JOHN FLETCHER, OF MADELEY

This portrait of the Saint of the Revival is taken from a very rare engraving preserved at the Mission House in London. Fletcher's controversial writings were models of scholarship, of dexterity in argument and above all of Christian charity. Wesley looked to him as a probable successor, but he died on August 14, 1785.

LETTER TO PROFESSOR LIDEN

The Swedish Professor of History at Lund was in England in 1769, when he attended services at Spitalfields and the Foundry, and was deeply interested in Wesley and his work (see vol. v., p. I 54). The correspondence shows how far‑reaching was Wesley's influence.

NOTES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT

The facsimile of a page of Wesley's Notes on the New Testament has a history of its own. It is taken from a small strongly bound volume preserved in Trinity Methodist College, Auckland. It came from the Rev. William Baumber, who had it from Mr. Hill Fisher. His father, the Rev. T. R. Fisher, a well‑known Wesleyan Minister in England, went to New Zealand in 1856. The Notes show some slight variations from the printed work for which it may have formed the copy. Mr. Fisher greatly valued it.

A MADELEY GROUP

We owe these photographs to the kindness of the Rev. E. Douglas Gibson. The photographer was Mr. C. Bartlam, of Madeley, Salop.

The following is the inscription on the top of Fletcher's tomb:

Here lies the Body of the Revd. John William de la Flechere, Vicar of Madeley.

He was born at NYON. in Switzerland. Sept. 12th. MDCCXXIX. and finished his course in this Village August. 14th. MDCCLXXXV. where his unexampled Labors will be long remembered. He exercised his Ministry for the space of Twenty‑five years in this Parish with uncommon Zeal and Ability.

Many believed his report and became his Joy and Crown of Rejoicing, while others constrained him to take up the Lamentation of the Prophet, 'All the day long have I stretched out my hand unto a disobedient and gainsaying people, yet surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God.'

Inscription upon the front:

Here lieth likewise the body of Mary de la Flechere his wife. daughter of Samuel Bosanquet Esq.

She was born Sep. 1st, 1739, and died Dec. 9th, 1815.

During the long period in which she survived her Husband she continued to tread the path in which he left her and ministered with ardent zeal and self denying beneficence to the spiritual and temporal wants of his Flock.

By the influence of her example and instruction, dissentions were healed and it was her constant and earnest endeavour to induce all around her to dwell in Unity and Godly Love.