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Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1837, BY ABIGAIL L. DAVIS,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

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D261am

PART I.

MEMOIR

OF

GUSTAVUS FELLOWES DAVIS.

MEMOIR.

In presenting to the Christian public some account of the subject of the following memoir, the widow, in whose name it issues from the press, feels that she need offer no other reason than that many persons, who were well acquainted with the history of the deceased, often expressed to him their strong desire that he would prepare an account of his life, and leave it for the use of his friends, and for the benefit of others who should live after him. In compliance with these wishes, and in hope that some might be encouraged by it to make efforts for their personal improvement and usefulness, and supposing that if he were removed by the hand of death from his professional labors, while his family specially needed his pecuniary assistance, they 'might derive some emolument from its publication, he was induced to commit to writing his early history, and the principal events of his life.

The reason which more than any other prevailed with him was the hope, that, if his biography should ever be given to the world, it might be the occasion of leading some to adore the riches of divine grace, to A 2

which he felt himself to be so great a debtor. And hence he prefixed to it the following lines, so deeply expressive of the desire of his heart.

"When in the history of my age,

Good men review my days,

They'll read thy love in every page,
In every line thy praise."

For a long time prior to his decease, he had the im'pression that he should become a victim to death while young. In the course of an all-wise providence, his own conviction was realized. He was removed from time at the very period when his life seemed to be the most valuable, both to the church and to his family. He has left five minor children, three of whom are under nine years of age, and the youngest was a babe at his death. For means to educate these fatherless children, his widow is dependent upon the kind provision that the divine hand shall place at her disposal.

If, while perusing this memorial of a deceased friend, some disciples of our Lord shall be comforted in their pilgrimage, or, some persons heretofore indifferent to their salvation shall be converted, and especially, if some young men whose minds are impressed that it is their duty to enter the Christian Ministry, or some who are now engaged in the work, shall be stimulated thereby to surmount obstacles found in their way, and the more diligently and courageously to perform their duty, it will amply repay whatever personal sacrifice the widow makes in allowing herself to appear before the public as the biographer of one who was lovely in life, and whose memory is sacred, though he is dead. And if any pecuniary compensation shall arise from the pub

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