from the most trifling incidents.’  ‘In him,’ he says, ’it partly resulted from nature, and was partly a supernatural gift.  But what was becoming and graceful in Mr. Fletcher would be disgustful almost in any other.’  An ordinary Christian, for example, who, when he was having his likeness taken, should exhort ’the limner, and all that were in the room, not only to get the outlines drawn, but the colourings also of the image of Jesus on their hearts;’ who, ‘when ordered to be let blood,’ should, ’while his blood was running into the cup, take occasion to expatiate on the precious blood-shedding of the Lamb of God;’ who should tell his cook ‘to stir up the fire of divine love in her soul,’ and intreat his housemaid ‘to sweep every corner in her heart;’ who, when he received a present of a new coat, should, in thanking the donor, draw a minute and elaborate contrast between the broadcloth and the robe of Christ’s righteousness—­would run the risk of making not only himself, but the sacred subjects which he desired to recommend, ridiculous.  Unfortunately there were not a few, both in Fletcher’s day and subsequently, who did fall into this error, and, with the very best intentions, dragged the most solemn truths through the dirt.  Fletcher, besides being so heavenly-minded that what would seem forced and strained in others seemed perfectly natural in him, was also a man of cultivated understanding and (with occasional exceptions) of refined and delicate taste; but in this matter he was a dangerous model to follow.  Who but Fletcher, for instance, could, without savouring of irreverence or even blasphemy, when offering some ordinary refreshment to his friends, have accompanied it with the words, ‘The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ &c., and ‘The Blood of our Lord,’ &c.?  But extraordinary as was the spiritual-mindedness of this man of God, he could, without an effort, descend to earthly matters on occasion.  One of the most beautiful traits of his character was illustrated on one of these occasions.  He had done the Government good service by writing on the American Rebellion, and Lord Dartmouth was commissioned to ask him whether any preferment would be acceptable to him.  ‘I want nothing,’ answered the simple-hearted Christian, ‘but more grace.’  His love of children was another touching characteristic of Fletcher.  ‘The birds of my fine wood,’ he wrote to a friend, ’have almost done singing; but I have met with a parcel of children whose hearts seem turned towards singing the praises of God, and we sing every day from four to five.  Help us by your prayers.’

Having described the leader, the orator, the poet, and the saint of Methodism, it still remains to say something about the patroness of the movement.  Methodism won its chief triumphs among the poor and lower middle classes.  The upper classes, though a revival of religion was sorely needed among them, were not perceptibly affected.  To promote this desirable object, Selina, Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791), sacrificed her time, her energies, her money, and her social reputation.