BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF REV. RICHARD FULLER, D. D.

BY REV. ENOCH HUTCHINSON.

IN furnishing sketches of living divines, it should be the object of the writer rather to magnify the grace of God than to eulogize the instrument by which the Master accomplishes his gracious purposes in Zion. This has been and will be our aim in presenting to our readers the lives of some of our brethren, who have toiled in the cause of the Redeemer, and whose crowns in heaven, we trust, will be decked with many bright stars, as seals of their ministry on earth.

The subject of the following notice was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, in 1804. His parents belonged to the Episcopal church until they were advanced in life, when they examined the Bible in reference to baptism, and soon became convinced that they were in error. They joyfully embraced the truth, and united with the Baptist church. His father was a noble specimen of a christian gentleman, and his mother was a lady of the highest order of intellect and refinement.

When very young, Richard was placed under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Brantly, who remarked that when his pupil was a mere child, he was often struck with the earnestness of his character.— While a boy he was sent to Harvard University, and applied himself with the greatest diligence to his studies. He surpassed all of his associates. rising to the highest place in one of the largest classes which ever graduated at that distinguished seat of learning. He was compelled to leave college in his Junior year, in consequence of ill health; but the Faculty conferred upon him the degree of A. B. when his class graduated.

He returned to his native state, and applied himself with assiduity to the study of law, and was admitted as a member of the bar before the required age, (twenty-one.) At the same session of the Supreme Court, which admitted him into the legal fraternity, he pleaded a very important case, and thus entered, at once, upon his professional career. His practice increased rapidly, and at the third term of the Court, after his initiation, we are informed that he had one hundred and fifty cases to plead.