Athletic power.

Wit and humor.

"Owing, in part at least, to his active life and pre vious business habits, Murray had acquired, before en⚫ tering college, that essential prerequisite to success-a sound constitution and vigorous health. His frame was well knit and athletic. The gymnasium, in those days, was unknown; but the students used to practice various athletic exercises, both for the sake of amusement and for better health. One of these, I remember, was that of throwing, or, as we used to say, heaving the axe. It was in connection with this exercise that I first found out the physical vigor of my classmate. Standing with the feet firmly fixed, I was able to excel him; but he had a knack of whirling his body round two or three times, and thus giving a part of its momentum to the axe. Allowing this to be fair (which I was not disposed to do), I was obliged to give in to him. I might multiply incidents in this line, some of them rather amusing, but the grave purpose of the memoir prompts me to refrain.

"The social qualities of Dr. Murray were quite remarkable. He had genuine humor, some wit, relished a good story, and knew how to tell one better than most. This was true in his early as well as in his later years. Add to this that, having seen more of life than most persons of his age, he had a fund of topics and incidents which enabled him both to amuse and interest beyond what is common in college circles.

"As a speaker and debater Murray stood high. In college meetings, and on occasions which called forth ability in these directions, he was prominent. One of these will doubtless be remembered by surviving con

Canal celebration.

Revival.

temporaries; I refer to the celebration commemorative of the completion of the great New York Canal. It may be thought singular that in New England a day should have been set apart for such a purpose; but some of the students, and Murray, I believe, among the most prominent of them, were aware that President Griffin was a particular admirer, as well as personal friend, of De Witt Clinton. Although the opening of the New York Canal, therefore, was not an event celebrated in the United States generally, they made bold to appear before the doctor and request the day. This, somewhat to the astonishment of the college, was granted. The celebration, accordingly, proceeded in due form; a number of speeches were made, of which I retain no distinct recollection except that of Murray, in which, after happily setting forth the marriage of the Atlantic with the Lakes, he told us, going on to speak of Clinton, 'that there were many brilliant stars above the horizon, but one, or, to give his characteristic brogue, but waun in the zenith!'

“During our Senior year a remarkable revival of religion occurred in the college. Professors of religion, as well as others, shared largely in the work. Dr. Griffin renewed the zeal and activity, and displayed much of the power which characterized his best days in the ministry. The effect of the work on the subject of this sketch was salutary. It chastened somewhat the exuberance of his spirits, rendered him more devoted, though not less cheerful, and prepared him, no doubt, to give himself with more earnestness to the sacred work on which his eye had been fixed from the commencement of his course.

Class meetings.

Dr. Dewey's letter.

"Since graduating, there have been several meetings of our class. At one of the last of these, thirty years, I think, since we parted on Commencement day, Dr. Murray was present. He appeared in perfect health, and retained the sprightliness and freshness of former years, though his gray hair contrasted strikingly with the jet black and somewhat curly locks he used to wear when a student. On leaving the meeting, some one remarked, 'How perfectly Murray retains his identity!' Though a riper experience had given more elevation to his character, yet his manners and modes of expression, the peculiarities of his mind, heart, and temperament were singularly preserved; in a word, the whole man was again before us.

"I need not add that his loss was deeply felt by the class, as, indeed, it was by the college, with whose Board of Trust he was this year to have taken his seat for the first time."

Letter from Rev. Chester Dewey, LL.D.

"Nicholas Murray was graduated at Williams College in 1826, and received the high honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater in 1843. I had no acquaintance with him until he became a member of the college; but, coming as a young Irishman who had been converted from Catholicism, and who seemed to have adopted the Protestant faith with strong convictions of its truth and living power, he excited no little interest in my mind. As he came into my department in the Junior year, I saw his active. and earnest application to his studies, and his warm

The embryo.

The future.

hearted and genial temperament, as well as his winning playfulness of spirit and language. He stood on high ground in the view of his friends, and all were attached to him that knew him. The embryo of that peculiar elasticity of feeling, and felicity of thought and diction, for which he was so highly distinguished in the latter years of his life, seems to me to have been greatly developed as he was called to act in a more important position, and enjoyed more intimate fellowship with highly-gifted and cultivated minds. His warm, benevolent feelings and deep Christian sympathies led him strongly to desire the enlightenment of his countrymen who were still enshrouded in that darkness which the Sun of righteousness had dispelled from his own mind and heart. As I had known him when this sympathy was young in his mind, I rejoiced to see it acting with impressive power as his useful and influential age was increasing.

...

"What a reward came to his friends and teachers who, without an effort, enabled a meritorious youth to accomplish his heart's desire! Many of them lived to see his honorable and high career of ministerial usefulness. His gratitude was often expressed, when I had the privilege of meeting and rejoicing with him, in all the blessings our God and Savior had bestowed upon him in his course. He was a good young man. Fine talents. The future, already finished on earth, was the realization, under the good providence of God, of what his youth had foreshadowed." D

Going to work.

An agent.

CHAPTER IV.

Out of College and at Work.-Becomes an Agent of the American Tract Society.-Travels in Washington County, N. Y.-The Men he met. His Diary.-Fruits of his Labors.

SCARCELY was he out of college walls before he was in a field of useful and active labor. He graduated in September, and was to enter the Theological Seminary at Princeton in November. This brief interval he employed in an agency for the American Tract Society. Leaving the city of New York on the morning of Friday, September 22d, 1826, he had a disagreeable passage up the Hudson River on the Olive Branch. Riding in the stage-coach from Albany to Troy, he was attacked with a pain in his neck so severely as to call out the sympathies of a stranger, Mr. Tracy, who took him to his home, and entertained him kindly and hospitably. In the evening Dr. Robbins bled him, and he was confined two days to the house. Rev. Dr. Beman gave him a cordial welcome when he called. on his recovery, and encouraged him greatly in his work. September 27th he left Troy, and, passing through Lansingburg, he journeyed to Washington County, the field to which he was sent. Arriving at Salem, he was made at home in the house of the Rev. Alexander Proudfit, D.D. This distinguished servant of God received him with great kindness, and entered heartily into the work. Together they rode