Willbur Fisk was born at Brattleborough, Vermont, August 31st, 1792. He was a descendant of the New England puritans, and his parents, who were decidedly pious, gave their son a religions education, which no doubt prepared him in a measure, for the important stations he was afterwards called in the providence of God to fill.

His father, Judge Fisk, was a man of sterling integrity, and after having removed to the county of Caledonia, in the north section of the State of Vermont, he was called to fill various important offices. For seventeen years at intervals, he was a member of the State legislature He also filled the office of Chief-justice of the County, for many years.

Notwithstanding Willbur’s early religious education, and his freedom from the grossest sins, yet he manifested at an early age, the natural corruption of the human heart, which frequently displayed itself in fits of anger and passion. At the age of eleven years, however, he became the subject of powerful religious impressions, and from the force of conviction was led to look to Jesus Christ as the sinner’s friend, and by the exercise of faith in Him, as his redeemer and personal Saviour, he soon obtained the forgiveness of sin, and the possession of a renewed heart. His conversion to God was clear and convincing, not only to himself, but to his friends; and he shortly afterward united with the Methodist Episcopal Church as a probationer.

In consequence of his father’s removal into, a part of the State of Vermont, where educational advantages were not at that time as extensive as they are now, Willbur was not favored with the early training at school, which would have been desirable. From the age of seven to that of sixteen, he only attended school two or three years, a circumstance which he ever after regretted. But although deprived of the advantages of a public school, his time was by no means entirely wasted, as he was very fond of reading; and while at his work, assisting his father in the cultivation of his farm, he employed many a spare moment in perusing works of science. His thirst for knowledge, at length, became so intense, as to unfit him for his usual employment, and to render him dissatisfied with his situation as a cultivator of the soil. In the winter of 1808-9, when he was about sixteen years of age, his father sent him for three months to the county grammar-school at Peacham, where he applied himself closely to the elementary principles of language, and the mathematics. At the end of the quarter, he returned to assist his father, where he remained until the autumn of 1810, when he again spent six weeks in the grammar-school, and then took charge of a district school for the winter.

His advantages at he grammar-school, only served to increase his thirst for knowledge; and although his fathers circumstances, through the reverses of fortune, would not allow him much aid, yet he nobly, and resolutely resolved, that with his own unaided efforts, he would acquire a collegiate education. Accordingly, in May 1811, he commenced the study of Latin grammar, and in a little over a year, he fitted himself for admission to the University of Vermont, located in Burlington, which he entered as a Sophomore in August, 1812, where he pursued his studies with unwearied diligence, until the University course of instruction was suspended by the war of 1812-15, a division of the northern army having taken possession of the University buildings as a barracks! But although driven from the halls of science in Burlington, he was grateful that there existed other literary institutions, where he might complete his course. He, accordingly, went to Middlebury for the purpose of entering the College, but while conversing with the president of the institution, the latter spoke somewhat derogatorily of the University from which Fisk came, which so wounded the feelings of our young student, that with indignation he turned away, and entered Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, in the summer of 1814, and where he graduated with distinguished honor in August, 1816.

Mr. Fisk was now in his twenty-third year, and it became necessary for him to choose a profession. In early life, his parents had hoped that he might be a minister of the Gospel, and his own thoughts were evidently in that direction when he first attended the grammar-school; but during his stay at Peacham, he lost a sense of the divine favor, and knowing that God would not select a backslider to preach the gospel to others, he, after many severe conflicts with his conscience, instead of resolving to return to his “father’s house” like the prodigal of old, and then await further developments and providential indications, entered upon the study of law, in the office of the Hon. Isaac Fletcher, in Lyndon, the place of his father’s residence. While in this office, he applied himself most assiduously to his legal studies, and gave promise of attaining singular eminence as a lawyer and a statesman.

But while aiming after worldly honors and emoluments, his pious parents were weeping in secret over his religious declension; and his father, on one occasion, said to him, that he had a secret hope, that Willbur’s religious emotions would be enkindled anew, and that he would feel that woe, spoken of by St. Paul, if he preached not the Gospel; and his pious mother afterward said, “While Willbur was aiming at becoming a distinguished statesman, I was all the time praying, that he might be made a minister.”

Thus Mr. Fisk, for a while pursued his thorny path, vexed on the one hand, by the clamors of his judgment, and the prayers and entreaties of his parents, and on the other, by the flattering allurements of wealth and fame.

After having pursued the study of law for some time, a highly flattering offer was made him, by a gentleman near Baltimore, Maryland, of the situation of private tutor, which offer he gladly embraced, as the most ready and honorable way of replenishing his scanty purse, which had become well-nigh exhausted by the expenses incurred in securing his education. While engaged in his office of tutor, he received all the attention and respect which he could have desired, and in return, gave all due diligence to the work of instructing his pupils; but while in the midst of usefulness, he was prostrated by a severe attack of hemorrhage of the lungs, and by the advice of his physicians, he hurried home to the paternal mansion. While at Burlington, Vermont, on his way home, he was seized with another severe attack, and the benevolent inn-keeper, at whose house he lay sick, was distressed at the thought of a young gentleman dying at his house, away from his friends, without ascertaining before he died, whether he felt himself prepared for the solemn event. The tavern-keeper was not a professor of religion, and the unusual circumstance of being asked about his spiritual state by a man whose business would naturally lead him to think of anything else but the preparation of the soul for death, led Mr. Fisk to search his heart; and he felt doubly reproved by the fact, that one who ought to have been his pupil, had become his spiritual adviser.

God, who is rich in mercy did not suffer Mr. Fisk to die at that time, but raised him up, and enabled him to return home, in company with his affectionate father, who, hearing of his son’s dangerous illness, hastened to Burlington, and had the pleasure of seeing him partially restored to health.

In the meanwhile, Lyndon, the place of his father’s residence, was being favored with a glorious outpouring of the Spirit, and several of Mr. Fisk’s personal friends were the subjects of the work. Under these circumstances, and those just related it is not wonderful that his former impressions returned but before he could regain the favor of God, he was obliged to seek it “carefully, and with tears,” nor did he long seek in vain. Soon, the love of God was shed abroad in his heart, and to the surprise and delight of the pious portion of community, he arose one Sabbath evening, and declared what God had done for his soul. He also confessed his derelictions from the path of duty, and stated his resolution henceforth to be wholly on the “Lord’s side.” The effect on the assembly was electric, as he spoke with intense emotion, and all felt an interest in him as a young gentleman of prepossessing appearance, and of highly gifted powers of mind.

As soon as Mr. Fisk was restored to his heavenly Father’s favor, he began to exert himself for the spiritual good of others, by attending religious meetings, and leading the inquiring mind into the path of duty and safety, and he soon began to feel a renewal of his convictions in relation to his duty of preaching the gospel. But here, a question of importance had to be settled, viz. — the branch of the Church, to whose service he should especially devote his time and talents. His judgment and theological views inclined him to the ministry of the Church, in whose bosom he had been reared, and through whose instrumentality he had been reclaimed from his wanderings; but on the other hand, his temporal advantage, his ease and emoluments, his honor and reputation, all pointed to some other Church.

Nor were these all; his old College friends, when they beard of his inclination to be a Methodist preacher, were perfectly astounded, and raised a violent outcry against it, and one of them, in writing to Mr. Fisk, accounts for this inclination, on the principle that the latter would “rather rule in hell, than serve in heaven.” But another, and still more serious obstacle, was found in the circumstance, that while at College, he had formed the acquaintance of Miss Peck, a young lady of superior intelligence, who was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. This acquaintance ripened into mutual attachment, and even to a promise of marriage at some future time. But neither party, at this period, anticipated the fact of his ever becoming a Methodist preacher. Under these circumstances, Mr. Fisk had too much honor, and too much respect for the cherished object of his affections to involve her in embarrassment on account of his course, without consulting her feelings on the subject.

Hence, in a letter to her, he says: “When you gave me an undivided heart, you knew not to whom you gave it. If my health is restored, I expect I shall try, by the assistance of Heaven, to preach the Gospel. I know not what denomination I shall commence preaching among, but think, most probably, among the Methodists. If I am convinced that among this people I shall be most in the way of my duty, with them I shall continue; for though I could have a much better living with almost any other denomination, yet I am determined to do my duty, at the loss of all things.”

In another letter, in which he alludes to Miss Peck’s denominational scruples, as a barrier to their union, he says: “I should love you less if you felt differently. You must certainly act conscientiously. Those who come together from interest or passion, make out to get along, I know not how, without being united in principle. But we must act differently. My friend may differ from me in principle and in form; yet if his heart in right, I can still love him. I can give the right hand of fellowship to my Christian neighbor though we belong to different Churches; but I wish the partner of my bosom, not only to worship the same God with me, but to kneel at the same altar.” In further corresponding with this lady, he learned that she had three prominent objections to Methodist theology. These related to the doctrines of full perseverance, Christian perfection, and human depravity; and in reply, he says: “I must frankly tell you, that with my present views, if I am a minister of the Gospel, I must preach the doctrines of holiness of heart, and the danger of falling from grace properly explained and understood.”

From these extracts, it will be seen that Mr. Fisk had a number of inducements of a worldly and selfish character, to incline him to the ministry of some other Church than that of the Methodists. Besides, a college-bred Methodist minister, was a thing unknown in America, since the days of Dr. Coke, and if he cast in his lot with the Methodist preachers of the age, he must expect to bear his share of reproach on account of the ignorance — so-called — of the Methodist ministry.

After weighing these, and other considerations, in his own mind, his judgment and piety led him to make the necessary sacrifices, and devote himself to the work of a Methodist itinerant preacher. His health having in the meantime greatly improved, he began, as all Methodist preachers do at their setting out in the ministry, to “exhort;” that is, to hold meetings for prayer and exhortations; and after having given suitable evidence during a few months’ trial as an exhorter, he was, on the 14th of March, 1818, licensed to preach as a local preacher. His first sermon was delivered in the town where he had been reared, and his text on that occasion was, “Who is sufficient for these things?” and the congregation were greatly surprised at the clear and important views which he presented. With his splendid qualifications as a pulpit orator, Mr. Fisk rose still higher in the estimation of the public, and as a matter which might have been expected under the circumstances, received from time to time many flattering encomiums upon his talents and success. His parents, although highly gratified, were fearful of the result which so much praise would have on the mind of their son.

Hence his good old mother, for the purpose of preventing self-adulation as much as possible, would name some defect in his discourses; and so repeatedly and incessantly did she do so, that there was positive danger of her believing that her Willbur, after all, was but a slender preacher. This danger, however, was averted by the following amusing circumstance. One day she received a letter from one of her sisters, informing her that a son of the latter had become a preacher, and expressing a wish that Mrs. Fisk could hear him, as she thought he was an excellent preacher. When Mrs. Fisk had read this paragraph, she placed the letter in her lap, and while she raised her spectacles from her eyes, she exclaimed: “Sister B— never heard\parMY SON!”

Soon after having received license to preach, Mr. Fisk was employed by the presiding elder to labor on Craftsbury circuit, a place about twenty-five miles from home. His preaching in the village of Craftsbury, was at first in a private house, and then in the court-house. While here, his labors were greatly blessed; so much so, that one of the bigoted disciples of Calvin was led to exclaim in view of his success: “That Fisk has been about here, and has undone in a few months, all that our minister has done in twelve years.”

While here, he narrowly escaped death by the hand of an insane person. A lady, at whose house he often stayed, was subject to frequent fits of derangement. During one of these fits, she rushed upon him with a large sharp-pointed knife in her hand, and tearing open his vest, she placed the sharp point to his breast, exclaiming, “You must die. You talk so much of heaven, I am going to send you there; for you are too good to live.” Mr. Fisk, without quailing, looked her steadily in the eye, when, after pausing for a moment, she removed the knife and said, “You are fit to live, or die.

We want such men on earth, so I will let you live a little longer.”

In the summer of 1818, Mr. Fisk joined the Annual Conference, as a probationer, and was sent back to Craftsbury circuit, where he endured sufferings of various kinds, from the rigor of the climate, and his necessary exposure to all kinds of weather; but he labored for God and for souls, and he was cheered with the reflection that his reward was in heaven. At the New England Conference of 1819, Mr. Fisk was sent to Charlestown, Mass. This appointment was a trying one to him, as the Society was small, and embarrassed with debt; but he trusted in the Lord, and his labors were greatly successful, and his congregations large and respectable. While stationed in Charlestown, he attended a camp-meeting on Cape Cod, where he experienced the blessing of “perfect love,” which more fully prepared him for the work of the ministry.

At the Conference of 1820, Mr. Fisk was admitted into full connection and ordained a deacon, and by the appointing power was re-appointed to Charlestown; and during the summer, he attended the Commencement of Brown University, and took his degree of Master of Arts. During his second year in Charlestown, Mr. Fisk was the subject of bitter persecution, which he endured with hardiness, as a good soldier. He also suffered much from his old complaint, hemorrhage of the lungs, which so entirely prostrated him, that his physicians gave him up; but his brethren of different denominations of Christians in Charlestown and Boston, believing that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick,” cried mightily to God for his recovery, and the disease was graciously rebuked, so that he partially recovered his health, and was able by easy stages to reach his father’s house in a few weeks, where he was obliged to remain partially inactive, and to refrain from preaching altogether, for more than a year. He spent much of his time, however, in riding on horseback, and visiting different places, and in holding correspondence with his long list of friends.

At the New England Conference of 1822, Mr. Fisk was ordained elder, and placed upon the superannuated list, but was requested by the Conference, as far as his health would allow, to act as agent for the Newmarket Academy, the only Methodist institution, at that time, in New England. For the purpose of ascertaining whether anything could be done to renovate the institution, which had been dragging out a feeble existence for a few years past, he visited the place of its location, and learning from its leading supporters and managers that the same policy was designed to be pursued which had kept it in its feeble state, he declined having anything to do as an agent for the institution. In a conversation with Miss Peck, subsequently, in relation to the matter, he said, “But if the Lord spare my life, and will give me influence, with his blessing, the Methodist Church shall not want academies nor colleges.” After making this remark, and having left the room, a gentleman who heard the remark, said, “Mr. Fisk, if he live, will be a president or a bishop; and with his humility, how bright will be his example!”

During his excursions this year, taken for the benefit of his health, he visited his relatives in Brattleborough, his native town, and was invited to preach on the Sabbath in the Congregational Church. As yet, no Methodists had preached in town, but the inhabitants with one consent considered Methodism as heretical in the extreme. Mr. Fisk preached with his usual felicity of manner, and as few of the congregation knew the stranger, or that he was a Methodist preacher, his sermon was greatly admired. One old lady who thought the “doctrines” of Methodism to be those “of devils” was particularly loud in her expressions of admiration, when her son informed her of her mistake, by saying, “Well, mother, you have heard a Methodist preacher at last, and you have lived through it.”

The old lady was thunderstruck! but had been too loud in her professions of admiration, to retract anything she had said in favor of the sermon. A gentleman who was similarly caught, backed out by saying, “Well, well, well, if that be Methodism, I wish we had more of it.”

Toward the close of the Conference year, Mr. Fisk was united in marriage to Miss Peck, after a courtship of seven years. The union of these two highly gifted and intelligent persons, was followed by the most happy consequences to both parties. At the session of the Conference, Mr. Fisk was present, and took an effective relation. When the subject of the Newmarket Academy came up for consideration, the presiding bishop said to Mr. Fisk, “Why have you not solicited funds for the academy?” “Because, sir, my conscience would not let me,” replied Mr. Fisk. “Must the Conference then be governed by your conscience?” inquired the bishop. “No, sir,” rejoined Mr. Fisk, “I do not wish the Conference to be governed by my conscience, but I must be; neither do I wish to control the Conference in any way; but if after examining the school for themselves, the Conference see fit to place it on a different footing, it shall have my utmost exertion.”

At the preceding Conference, Mr. Fisk had been requested to preach a sermon on the doctrine of Future Punishment, which request he complied with at the present session. Such was the estimation in which this discourse was held, that the students of Brown University, many of whom were present — the Conference session being held in Providence — requested a copy for publication. The Conference also passed a resolution unanimously requesting its publication, and it has since passed through numerous editions in this country and in England, and is considered an unanswerable argument against the no-future-punishment theory.

At this Conference, Mr. Fisk was appointed presiding elder of the Vermont district, which comprised at that time the whole of Vermont east of the Green Mountains. He went to his field of labor in the spirit of his divine Master, and faithfully and successfully discharged the duties of his office, and in a short time the flame of revival began to burn in various parts of his extensive district. In the fall of this year, he brought his lady home to his father’s house, and on their journey homeward, they stopped after nightfall at a comfortable-looking farm-house, in the State of New Hampshire, and Mr. Fisk inquired of the old lady who opened the door, if they would entertain strangers. “Yes,” replied she, “if you have any religion.” “If we have not,” said Mr. Fisk, “perhaps you can help us to some.” “O, then, come in, come in, with all my heart,” replied the hospitable dame. In the morning before parting, Mr. Fisk led the devotions of the family, and when her guests left, the lady of the house followed them to the door exclaiming, “God bless thee, thou blessed of the Lord, continue faithful, and God will hold thee in his right hand.”

Mr. Fisk was a delegate to the General Conference of 1824, which assembled in Baltimore, but such was the tiresome and perplexing nature of the business, which occupied his attention while here, that in writing to a friend in Vermont (Hon. B. F. Deming), he says, “I am tired of this business, and long to be back again to my work. A camp-meeting is a Heaven compared with a General Conference.” Such was his ardor of mind and desire to be constantly employed in the work of winning souls to Christ.

During the two succeeding years of 1824 and 1825, Mr. Fisk was reappointed presiding elder of Vermont district, and while here it fell to his lot, by the choice of his fellow-citizens in Randolph, where he now resided, to welcome the celebrated General Lafayette — who was then making his northern tour — to the hospitalities of the village, which he did in a short, but appropriate speech, which drew tears from the eyes of the old veteran, especially when Mr. Fisk in the most beautiful language alluded to the “glorious triumph of the Church of the First-born in Heaven.”

But we must now introduce Mr. Fisk to the reader in his connection with the literary institutions of the Church. Thus far, since the calamities which befell the Cokesbury College by its repeated destruction by fire, but little had been done to establish literary institutions under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As before stated, an academy had been opened at Newmarket, New Hampshire, but such was its state, that the noble-minded Fisk refused to have anything to do with it, unless means were taken to establish it on a different foundation. Accordingly, a committee consisting of Rev. Messrs. Hedding, Lindsey, and Fisk, was appointed at the New England Conference of 1823, to examine into its state, and adopt such measures in reference to it, as they judged most proper. About this time the good people of Wilbraham, Mass., offered the Committee to erect suitable buildings for the purpose of an academy, and pledged themselves to sustain it located at that place. The offer was accepted, and one gentleman of Boston, Amos Binney, Esq., generously gave ten thousand dollars for the object. — A charter was obtained from the legislature of Massachusetts, and in November of 1825, the institution was opened by an address from Mr. Fisk, who at the next meeting of the trustees, was elected principal of the academy. As he was still presiding elder on Vermont district, it was not until May, 1826, that he removed to Wilbraham and commenced the active duties of principal. The institution opened with only seven scholars, the number, however, increased to thirty during the term, and the next year, seventy-five were in attendance, while a few years afterwards, several hundreds were found frequenting its halls.

The institution shared during the year 1826, in a glorious revival of religion, in which many of the students were brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Such revivals were frequent during Mr. Fisk’s connection with the institution, and resulted in the conversion of many precious souls.

At the session of the legislature of Vermont in 1825, Mr. Fisk was selected to preach the Election sermon at its next session, which he did on the 12th of October, 1826. The sermon, as is usual, was published by the act of the legislature, and although a larger number of copies than usual were ordered to be printed, a second edition was speedily called for. After the delivery of the sermon, Mr. Fisk was elected Chaplain to the legislature, a post which he filled with distinguished honor and acceptability, and when the legislature adjourned he returned to his duties at Wilbraham.

Mr. Fisk was chosen delegate to the General Conference of 1828, which assembled in Pittsburgh, Pa. On his way thither, he visited that wonder of nature, the falls of Niagara. Mr. Fisk gazed upon the stupendous scene, with feelings of awe and devotion. “It seemed to me,” he subsequently remarked, “like an image of eternity, and in its rolling, tumbling, foaming, sparkling billows, its resistless currents, its eddying whirlpools, its allengulfing, all-overwhelming torrents, it appeared a striking image of those fiery steeps, and rolling billows, and noisy caverns, where the spirits of the lost are tossed in ceaseless terror.” A utilitarian gentleman, who formed one of the company, taking another view of the subject, exclaimed, “I suppose, if all the worlds that compose this vast universe, were so united by cogs, as to turn each other, here is water-power enough to move the whole!” What an idea! At the opening of the Conference, Mr. Fisk was appointed Chairman of the committee on Education. He prepared a very able report on the subject, and recommended the establishment of several institutions of a collegiate character. The report and resolutions were adopted, and their publication served to give additional impulse to the cause of education in the Methodist Church. On the adjournment of the Conference, he returned to Wilbraham, and resumed his duties as principal.

An amusing incident occurred in the latter part of 1828, arising out of his connection with the academy, which is worth relating. A clergyman in a town adjoining Wilbraham, sent a letter to Mr. Fisk, in which he bitterly complained that a certain student in the academy — a licensed exhorter — had been endeavoring to proselyte two young persons of his charge; and assigns as a reason for addressing Mr. Fisk on the subject, the supposition that the students were sent out to the villages round about, at the discretion, and under the direction of Mr. Fisk. To this rather singular complaint from such a respectable source, Mr. Fisk replied, that he was both pained and grieved at such proceedings on the part of the young student, and that he had preferred charges against such student for his conduct, and stating that he should expect the clergyman to appear at the time and place of trial, and substantiate the charge preferred. This course of procedure was entirely unexpected by the latter, who forthwith sent a letter of apology, and stating that he had been a trifle too positive, that the facts were only reported to him by others, etc. etc., and informing Mr. Fisk that it would be “quite inconvenient to attend.” In this manner the clergyman was glad to back out of the dilemma, in which he found himself so unexpectedly, yet somewhat ceremoniously placed.

In January, 1829, Mr. Fisk was chosen to preach the “Election Sermon,” before the Senate of Massachusetts. He also received many flattering proposals for honorable situations in different parts of the country. He was strongly Solicited to allow himself to be a candidate for the presidency of the Vermont University, as also to become agent of the American Bible Society. In 1829, he was appointed agent of the Society for the Observance of the Sabbath, with a salary of one thousand dollars per annum, and traveling expenses. He was also, during the same year, elected president of La Grange College, Ala., and about the same time, was elected to a professorship in the University of Alabama, with a salary of two thousand dollars. He was also at the preceding Canada Conference, elected bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada. But to all these tempting offers, Mr. Fisk was obliged to return answers of declinature, not because he thought himself insufficient to fill the offices alluded to, nor because he could not render himself useful, as well as honorable, in those situations, but because to accept, to use his own words, “Would build up Willbur Fisk, but it would not build up Methodism.” The fact is, his interests had now become so closely identified with the educational interests of New England Methodism, that to forsake his present situation, he felt would be doing the Church an injury, while he well knew that to retain the same, it must be at the sacrifice of ease, honor, and emoluments; for it should be remembered, that at the time of his connection with the Wilbraham Academy, he had only the scanty support of a Methodist traveling preacher, a salary not greater than that secured by many a common laborer, while at the same time he was doing the work of three men! Such was Willbur Fisk, in his early connection with the literary institutions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and such were the sacrifices which he made to secure their prosperity.

In 1829, Mr. Fisk received from Augusta College, in Kentucky, the title of D.D. At first he resolved not to accept it, but before he could make formal refusal of the honor, his friends having immediately and so generally applied the title to him, it was beyond his power to prevent its future application.

About this period, many noble minds in the nation were becoming aroused to the ravages of intemperance, and its consequent evils. Societies had been organized in different places for the promotion of temperance. Mr., now Dr., Fisk entered heart and soul into the work of reform, and although many of his brethren in the Church and the ministry, stood aloof from the enterprise, on the ground that the Church was all the temperance society that was necessary, and although the Christian Advocate and Journal, the official organ of the Church, took a decided stand against him, yet he continued to battle for the good cause; and perhaps it is not saying too much, to ascribe to him the honor of having elevated the cause to its present high and commanding position in the Church, more than any other single person ever connected with it.

Through the persevering efforts of Dr. Fisk and others, the cause of education in the Methodist Church was swiftly on the advance. Already had two Methodist Colleges been established, one in Kentucky, and another in Pennsylvania. In 1829, the New York Conference took measures to establish a college of high grade, somewhere in the north. The New England Conference was invited to join in the enterprise, and after having received several flattering offers from different localities, the joint committee of these two Conferences selected Middletown, Conn., as the site for the establishment of the Wesleyan University, the inhabitants of that place having generously presented the committee with thirty thousand dollars worth of property, besides an additional local subscription of eighteen thousand dollars.

In 1830, Dr. Fisk was elected the first president of the Wesleyan University, a situation which he filled with great honor to himself and the Church, as long as he lived. As the institution did not open for the reception of students until September, 1831, Dr. Fisk spent a portion of his time, in the meanwhile, in soliciting funds for the University, and in awaking a general interest in its favor, both among preachers and people.

His inaugural address delivered at the opening, was a splendid production, and so greatly was it admired by some of the leading men in the nation, that it at once raised the literary character of the institution; and many young gentlemen sought admission to its classic halls, knowing that under the presidency of such a man as Fisk, the University must flourish and become justly popular.

In 1832, Dr. Fisk was again a member of the General Conference, and during its session he served as chairman of several important committees, and bore a conspicuous part in the numerous important discussions which arose in that reverend and venerable body. After his return to Middletown, he devoted himself as usual, to the interests of the University, but not to these alone, for we find him zealously engaged in the promotion of every good work, and especially that of temperance, having become one of its ablest defenders, and one of its acknowledged champions. He also took a deep interest in the cause of missions, and was, in fact, one of the originators of the Liberia and Oregon missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. Fisk found it necessary also, about these times, to do battle for the truth in opposition to the various phases and dogmas of New England Calvinism. He had some time previously, at the request of certain distinguished civilians, preached a sermon on the subject of predestination.

The sermon being published, and being confessedly an able refutation of the doctrine as generally held, and preached by Calvinistic divines, awakened a host of able opponents among the doctors of divinity, and other less-noted ministers. Hence, for several years, in pamphlets, periodicals, etc., the controversy was carried on with spirit, yet with Christian courtesy, so far as Dr. Fisk was concerned, and various publications left as the result of this controversy, stamp the doctor as a man of gigantic intellect, and superior power of mind.

In 1835, the great abolitionist excitement began to rage with intensity in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and although Dr. Fisk, from the beginning, designed to have little or nothing to do in the matter, yet he was by force of circumstances, drawn into the heated controversies of the day, on that exciting subject. He disapproved strongly of the proceedings of the ultraists, as they were called, and espoused the conservative side of the question. In this position he was fortunate enough to have the principal leading men of the Church agree with him in his views, but unfortunate in having a large majority of his own Conference — the New England — opposed to his particular views in this respect. However, a difference of views in regard to the best means to promote the abolition of slavery, did not detract from the general respect and esteem entertained for him by his brethren, as is evident from the fact that at the very height of the antislavery storm, they elected him in 1835, to a seat in the next General Conference; but as the entire delegation, save himself, were obviously elected with reference to their views on this subject, he felt himself under the necessity of declining the honor conferred, by resigning his seat in the General Conference.

In September, 1835, he received the degree of doctor of divinity from his Alma Mater, the Brown University, an honor, which he no doubt appreciated more than the one from another University previously bestowed, because of his former connection with the first-named institution.

On account of Dr. Fisk’s numerous labors, his health be came seriously impaired, and in the fall of 1835, having received a commission from the Joint Board of the Wesleyan University, to visit Europe for his health, and the advancement of the interests of the institution, he set sail on the 8th of September, accompanied by Mrs. Fisk, and a young gentleman connected with the University, for Liverpool, where they, in due season arrived, and proceeding from thence to London, were affectionately received by the Rev. Richard Reese, President of the British Conference. Dr. Fisk and party remained in London until November, when they proceeded to Paris, where he formed an agreeable acquaintance with many pious friends. From Paris they proceeded slowly to Rome, where they spent the Passion Week, and witnessed all the absurdities and fooleries of the Romish Church. Our travelers remained in Italy during the winter, visiting different places, and although Dr. Fisk lay dangerously ill for awhile, yet the Lord spared h is valuable life, and enabled him to return to London in the early part of the summer of 1836.

After his return to London, he found an agreeable home in the family of Rev. Dr. Alder, and he spent a number of weeks in visiting the different places of note, and also the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. In the meanwhile the American General Conference had held its session in May, 1836, in Cincinnati, O., and had appointed Dr. Fisk as their delegate to the British Wesleyan Conference, in Birmingham, which held its session in July and August of the same year. Dr. Fisk had also, at the same General Conference, been elected to the responsible office of bishop, thus receiving the highest ecclesiastical honors which the Church could confer on him, during his absence in a foreign land.

About the time of his arrival at the seat of the Birmingham Conference, a strong effort was made, by some of the leading English abolitionists, to prejudice the public mind against him, on account of his former position on the subject of American slavery; and a document had even been sent to the British Conference signed by a number of the ultraists in New England, which was well adapted to create a prejudice against the doctor. The British Conference, however, had too much magnanimity to pay much attention to these outbursts of party feeling, and they extended to the doctor a very cordial welcome as the representative of American Methodism.

After the Conference adjourned, Mr. Fisk and lady visited the principal cities of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in the month of October following, took passage in the same ship which carried them to Europe, and which safely landed them in New York, on the 23d of November, and soon after he made his way to Middletown, where he was joyously received by the faculty and students of the University, as well as by the citizens generally. It may be proper in this connection to state, that at the request of many persons, Dr. Fisk published an account of his travels in Europe, a work which has been well received, and generally appreciated.

After Dr. Fisk’s return to America, he was strongly solicited, by many of his friends, to take upon him the office and work of a bishop, by consenting to be consecrated in due form; but with his usual modesty, he declined the honor, assigning, among other reasons, his want of physical strength to endure the labors of the office, and pleading his engagements to the University. He accordingly remained at the head of that institution, using all his powers to promote its prosperity, until the time of his last sickness.

During the fall and winter of 1838, Dr. Fisk’s health began to decline rapidly, so that it became evident to himself and others, that his days on earth were rapidly numbering. Yet during his long and painful illness, he preserved the utmost composure of mind, and maintained to the very last, his anxiety for the welfare of the University. When informed by the council of physicians, that he could not tarry much longer, he said to the senior Professor, “There are a few thing’s I should like to see done before taken from this world; but what am I, that I should have a hand in those things?

There is the poor University; but I hope you will stand by it, and that God will bless it.” His conversation from this time, till he died, was heavenly and divine. His sick chamber was a perfect paradise. The next to the last sentence he uttered, was, “Yes; glorious hope!” and his last words were addressed to his affectionate wife, who took his hand and inquired if he knew her, he replying, “Yes, love; yes.”

At ten o’clock in the forenoon of the 22d day of February, 1839, the pure and lovely spirit of the dying Fisk, took its departure for the heaven of purity and loveliness; and as he was lovely in life, so in death, his appearance was singularly lovely, too much so seemingly, to be consigned to the coldness and dampness of the grave; but the grave is no respecter of persons, and the earthly remains of Willbur Fisk now repose under the green sod of the college cemetery at Middletown.

Thus lived and thus died Willbur Fisk, a man of sterling honor, of strict integrity, of fervent piety, and genuine humility. As a man of learning, he was more than respectable; as a preacher, he had few equals, and still fewer superiors; as a gentleman, his society was courted by the intelligent of every land; and as a literary teacher and president of a college, he probably had not a superior. His personal appearance was much in his favor. With a beautifully formed head, and a pleasing countenance; a spare, but erect and well-proportioned frame; an easy manner and a benign disposition, he was in all respects the perfect model of a man, whether physically, mentally, or morally considered. But he has gone, and left a Church in tears; yet not without the hope of meeting him again in that land of beauty and delight, “where the weary are at rest.”

A plain monumental shaft marks the spot where Fisk was laid, bearing on one side the simple inscription, “Willbur Fisk, S.T.D., First President of the Wesleyan University.”

And on the reverse side, the simple dates of his birth and death. Lately, however, a more suitable and imposing monument has been erected at Wilbraham, Mass., the scene of his early literary labors. A splendid building has been erected near the site of the old Wilbraham Academy, at an expense of some ten or twelve thousand dollars, bearing on its noble front the impressive inscription, Fisk Hall.”