The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-11
FLETCHER OF MADELAY." IN
BY REV. L. ]. DINSMORE.
Columbus, Wis.,

The evangelical reformation of the
eighteenth century was the salvation of
Protestant Christianity. 1t caught up
the great forces of the Lutheran move
ment that had been absorbed in doc
trinal controversies, and applied them
to the development of a sincere and
fervent piety. 1t is hardly too much to
say that to the laboIers in that great
movement the modern world is indebted
for whatever measure of real religion it
possesses. 1t overspread very speedily
the narrow boundaries of the Church of
England, the limitations of Methodism,
and carried along on great waves of en-
thusiasm and spiritual life the students
Of religion in many lands and under
many banners. 1t is hard to exagger-
ate the importance of such movement,
and hardly probable that it will now be
done. My only wish is to mark its high
tide in a worldwide revival of true
and fervent devotion to the Master,
and to note, as natural consequence,
the grandeur of its leaders. OF these,
the attention of the world has been
most commonly centered upon White
field and the two Wesleys. But there
were others almost as prominent, and
endowed with almost as tremendous
gifts as any of these. OF one of these,
JOHN FLETCHER,
it is the purpose of this article to speak
somewhat at length. If the three men
toned above stood out from among the
rest as leaders of the Evangelical reform,
he certainly followed close behind. In
deed, in the latter years of John Wes-
ley's ministry, when he felt the failing
of his hold upon life, Fletcher was ap-
pointed by him to succeed him in the
administration of the affairs of Meth
odism; so that his name acquires his
tOric Importance as the designated sue
cessOr of John Wesley. During a long
and sanity life he exhibited to the
world a most beautiful illustration of
the power Of Christian faith to shape
and mold character; and men of all va
rieties of thought may find in him
noble example of Christian manhood.
His life does not abound in striking
and marvellous incidents. 1t is more
than marvellous, however, in its constant
growth in saintliness and peace.
He was born in Switzerland, under
the immediate shadows of the Jura
mountains, and his childhood was
passed in the presence of the grandest
scenery the continent of Europe affords:
the mountains behind, the lake in front,
and beyond that the grander mountains
of Savoy in the distance. Such setting
did not fail of giving thoughtful and
pensive tone to the boy growing up in
their midst, though in after years he
gives little evidence of his susceptible
ity to their il fluence. His education
was thorough, and included seven years
at the University of Geneva, and some
time at Lenzburg, studying German.
lie passed through the usual perils and
hair breadth escapes that are boyhood's
common lot, and came into manhood
with strong and well-deyeloped mind
in sound and healthy body. He had
all the physical qualities of "a soldier
and an athlete" but these were devoted
to higher and nobler uses. The deter
minatiOu to devote himself to the work
of the church took shape in his heart
when hardly seven years old. 1t was
Those who would read more at length of
this WONDERFUL character, will find a recent
publication very interesting and helpful:
IF etcher of Madeley," by Rev F. W. McDon-
aid. A c. Armstrong New York, publisher
II is well written, broad in spirit, aud wise in
its treatment of so great a character.