and offered up frequent prayers in the name of Jesus Christ. There were also in my heart some sparks of true love to God, and some germs of genuine faith: but a connection with worldly characters, and an undue anxiety to promote my secular interests, prevented the growth of these Christian graces. Had I now been asked, on what I founded my hopes of salvation, I should have replied, that I was not without some religion; that so far from doing harm to any one, I wished well to all the world; that I resisted my passions; that I abstained from pleasures in which I had once needlessly indulged; and that if I was not as religious as some others, it was because such a degree of religion was unnecessary; that Heaven might be obtained on easier terms; and that if I perished, the destruction of the generality of Christians was inevitable, which I could not believe was consistent with the mercy of God."

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Thus he had been living, "with a form of godliness, but denying its power." The immediate cause of his being awakened from his delusion, was the impression produced upon his mind by a remarkable dream, in which he imagined himself arraigned at the judgment seat of Christ, but when "weighed in the balances," he was "found wanting." He awoke in a most fearful agitation of mind and body, the mere recollection of which in after years, made him tremble; and his joy was proportionably great at finding that he was still in the land of mercy. "O my God," he exclaimed, "grant that this dream may continually influence my sentiments and my conduct. May it prove a powerful stimulus to excite me to prepare continually for the coming of my Great Master." We attach, of course, no importance to the fact of the dream in itself; it is indifferent by what circumstances salutary impressions are made. The only thing material to be noticed, is that the influence of these workings of his mind when "deep sleep was upon him," was never effaced. For some days it so affected his mind, that he was unable to apply himself to any thing. It happened, also, that at this very time, his feelings of concern were deepened by a rebuke which he received from a servant in the family, who with Christian boldness, reproved him for violating the sanctity of the Lord's day. And in this we may see the moral influence of a Christian, even in an humble station:

"The sterling character of the man," says Mr. Fletcher, "his deep humility, his zeal for the glory of God, his love to his neighbors, and especially his patience, which enabled him to receive with joy the insults he met with from the whole family, for Christ's sake, and above all, the secret energy which accompanied his words, deeply affected me, and convinced me more than ever of my real state. I was convinced, as it had been told me in my dream, that I was not renewed in the spirit of my mind, that I was not conformed to the

image of God, and that without this, the death of Christ would be of no avail for my salvation.”

Mr. Fletcher had now learned the first lesson in the school of Christ, the knowledge of his own deficiencies, and he therefore began with full purpose of heart, to work out his salvation. He diligently studied the Scriptures, that he might compare his state of mind with the standard which they prescribe. He prayed with the earnest spirit which an increasing sense of his own sinfulness had produced. He had become, indeed, for the first time in his life, a sincere and devout seeker after truth, and persevered, until at length he obtained, we are told, what a modern prelate so appropriately calls, "that lively faith, which, through the grace of God, will incite men to do all which they can do; whilst it teaches them to rely upon nothing which they have done."*

From this hour, the life of Mr. Fletcher was one continued illustration of the loveliness and the reality of our religion. He was ever reaching forward to a higher standard of holiness, and a greater devotion to the glory of God, until his brilliant course on earth was ended. So entire indeed was the change, that he became "most eminent for those very graces which were in direct opposition to his natural failings." We are not surprised, therefore, to find him again directing his views to the work of the ministry, but so deeply did he now feel its responsibilities, that two whole years passed before he could be prevailed upon to present himself for ordination. "I so plainly see," said he, "my want of gifts, and especially of that soul of all the labors of a minister, love, continual, universal, ardent love, that my confidence disappears, and I accuse myself of pride in daring to entertain the desire of one day supporting the ark of God." But at length his reluctance was overcome, and he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Bangor, on the 6th of March, 1757, and priest on the following Sunday. With him, this was indeed an unreserved, and single-hearted offering of himself, as "a living sacrifice," to the service of his God, and truly might he declare, that he was "inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost, to take upon him that office, and ministration, to serve God by promoting his glory, and edifying his people." We may add too, that to his last hour he never ceased to feel the weight of his ordination vows, but "gave himself continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

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His first permanent charge, was the parish of Madeley, and the manner in which he selected this as the scene of his labors,

Bishop Law's Sermon on the Scriptural Doctrine of Man's Salvation.

is one among the many proofs of his disinterestedness, which are to be found scattered through the history of his life :

"One day, his patron, with a joyful countenance, 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, (4001. 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 labor.' 'Few clergymen make such Would objections,' said Mr. Hill; it is a pity to decline such a living, as I another. What shall we do? do not know that I can find you 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 Chambers, the present vicar, to exchange it for Dunham, which is In this way he was appointed to worth more than twice as much.' the living of Madeley, with which he was so perfectly satisfied, that he never afterwards would accept of any other preferment."

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It is as the Vicar of Madeley, that Mr. Fletcher has been always known to the world. Here, for twenty-five years, he labored, and toiled, and prayed, his only desire being, “ to glorify his Master on earth, and to finish the work he had given him to do."

"His care was fixed;

To fill his odorous lamp with deeds of light,
And hope that reaps not shame."

The parish was populous, and had long been celebrated for its extensive collieries and iron works; but the inhabitants, as is too often the case, in crowded mining and manufacturing districts, were notorious for their ignorance and impiety. For this class, however, Mr. Fletcher was peculiarly qualified. Naturally bold and energetic in his disposition, he entered with alacrity on labors, from which men of a gentler spirit, would have shrunk. He was gifted also, with an elasticity of mind, which enabled him to bear up under the discouragements and difficulties of so rough and uncultivated a field. During the earlier years of his ministry, all these qualities were called into exercise, for he had to deal with men who were exceedingly restive under his searching appeals. And every step which he took, in the conscientious discharge of his duty, seemed to draw down upon him a storm of persecution. He opposed the brutal amusements to which his parishioners were addicted, and the colliers were aroused to fury. He preached against intemperance, and He proclaimed the the publicans became his bitter enemies. strict demands of pure religion, and from every quarter there

came up one roar of indignation against such strange tidings. But still he persevered, until by the benevolence of his life, he won the affections, and confidence of his people. His church, which at first, was thinly attended, began to overflow, and a striking change was at length visible in the morality, and general state of feeling which prevailed through his flock.

His preaching too must have been of the highest character, and admirably adapted to arrest the attention. Possessing a strong imagination, lively feelings, and a ready utterance, he generally, after having carefully sketched out the subject, trusted to his extemporaneous powers, as being the mode best calculated to produce impression. All who heard him, bear witness to the effect of his eloquence :

"There was an energy in his preaching "-says Mr. Gilpin"that was irresistible. His subjects, his language, his gestures, the tone of his voice, and the turn of his countenance, all conspired to fix the attention, and affect the heart. Without aiming at sublimity, he was truly sublime; and uncommonly eloquent, without affecting the orator. He was wondrously skilled in adapting himself to the different capacities and conditions of his hearers. He could stoop to the illiterate, and rise with the learned; he had incontrovertible arguments for the sceptic, and powerful persuasives for the listless believer; he had sharp remonstrance for the obstinate, and strong consolation for the mourner. To hear him without admiration was impossible ;without profit improbable. The unthinking went from his presence under the influence of serious impressions, and the obdurate with kindled relentings."

"Instead of being confined," says Mr. Wesley-" to a country village, he 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 much better qualified for that important work. He had a more striking person, 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 fuller assurance, because I had a thorough knowledge both of one and the other,) a more deep and constant communion with the Father, and with the son Jesus Christ."

This is high praise, but the number of witnesses who unite in bearing the same testimony, prevent us from believing that it was unmerited. But one secret of the success of Mr. Fletcher's preaching undoubtedly was, that he had so thoroughly studied the recesses of his own heart, as to be able to probe the hearts of others. He was prepared for every case which could be presented. Another reason which gave a power and excellence to his discourses, was the grand topic which ran through them all. His was, the grace and mercy of God through a Redeemer.

"He was accustomed," we are told, "to place his chief glory and pleasure in spreading abroad the benedictions of the Gospel. He considered the ministration of mercy as abundantly more glorious than that of condemnation, and was disposed to magnify it as such on all occasions." There is one specimen of his preaching given in this volume, from which we will make an extract. We suspect, from its hortatory style, that it is the conclusion of some sermon.

"Come then, conscious sinner, come to the feast of pardoning love; taste with us, that the Lord is gracious. Let not a false humility detain thee, under pretence, that thou art not yet humbled and broken enough for sin.' Alas! who can humble thee but Jesus, that says, without me ye can do nothing? And how canst thou be broken, but by falling upon this chief corner stone? If humiliation and contrition are parts of the salvation which he merited for thee, is it not the quintessence of self-righteousness to attempt to attain them without him? Away then, forever away, with such a dangerous excuse.

"Christ is a Redeemer most eminently fitted, a Saviour most completely qualified, to restore corrupt, guilty, apostate mankind; the vilest of the vile, the foulest of the foul not excepted. He is Almighty; and therefore perfectly able to restore lapsed powers, root up inveterate habits, and implant heavenly tempers. He is love itself, compassionate, merciful, pardoning love, become incarnate for thee. And shall he, that spared not his own life, but delivered himself up for us all--shall he not with his own blood also freely give us all things?

"See! PARDON FOR LOST SINNERS is written, with pointed steel and streaming blood, on his pierced hands and feet. The double flood issuing from his wounded side more than seals the dear bought blessing. The hand writing against us is nailed to his cross, and blotted out with his precious clood. His open arms invite, draw, and welcome returning prodigals; and there encircled, the worst of sinners may find a safe and delightful retreat, a real and present heaven. Fly, then, miserable sinner,-if thy flesh is not brass, and thou canst not dwell with everlasting burnings, fly for shelter to the bloody cross of Jesus. There thou wilt meet him, who was, and is, and is to come, Immanuel, God with us, who appeared as the Son of man, to make his soul an offering for sin; and save thy life from destruction, by losing his own in pangs, which made the sun turn pale, shook the earth, and caused the shattered graves to give up their dead."

There was nothing studied or artificial in the preaching of Mr. Fletcher. His eloquence was that of nature. It was evident to all who listened, that he was wrapped up in his subjectthat he deeply realized "things eternal" and was anxious to impress the same feelings upon his hearers. This clothed his words with a power, which nothing else could have imparted to them. We find the following example of it, given by the Rev. Melville Horne.—

"Mr. Fletcher was in the midst of a most animated description of