Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Readfield, but he was far more indebted for his succeeding improvement to the careful reading of the various books which fell into his hands. A retentive memory and rare soundness of judgment enabled him to add to his stock of knowledge. Like so many other clergymen of our denomination, he was early instructed in the doctrine of endless woe; and found the profound belief of it for years "a mortal poison." Happily, when about sixteen years of age, he obtained a copy of Ballou's Notes on the Parables, several numbers of the Trumpet, and Balfour's First and Second Inquiries. These let sunshine into his heart, and lifted clouds from his understanding; and from that time he has been willing to labor and suffer reproach, if need be, while trusting in that God who is the Saviour of all men. At about the age of twenty-two his thoughts begun to turn toward the Christian ministry. In the course of a couple of years heaven gave him opportunities for carrying out his purpose of preaching the Gospel. He had been chosen a member of the Legislature of Maine, and his keen mental acumen pointed him out as a suitable member of a Committee for a revision of the Statutes of that State. While employed in the task, he spent several weeks in Augusta, where he became acquainted with Rev. Wm. A. Drew, Darius Forbes and others, who encouraged his desire to engage in the work of the ministry. A letter of Fellowship was granted him by the Maine Convention of Universalists in 1840, and he preached his first sermon in a school-house in Milltown, on the 29th of November, in the same year. During the following July Mr. Fisher took charge of the Society at Addison Point, and remained there for about six years. He also preached, meanwhile, to neighboring societies in Columbia, Epping, Indian River and Cherryfield. About two years after undertaking the pastoral care of these societies, he was married to Miss Amy W. Leighton, of Pembroke, Maine. In her he has found a true helper, whose ready sympathy, womanly tact, untiring industry and sagacity have rendered unspeakable service, not only in the various societies over which her husband has been settled, but especially in connection with the Theological School. In the month of April, 1847, Mr. Fisher removed to Salem, Mass. Deeply conscious as he has ever been of the importance of permanence in the pastoral relation, he found circumstances compelling a change of residence. The societies that he had faithfully served for half a dozen years were small, and could render him but a meagre support. Salem was a large and important field, which seemed to open a larger sphere of usefulness, and gave promise of greater comfort. Here for six years he labored with ever-widening influence. His acquaintance was enlarged with ministering brethren, and his power was acknowledged in both the city wherein he lived and throughout the State. In the midst of his usefulness, however, he was afflicted with an alarming disease of the vocal organs. He sought rest for a time in his native State, and gave up active labor in the ministry, thinking at times that his work on earth was nearly done. But God had other work for him to do, and mitigated his disease. The period of seclusion was meanwhile spent in a course of reading which was to make his subsequent labors more effective. Mr. Fisher saw, however, that it would be imprudent to resume the charge of the Society in Salem, large as it was, and in November, 1853, he accepted an invitation from the Society in South Dedham. Here, for about four years and a half, he labored with an appreciative and devoted people, and great prosperity was enjoyed by the parish. His congregation were pleasantly thinking of a life-long union between them, when a sunimons came from his Master to a new field of toil. A Theological School had been established at Canton, N. Y. The brethren of that State had reckoned on the first Universalist College in our land's being located within their borders. The larger pecuniary inducements held out by Massachusetts caused it to be planted on Walnut Hill. So far as material prosperity is concerned, it was a wise decision to establish Tufts College in New England. It was an unavoidable result, however, that the brethren in New York should feel disappointed. But it was resolved, after a while, to found a Theological School in that State, and the location of it was proffered to the region which would raise the Sept. 2nd, nine students appeared. er. The state of things as thus described was nowise inviting. One student, who had been at Meadville, purposed to return thithAt this juncture Mrs. Fisher's services were very effective. She enlisted the cöoperation of many of the ladies of the Canton Society, and furnished the rooms of the students. Her own house offered them hospitality when, weary or homesick, they pined for the attentions which a mother or sister can supply. In August the Credner Library, the gift of Mr. Herring, arrived; but this collection, while very rich in books which it would be hard to duplicate, contained but very few volumes that a merely English reader could peruse. From time to time, however, Mr. Herring has made liberal additions to the library, and now it is well supplied with serviceable works. And it is gratifying that a new library hall, costing about $9,000, is nearly completed. argest sum for its endowment. St. Law- | four. At the beginning of the second term, rence Co., one of the most northern counties of the State, made the most liberal offers, and the school was planted at Canton, the shire town. So far as the immediate prosperity of the school was concerned, the location was not a fortunate one. There were but few vigorous societies of our faith in that county, and the School was remote both from the city of New York and from all the abler societies of the State. And as every young ipstitution needs continued gifts to nurse it into vigorous activity, there was a prospect for hard work before whomsoever might be called to teach it. The trustees endeavored to secure the services of Dr. Ballou as principal of the School, but he was already President of Tufts College. On his declining, he was desired to recommend a suitable teacher, and designated Mr. Fisher. In this case, as in so many others, the denomination have occasion to acknowledge the sagacity of Dr. Ballou. Experience has shown that no wiser selection could have been made than that of Prof. Fisher. A dozen years of faithful labor have shown his singular aptitude for the post. The invitation was given to Prof. Fisher in January, 1858. On the following April he removed to Canton, and the School was opened in form on the 14th of that month. An address was given on the occasion by Dr. Sawyer, and an introductory discourse by Prof. Fisher as principal. The day was gloomy; a wet snow fell continuously, and the streets of Canton were full of mud. And when Canton does her best in that respect, everybody who has lived there knows that she can succeed. But if the weather was adverse on the day of beginning, other cir. cumstances were also unpromising. Though a commodious building had been reared, it was almost literally empty. Its only furniture was a few seats, its only library a few books which teacher and pupils carried in their hands. But three students were present on the day of the above-named formalities, and only four when, on the following Monday, Prof. Fisher began his labors as instructor. In a week a fifth student joined the class, but in a short time one of the original band became sick and left the school; and for the first term the number was only When Prof. Fisher removed to Canton, the available funds of the Institution amounted to about eighteen thousand dollars. The interest-bearing funds at present are about fifty-seven thousand dollars. The present number of students is twenty-eight. The whole number of scholars that have attended the School since its establishment is seventy. Of this number forty-three have graduated, and twelve more are to do so in July. For two years and a half Prof. Fisher carried on the School alone. In the fall of 1860, as a new class of a dozen members was to enter the Institution, he felt that he must have assistance. Nobody desired the post from the uncertainty as to decent support. At length one clergyman, to whom Prof. Fisher made a personal appeal, was induced to go thither. The war quickly came on, and attention was so absorbed with its varying fortunes, that the School was nearly forgotten. Prof. Fisher strove untiringly to fulfill his pecuniary pledges, and succeeded for a couple of years, by persevering begging, in inducing the denomination to furnish the salary for an assistant professor. The position however became so humiliating that the new professor withdrew, and Prof. Fisher was left to struggle alone. It was a dark period for him. Expenses of living had increased; his own salary was in arrears; but just at the juncture when he was querying whether he, too, must not leave, a friend, who will not allow his name to be known, placed a thous and dollars at his disposal, and enabled him to bridge over the chasm. Thanks be to God that he vindicated his servant's confidence! blessings on that unknown friend, if he is still living; hallowed be his memory, if he is dead! After this statement of Prof. Fisher's services, we need add no eulogum. His works praise him. We may be permitted, however, to bear testimony to his rare sagacity and rich fidelity. For two years we were intimately associated with him, and beheld his arduous labors. We were impressed by his unaffected, but profound piety, his patience, his critical acumen, his penetration of character, and his overwhelming desire to make the students that should come under his care hearty believers of the Gospel, men of piety, and efficient Christian ministers. His daily deportment added emphasis to every counsel he gave them. And his labors have not been in vain. A few that have enjoyed the benefit of his instructions, have made shipwreck of faith and talents. Sadly have they illustrated the truth of Solomon's words, "Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, bis foolishness will not depart from him." But the majority of the graduates are to-day rendering real service to our denomination and the world. Many of them are occupying the pulpits of some of our strongest societies, and demonstrating that they have been profited by the counsels of their revered teacher. Fondly do we trust that our denomination is entering on a brighter era. The liberality that is marking this memorable year, the enthusiasm that is evoking from many a quarter, give promise of a more systematic proselytism, a livelier missionary spirit. More ministers are demanded. Young men must be trained for the work. Two Theological Schools are now established, and it is a matter of great gratulation that we have at the head of them men of unfeigned piety, deep faith, and varied scholarship. And while all good men pray that our new School may be a rursery of holiness and sound learning, they will not forget to supplicate that grace and help may be continued to the elder School and¶ts teachers, especially to its honored Principal. THREE DAYS AT MARTINIQUE. BY MRS. S. M. DAMON. "Pass we the long unvarying course, the track THE was an eventful day to the little band of New Englanders assembled on board the good barque "Henry Flitner,” for upon that day, after a tempestuous, heart-sick, homesick and sea-sick voyage of nineteen days on the wild Atlantic, we hove in sight of the green, volcanic peaks and fruitful fields, and dropped our anchor in the charming harbor of the quaint but beautiful island of Martinique. For thirty-eight hours we had been in the tantalizing position of beholding the distant haven of our hopes, but through adverse wind and wave unable to reach it. How we longed for the smart little steamtug, with its noisy diminutiveness, which took is out of Boston Harbor in such flying style; but we were out of the realm of tug-boats or any other steam craft, and nothing came to our rescue save a boat-load or two of strangely attired French Creoles, a pilot among the number, who consoled us with the intelligence that several vessels had been lying outside the harbor waiting a good breeze to carry them in. "Why don't they beat about and tack ship?" I heard the Captain ask, and looking to his wife to explain this mysterious operation, she informed me-oblivious of technicalities a simple but hard task of chassée ing between the islands of Dominique on our right, and Martinique on our left, each time bringing the barque around a little nearer to our des tination. I acknowledged the manœuvre to be a very creditable one, and regretted the wasted time spent in wooing a breeze which was so capricious; and oblivious to the hot, tropical sun that shone down upon us with that it was real August heat, we watched and waited hour by hour the distance lessen between us and this Summer isle of Eden lying in dark purple spheres of sea." The high peaks of these extinct volcanoes, many of which are of great altitude, one rising over four thousand feet, assumed outline and color, and the beautiful verdure clothing them to their summits, and the tropical fragrance wafted to us, became an agreeable change from the salt sea air. As the afternoon waned, a slight breeze sprang up, gladdening and refreshing us; our progress beca ne less tedious, and more distinct grew the rich groves of fruit and plantations of sugar-cane in its various stages of growth; the young and tender plant with its yellowgreen leaves, forming a beautiful contrast with those of older growth and deeper shade. Delightful houses, embowered by tall palmtrees, became distinct to view, while the old city of St Pierre, built upon a steep hill-side, with its quaint, oriental style of architecture, its fine groves of cocoanut and pineapple, formed so strange and attractive a picture I thought I could not leave it. I must possess some copy, however rough, something more tangible, more abiding than this brain-picture that I carry with me. Captain D. was equally enthusiastic, assuring us that with voyaging around the world for twenty years he had never seen so beautiful and attractive a scene of Nature's handiwork. I never longed so much to wield an artist's brush or pencil, for never had mine eye rested on so fair a scene. Words become so weak, so futile in description, that my pen falters, and I know only too well the "willing mind but powerless pen." One half my pleasure in viewing the grand and majestic peaks towering above picturesque and fertile valleys beneath, clothed with such shades of coloring as only Nature knows so well to harmonize, and the antique city, odd and irregular, surrounded by the loveliest bay imaginable, was lost in thinking my pleasure could not be shared by those who would ap preciate, and enter with me into my quiet rapture. We turned away with reluctance in answer to the supper bell, a summons that must be obeyed, although we hungered only for this sight of land. Oh, this servi tude to usual family habits. I mean to write a sermon upon the subject, but forbear now. "Shall we anchor to-night, Captain?" was our first greeting to him, and his joyful reply "we shall do so," made us as light-hearted and expectant as children; we were getting impatient to put our feet upon solid ground once more, and explore this wonderful spot of earth. Martinique, like most West India islands, has no wharves, and vessels are attached to buoys in the harbor and anchored, the cargo being delivered by little boats which shoot up on the sandy beach, are secured and unloaded, natives bearing the heavy burdens between them. I saw ice and lumber deposited on shore and carried off by man-labor alone. Mule carts are used, but I did not see any, and the absence of drays and carts on shore was observable to my northern eyes. I watched this strange scene of uncoiling ropes and weighing anchor, the whole business conducted by the pilot and stevedores, who accompanied their laborious, treadmill task with the strangest music; sing ing many of our popular negro songs in a wierd, monotonous but not unmusical tone of voice, mixing up the French and English words unintelligibly; the whole forming so strange a scene in the dusky light of the waning day, I almost had to pinch myself to realize if "I was I." The Inspector, a pale, high-bred Frenchman, clothed in a handsome uniform ornamented with gold lace, and accompanied by a lad, his son, who acted as interpreter, and who also wore a jaunty uniform that would delight our boys at home, came aboard to inspect and give the permit to land. How good it seemed to have communication with land once more! How pleasant to hear the sounds that reached our ear; the sweet tones of the convent bell, the bugle call but a street back from the shore, the barking of dogs and the noisy games which happy childhood in every clime and of all color indulge in, all fell sweetly on my ear. It seemed so real, so thoroughly enjoyable, that I lingered on deck till darkness shut out the pleasant picture, and only the gleam of twinkling lights on shore and the twinkling stars above-shining benignly over dear, far off New England as well, and calling ms longingly back to it - brought me to the little state-room where had passed such varied experiences. We had one more song, closing with "Our Country;" and a little feeling of sadness dimmed the eye as we thought of the pleasant friendships formed in these few weeks to be broken in a few days, never probably to be cemented again. | from the beach. They are mostly constructed of brick and stone, painted yellow or white, and roofed with tiles of stone or slate. Very little lumber is used, as it is all imported and costly. There are no window-sashes in use. At least, I never saw a building with so much as a pane of glass in it, excepting the cathedrals and churches, where stained glass was used. Shutters or blinds are used on most of the dwellings, to keep out heat and rain; a few were without, which gave them an unfinished and airy appearance, not at all agreeable. They also manage to get along mysteriously without chimneys, using what they call "coal pots for culinary purposes. The wants of the lower class are very few and their habits simple. They subsist almost entirely upon fruits during a part of the year, and sugar cane takes its place the rest of the time. Our New Year greetings had hardly been exchanged the next morning, when a grim but not unpleasant voice assailed the Captain, and the consignee of the cargo appeared in the cabin, profuse with New Year compliments, and apologizing for his early call. He was followed by a servant laden with choice fruits and flowers, the latter meeting a warm welcome, as would the former, had he only waited, as the Captain's wife said, until her "back hair had been done up." Our Eng lish friend, for such he proved to be, was cordiality and hospitality itself, and to himself and most excellent wife were we in-natured set of people thronged the clean, debted for much of our enjoyment while fresh-looking pavements. The women were visiting their delightful island. Mr. A-- arrayed in as much finery - although of a thoroughly liked Americans, having spent different and rather startling kind—as a New much time in our large cities, and seemed York belle, and were about as conscious and very glad to render back some of the kind- self-satisfied. Their brilliant shawls and ness he had received at our hands. gorgeous turbans vied with the rainbow in color, and the weight of the huge brass hoops and balls worn in their ears was enough to appall one. Surely "distance lends enchantment," for stepping foot upon the sandy shore, which is kept constantly very dirty by washings from the streets above, I was dismayed by the dilapidated condition of dwellings, and the look of neglect everything wore. Passing from the shore we found the streets very narrow, and paved by the roughest and sharpest of stones. Driving over them must be a species of slow torture, but they were clean, being constantly washed by overflowing of the huge gutters which line either side, and are continually fed by clear, pure water from springs in the mountains. I passed into very few streets where the channels were not rushing along like a tiny rivulet, singing the same little bubbling songs. The sidewalks we found very narrow, admitting but one passer at a time, and I could but remark the respectful politeness that induced the creoles to step aside to let us pass. The dwellings and shops, although very unpretending and irregular in their style of architecture, presented a less dingy and forlorn look back The scene was a very gay one this New Year morning, and a happy-looking, good We came to the conclusion nature had kindly furnished them with ears to fit their jewels. Many of their dresses were of spotless purity and trailed equal to a full-dress party costume; alas, for the purity of the dress in a short time! They carry themselves with dignity and grace, and their forms are so fine and stately I could not help gazing with admiration upon them. Their faces are intelligent and their black eyes very handsome and bright. They expressed as much wonder and curiosity at beholding our short dress and high heeled boots as did we at their costume, although too well-bred and polite to treat us to an intrusive stare. Wishing to enter some of the gay shops lining the thoroughfares, and desiring some genuine French paper, we procured a little guide, who was warranted to speak English, to direct us in our wanderings; but his English was almost as wretched as my French, and he landed us in our search for stationery |