REV. WILLBUR FISK D.D.
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 MY 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
