great freedom; but he was cautious and guarded in an uncommon degree, as to what he himself adopted. He ventured to depart from the prevailing sentiments of the learned on some speculative points of intellectual and moral philosophy. Among the improvements which are considered as doing so much honor to Brown, his pupils will recognize doctrines which he has long maintained with great ingenuity and eloquence. Besides an originality and justness in his views and speculations, there was a clearness and lucid order in the arrangement of his thoughts, even on the most abstruse and difficult subjects, which he seldom failed to impart to his hearers, while at the same time he fixed their attention by the energy of his manner, the copiousness and propriety of his language, the fertility and aptness of his illustrations. On account of weakness of sight he was obliged to depend on others for his knowledge of books. Still his knowledge was various and accurate.Beside the subjects more immediately connected with his profession, he was familiar with English literature, especially with the more recent authors. He was particularly fond of the best works of fiction, and had a high opinion of their utility. But he carefully distinguished between those that maintain a pure and elevated morality, and such as are designed merely to amuse an idle fancy. His pointed reprobation of corrupt sentiments united with poetry of whatever excellence, his high but qualified praise of Miss Edgeworth, as expressed in his Inaugural Address, are, we doubt not, fresh in the recollection of many who heard him, on that occasion, for the first and only time. Mr. Frisbie's decided belief in the truth of the christian religion was not the result of education. He had read and thought much on its evidences and its doctrines. He took a lively interest in the theological discussions of the day, and made up his mind upon controverted points, with great candor and deliberation, and was exerting the happiest influence in the theological school, in which he took an important part. He was, moreover, a practical, as well as a theoretical Christian. This was manifest from his uniform sobriety of mind and conduct, his inflexible integrity, his purity, sincerity, and conscientiousness, in all the relations he sustained, his fidelity in his public duties, his observance of the christian ordinances, and respect for all the institutions of religion. It was particularly conspicuous in his last sickness. Few have had brighter prospects to resign. He was surrounded with friends in whom he took the greatest delight. He had but just entered upon the ripe period of manhood. He held an office peculiarly suited to his taste and talents, and of great importance to the cause of truth and virtue, which he filled with distinguished honor to himself and benefit to the community. He resigned all, and resigned all cheerfully. He bowed in quiet and calm submission to the will of God, with a firm hope, through his mercy in Jesus Christ, of a better inheritance in another world. i |