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ceedings, and with the state of the country at that particular period, too generally lost in ignorance and vice, -will be of opinion, that had he pursued the line of conduct laid down for him by these gentlemen, and kept himself concealed within the precincts of his parish, he would not have been instrumental of doing a tenth part of the good of which, under God, he was the author; nor would his piety have been either so scriptural, or so catholic: not so scriptural, because the Scriptures require the Ministers of Christ to "let their light shine before men;" to "go forth, and bear fruit;" to "go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;" to go "into the streets and lanes of the city, into the highways and hedges, and compel men to come in ;" to preach the word, to "be instant in season and out of season;" to reprove, rebuke, exhort;" to "teach every man, and warn every man," to whom they can have access; to seek the lost sheep of Christ, wherever they can find them, in imitation of Him who "came into the world to save sinners;" to "seek and save that which was lost." And not so catholic, that is, universal or general; for catholicism, or universal love, certainly requires all, and especially the preachers of the Gospel, not to stand aloof from, but to acknowledge, all the children of God, wherever they find them, even although under reproach, and although they cannot acknowledge them without incurring similar reproach. It demands, that they do not despise any of these "little ones," these poor and mean disciples of the Redeemer, "that believe in him ;" but that they love all "that love our Lord in sincerity;" and say in his language, "Whosoever doeth the will of my Father that is in heaven, the same is my mother, and sister, and brother." Nay, it requires them to be merciful, as their Father in heaven is merciful," especially to men's souls: on some to "have compassion, and some to save with fear, plucking them out of the fire;" endeavouring, wherever they can have access, to save the souls for which Christ died.

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But they add further, "We regret the connexion to which we have alluded, on another ground; on account of its having engaged Mr. Fletcher as a principal in Mr. Wesley's theological controversies. We regret this, without entering at all into the merits of the controversy,

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because religious altercation is commonly injurious to the cause of religion, and is rarely beneficial to the minds of the disputants, who are too often betrayed into representations as inconsistent with Christian charity as they are repugnant to the oracles of divine truth."Here again, what these Christian Observers regret, multitudes rejoice in. For to his close connexion with Mr. Wesley, must be ascribed his intimate knowledge of the doctrines and discipline of the Methodists; of their views and designs; and of the blessed cause their societies were, and still are, labouring to promote. And to this knowledge, and not to any influence Mr. Wesley had over him, we owe the various controversial writings which he published from time to time, in vindication of this people, and especially those admirable Checks to Antinomianism, in the perusal of which thousands have received so much edification. In this way, and in no other, did Mr. Fletcher's connexion with Mr. Wesley engage him as a principal in some, not in all, "his theological controversies." That connexion did not influence him to defend doctrines which he did not approve, or to write on subjects which he did not deem of great consequence. These Reviewers, I presume, never read these controversial writings of Mr. Fletcher; therefore, it seems, they are not aware in what an important point of view he beheld every branch of doctrine he took up his pen to vindicate. The subjects discussed were not with him trivial matters, but matters of great moment; closely connected, as he judged, with the glory of God, and the holiness and happiness, that is, the salvation, of mankind. He considered them, in general, "as the form of sound words," which must be held fast, and as "the faith once delivered unto the saints," which must be earnestly contended for. And these his views he received, not through faith in the teaching of Mr. Wesley, whom he never called Rabbi, or Master, but through faith in the inspired writings, which he continually studied with diligence and prayer, and from which he drew his whole creed; narrowly observing, however, at the same time, the effects of different doctrines on the hearts and minds of those that were taught and believed them. But with these theologians, the whole controversy is a mere "religious altercation, commonly injurious to the

cause of religion, and rarely beneficial to the minds of the disputants!" In this light Gallio of old viewed the matters in debate between Paul and the Jews, concerning the Messiahship and mediation of Jesus of Nazareth, and therefore "cared for no such things; believing the whole to be a mere question of words and names," which did not concern him, or, in the language of these Christian Observers, 66 a religious altercation." It was not necessary for these gentlemen to tell us, twice over, that they do not enter at all into the merits of the controversy; for this must be apparent to every one who has spent though but a single half hour in the perusal of the works referred to. But will these gentlemen inform us how they come to term that controversy a mere "religious altercation," into the merits of which they have not entered? And how they can reconcile Mr. Fletcher's being engaged so many years in this religious altercation with the character which, after all, they are compelled by plain and notorious facts to give of him, as 66 a man of eminent piety and exemplary holiness?" One question I will here beg leave to put to these Christian Observers,—If the controversy carried on between Mr. Fletcher and his opponents was only a religious altercation," what then are those which, from time to time, fill so many pages of their Miscellany? But I "forbear" to make any further remarks, as they say they "forbear" to proceed in their censures; and I heartily join with them in their closing sentence, when they say, "We cannot too earnestly recommend, both to clergy and laity, that in these respects," (eminent piety and exemplary holiness,)" they should be followers of him, as he was of Christ."

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New Chapel, City-Road, London,

Sept. 28, 1805.

JOSEPH BENson.

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APPENDIX II.

THE following characteristic anecdotes of Mr. Fletcher occur in the Life of that eminent man, published by the Rev. Robert Cox, in the year 1822 :

Mr. Fletcher's presentation to the vicarage of Madeley.

"THIS living he accepted in preference to another of above double the value, which was offered him about the same time; his previous intercourse with the people having excited within him an affection which would not suffer him to be then separated from them, and which remained unabated till his death. The circumstances connected with his appointment are remarkable and characteristic. One day Mr. Hill informed him that the living of Dunham, in Cheshire, then vacant, was at his service. The parish,' he continued, is small, the duty light, the income good, (£400 per annum,) and it is situated in a fine healthy sporting country.' After thanking Mr. Hill most cordially for his kindness, Mr. Fletcher added, 'Alas! Sir, Dunham will not suit me: there is too much money, and too little labour.' 'Few Clergymen make such objections,' said Mr. Hill: 'it is a pity to decline such a living, as I do not know that I can find you another. What shall we do? Would you like Madeley?' 'That, Sir, would be the very place for me.' My object, Mr. Fletcher, is to make you comfortable in your own way. If you prefer Madeley, I shall find no difficulty in persuading Chambray, the present Vicar, to exchange it for Dunham, which is worth more than twice as much. In this way he became Vicar of Madeley, with which he was so perfectly satisfied, that he never afterwards sought any other honour or preferment."

Mr. Fletcher's zeal and assiduity in promoting the spiritual good of his parishioners.

"A POOR Collier now living in Madeley, and upwards of eighty years of age, relates that in the former part of his life he was exceedingly profligate, and that Mr. Fletcher frequently sought opportunities to warn him of his danger. For,' added the poor man,' he used always to run after such wicked fellows as I was, whenever he saw us, in order that he might talk with us, and warn us.' Being, however, aware of his pious Vicar's intentions, this collier was accustomed, as soon as he saw him, to run home with all speed, and close the door before Mr. Fletcher could reach it; and thus, for many months together, he escaped his deserved reproofs. The holy man, however, still persevering in his attempts, on one occasion outran this determined sinner, and obtained possession of his house before him. The poor man, awed by the presence of his Minister, and softened by the persuasive kindness of his manners, was greatly affected, and received those religious impressions which soon ended in a thorough change of his character.

"Another of his parishioners, who is still living, relates the following characteristic circumstance:-When a young man, he was married by Mr. Fletcher, who said to him as soon as the service was concluded, and he was about to make the accustomed entry,- Well, William, you have had your name entered into our register once before this.'Yes, Sir; at my baptism.' And now your name will be entered a second time :-you have, no doubt, thought much about your present step, and made proper preparations for it in a great many different ways.' 'Yes, Sir.' Recollect, however, that a third entry of your name-the register of your burial-will sooner or later take place. Think, then, about death; and make preparation for that also, lest it overtake you as a thief in the night.' This person also is now walking in the ways of the Lord; and states that he often adverts to this and other things which this holy man found frequent occasion to say to him."

Mr. Fletcher's intrepidity of character.

"THE fearless intrepidity of Mr. Fletcher's Christian character was strikingly exemplified in his conduct