It would not be difficult to enlarge on facts and principles such as these; but the intelligent reader can do this himself.
Before leaving the year 1783, one more incident must be introduced. At the close of the year, the celebrated Rev. Henry Venn visited Fletcher, at Madeley, and wrote:—
“Mr. Fletcher is a genius, and a man of fire—all on the stretch to do good—to lose not a day, not an hour. He is married to a lady worthy of him, Miss Bosanquet, a lady with whom I was acquainted twenty-nine years ago. She was then sixteen, and bred up in all the pride of life; her father being one of the chief merchants of London. By the grace of God, she, at that time, renounced the world, and gave up herself to the Lord. Since then, she has bred up seventy-four destitute young girls for service, and seen them placed out to her satisfaction; and, instead of dressing, visiting, and conforming to all the vain and expensive customs of the world, she has been wholly employed in doing good. I left this happy house as Cecil, Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, left Bernard Gilpin’s, saying, ‘There dwells as much happiness as can be known on earth.’”[[599]]
[559]. No doubt this six hours’ continuous service took place in the parish church, Bradford.
[560]. Letters, 1791, p. 283.
[561]. Sarah Lawrence.
[562]. Benson’s “Life of Fletcher.”
[563]. Wesley’s Journal.
[564]. Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, 1837, p. 903.