Wesley and Fletcher.

Their First Meeting.

There is, however, evidence that Wesley encouraged him to proceed. He, therefore, immediately began to preach and exhort among the people to whom he could gain access in the neighborhood, and was soon after ordained by the Bishop of Bangor. Immediately after his ordination in London, one Sabbath forenoon, learning that Wesley was without help at Weststreet, he proceeded to meet him, and aided him in the communion service that very day. This is the first time, so far as I can ascertain, these great and good men ever met. From this time, their souls were knit together, like the souls of David and Jonathan. Wesley deemed the meeting of himself and Fletcher as a special arrangement of Providence, for the accomplishing of the great work for which God raised them up. Among modern Methodists, the names of Wesley and Fletcher are inseparably associated. They were very different, and yet equally adapted to the work God had given them to do.

After his ordination, Fletcher still continued for some time at Tern Hall, preaching occasionally in the neighboring parishes. He was not at first popular as a preacher. His pronunciation of the English language was not yet

Unacceptable at First.

Anecdote.

good, and his earnest, zealous, and plain manner of speaking, so different from the usual style of English clergymen at that time, did not please the people. He preached more frequently at Madely than at any other place. This was a large village, some ten or fifteen miles from Tern Hall. He became, during his occasional visits, much attached to the people of this place, though they would seem in no way particularly interesting.

On one of his visits, in company with the family of Mr. Hill, to London, he turned aside to pay a visit to the eccentric and distinguished Mr. Berridge, of Everton. He introduced himself to the good vicar as a new convert to evangelical truth, and asked his instruction and advice. From his language and manner, Mr. Berridge readily perceived he was a foreigner, and asked him of what country he was. "I am a Swiss," said Fletcher, "from the canton of Bern." "A Swiss, from the canton of Bern!" replied Berridge; "then perhaps you can tell me something of a countryman of yours-Mr. John Fletcher of whose talents, learning, and piety, Mr. Wesley speaks in terms of high eulogy." "Yes," said Fletcher, "I know the young man well. Did Mr. Wes

Berridge and Fletcher.

Mr. Hill.

ley know him as well as I do, he would not speak of him in such terms; for, I assure you, sir, John Fletcher is more obliged to the partial friendship of Mr. Wesley, than to his own merits." "You greatly surprise me," said Berridge, "in speaking so coldly of a countryman, of whom Mr. Wesley speaks so warmly." "I have the best reason in the world," said Fletcher, "for speaking as I do; for I am John Fletcher himself." "Very well, then," said Berridge, "if you are John Fletcher, you must do me the favor to preach for me to-morrow; and when we become better acquainted, I shall be able to judge for myself, on whose opinion to rely—your own, or that of your friends." The acquaintance thus commenced between Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Berridge, was continued in friendship, in spite of the Calvinian controversy, till death.

He remained in the family of Mr. Hill till 1759. He had gradually grown in the affections and esteem of all who became acquainted with him. Mr. Hill appreciated him highly, and was anxious to obtain for him an eligible settlement in the ministry. At last the parish of Dunham, in Cheshire, became vacant, and Mr. Hill, with a joyful countenance, hastened

Refuses a Large Salary.

Free from Unholy Ambition.

to Fletcher, and told him it was at his servicea small parish, with light labor, and a salary of two thousand dollars per annum. Fletcher thanked his patron most cordially, but added, "Alas! sir, Dunham will not suit me. There is too much salary-too little work." "Few clergymen," said Mr. Hill, "decline a call for such reasons. Would you, then, like Madely, where there is twice as much labor and only half as much money?" "Nothing would suit me better," said Fletcher. "I desire," said Mr. Hill, "to accommodate your views and feelings. If you prefer Madely, the present vicar Mr. Chambers will gladly exchange it for Dunham, and to Madely you may go." He, therefore, went to Madely, where he remained for life, refusing, repeatedly, more lucrative and honorable places, which were frequently offered him. In this he gave abundant proof that he entered the ministry for no worldly or ambitious reasons, but solely to glorify God, and save souls.

Madely.

Corrupt Morality

CHAPTER II.

FLETCHER AT MADELY.

MADELY is a populous mining and manu

facturing village. The people were mostly engaged in collieries and iron-works. At the time Mr. Fletcher settled in the parish, the population were generally ignorant, depraved, and wholly inattentive to religion. Their morals were little, if any, better than those of the colliers of Kingswood, before Whitefield's and Wesley's labors among them. Drunkenness and brutal amusements were common. Fletcher gives a startling description of the occupation of some of the inhabitants. "A club of men blow by the hour clouds of smoke out of their mouth, or wash it down their throat by repeated draughts of intoxicating liquor. The strong fumes reach their heads. Some stagger home; others keep the field, though one is worked up to the fierceness of the lion, and another brought down to the filthiness of the swine.

"In one place inhuman sport is afforded by an unhappy bird, fixed at some distance, that