At thirty years of age Fletcher was pressed to become a missionary to Antigua, but was prevented by the advice of Charles Wesley, who foresaw for him a more useful service in England.
Introduced by John Wesley to the famous Countess of Huntingdon, Fletcher was further commended to her by the poet-brother in such a manner as led her to urge him to become chaplain to her household. On the understanding that the appointment should not interfere either with his preaching, or the work he had taken up amongst French prisoners and refugees, he accepted the post, and through it became acquainted with many great spirits who ranked amongst the noble of the earth.
A great work was at this time being done at Everton, the parish of the Rev John Berridge, and Fletcher made special efforts to see and profit by it He introduced himself to the noted clergyman as a convert seeking instruction and advice Berridge, noting his foreign accent, asked him his nationality.
“A Swiss from the Canton of Berne,” was the reply.
“From Berne! Ah, then you can give me some account of a young countryman of yours, one John Fletcher, who has lately preached a few times for the Mr. Wesleys, and of whose talents, learning, and piety they both speak in terms of high eulogy Do you know him?”
“I know him intimately, and did those gentlemen know him as well they would not speak of him in such terms, for which he is more obliged to their partial friendship than to his own merits,” was the unexpected reply.
“You surprise me,” objected Berridge, “in speaking so coldly of a countryman in whose praises they are so warm.”
“I have the best of reasons for speaking of him as I do—I am John Fletcher.”
Berridge melted at this, and insisted upon his occupying his pulpit the following morning. For three days Fletcher remained at Everton, joined there by the Countess of Huntingdon and two well-known clergymen, Martin Madan and Henry Venn The services were, perforce, held in the open-air, for on the third day ten thousand persons gathered to hear the word of God Many fell to the ground overpowered by the influence of the Spirit, and numbers cried for mercy.
Fletcher’s life as a tutor now ended Mr. Hill was extremely anxious to benefit him, and to this end offered him the living of Dunham, in Cheshire, explaining that the duty was light, the income £400 a year (a good sum in those days), and the surrounding country delightful.