he were less distinguished by the comprehension, than the acumen and solidity of his thoughts: less eminent for the gentler graces, than for stern integrity and native grandeur of mind, we have only to remember the necessary limitation of human excellence. While he endeared himself to his denomination by a long course of most useful labour, by his excellent works on the Socinian and Deistical controversies, as well as his devotion to the cause of missions, he laid the world under lasting obligations."

That the Saviour whom this great and good man served with so single an eye, and such distinguished success, may make this memorial of HIS servant extensively useful, is the humble desire of

Salem, July, 1830.

THE EDITOR.

EXTRACT FROM THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

THE frailty of human nature, the lapse of time, and the incessant recurrence of other objects, possess a most fatal tendency to efface the remembrance of those once dear to us, or whose virtues and achievements require to be perpetuated for the benefit of posterity. Ere many years have fled, the minuter parts and finer traits of character are obliterated; nothing remains but the rude projecting outline, which affords but little to gratify the taste, or increase the aggregate of public information. There have been numerous instances in which the lives of eminent persons have died away from the page of history, and of whom little more has been recorded than that they once were, but

now are not.

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene,

The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear."

The world has thus lost some of its most valuable treasures, and history some of brightest ornaments. A remote successor may attempt to retrace and complete the portrait; but of the correctness of the execution, who shall judge? Cotemporary biography has, therefore, important advantages, which subsequent compositions do not possess; it must, at least, furnish the ore, by which the latter are to be enriched. The history of persons who have lived in the same age and nation with ourselves, excites also an interest which we do not feel respecting others who have flourished at a distant period.

It is not every cotemporary, however, not every one acquainted with departed worth, who is qualified for the requisite delineation. There is an identity of character, as real and as certain as the identity of persons; but it is such as can only be distinguished and described by the most perfect kind of familiarity. The author of the fol