never more saw his native land, being called hence while he was on his journey to England.

There is something in the beginning of his letter which is a little humorous; but this the candid reader will easily excuse. It runs

thus:

"NYON, January 18, 1779. "DEAR SIR,-As you desire me to send you some account of my journey, now I am a little settled, I will do it in the best manner I am able.

I set out from London, on Tuesday, November 17th. We arrived at Dover about three on Wednesday morning; embarked on Thursday, and arrived at Calais in about three hours.

"Though it was in war time, yet we did not meet with the least incivility, either here or in any part of France. But the badness of the inns makes the travelling through this country disagreeable. The rooms in general are so dirty, as to be fitter for swine than men. Each room, both above and below stairs, is provided with two, three, or four beds; and they are so high as to require steps to get up to them. For there is on each bed, first, a monstrous canvas bag, stuffed with a huge quantity of straw; over this a feather bed, and on this as many mattresses as the host can furnish. But the worst is, the sheets are not damp, but rather downright wet. Yet the good woman would constantly scold us, if we attempted to dry them even at our own fire; insisting upon it that it was impossible they should be damp at al'. "At table, every one is furnished with a spoon and a fork, but with no knives. And in general they are not needful; for both flesh and vegetables are so stewed down, as to be properly termed spoon-meat. However, at the meanest inn every one is provided with a clean napkin; and both after dinner and after supper there is a fine dessert of fruit.

"We travelled early and late; yet, having but one set of horses, we were a whole week in getting to Paris. In Paris all is gaiety and finery; but without the least idea of neatness. The scarcity of water is one excuse for the general want of cleanliness, both in their persons and houses.

"On Tuesday, December 8, we dined at Portallier; the prettiest town in all France: the reason of which is, being burnt down some years ago, it was rebuilt by the late king. The next morning we entered Switzerland, stepping over a brook, which divides Switzerland from France. On the French side of the brook is a cross; on the other, a pillar with the arms of Switzerland. In the evening we arrived at Lausanne, a famous old town. Here I remained the next day, and on Friday, the 11th, went on to Nyon, where I had the pleasure of finding our dear friend in pretty good health and spirits. Mr. Fletcher's house is a fine large building, agreeably situated. It is in the form of a castle, and is supposed to have been built five hundred years ago.

"In passing through France, how bitterly did I regret the want of the Sunday service! And it was not much better with me when I came into Switzerland. For I understood so little of their language, that I could not profit much by the public service. Indeed this loss is in some measure made up by the company and conversation of Mr. Fletcher; who, however engaged he is the greater part of the day, is generally so kind as to spend a little time with me in the evening, in prayer and conversation.

"His chief delight seems to be in the meeting of his little society of children. And as he is exceeding fond of them, they appear to be altogether as fond of him. He seldom either walks abroad or rides out, but some of them follow him; singing the hymns they have learned, and conversing with him, by the way. But you must not suppose that he is permitted to enjoy this happiness unmolested. Not only the drunkards make songs upon him and his little companions, but many of the clergy loudly complain of such irregular proceedings. However, he is upon good terms with the three ministers of the place; all of whom are not only serious men, but desirous of promoting true religion.

"He is certainly stronger, and in better health, than he was when he left England. But as soon as ever he ventures to preach, his spitting of blood returns. Whenever this happens, his strength and spirits decay surprisingly, which he cannot in anywise recover but by lying by for some days.

"Whether I succeed in my temporal business or not, I shall ever remem ber with pleasure and thankfulness the opportunities I have been blessed with of spending so much time in company with our inestimable friend; who, wherever he goes, preaches the Gospel, both by his words and example, nay, by his very looks, not only to his friends, but to all he meets with. So that on the top of the frozen Alps, and in the dreary vale of Chateau d'Oex, some good seed has been sown.

"When my business constrained me to go to Chateau d'Oex, Mr. Fletcher bore me company. And here also he was visited by some of the principal inhabitants of the town; who stood round him in deep attention for almost an hour, while he both exhorted and prayed. I am, dear Sir,

"Your very sincere friend and servant,

"WILLIAM PERRONET.": "Thanks to our kind

16. Mr. Fletcher adds upon the same paper: Preserver, I am yet in the land of faith and hope, and want to find and make it a land of happiness and love. The Lord Jesus is alone sufficient for this. And till the great outpouring of his love is come, we ought faithfully to stir up the gift of God, which is in ourselves and others, and to supply by the depth of our humility, and the ardour of our expectation, what is yet wanting to our experience. Well; God is good; Jesus is faithful; the Spirit is truth and love. Come, Lord! and we shall experience the power of that God, who turns death to life, darkness to light, weakness to strength; and 'calleth the things that are not as though they were.'

17. Mr. Perronet in another letter to Mr. Greenwood, dated May 22, writes thus:

"My dear friend is much better in health now than he was in the winter. He preached last Sunday se'nnight in the church. He spoke with a strong, clear voice, for above three quarters of an hour; and did not find himself hurt by it. But when he rode out in the afternoon, his horse dropped down, as if he had been shot, and cut both his knees, as well as his head. Yet Mr. Fletcher was no way hurt.

"On Good-Friday, there being no service here, Mr. Fletcher and I crossed the lake into Savoy, in order to hear a celebrated Capuchin, who was to preach that day. He made a very good discourse; and afterward he and his brethren invited us to dine with them. This we declined; but after dinner paid our respects to them; and we spent two or three agreeable hours in serious and friendly conversation."

18. About this time Mr. Fletcher wrote to a friend thus :"Let us bear with patience the decays of nature: let us see without fear the approach of death. We must put off this sickly, corruptible body, in order to put on the immortal and glorious garment.

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I have some hopes that my poor sister will yet be my sister in Christ. Her self-righteousness, I trust, breaks as fast as her body. I am come hither to see death make havoc among my friends. I wear mourning for my father's brother, and for my brother's son. The same mourning will serve me for my dying sister, if I do not go before her. She lics on the same bed where my father and mother died, and where she and I were born. How near is life to death! But, blessed be God, Christ the resurrection is nearer to the weak, dying believer. Death works through the body, and the resurrection through the soul. And our soul is our real self."

19. I believe it was about the same time that a remarkable passage occurred, which was related to me some years ago. I may possibly have forgot some circumstances; but the substance of it was this: Mr. Fletcher having heard of a minister in the country, as an eminently pious man, had a great desire to see him; and for that purpose one morning set out very early. When he had walked several miles, he saw a great crowd gathered together at the door of a house. He asked what was the matter; and was answered, "A poor woman and her child lie a dying." He went in, and found a woman, who had not long been delivered, in appearance very near death. Little better was the case of the infant, which was convulsed from head to foot. The room was filled with people. He took occasion to show them, from that melancholy spectacle, the dreadful effects of sin; and afterward spoke largely of the miserable state we are all in, through the sin of our first parent. He then expatiated on the Second Adam, and the blessings we may receive through him; adding, "He is able to raise the dead. He is able to save you all from sin, as well as save these two poor objects from death. Come, let us ask Him to save both us and them." He found remarkable liberty in prayer. Presently the child's convulsions ceased; and the mother was easy, lively, and strong. The people were utterly amazed, and stood speechless and almost senseless. While they were in this state, he silently withdrew. When they came to themselves, he was gone. Many of them asked who it could be; and some said. “Certainly it was an angel.”

20. When he had a little recovered his strength, he made a tour through Italy, and paid a visit to Rome. While he was here, as Mr. Ireland and he were one day going through one of the streets in a coach, they were informed, the Pope was coming forward; and it would be required of them to come out of the coach, and kneel while he went by, as all the people did: if they did not, in all probability the zealous mob would fall upon them and knock them on the head. But this, whatever might be the consequence, they flatly refused to do; judging the paying such honour to a man was neither better nor worse than idolatry. The coachman was exceedingly terrified, not knowing what to do. However, at length he made shift to turn aside into a narrow way. The Pope was in an open landau. He waved his hands as if he had been swiniming; and frequently repeated these words, "God bless you all!" Mr. Fletcher's spirit was greatly stirred, and he longed to bear a public testimony against Antichrist; and he would undoubtedly have done it, had be been able to speak Italian. He could hardly refrain from doing it in Latin, till he considered that only the priests could have understood him. One to whom he related this, saying, if he had done this the multitude would have torn him in pieces; he answered, "I believe the Pope himself would have prevented; for he was a man of sense and humanity.”

21. While he was at Paris, he was desired to visit and pray with a sick woman. Information of this was quickly given to a magistrate, with abundance of aggravation. In consequence of this an order was procured from the king himself for the apprehending him. This might not improbably have cost him his life, or, at least, a long and expensive imprisonment. When the officer came to the door of the house where he lodged, Mr. Ireland stepped out, and said, "Sir, have vou a warran

for me?" He (supposing him to be Mr. Fletcher) answered, "I have; you must come with me." Mr. Ireland went very quietly with him. But when they came before the magistrate, the accuser said, "This is not the man; I know nothing of this gentleman." Another messenger was then sent; but before he came to the house, Mr. Fletcher was too far off to be overtaken.

22. While he was at Nyon, he wrote (among many other letters) to good old Mr. Perronet as follows:

"FEBRUARY 8, 1779. "HONOURED AND DEAR FATHER IN CHRIST,-I have had the pleasure of accompanying your son to your father's birth place. It is a charming country for those who have a taste for highland prospects. But what is it to our heavenly Father's hill of Sion? Thither may we all travel, summer and winter, and there may we all have a happy meeting, and an eternal inherit

ance!"

23. September 7. Mr. William Perronet wrote a little farther account of him: "Mr. Fletcher," says he, “has preached here" (at Nyon) "in the church, and might have preached much oftener, if his health would have permitted; for his friendly and prudent behaviour has won upon all the three ministers, so that they are now on the best terms with him. But a new dif ficulty has lately arisen. He has been summoned before the Seigneur Bailiff, who sharply reprehended him (noble bailiff indeed; worthy of his office!) for preaching against Sabbath breaking, which, he said, implied a censure of the magistrates, as if they neglected their duty. He reprimanded him also for preaching against stage-plays, whic. he considered as a reflection on himself, us he had just then sent for a company of French comedians to Nyon. In consequence of this, he forbid his exercising the function of a minister in this country. A blessed instance of republican liberty! Who would not wish for the same in England? However, one of the ministers has ventured to give him a room in his own house. Here he preaches two or three times a week, to a few serious persons and abundance of children. His lordship has not yet thought proper to interfere, although the thing is no secret. And not only the seriousness, but also the number, of the congregation increases daily."

24. In the next year, 1780, Mr. Fletcher fully intended to return to England. But not long after he wrote as follows, to one of his parishioners at Madeley :—

"I have the more readily complied with the request of my friends, to stay here" (at Nyon) "a little longer, as it was so earnestly backed by the little society which is gathered in this place. About three weeks ago they got about me, and besought me on their knees, with many tears, to stay till they were a little stronger, and able to stand alone. Nor would they be persuaded to rise. till they had got me to comply. Happy would it be for us all, if we prayed so earnestly to Him who can give substantial blessings!

Two days ago I went to Geneva, and spoke to a carrier, to take me back to London; but his coach was full. Yesterday another came, and said he would take us at a fortnight's notice. The Lord is always ready to give us a lift to the kingdom of grace, through which we must pass to the kingdom of glory. The comfort of this journey is, that we may travel all together, though our bodies are far asunder. For Christ the way is every where, and faith is (like his word) one and the same in every age and place. So is holiness; for in all places we may love God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves. I hope you and all your brethren travel thus; and that you journey like St. Paul, who travelled so hard, that he was running a race for a prize, a crown of life."

25. In spring, 1781, he set out for England. But Mr. Perronet was

then exceeding ill, having all the symptoms of an approaching consumption. He could not therefore keep pace with Mr. Fletcher; who, being on his journey, wrote to him as follows:

-:

"LYONS, April 6, 1781.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,-We are both weak and both afflicted; but Jesus careth for us. He is every where. He has all power to deliver us; and perhaps by ways we little think of. It was of the Lord that you did not come with me; you would have been sick as I am. I am overdone with riding and preaching; indeed twice I preached in the fields. I carry home with me much weakness: the Lord's will be done. I know I am called to suffer and die. Let us believe and rejoice in the Lord Jesus."

He returned to England in summer in tolerable health, being quite recovered from his consumption. Calling at London, he preached at the New chapel, slept at Newington, and the next day set out for Bristol. He stayed there only a short time, and then retired to Mr. Ireland's, at Brislington; who, as soon as he was capable, willingly accompanied him to his beloved Madeley.

26. But he did not find such cause of rejoicing uere as he bad fondly expected. This may be easily gathered from the letter he then wrote to his friend at Newington. It runs thus :—

"MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,-I stayed longer at Brislington than I designed. Mr. Ireland was ill, and would nevertheless come hither with me; so that I was obliged to stay till he was better. And indeed it was well that I did not come without him; for he has helped me to regulate my outward affairs, which were in great confusion. Mr. Greaves leaves me; and I will either leave Madeley, or have an assistant able to stir among the people; for I had much rather be gone than stay here to see the dead bury their dead. Well, we shall soon remove out of all, and rest from our little cares and labours. You do not forget, I hope, that you have need of patience, as well as I, to inherit the promises; the best and greatest of which are not sealed, but to such as keep the word of Christ's patience, and such as persevere with him in his temptations. Hold on, then, patient faith and joyful hope! If I were by you, I would preach to your heart and my own, a lecture on this text, We are saved by hope,' and by a faith which is never stronger than when it is contrary to all the feelings of flesh and blood.

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Pray what news of the glory? Does the glory of the Lord fill the temple, your house, your heart? A cloud is over my poor parish; but, alas! it is not the luminous cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night. Even the few remaining professors stared at me the other day, when I preached to them on these words: Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; for the promise is unto you.' Well, the promise is unto us: if others depise it, still let us believe and hope. Nothing enlarges the heart and awakens the soul more than that believing, loving expectation. Let us wait together, until we are all endued with power from on high."

CHAPTER VII.

OF HIS MARRIAGE.

1. ALTHOUGH the great Apostle has ranked the "forbidding to marry" among the "doctrines of devils," and has expressly declared, "Marriage is honourable in all men, and the bed undefiled;" yet a kind of prejudice hangs on the minds of many even of those that love God, inclining them to disapprove of the marriage of persons eminent in religion. Yea