and went to the desk. When the service was ended, Mr. Fletcher said to the congregation, "I have not felt my spirit so moved these sixteen years last past, as I have done to-day. I have heard that the clerk of this parish has demanded, and has actually received, money from divers strangers, before he would suffer them to enter the church. I desire that all who have paid money in this way, for hearing the gospel, will come to me, and I will return what they have paid. And as to this iniquitous clerk, his money perish with him.

In 1767, Mr. Fletcher visited Wales and Yorkshire, Bristol and Bath. Mr. Wesley was of opinion that he would have been more useful if he had not confined himself so much to one place. "I can never believe," he says, "it was the will of God, that such a burning and shining light should be hid under a bushel. No; instead of being confined to a country village, it ought to have shone in every corner of our land. He was full as much called to sound an alarm through all the nation as Mr. Whitfield himself. Nay abundantly more so, seeing he was far better qualified for that important work. He had a more striking person, equal good breeding, an equally winning address, together with a richer flow of fancy, a stronger understanding, a far greater treasure of learning, both in languages, philosophy, philology, and divinity; and above all, (which I can speak with full assurance, because I had a knowledge both of one and the other) a more deep and constant communion with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And yet let not any one imagine that I depreciate Mr. Whitfield, or undervalue the grace of God, and the extraordinary gifts which his great master vouchsafed unto him. I believe that he was highly favoured of God: yea, that he was one of the most eminent ministers that has appeared in England, or perhaps in the world, during the present century. Yet I must own that I have known many fully equal to Mr. Whitfield, both in holy temper and in holiness of conversation; but one equal herein to Mr. Fletcher, I have not known, no, not in a life of fourscore years.'

In the spring of the year 1770, Mr. Fletcher formed the design of paying a visit to his native land, but his intended journey was delayed for some weeks by a circumstance which he mentions in the following words: "The popish priest at Madeley is going to open his mass house, and I declared war on that account last Sunday, and propose to strip the whore of Babylon and expose her nakedness to-morrow. All the papists are in a great ferment, and they have held meetings to consult on the occasion. One of their bloody bullies came to pick up, as he said, a quarrel with me, and what would have been the consequence, had Inot providentially had company with me, I cannot say. How far their rage may be kindled to-morrow I don't know; but I question whether

it will be right for me to leave the field in these circumstances. I forgot to mention, that two of our poor ignorant churchmen are going to join the mass-house, which is also a cause of my taking up arms." The sermon he preached from 1 Tim. iv. 1-3. The spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, of them who believe and know the truth. “After the service was over," says Mr. Fletcher, "Mr. S-t-r called out several times in the church-yard, as the people went out of Church, that there was not one word of truth in the whole of my discourse, and that he would prove it, and told me, that he would produce a gentleman who should answer my sermon, and the pamphlet I had distributed. I was therefore obliged to declare in the church, that I should not quit England, and was only going into Wales, from whence I would return soon to reply to the answer of Mr. S-t-r and the priest, if they should offer any. I am thus obliged to return to Madeley, by my word so publicly pledged, as well as to raise a little money for my journey." When this storm was over, he commenced his journey in company with Mr. Ireland, and travelled through a great part of France and Italy. While they were at Marseilles, Mr. Ireland procured him the use of a protestant church, in which he preached in a manner that astonished all who heard him. The whole congregation, among whom were many ministers, were in tears, and exceedingly affected, most part of the time that he was engaged in the service.

Mr. Fletcher expressed a desire to visit the Hugonots, as the Protestants are called, in the South of France. To converse with the children of those who had laid down their lives in the defence of the truth. The journey was long and difficult, yet no argument could prevail with him to give up his resolution of attempting it on foot, "Shall I" he said, "make a visit on horseback, and at ease, to those poor cottagers, whose fathers were hunted along yonder rocks, like partridges upon the mountains? No; in order to secure a more friendly reception among them, I will visit them under the plainest appearance, and with my staff in my hand." Accordingly he set out alone, and after travelling till it was nearly dusk, he came to a small house and requested the favour of sitting up in a chair till the morning. With some hesitation he was received, and the family, who were of the Romish church, were soon charmed with his discourse, and melted into tears by his prayers; and they gave it out among their neighbours, that they entertained an angel rather than a man. Continuing his journey, he reached the place for

which he set out, and was received by the protestants with open arms. among whom he exercised his ministry with much freedom and success. He conversed with their elders, he admonished their youth, he visited their sick, diligently exhorting and instructing them from house to house.

Mr. Ireland says, during their journey through France and Italy, Mr. Fletcher attended the sermons of the Roman Catholic Clergy, visited their convents and monasteries, and conversed with all the most serious amongst them, that he might know their sentiments concerning religion. And he was so very particular in making his observations on the gross and absurd practices of the priests, especially while we were in Italy, that we were frequently in no small danger of our lives.

As they approached the Appian-Way, Mr. Fletcher directed the driver to stop before he entered upon it. He then ordered the chaise door to be opened, assuring his fellow traveller, that his heart would not suffer him to ride over that ground upon which the Apostle Paul had formerly walked chained to a soldier, on account of preaching the gospel. As soon as he had set his foot upon the old Roman road, he took off his hat, and walking on, with his eyes lifted up to heaven, returned thanks to God for that light and those truths which are continued to the present day.

Our travellers on this journey met with a gentleman who was an excellent classical scholar, and a disciple of Voltaire; who no sooner understood that he was in company with a defender of divine revelation, than confiding in his own superiority, he threw down the gauntlet, by ridiculing the scriptures. Mr. Fletcher accepted the challenge, and the conversation between these two able disputants soon become serious. Every argument, on either side, was proposed with the greatest caution, and every proposition examined with the nicest accuracy. After the contest had continued for several hours together, the gentleman grew impatient at his want of success; while his calmer opponent confuted and exposed the tenets he had vainly endeavoured to maintain. The debate was continued by adjournment for the space of a week; and during this season, whatever had been said upon the subject, by the most celebrated writers, was regularly brought forward, and thoroughly canvassed. Mr. Fletcher repeatedly overcame his antagonist, whose arguments became more languid and ineffectual toward the close of the debate, and who regularly lost his temper and his cause together. In the course of this controversy, Mr. Fletcher took a view of the Christian's enviable life, his consolation in trouble, and his tranquillity in danger; together with his absolute superiority to all the evils of life, and the horrors of death; interspersing his remarks with many affectionate ad

monitions, and powerful persuasives to a rational dependence upon the truths of the gospel.-Such was the conclusion of this memorable debate, in the course of which, the unsuccessful disputant conceived so exalted an idea of his opponent's character, that he never afterwards mentioned his name but with peculiar veneration and regard. And as a proof that his regard was unfeigned, meeting with Mr. Fletcher about eight years afterwards in Provence, where he lived in affluence and ease, he shewed him every possible civility, entertaining him at his own house, in the most hospitable manner, and listening to his conversation on spiritual subjects with all imaginable attention and respect.

During Mr. Fletcher's continuance at Nyon, he preached in different churches; and wherever he was announced multitudes flocked from all quarters to attend him. The reputation of his great abilities drew together persons of every description; and it was truly refreshing, says his intimate friend, who was present, to behold the powerful effects of the gospel among those who before that time had seldom heard it proclaimed in its purity. Many despisers of religion were overawed and confounded; many formal professors were touched with the power of true religion; and many careless lovers of pleasure were impressed with a solemn sense of eternal things. One young man in particular was so deeply affected, that he resolved to consecrate himself to the service of God, and he was afterward a minister of the Protestant Church at Lyons.

Among others, a good old minister, who was more than seventy years of age, heard him gladly; and earnestly entreated him to lengthen out his visit at Nyon, though it should be but for a single week beyond the time proposed for his departure. He urged his request with much importunity; and when he found that his desire could not be complied with, the old man wept, and turning to Mr. Fletcher's fellow-traveller, affectingly exclaimed, "O, Sir! how unfortunate for this country; during my day it has produced but one angel of a man, and it is our lot to be deprived of him!" The benefit of his labours in this place was significantly attested, but the numerous applications he received in private for religious instruction, and the grateful sense his countrymen entertained of those labours, was fully expressed in their affectionate concern at his departure from among them. Weeping multitudes crowded round his carriage, anxious to receive a last word, or a look, and not a few followed his chariot above two miles from the town before they had resolution to tear themselves from this venerable man. After being absent about five months, he returned to Madeley.

11. About this time, the Countess of Huntingdon erected a Seminary at Trevecka, in Wales, for the purpose, as was said, of educating

pious young men, of whatever denomination, for the ministry. Her Ladyship proposed to admit such only as were truly pious; they were to have their education and maintenance gratis for three years; afterwards, such as desired it, might enter the ministry, either in the Church of England, or among Protestants of any other denomination. The Countess invited Mr. Fletcher to become the President of the College, and of this office he accepted. His duty at Madeley prevented his residence at Trevecka, but he rode over as often as he could make it convenient, to give advice with regard to the appointment of masters, and the admission or exclusion of students; to oversee their studies and conduct; to assist their piety, and judge of their qualifications for the ministry. This he did without fee or reward, from the sole motive of being useful in training up persons for the office of preaching the gospel. To the duties of the College he attended with his usual ability, diligence, and devotion. The frequent journeys he took to and from Trevecka in all weathers, and at all seasons of the year, and the additional labour it brought upon him, are supposed to have impaired the firmness of his constitution. In some of those journeys he had not only difficulties but dangers to encounter. One day, as he was riding over à wooden bridge, just as he had got to the middle it broke in. The mare's legs sunk into the river, but her breast and hinder parts were kept up by the bridge. In that position she lay as still as if she had been dead, till he got over her neck, and took off his bags, in which were several manuscripts. He then endeavoured to raise her up, but she would not stir till he went over the other part of the bridge. But no sooner did he set his foot upon the ground, than she began to plunge. Immediately the remaining part of the bridge broke down, and sunk with her into the river. But presently she rose up again, swam out, and came to him.

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Mr. Fletcher's labours at Trevecka were made abundantly useful, and he was very highly esteemed and venerated both by the students and the Countess. But a circumstance occurred which caused him to resign his office. Mr. Benson, in the year 1770, was appointed classical master at Trevecka; an office for which he was eminently qualified, by piety, learning, and natural endowments; but the following year he was dismissed, because he did not believe in abso lute predestination, which the pious lady imagined she understood, and firmly believed. As the Countess founded and supported the College, she had an indisputable right to govern it; and being strictly calvinistic, it is natural to suppose that she would wish to see those sentiments encouraged and inculcated. But it was well known that Mr Benson was no Calvinist when he was appointed tutor, and his dismis