Goes to Amherst.

Dr. Griffin.

he went in the fall of 1821 to Amherst Academy, in Massachusetts, where he pursued his studies in preparation for college under the instruction of Gerard Halleck, Esq., afterward the distinguished editor of the Journal of Commerce, in New York.

Of his brief residence here we have little or no knowledge beyond the obvious fact that he made rapid, indeed astonishing progress in his preparatory studies. He was also engaged in the advancement of the cause of his Master, and extending his views to the distant and destitute in heathen lands. Among his old letters is one from Levi Chamberlain, for the Treasurer of the American Board of Foreign Missions, written to Mr. Nicholas Murray, as one of a committee of students who were engaged in raising money to educate a heathen boy in Ceylon by the name of Gerard Halleck, which was the name of the principal of the academy.

He remained at Amherst but three fourths of a year, and then we find him writing to Rev. Dr. Griffin, the president of Williams College, and making inquiries as to the probabilities of his being admitted with his present amount of classical knowledge. To these inquiries the president replies:

"Williams College, August 10, 1822. “DEAR SIR,—I received your letter of July 22d, but various causes have prevented me from answering it before. I think you may venture to come to Williamstown at Commencement, or as soon as you please, with a view to enter the next Freshman class, and to

Invited to Williams.

Expenses.

make up your deficiencies in the fall and winter vacations. The expenses will not exceed what was mentioned in my letter to Dr. Spring.

Affectionately yours,

"E. D. GRIFFIN.

"Mr. Nicholas Murray, Amherst, Massachusetts."

Enters college.

Seeks advice.

CHAPTER III.

He enters Williams College, Mass.-Letter to Rev. Dr. Proudfit.— His Answer.-Rapid mental Progress.-College Exercises.-Writing for the Newspapers.—Oration on July 4th.-Dr. Griffin predicts that he will be a distinguished Man.--Letter from Professor Albert Hopkins.-Letter from Chester Dewey, LL.D.

IN the autumn of 1822 he entered the Freshman class of Williams College, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The Rev. Dr. Griffin was then its president, and in the zenith of his power and fame as the prince of American preachers; a man to make the deepest impress of his own characteristics upon the young men who sat at his feet. Unrivaled as a pulpit orator, severe as a critic, and punctilious in all the details of manner that mark the Christian gentleman, Dr. Griffin was just the man into whose hands it was eminently desirable that Mr. Murray should fall. Thus far we have noticed that each step of the young man's course has been guided by peculiarly kind providences, but none were more favorable than that which threw him under the social, religious, and intellectual training of the Rev. Dr. Griffin.

In his Sophomore year he writes to his friend and counselor, the Rev. Dr. Proudfit, the following letter:

"Williams College, December 7th. "REV. AND DEAR SIR,-Notwithstanding the time that has elapsed since I have had the pleasure of seeing

Letter to Dr. Proudfit.

High hopes.

you, the recollection of the favors you so generously conferred upon me, and of the direction and impulse you gave to my hopes and desires when I had none to direct me, recall you to my mind with that affection and tenderness with which a son reviews the favors of a kind father. How can I but dwell with grateful recollections on the memory of him who is my chief benefactor; who has, by his counsel and influence, thus far enabled me to pursue my literary course in preparation for the Gospel ministry? If the world shall ever gain any thing by my labors-if the glory of the Church shall ever be enhanced through my instrumentality—if I ever shall be the humble instrument of bringing a son or daughter of Adam home to glory, from their heavenly habitation they will doubtless look upon you as the great first cause of their exaltation. Since, therefore, I owe all that I am in my present pursuits to your kindness and Christian philanthropy, how can I but look upon you as a father and friend? As such, sir, I cherish your memory; as such I shall always consider you.

"Since the fall of 1822 I have been pursuing my studies under the care of Dr. Spring's Session, and I am at present a member of the Sophomore class in this college. I have long desired to see you, that I might make known to you my feelings and desires respecting the course I am to pursue in after life. The time is yet distant, it is true, when I shall be prepared to go forth into the vineyard, but, notwithstanding, I want to determine on some course, and to have my eye fixed on that through all my research. It is my desire to

The future.

Visit proposed.

become a missionary; but whether it is my duty to spend my life among those that gave me existence, and whom I can call, as Paul did the Hebrews, my kinsmen according to the flesh, or devote my life to foreign missions among the heathen, I have not as yet determined. On this point, together with some others which I will not now mention, I want to consult you. I know that I can make my feelings known to you better than I can to any other person; and you, knowing better than any other person the history of my past life, are best calculated to judge of my views and motives.

"I have thought, during the term which is now nearly at a close, that, as I should have nothing to do next vacation, which is six weeks long, and as Salem is but forty miles from this place, I would call to see you, to ask your counsel on these interesting topics; but, fearing I might be disappointed in not finding you at home, I have taken the liberty of writing to you. If, sir, you would let me know what part of the vacation I would find you at home and at leisure, I will gladly avail myself of the opportunity of calling on you.

"Your ever obliged friend and servant, "NICHOLAS MURRAY. "N.B.-Vacation commences 1st of January.

"Rev. Dr. Alex. Proudfit."

C 2