You need never expect to see a crown or doit of it any more. Men are constantly waiting about the doors of these inns, on purpose to take in young strangers." Seeing no remedy, no way to help himself, he could only commend his cause to God. And that was enough. Before they had done breakfast, in came the Jew, and brought him the whole money.

16. Inquiring for a person who was proper to perfect him in the English tongue, (the rudiments of which he had begun to learn before he left Geneva,) he was recommended to Mr. Burchell, who then kept a boardingschool at South-Mimms, in Hertfordshire. And when Mr. Burchell removed to Hatfield, he chose to remove with him. All the time he was both at South-Mimms and at Hatfield, he was of a serious and reserved behaviour; very different from that of the other young gentlemen who were his fellow-students. Here he diligently studied both the English language, and all the branches of polite literature. Meantime his easy and genteel behaviour, together with his eminent sweetness of temper, gained him the esteem, as well as the affection, of all that conversed with him. He frequently visited some of the first families in Hatfield, who were all fond of his conversation; so lively and ingenious, at the same time evidencing both the gentleman and the scholar. All this time he had the fear of God deeply rooted in his heart. But he had none to take him by the hand, and lead him forward in the ways of God. He stayed with Mr. Burchell about eighteen months, who loved him as his own son.

17. Afterwards, one Mr. Dechamps, a French Minister, to whom he had been recommended, procured him the place of Tutor to the two sons of Thomas Hill, Esquire, at Tern-Hall, in Shropshire. In the year 1752 he removed into Mr. Hill's family, and entered upon the important province of instructing the young gentlemen. He still feared God, but had not yet an experimental sense of his love. Nor was he convinced of his own fallen state, till one Sunday evening a servant came in to make up his fire, while he was writing some music, who, looking at him with serious concern, said, "Sir, I am sorry to see you so employed on the Lord's day." At first his pride was alarmed, and his

resentment moved, at being reproved by a servant. But, upon reflection, he felt the reproof was just. He immediately put away his music, and from that very hour became a strict observer of the Lord's day.

18. "I have heard," says Mr. Wesley, "two very different accounts of the manner wherein he had the first notice of the people called Methodists. But I think it reasonable to prefer, to any other, that which I received from his own mouth. This was as follows:

"When Mr. Hill went to London to attend the Parliament, he took his family and Mr. Fletcher with him. While they stopped at St. Alban's, he walked out into the town, and did not return till they were set out for London. A horse being left for him, he rode after, and overtook them in the evening. Mr. Hill asked him why he stayed behind. He said, 'As I was walking, I met with a poor old woman, who talked so sweetly of Jesus Christ, that I knew not how the time passed away.' 'I shall wonder,' said Mrs. Hill, 'if our Tutor does not turn Methodist by and by.' 'Methodist! Madam,' said he, 'pray what is that?' She replied, 'Why, the Methodists are a people that do nothing but pray they are praying all day and all night.' Are they?' said he; then, by the help of God, I will find them out, if they be above ground.' He did find them out not long after, and was admitted into the society. And from this time, whenever he was in town, he met in Mr. Richard Edwards's class. This he found so profitable to his soul, that he lost no opportunity of meeting. And he retained a peculiar regard for Mr. Edwards till the day of his death."

CHAPTER II.

OF HIS CONVERSION.

1. NOTWITHSTANDING the early appearance of piety in Mr. Fletcher, it is evident that he continued, for a long course of time, a perfect stranger to the true nature of Christianity. He was naturally of a high and ambitious turn, though his ambition was sufficiently refined for religious as well as scientific pursuits. He aspired after rectitude, and was anxious to possess every moral perfection. He counted much upon the dignity of human nature, and was ambitious to act in a manner becoming his exalted ideas of that dignity. And here he outstripped the multitude in an uncommon degree. He was rigidly just in his dealings, and inflexibly true to his word; he was a strict observer of his several duties in every relation of life; his sentiments were liberal, and his charity profuse; he was prudent in his conduct, and courteous in his deportment; he was a diligent inquirer after truth, and a strenuous advocate for virtue; he was frequent in sacred meditations, and was a regular attendant at public worship. Possessed of so many moral accomplishments, while he was admired by his friends, it is no wonder that he should cast a look of selfcomplacency upon his character, and consider himself, with respect to his attainments in virtue, abundantly superior to the common herd of mankind. But while he was taken up in congratulating himself upon his own fancied eminence in piety, he was an absolute stranger to that unfeigned sorrow for sin which is the first step toward the kingdom of God. It was not till after he had resided some time in England, that he became experimentally acquainted with the nature of true repentance. This, according to Mrs. Fletcher's account, was in the following manner.

2. Meeting with a person who asked him to go and

hear the Methodists, he readily consented, and from that time became more and more conscious that a change of heart was necessary to make him happy. He now began to strive with the utmost diligence, according to the light he had, hoping, by doing much, to render himself acceptable to God. But one day hearing a sermon preached by a Clergyman whose name was Green, he was convinced he did not understand the nature of saving faith. This conviction caused many reflections to arise in his mind. "Is it possible," thought he, "that I, who have always been accounted so religious, who have made divinity my study, and received the Premium of Piety (so called) from the University for my writings on divine subjects, is it possible that I should yet be so ignorant as not to know what faith is?" But the more he examined himself, and considered the subject, the more he was convinced of the momentous truth. And beginning also to see his sinfulness and guilt, and the entire corruption and depravity of his whole nature, his hope of being able to reconcile himself to God by his own works began to die away. He sought, however, by the most rigorous austerities, to conquer this evil nature, and bring into his soul a heaven-born peace. But, alas! the more he strove, the more he saw and felt that all his soul was sin. And now he was entirely at a loss what to do, being conscious of his danger and seeing no way to escape, till at last he discovered that nothing, except a revelation of the Lord Jesus to his heart, could make him a true believer.

3. But a few pages transcribed from a diary, written by his own hand, when he was about twenty-five years of age, will give the reader the best information on this subject.

The

"The 12th of January, 1755, I received the sacrament, though my heart was as hard as a flint. following day, I felt the tyranny of sin more than ever, and an uncommon coldness in all religious duties. I felt the burden of my corruptions heavier than ever; there was no rest in my flesh. I called upon the Lord, but with such heaviness as made me fear it was lost labour. The more I prayed for victory over sin, the Inore I was conquered. Many a time did I take up the Bible to seek comfort, but not being able to read, I shut

B

it again. The thoughts which engrossed my mind were generally these:- I am undone. I have wandered from God more than ever. I have trampled under foot the frequent convictions which God was pleased to work in my heart. Instead of going straight to Christ, I have wasted my time in fighting against sin by the dim light of my reason, and the mere use of the means of grace; as if the means would do me good without the blessing and power of God. I fear my knowledge of Christ is only speculative, and does not reach my heart. I never had faith; and without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, all my thoughts, words, and works, however specious before men, are utterly sinful before God. And if I am not washed and renewed before I go hence, I am lost to all eternity.'

4. "When I saw that all my endeavours availed nothing towards conquering sin, I almost gave up all hope, and resolved to sin on and go to hell. But I remember, there was a sort of sweetness, even in the midst of these abominable thoughts. 'If I go to hell,' said I, 'I will serve God there; and since I cannot be an instance of his mercy in heaven, I will be a monument of his justice in hell; and if I show forth his glory one way or the other, I am content.' But I soon recovered my ground. I thought,' Christ died for ALL; therefore he died for me. He died to pluck such sinners as I am, as brands out of the burning. And as I sincerely desire to be his, he will surely take me to himself:-he will surely let me know, before I die, that he hath died for me, and will break asunder these chains wherewith I am bound. If he leave me for a while in this dreadful state, it is only to show me the depth of the misery he will draw me out of. I must, then, humble myself under his mighty hand, and he will lift me up in his appointed time.' But then I thought, 'This, perhaps, may not be till my dying hour: and must I sin on till then? How can I endure this?' But I thought again,' My Saviour was about thirty-three years working out my salvation let me wait for him as long, and then I may have some excuse for my impatience. Does God owe me anything? Is he bound to time and place? Do I deserve anything at his hands but damnation?' I would here observe, that anger in particular seemed to

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