60. - To Mr. Michael Onions.

60. - TO MR. MICHAEL ONIONS.

NYON, May 18, 1779

MY DEAR BROTHER, - Yesterday I spoke with a carrier from Geneva to take me to London, who said he would give us a fortnight’s notice. The Lord is always ready to give our hearts a lift to the kingdom of grace, through which we must pass to the kingdom of glory. May we be ready also! The comfort of this journey is, that we all may travel together, though our bodies are asunder; for Christ the way is every where, and faith in his word is, like his word, one and the same, in every age and country. So is holiness the narrow way; for in all places we may love God with all our hearts, and our neighbour as ourselves. I hope you, and all your serious friends, travel thus, and that your journey is like that of St. Paul, who travelled hard, as one running for a prize, - even for a crown of life. Give my kind love to all who travel in this manner. Invite kindly all who have not yet set out. Stir up earnestly those that loiter, especially Thomas Powis, over whom my heart yearns. Above all, give them the example of leaving the things behind, and pressing toward the mark with renewed vigour. Tell your wife I hold her to her promise, of being the Lord’s more than ever, because the time is shorter for us both. Tell your mother I expect to find her a bruised reed in herself, and a pillar in Christ Jesus. The Lord bless your brother and his wife, with that Child born, that Son given, who shall live to restore us to those whom death carries away. I hope Patty Cartwright, with her parents, will be made strong in faith and patience, if not in the body. Tell Mrs. Ford I hope she is better in soul for her bodily weakness. If Mrs. Brooke is yet with her I hope to find them sisters in Christ more than in Adam. I experience here that kindred in the former is stronger and dearer than in the latter. Tell Mr. Wase I hope that he is a widower in the Lord, devoting himself to the bringing up of the Lord’s family and his own: both of which require close attendance. My love to your fellow leaders, and by them to the companies you meet in prayer; also to Mr. Hatton and the preachers who help in the circuit. My love also waits on I. Tranter, T. Poole, and T. Banks, and all who meet in their houses. Tell them I hope to find them growing up into Christ in all things, particularly in heavenly zeal and humble love. Salute all our dear friends and neighbours for me. Farewell in the Lord. I am yours in him, J. FLETCHER.

61. - TO MR. WILLIAM WASE.

NYON, Sept. 15, 1780.

MY DEAR BROTHER, - You are also entitled to many thanks; receive them from me till I can return you something more substantial. Give my love and thanks to the preachers who come and help us. Enforce my little exhortation to the societies in much love. Go and comfort from me Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Cartwright; and since God has placed you all in a widowed state, agree to take Jesus for a never - dying friend and bridegroom. Your Maker is your husband. He is all in all; and what then have you lost? Christ is yours, and all things with him. The resurrection day will soon come. Prepare yourselves for the marriage feast of the Lamb, and till then rejoice in the expectation of that day. I sympathise with our sickly friends, widow Matthews, M. Blummer, L. Whitaker, I. York, and S. Aston. Salute them kindly from me. Help them to trim their lamps and wait for the Bridegroom. Bid them not be discouraged. Thank Thomas and Nelly Fennel for their love to the preachers, and give them mine as well as John Owen, &c., by whom I send it to the little companies they meet with, to call for strength, comfort, and help in time of need. Fare ye all well in Jesus; I say again, farewell. I am yours,

J. FLETCHER.

62. - TO MR. JOHN OWEN.

NYON, Feb. 14,1781.

I THANK you, my dear brother, for your kind lines. I have deferred answering them till I could inform you of the time of my departure hence, which you will see in my letter to Mr. Wase. I hope you help both Mr. Greaves and the preachers to stir up the people in my parish. Strengthen the things that remain and are ready to die. I hope you take counsel with Michael Onions, Mrs. Palmer, and Molly Cartwright, about the most effectual means to recover the backsliders; and to keep together to Christ, and to each other, those who still hold their shield. Salute them kindly from me, and tell them I hope they will give me a good account of their little companies and of themselves.

If I were not a minister I would be a school master, to have the pleasure of bringing up children in the fear of the Lord: that pleasure is yours: relish it,