,transcribed from the #ahae or #ahaf ,william ,smith pamphlet by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,picture3 ,pamphlet cover ,a ,,letter ,to the ,loving and ,beloved ,people of the ,parish of ,madeley1 and its ,vicinity1 ,,who ,,have ,,lost ,a ,,friend ,,to ,,piety ,,in ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,mrs4 ,,fletcher1 ,widow of the ,rev4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,fletcher1 7or de la ,flechere17 ,,late ,,vicar ,,of ,,madeley1 ,,shropshire4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,mary ,,tooth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the sweet remembrance of the just ,shall flourish while they sleep in dust4 ,a ,mother in ,israel hast thou been1 and thy works shall praise thee in the gates 99 99 99 99 99 ,,ironbridge3 ,,printed ,,and ,,sold ,,by ,,william ,,smith4 99 99 99 99 99 ,entered at ,stationers' hall4 ,a ,,letter1 c4 ,my dear ,friends1 ,,knowing that it is your desire to hear something respecting the close of the life of my invaluable friend1 ,mrs4 ,,fletcher1 now in glory1 and being assured that none but myself can undertake the work1 as ,i alone was her constant companion1 being separated scarcely a day for more than #ae years1 ,i have endeavoured1 7while my mind has been exercised with the most painful feelings of heartfelt sorrow for the loss of the best of friends1 the wisest of counsellors1 and the tenderest of parents17 to set down a few circumstances relative to the close of a life surpassing in usefulness most of her fellow mortals4 ,it was upon the #ith of ,december1 #ahae1 a day never to be forgotten by me1 that my ,elijah was taken to heaven4 ,o that the mantle might rest on me6 ,she had had many severe attacks from illness in various ways1 in former years1 and sometimes was restored as by miracle2 ,i therefore continued hoping she would be spared this time also2 nor did ,i give up that hope till two days before her removal from earth to heaven4 ,though she would be often saying to me1 8,my dear child1 do not flatter yourself that ,i shall be long with you1 for ,i feel ,i am going20--yet1 still willing to hope for what ,i so much desired1 ,i continued thinking1 it may be the ,lord will look graciously upon me1 and save me from drinking this bitter cup for a while longer3 but on ,december #gth1 ,i found it necessary to render her more assistance than usual while rising in the morning1 and conscious that this was a mark of increased weakness1 ,i became greatly affected2 and1 having done all she at that time needed1 ,i retired to plead with the ,lord that she might yet be restored2 but1 alas6 ,i had no power1 and was constrained to leave it to divine wisdom to do what he saw best2 and before ,i rose from my knees1 it was strongly impressed on my mind1 8,the everlasting doors shall soon the saint receive1 ,among yon angel pow'rs in glorious bliss to live2 ,far from a world of grief and sin1 ,with ,god eternally shut in40 ,from that moment ,i gave up every hope of her longer abiding in the flesh2 though once or twice afterwards1 my strong desire led me to plead1 that he who had raised the ruler's daughter1 the widow's son1 and dead ,lazarus1 would yet restore her3 but all the answer ,i could obtain was1 ,divine wisdom cannot err4 ,for the last month of her life1 her breath was more oppressed than usual3 it had been much affected for years1 upon motion2 yet when she sat still1 or laid herself down at night1 she could breathe quite easy2 but the middle of ,november last her breathing was affected both while she sat still and when she was laid down4 ,she had also a troublesome cough1 that disturbed her rest at night2 and when this was the case1 her strength quickly declined4 ,she had had a wound for two years and #c quarters in one side of her left breast1 which was at first supposed to be a cancer2 but her sufferings from this were not to be compared with what she suffered from her breath4 ,yet1 with all that she went through1 how did she labour for the good of souls6 ,many times she has gone to speak to the people1 when she has said1 8,it is like as if every meeting would take away my life1 but ,i'll speak to them as long as ,i can2 while ,i've any breath1 and power to get out1 ,i'll not spare myself40 ,and truly she did not1 as will be readily testified by many hundreds who have been in the habit of attending her meetings4 ,i am inclined to think1 that the #bdth of last ,july will not be forgotten by a large proportion of the great numbers who crowded to hear her3 she explained the #beth chapter of ,matthew's ,gospel4 ,it was the last monday night she was able to speak to a listening crowd of attentive hearers1 some of whom had come many miles1 but did not think much of the pains they took1 because of the spiritual good they derived from the opportunity4 ,i remember she spoke in a peculiarly striking manner on the necessity of being born again4 ,when she came to the #acth verse1 8,watch therefore1 for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the ,son of ,man cometh10 and from the following verses respecting the ,talents1 she enlarged much2 powerfully insisting upon the right use of the understanding1 will1 mind1 or memory1 with every affection2 the right application of time1 with every penny of money2 and the watching over the tongue1 which she observed might enjoy the honor of being ,god's advocate1 but for want of watchfulness was1 as the ,apostle expresses it1 8set on fire of hell40 ,but it is in vain for me to attempt to repeat any part of what at that time was felt in many hearts4 ,she continued to meet her classes occasionally1 as she had strength for it1 until the middle of ,october4 ,her two o'clock sabbath-day meeting she spoke at on the last sabbath of ,september3 this was her last public engagement4 ,many striking proofs we have had that her labours of love in this way were not in vain2 for it is certain many souls were brought to ,god through her4 ,in one of her noon meetings she read some account of the opening of her room for the preaching of the gospel2 and as ,i believe it will not be unacceptable to you1 ,i will insert it as it was put down by one present at the time of its first being used for the good of souls1 and the glory of ,god4 ,the first sabbath in ,july1 #aghh1 the room at the ,vicarage in ,madeley was opened2 it had been for many years a barn1 but was now fitted up for divine worship4 ,the ,rev4 ,melville ,horne preached from ,i ,kings1 chap4 ix1 ver4 #c4 8,and the ,lord said unto him1 ,i have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me2 ,i have hallowed this house which thou hast built1 to put my name there1 and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually40 ,he observed how great was our privilege in being so favored with places and opportunities of quietly waiting upon the ,lord1 and the advantage of sitting under a pure gospel2 and how much would be required of them to whom so much was given4 ,he then sweetly invited us to turn our eye towards the living ,temple1 in whom we should be always sure to meet the ,father's love3 and1 in conclusion1 read the part following the text1 to the #ajth verse2 pointing out the covenant blessing on obedience1 and the certain destruction which would follow the reverse4 ,as soon as he had ended his sermon1 before he had time to pray1 he was suddenly called out to a funeral which was waiting1 and left ,mrs4 ,fletcher to dismiss the people4 ,she observed the solemnity of the occasion1 and the great expectation she felt in her heart that the ,lord would pour out his ,spirit on the souls before him2 and entreated them to look up1 and open their hearts to receive it4 ,as an encouragement1 she reminded them of the many prayers which for twenty-five years had been night and day offered up in their behalf2 the purport of which was1 that they might behold a reconciled ,father in the face of ,christ ,jesus3 that in the dedication of ,solomon's ,temple1 the people were called to eat and to drink1 and to send portions to those who had none4 ,she also observed1 all the glory of ,israel1 being outward1 was but a type of the inward glory of the christian church4 ,therefore1 7said she17 this day ,god calls you to eat and to drink1 yea1 to take of the water of life1 and that freely4 ,but are some dry and barren8 ,he sends portions to them that have none4 ,she then added1 ,i will speak freely3 since ,i have been preparing this place1 these words of our ,lord have repeatedly come into my mind1 8,with desire have ,i desired to eat this passover with you before ,i suffer40 ,this has caused me sometimes to think1 does my ,lord intend shortly to remove me to himself8 ,be that as it may1 ,i have a confidence that this place will be continued to your use for some years to come1 and that the ,lord will bless you therein4 ,and now ,i have two petitions to ask you1 which ,i think you will not deny me4 ,my dear friends1 my first petition is1 that you would consider this day as a fresh covenanting with the ,lord to be his without reserve1 and that we may with one consent unite in a solemn vow never to draw back4 ,my second request is1 that when ,i am laid silent in the grave1 7which1 be it sooner or later1 most of you will probably see17 ,i ask you1 at that time to remember the transaction of this day1 and whensoever you pass by this place1 grant me a moment's thought2--the carnal say1 the tribute of a tear3 not so with me2 no1 my beloved friends1 ,i rejoice not in your tears1 but in your happiness3--grant me then a moment's thought1 ,i will tell you what it shall be4 ,on the first sabbath1 in ,july1 #aghh1 beneath that roof ,i covenanted to be the ,lord's2 then pause a moment1 and say1 8,thy vows are upon me1 ,o ,god2 ,i have opened my mouth unto the ,lord1 and ,i cannot draw back40 ,she then concluded this uncommonly solemn meeting with prayer1 after singing the following hymn3 ,spirit of holiness descend1 ,and consecrate this place2 ,with thine ,almighty power defend1 ,and crown it with thy grace4 ,let it be stored with heavenly wheat1 ,the harvest of the ,lord1 ,with sinners brought to ,jesu's feet1 ,obedient to his word4 ,no more design'd for earthly good1 ,or product of the ground1 ,may it be fill'd with sacred food1 ,and thy high praise resound4 ,ye neighbours who surround this place1 ,the message is for you2 ,despise not then his offer'd grace1 ,nor slight the heavenly dew4 ,how many pray'rs in heaven are filed ,for ,madeley favor'd flock2 ,behold a ,father reconciled ,in ,jesus ,christ your ,rock4 ,then let the joys of heaven abound1 ,o'er ,sinners brought to ,god2 ,and many at his feet be found1 ,all wash'd in ,jesu's blood4 ,that voice which once you loved to hear ,invites you from above1 ,and bids you cast off every fear1 ,and trust in ,jesu's love4 ,then let us vow to serve the ,lord1 ,and choose his holy ways2 ,to walk according to his word1 ,devoted to his praise4 ,and when the lips that call you now ,are silent in the dust1 ,remember then our solemn vow1 ,and shew in whom you trust4 ,for soon the ,archangel's trump shall sound1 ,and summon us on high2 ,the ,shepherd with his ,flock be found1 ,and all our tears be dry4 ,some circumstances occurring last summer1 which brought to her recollection afresh the solemn season of the opening of her room1 #bg years before1 she took the paper ,i have now been copying1 and read it to the people2 and there is good reason to believe1 that our heavenly ,father was pleased to make this also1 such a season of refreshing to some then present1 that they will ever remember it with gratitude3 indeed1 all her labours of love were1 in a peculiar manner1 blest of ,god4 ,six years after the opening of her room1 the old church was taken down1 and the church service was performed in it till the new one was erected4 ,amongst the numerous company that will have to ascribe glory to our ,god for good received through her instrumentality1 under that roof1 ,i cannot forbear saying1 my hope is1 that ,i shall stand among the ransomed of the ,lord1 and say1 8,i was born there40 ,yes1 my friends1 ,i must say1 the good ,lord made her the means of the awakening1 conversion1 and deepening the work of grace in my soul3 and while ,i give all the glory to my ,god for the grace received1 ,i cannot but feel much love to the channel through which that grace was communicated4 ,nor are my feelings in this peculiar1 they are the feelings of a number of lively souls1 who bless ,god that the sound of her voice ever reached their ears2 and in whose affections she will long live1 and though dead yet speak4 ,on the #dth of ,september1 #ahjh1 she was to have had a meeting at six o'clock in the evening1 but was prevented through sickness2 she therefore wrote1 the following note1 for me to read to the people3 ,my dearly beloved in the ,lord1 ,my delight is to worship the ,lord with you1 and many1 very many1 sweet times have we had together2 but our unerring master has1 at this time1 been pleased to confine me by a greater degree of weakness than ,i ever remember before2 therefore1 by my pen1 through the mouth of my dear friend1 ,i take this method to assure you1 ,i am with you in spirit1 though absent in body2 and ,i intreat you all to make trial of the ground whereon you stand3 when sickness and death approaches1 there is no comfort but in the love of ,god2 ,i find none but what ,i derive from that source4 ,o that you would therefore do as ,jacob did1 be earnest with the ,lord1 that his love may fill your heart1 as the scripture expresses it1 the love of ,god shed abroad in your hearts by the ,holy ,ghost1 given unto you4 ,if you get your hearts full of the love of ,god1 you will find that is the oil by which the lamp of faith will be ever kept burning2 love makes all our duty easy2 a soul united as one spirit to the ,lord1 if temptation presents1 has a ready answer2 such a one instantly cries out1 ,how shall ,i do this great wickedness1 and sin against ,god8 against ,him in whom my soul delighteth8 ,pray1 my friends1 pray much for this love2 and remember that word1 8,he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him40 ,thus did she1 whether sick or well1 labour for the increase of spirituality in the hearts of the people3 her eyes were always heaven-ward1 and whether at home or abroad1 she was ever endeavouring to draw souls to a closer walk with ,god4 ,she was often reminding us who were about her1 of the fulness that was to be obtained4 ,i shall not exceed the2 truth1 if ,i say that none more fully possessed the happy art of leading souls into a close internal walk with ,god1 than she did2 being herself so experimentally acquainted with the path of righteousness1 she was well qualified to conduct others therein3 and as to her own soul1 she was continually drinking more and more into the spirit of her ,lord4 ,her capacious soul was always panting after deeper and deeper draughts of the living water2 frequently telling me what sweet openings the ,lord had been giving her1 and what enjoyment in the filling and enlarging of her desires4 ,she was ever desirous that souls would be looking for great things from the hands of the ,lord2 frequently saying1 8what pity it is that any rest in low attainments1 when so much might be gained2 has not the ,lord said1 ,ask what you will1 and ,i will do it for you40 ,this last sentence was one of those sayings of our ,divine ,master1 in which she delighted to the end of her course4 ,i believe there are numbers who cannot forget with what energy she would recommend the wrestling ,jacob2 and whatever duty she enforced upon the minds of others1 she was exemplary in practising herself4 ,it was always her custom1 unless some providential call prevented1 to go from secret prayer to the class1 and from the class to prayer3 thus did she habitually draw fresh supplies of light and life from above2 and when the seed was sown1 her unwearied supplications followed it4 ,indeed she was a great lover of prayer1 and often continued in that exercise on her knees for such a length of time1 7white her strength would admit of it17 that ,i have sometimes gone into her chamber to remind her how long she had been1 fearing she would injure her body2 but on such occasions she has sweetly smiled1 and said1 8,i shall be none the worse for prayer2 come1 kneel down by me1 let us pray together40 ,at another of these times1 she has said1 8,no1 not leave off praying yet2 my dear husband used to say1 let me wrestle till ,i die4 ,i can't leave off yet1 but come and join me2 great things are promised where two agree to ask in the name of ,jesus40 ,many of these times have become seasons of peculiar advantage3 my soul has cause to praise the ,lord both for her private1 social1 and public exercises4 ,a paper containing some short hints for prayer1 which ,i found in a testament that lay by her the last week of her life1 ,i will here insert4 ,she begins1 first in the morning1 by asking permission to throw herself again at the feet of her most gracious loving ,saviour1 and to praise him for preserving her from every evil through the night1 and for having brought her to another day4 ,she notes as subjects of praise1 a degree of ease1 eye-sight1 hearing1 the use of her limbs and understanding2 and then names1 as heads for supplication1 the power to walk with ,god1 to take up every cross1 and to watch the tongue4 ,second time of private prayer4 ,intercession for our relations in ,england1 ,switzerland1 ,aleppo1 c4 for the spirit of prayer1 light into my state of soul1 increase of faith1 for power never to offend with my tongue1 with praise and acts of resignation4 ,third time4 ,for a ready mind to do all the commands of my ,god1 for deep humility1 to be brought into the entire region of love1 by the baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 that nothing may remain in my soul but pure love alone2 for faithfulness in the use of every talent2 light and liberty in the meetings1 and a special blessing on every member thereof2 for the children1 the ministry1 and the whole parish4 ,fourth time4 ,praise for the mercies of the day1 intreaties for a spiritual night2 that the ,lord would fulfil that promise1 8,i will bless them that bless thee10 first1 by returning all the kindness they have shewn to me2 secondly1 by repaying any injuries ,i may have rendered to any by thought1 word1 or deed1 if on earth by such blessings as are most for their good1 if in heaven by adding to their crown so much more for what they had suffered from me4 ,after mentioning these four times of private prayer1 she then notices praying with me before going to bed2 at which time she says1 8remember all the sufferers who have recommended themselves to my prayer40 ,the paper concludes with family prayer1 of which she says1 8at each time of family prayer1 to read with profit1 and to pray with fervor40 ,i can witness with how much diligence she discharged this duty of family prayer1 always being remarkably careful that every one who worked in her house should be present upon this occasion2 for she looked upon it as an opportunity of giving them a message to their souls3 and times more than ,i can number she has had such up stairs1 that she might pray with them1 when her breath has been so oppressed that she has said1 7while they were coming17 8,i do not know whether ,i can speak a word1 but if ,i can ,i will40 ,the last time the washerwoman and the gardener were in her study1 her prayer will not soon be forgot by the persons present2 she was at that time in a state of great bodily suffering1 7it was only a few weeks before her translation to glory17 and was not able both to read and pray2 ,i therefore read a short account of a pious man out of the ,methodist ,magazine1 and she prayed1 mentioning each distinctly in such a clear1 striking1 and forcible manner1 as if fully persuaded she should never pray with them again4 ,all was deeply solemn1 and ,i could not help observing1 when we rose from our knees1 ,i did not remember ever feeling such at time before3 she answered1 8,i want them to turn to ,god2 ,i long for the salvation of all around us40 ,the gardener's wife has since told me1 that when her husband returned home at night1 he told her1 8he never heard any thing like that morning's prayer40 ,but it was not an uncommon thing for her prayers to be unusually blessed to souls3 many have come from far to see her1 that she might plead with ,god in their behalf2 some of these1 when they have come to her1 have been laden with guilt1 a heavy load1 but our good ,lord has heard the voice of her supplications1 and so manifested himself as a sin-pardoning ,god1 that the mourners have been comforted1 their sorrows have been turned into joy1 and they have left her habitation to go on their way rejoicing4 ,i refer not in this to a solitary instance1 but mention it as a circumstance that was often recurring4 ,of her ,i may say1 every talent given was duly improved2 for she did not spare herself1 but her strength1 her time1 and substance1 she cheerfully devoted to the benefit of the souls and bodies of others2 and as her prayers were very prevalent1 so were her charities very extensive4 ,upon this subject1 before ,i proceed1 ,i feel it my duty to make one remark3 ,i have heard some persons say1 8,o she was imposed upon40 ,but1 as ,i knew her better than any person now alive1 ,i must beg leave to affirm1 that she was not the dupe of the designing2 her good sense was equal to her piety1 and her charities were conducted with such a degree of wisdom1 that fraudulent cases1 in a general way1 were detected by her3 though1 whenever a doubtful case occurred1 she would say1 8it is better to be on the right side1 and to give a trifle to an unworthy object1 than run a risk of overlooking one that ought to be relieved40 ,upon such occasions no doubt the worthless have sometimes partaken of her bounty1 but never to any considerable amount4 ,she was one of a thousand for economy2 always sparing of expense upon herself1 that she might have the more to give to the household of faith4 ,she would often say1 8,god's receivers upon earth1 are1 ,christ's church and poor40 ,when1 ,i have proposed the purchase of some article of clothing for her1 she would say1 8is it quite necessary8 if it is not1 do not buy it2 it will be much better to give the money to some of our poor neighbours1 than to lay it out upon me40 ,nor was this once only2 it was invariably her conduct1 and with great truth it may be said1 that 8,what her charity impair'd ,she saved by prudence in affairs40 ,she was always remarkably exact in setting down every penny she expended4 ,she kept four different accounts1 in which all she spent was included2 these four were1 the house1 sundries1 clothes1 and poor4 ,we have often at the end of the year been astonished to find the house expensed so small1 considering how many had shared with us3 at such times1 she has said1 8,it is the ,lord who has blessed our bread and water40 ,i have1 in former years1 taken up the book in which she kept her accounts1 and wept over it1 with the consideration1 that ,i should one day probably have to settle it alone2 and now ,i have drank of the bitter cup4 ,a few days ago1 ,i entered upon the work2 and ,i think it right1 as a confirmation of what ,i have before advanced1 to state the difference between the expenses of her clothes1 and what she had dispensed to the poor4 ,on making up the account of her clothes1 ,i found the whole year's expenditure amounted to nineteen shillings and six-pence2 this was every penny that had been laid out2 on her own person1 for the whole year4 #bg ,i then made up the poor's account1 and found the amount to be #ahal #afs4 #a;d thus liberally had she dispensed abroad4 ,but her desire of communicating comfort to the afflicted1 was very extensive3 ,i do not think she ever heard of a person in distress1 but1 if in her power to do it1 she1 by some means contrived to send relief4 ,to comfort the distressed1 was always a real comfort to her4 ,with regard to this world's wealth1 it was no more to her1 than dust in the balance4 ,she has often said1 and ,i am sure with great truth1 8,gold is no more to me than dust2 the gold of ,ophir than the stones of the brook40 ,at another time she would say1 8,it is not so important what we have1 as how we use it40 ,indeed she was truly diligent1 so to occupy with this and every talent1 as to be always well-pleasing in the sight of the ,lord4 ,her love to every one was so abundant1 that she was unwilling to find a fault in any one2 but1 ever desirous of casting the mantle of love over the failings of each1 she would seek out the excellencies of those with whom she was concerned1 and would find an excuse for the conduct of any1 if the case would admit of it4 ,and while her kindness was thus extensively manifested to all with whom she had any intercourse1 her gratitude to others who shewed marks of love to her1 was no less2 for when her kind friends sent her any thing they thought would be acceptable1 it was her study to think how she could return them an equal token of love2 and if nothing was brought to her mind to do for them at the time1 she would say1 8,well1 if ,i can do no more for them1 ,i can pray for them30--then would she fervently cry to the ,lord1 that he would repay them for her1 and impart to them spiritual blessings for all the temporal good they had communicated to her4 ,i never knew her sit down to partake of any thing that was the gift of a friend1 without first praying for the donor4 ,she would have thought herself very guilty to have omitted this1 but it was a thing she made such a point of1 that ,i do not think she ever forgot1 even in one single instance4 ,and while her gratitude to the creature was thus evidently discerned1 her praise and thanksgiving to the ,creator was still more abundant4 ,never was any one more completely sensible of surrounding mercies1 or more fully satisfied with divine appointments4 ,she has for a long time lived in the spirit of praise1 frequently saying1 8,what blessings has the ,lord bestowed upon me6 how comfortable has he made me in my old age2 though ,i am left here1 and my dearly beloved husband1 and my ,sally1 my child1 in glory1 yet ,i know no lack2 for how has the ,lord fulfilled that word1 given me so many years ago1 ,god will make you a comfortable habitation4 #cj ,and what a comfortable habitation has he made me6 all is so suitable1 every thing that ,i want2 and such a loving people1 ,i may well say ,i dwell among my own people3 and that the ,lord should bring you from a distance1 first to be my spiritual child1 and now my careful housekeeper1 my tender nurse1 my faithful friend40 ,this was the way that in her common conversation she enumerated the mercies of the ,lord2 and as the close of life drew nigh1 the spirit of praise increased more and more4 ,not quite three weeks before she was taken from us1 she mentioned to some friends1 a dream she had had many years ago4 ,she dreamt she was going down a rough road1 with a short wall by the side of it1 which she leaned upon1 and called the wall of salvation3 all the light she had1 while getting along with difficulty1 was a twinkling star4 ,she persevered to the end1 but then found a mud-pond1 which when she saw1 she thought1 well1 if this is the way1 ,i'll plunge in2 but while she was thinking to do so1 in a moment of time1 the twinkling star became a bright comet2 and by the blazing light it gave1 she discovered a clean narrow path by which she was instantly over1 she hardly knew how4 ,after our friends were gone1 she said to me1 8,that dreamt came so powerfully to my mind1 ,i could not help repeating it2 it is being accomplished now40 ,several times after that evening1 she said to me1 8,i am going down the rough walk2 this illness has been a long and painful one1 but ,i lean upon the wall of salvation1 and the comet will come40 ,she seemed to be assured1 from the time this dream was so impressed upon her mind1 that in an instant of time she should be removed from a state of suffering to an inconceivable blaze of glory1 that would as much outweigh every spiritual enjoyment upon earth1 as the comet in her sleep outshone the twinkling star4 ,before this last three weeks of her life1 in which such a striking application of her dream was made to her1 the enemy had at times suggested what a state of suffering lay before her1 if at the end of her affliction she should be long confined to a sick bed2 or it might be that ,i may be so wearied by long fatigue1 as not to be able to assist her in that helpless state2 and to have had strangers about her would have been a most peculiar trial4 ,but out of all this1 how soon did the ,lord deliver her3 indeed the trial never lasted long1 for she knew 8,that as her day1 her strength had been10 and believed1 8,so it would for ever be40 ,one day1 when her sufferings were great1 she said1 8,how sweet are the words of the ,apostle1 ,the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall follow40 ,and on the #aath of ,november she mentioned the divine aid she found in these words1 8,call upon me in the time of trouble2 so will ,i hear thee1 and thou shalt glorify me30 these were words she frequently mentioned1 and sometimes would add1 8,yes1 my ,lord1 ,i will call upon thee2 and ,i shall glorify thee too40 ,another time she said1 with peculiar energy1 8,they that trust in the ,lord1 shall never be confounded40 ,and one day1 after naming some sentences which she felt a spring of pleasure in1 she added1 with much animation in her countenance1 8,and that given so many years ago now comes with fresh power1 ,thou shalt walk with me in white3 and when ,i answered1 how can that be1 seeing ,i am not worthy8 it was repeated1 but thou shalt walk with me in white1 for will make thee worthy2 ,i will thoroughly purge away thy dross1 and take away thy tin2 everlasting life is won1 glory is on earth begun40 #cd ,one night she spake of finding a powerful application of these words1 8,i will trust1 and will not be afraid1 for the ,lord ,jehovah is my strength and my song2 he also is become my salvation40 ,on the #ahth of ,november1 with much animation she often repeated1 8,i am thine1 and thou art mine1 a bond eternal hath us joined60 ,on the #bjth1 she said1 8,just as ,i was waking1 after my first sleep last night1 ,i felt these words come so powerfully1 ,sufficient is his arm alone1 and our defence is sure3--,i instantly answered1 our1 what my friend and me8 it then seemed spoken again with still greater weight1 ,sufficient is his arm alone1 and our defence is sure4 ,this 7continued she7 was at the beginning of the night1 and a suffering night it has been2 but a night in which ,i have seen the pleasure of the ,lord1 and felt his goodness rest upon me40 ,indeed1 the goodness of the ,lord1 and the great things that faith will do1 were subjects on which she delighted to dwell4 ,i have often heard her say1 8,the particular commission the ,lord had given her1 was to encourage souls to believe30 and herein she was greatly blessed to many4 ,on the #bc;d1 she many times repeated these words1 which she said came to her with unusual sweetness in the night1 ,my ,saviour and ,king1 ,thy succour afford1 ,thy righteousness bring2 ,thy righteousness wearing1 and cleans'd by thy blood1 ,bold shall ,i appear in the presence of ,god4 ,all this day she had a great degree of fever upon her1 and would sometimes say to me1 8,what were the sweet words the ,lord gave me last night80 ,as soon as ,i pronounced the first words1 8,my ,saviour10 she would go on with them1 and add1 8,i feel the power of them1 though my head was so confused1 with this fever1 that ,i could not recollect them40 ,she was always exceedingly affectionate to me2 and as it pleased ,god through her means1 to kindle the first spark of spiritual life in my soul1 ,i ought also to say1 that nothing has ever been wanting on her part to increase the kindled fire1 on the contrary1 she was always a helper of my faith1 as well as the most indulgent friend3 numberless are the times she has expressed her strong attachment to1 and great affection for1 me4 ,never was any thing more expressive1 than1 on the #fth of ,december1 while looking on me with a look of the tenderest affection1 she said1 8,my faithful friend1 my dearest friend1 ten thousand blessings on her head40 ,several other times1 especially in the last week of her life1 with eyes and hands lifted up to heaven1 she would exclaim1 8,what shall ,i do for my friend80 ,she has for years been in the habit of repeating the following verse2 8,thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss ,has made my cup run o'er2 ,and1 in a kind and faithful friend1 ,has doubled all my store40 ,she would often be crying to ,god for a blessing upon such and such particular souls2 and all her relations1 though so far from her in body1 were to the last interested in her prayers3 she would frequently plead with the ,lord1 that one day she might meet them all in glory4 ,ever after ,december begun1 she was much inclined to doze1 when the cough and the oppression upon her breath would allow her a degree of ease3 this she would complain of1 saying1 8,i lose my time2 ,i want every moment to be spent in prayer or praise40 ,one day1 ,i think the #fth of ,december1 when waking out of a doze1 she said1 8,i am drawing near to glory30 and soon after1 8,there is my house and portion fair20 and again1 8,jesus come1 my hope of glory30 and1 after a short pause1 8,he lifts his hands1 and shews that ,i am graven there40 ,on the #gth of ,december1 taking my hand in her's1 she said1 8,my precious1 my invaluable friend1 ,i have prayed that light and wisdom may guide you in all1 in every difficulty1 and it will be so1 ,i know it will2 my prayer for thee is heard1 my choice friend40 ,this afternoon ,mrs4 ,harper called to see her1 but finding her much inclined to doze1 she soon left the room3 when ,mrs4 ,fletcher opened her eyes1 and found she was gone1 she said1 8,o6 she's gone1 without a parting word2 ,i should have taken leave of her40 ,as ,mrs4 ,h4 was but just gone1 ,i called her back3 she then took her by the hand1 and said1 8,may the ,lord be abundantly with you1 and your daughter2 and ,i pray for your son too40 ,all this day1 at every waking interval1 she would be saying1 8,what mercies6 ,surrounded with mercies6 how full of mercies ,i am60 ,all her soul seemed lost in love and praise4 ,the day following1 the #hth1 was as the day before1 a day of praise for fullness of blessing2 after saying1 8,what mercies ,i am surrounded with6 the use of my hands1 what a comfort6 how different would it be if ,i was not able to help myself2 and with how many this is the case1 who have illnesses that take away the power of helping themselves with their own hands2 but ,i can use mine1 and what a mercy60--then1 affectionately looking at me1 she continued1 8and what a comfort art thou1 my choice friend6 and the love of ,jesus1 ,o how precious60 ,mrs4 ,perks was this evening in the room with her1 but she was too heavy to converse2 on ,mrs4 ,perks going1 however1 she came quite to herself1 and said1 8,the ,lord bless you1 your partner1 and children40 ,mrs4 ,perks kindly offered to sit up1 but she would never hear of any one sitting up with her till 7she said7 she felt the need of more help than ,i could give4 ,my sister1 also1 was desirous of being in the room1 but this she would not admit of4 ,all this day her breathing was exceedingly difficult3 in the morning she had walked into the other room1 as usual1 with only the help of my arm2 at the middle of the day she wished to go into the chamber again1 and ,i led her1 as at other times2 but she was now weaker1 and ,i could scarcely keep her from falling3 ,i therefore asked her to sit down in a chair1 which she did1 and ,i wheeled her back again3 with this she was much pleased1 and said1 the exercise had done her good4 ,at dinner she eat a small bit of light pudding1 with as much appetite as usual1 but she had taken very little for some time4 ,all the afternoon she was extremely ill1 either hot to a great degree1 shivering with cold1 or very drowsy4 ,but through all1 her mouth was full of the loving kindness of the ,lord4 ,she said she would not go to bed till after ten o'clock4 ,we always prayed together before we went into the chamber1 her breath being so greatly oppressed3 she prayed very sweetly1 but short1 and then said1 8,now you call upon the ,lord2 ,i can enjoy your prayer1 though not able to speak30 ,i did so1 and found an uncommon degree of liberty while pleading the gracious promises made to the people of ,god4 ,when ,i had ended1 she said it had been to her soul a peculiar time of enjoyment1 while ,i was calling upon the ,lord2 and concluded saying1 8,o this has done me good40 ,in the afternoon1 hearing that ,dr4 ,yonge1 7who has always shewn her the greatest attention17 was ill1 she twice prayed particularly for him4 ,when we were ready to go into the chamber1 and it was after ten1 ,i got her into the chair1 but she was now weaker than at noon2 however ,i wheeled her to the bed side1 and could not but look upon her as dying2 and indeed so she considered herself1 for when got into bed1 she said1 8,my love1 this is the last time ,i shall get into bed2 it has been hard work to get in1 but it is work ,i shall do no more3 this oppression upon my breath cannot last long1 but all is well2 the ,lord will shower down ten thousand blessings upon thee1 my tender nurse1 my kind friend40 ,after these and many more kind expressions to the same effect1 and having embraced her1 and put all her things as usual1 she desired ,i would make haste to bed4 ,i entreated her to let me sit up1 repeatedly saying1 8,do let me watch with you this one night30 but with all the tenderness imaginable1 yet with that degree of firmness which made me unwilling to urge the request further1 she said1 8,go to bed2 you have done all for me you can do1 and you know you can be with me in a moment if ,i want you2 but if you sit up1 it will make me uncomfortable3 ,i cannot rest without you go to bed40 ,i told her ,i had a few things to do1 before ,i could get into bed2 she replied1 8,then make haste and do them1 for ,i want you in bed3 ,i cannot rest till ,i know you are in bed40 ,after ,i had made all the excuses ,i could for remaining up1 and looking upon her dear countenance as long as her kind concern for me would admit1 she still urged my going to bed1 and ,i therefore laid me within the bed-clothes1 without taking my own off2 and when she again put the question1 8,are you my love in bed80 ,i answered 8,yes30 she then said1 8,that's right1 now if ,i can rest ,i will2 but let our hearts be united in prayer1 and the ,lord bless both thee and me40 ,these were the last words her beloved lips uttered2 for an hour after this1 about one o'clock in the morning of ,december #ith1 the noise her breath had so long made1 ceased4 ,i thought1 is she dropped asleep8 it immediately came to my mind1 8,asleep in ,jesus3 see a soul escape to bliss40 ,i went directly to her bed side1 where ,i found the beloved body without the immortal spirit1 which had entered the realms of endless day4 ,my feelings are not to be described2 ,i clung to the casket of the saint1 ,i knelt down by the side of it1 and cried to him who had just now called home the spirit of my friend1 that the mantle might rest on me4 ,at length ,i thought ,i should injure her dear remains1 if ,i did not call the family up2 ,i therefore went and called my sister and the servant1 at half past one2 after which ,i sent for ,mrs4 ,perks1 who kindly came over immediately4 ,i never left the chamber1 while any thing could be done for her3 ,i had promised to be with her to the last1 and the ,lord enabled me so to do4 ,her countenance was as sweet a one as was ever seen in death4 ,there was at last neither sigh1 groan1 or struggle1 but all the appearance of a person in the most composed slumber4 ,when ,i first undrew the curtain1 and saw her dear head dropped off the pillow1 and looking so sweetly composed1 ,i could not persuade myself the spirit was fled1 till ,i took her in my arms1 and found no motion left4 ,i then perceived1 the moment she had so much longed for1 had arrived2 for ,i think ,i have heard her some hundreds of times exclaim1 with the most vehement desire1 8,o1 my ,jesus1 when shall ,i fly to thy arms60 ,she was always looking and waiting for the happy moment when she should gain the blissful shore1 and 8,see the ,lamb in glory stand1 ,encircled with his radiant band1 ,and join the angelic pow'rs40 ,well1 8,all that height of glorious bliss ,her everlasting portion is1 ,and all that heaven is her's40 ,for the last two years of her life she was remarkably partial to the two following hymns of ,mr4 ,wesley's2 but as the print of the book they were in was small and pale1 ,i wrote them out upon a sheet of paper1 which lay in a desk by her side1 to the last4 ,these she greatly delighted in1 calling them1 her sweet hymns4 ,as they are not in our common hymn books1 ,i here insert them4 ,,first ,,hymn4 ,,and shall ,i1 ,lord1 the cup decline1 ,so wisely mixt by ,love divine1 ,and tasted first by thee ,the bitter draught thou drankest up1 ,and but this single1 sacred drop1 ,hast thou reserved for me4 ,lord1 ,i receive it at thy hand1 ,and bear1 by thy benign command1 ,the salutary pain3 ,with thee to live1 ,i gladly die ,and suffer here1 above the sky ,with my dear ,lord to reign4 ,here only can ,i shew my love1 ,by suffering1 my obedience prove1 ,and when thy heaven ,i share1 ,i cannot mourn for ,jesu's sake1 ,i cannot there thy cup partake1 ,i cannot suffer there4 ,full gladly1 then1 for thee ,i grieve1 ,the honor of thy cross receive1 ,and bless the happy load2 ,who would not in thy footsteps tread1 ,who would not bow with thee his head1 ,and sympathize with ,god4 ,,second ,,hymn4 ,,jesus6 thy ,sovereign ,name ,i bless6 ,sorrow is joy1 and pain is ease1 ,to those that trust in thee3 ,all things together work for good1 ,to me1 the purchase of thy blood1 ,the much-loved sinner1 me4 ,with thee1 ,o ,christ1 on earth ,i reign1 ,in all the awful pomp of pain2 ,but send me piercing eyes1 ,th' eternal things unseen to see1 ,the crown of life prepared for me1 ,and glittering in the skies4 ,as sure as now thy cross ,i bear1 ,i shall thy heavenly kingdom share1 ,and take my seat above2 ,celestial joy is in this pain1 ,it tells me1 ,i with thee shall reign1 ,in everlasting love4 ,the more my sufferings here increase1 ,the greater is my future bliss2 ,and thou my griefs dost tell2 ,they in thy book are noted down1 ,a jewel added to my crown ,is every pain ,i feel4 ,so be it1 then1 if thou ordain1 ,crowd all my happy life with pain1 ,and let me daily die3 ,i bow1 and bless the sacred sign1 ,and bear the cross1 by grace divine1 ,which lifts me to the sky4 ,having before mentioned the unwearied love and strong attachment she so invariably manifested towards me1 ,i will here insert a short letter or two1 which she wrote in different years1 but each in the season of bodily affliction1 when1 to human appearance1 death was nigh at hand4 ,the first was occasioned by my expressing a wish1 if ,i died at ,madeley1 that ,i might be buried in the same grave with her4 ,after we had been conversing on the subject1 ,i was called away from her1 and on my return found on the table1 a paper1 on which she had written the following words3 ,my dear ,friend1 ,as you have expressed a wish to be buried in our grave1 if you should continue to wish it1 ,i here declare my desire that it should be so4 ,you are to me a faithful helper1 and as a gracious gift of providence1 ,i esteem and value you3 and my prayer is1 that after my death you may meet with the same measure from others1 that you have measured unto me4 ,,mary ,,fletcher4 ,i think this was written in the year #ahjb or #c1 but not being dated1 am not certain4 ,the following1 ,i think was in #ahjf or #g1 but it also has no date4 ,my dear and faithful friend1 ,i wish to give you comfort1 when ,i am taken from you2 and to assure you how great a favor ,i consider your being given to me1 in the place of my dear ,sally1 now in glory4 ,it is often said1 ,god takes nothing from us1 but he gives something better in the place2 and so it has been1 for though she was the most disinterested and tender friend1 yet1 in many things you are a still further help than she was able to be4 ,your tender care and attention to me1 encourages me to hope1 you will never want assistance1 nor be left friendless2 for the promise is1 8what you do unto another1 shall be done unto you40 ,we are joined together in the ,lord1 and shall therefore be eternally one4 ,my beloved husband and me1 my friend ,ryan1 my ,sally1 and you1 shall be an eternal knot which can never be separated4 ,you know what proofs ,i have had that my friends in heaven do not forget me2 therefore1 believe we are waiting for you1 yea1 and longing to hail you on the shore4 ,i might have been far more useful than ,i have been2 but ,i cast all my sins on my atoning ,god4 ,i pray the ,spirit may richly be poured on you2 and may showers of love and grace descend on the dear people4 ,you are called to labour here1 and ,god will be with you4 ,i do believe the ,lord will answer my prayer1 by supplying all your wants4 ,i wish ,i could do more for you1 but ,i commend you to him who hath said1 8,no manner of thing that is good shall be withheld40 ,grieve not1 my dear1 for me4 ,you shall soon be with me2 and perhaps ,i shall be oftener with you than you think for2 the spirits of the departed are very near to us4 8,we are come to them10 says the ,apostle4 ,the ,lord bless and keep you1 and return all your kindness a hundred fold1 prays your most faithful everlasting friend1 ,m4 ,,fletcher4 ,another of these kind tokens of her love was dated ,february #aath1 #ahaj1 at which time it was thought she would very soon be removed from us1 but the gracious ,lord had compassion upon his people1 and spared her to us for above five years longer3 and1 ,o6 how was every year fraught with the fruits of righteousness4 ,well1 she laboured1 and while she did so1 kept her eye upon the ,saviour1 whose example 8,she tracked1 the world she disdain'd4 ,and constantly trampled on pleasure and pain40 ,but to return to her kind epistle1 written with a view to comfort me in the separation likely to take place3 ,feb4 #aath1 #ahaj4 ,my very dear child1 ,the gracious gift of ,god to me1 how do ,i feel for you1 who ,i am sensible will feel a great deal in my loss2 but ,i know the ,lord will be with you1 and count your every hair4 ,let not ,satan tempt you1 that you could have done any thing more for me than you have done2 for you have been the most tender creature in the world to me1 and a great comfort4 ,i wish ,i could have done more for you in a temporal way1 but my gracious father1 who hath cared for me1 will care for you1 ,i am confident4 ,to his gracious protection1 ,i commit you3 we shall be one in spirit1 though divided in the flesh4 ,you may perhaps stay a little behind me1 to help the dear souls in ,madeley1 and ,i trust the ,spirit of the ,lord will be poured out on all you are called to do in his cause1 and then we shall be again re-united to part no more4 ,your faithful friend for ever1 ,,mary ,,fletcher4 ,the last of these loving remembrances was written two years ago1 when the wound in her breast was at the worst1 and it was supposed she could not survive more than a few days4 ,january #b;d1 #ahad4 ,my dearest and best earthly friend1 ,i have only strength to say1 ,i ask a thousand blessings on you1 both soul and body4 ,god will stand by you3 ,he will help you through all4 ,i solemnly commit you into his hands1 and ,he is faithful to keep that we commit unto ,him4 ,we shall soon meet above1 to part no more4 ,you have been to me the best of friends1 and ,god will reward you4 ,i ever remain1 ,one with you in the ,lord1 ,m4 ,,fletcher4 ,the last week of her life she wished to have manifested her love again in this way1 but writing had long been very fatiguing to her4 ,however she asked me for the paper1 but as ,i knew how difficult it was to her1 ,i said1 8,what is it you wish to write8 let me write for you40 8,no1 7she replied17 it won't do for you to write what ,i would say1 but ,i think ,i am too weak for writing now3 ,i only wanted to put it down with my own hand1 before ,i am taken from you1 how completely satisfied ,i am with all that you have done1 and how thankful ,i am that my papers are all in your hands1 and nothing to be printed but as you approve2 and that ,i am fully persuaded whatever trials you may have to pass through1 ,god will be with you40 ,she was often telling me how confident she was1 that the ,lord would make all my way plain before me2 and has sometimes said1 8,in all the painful circumstances you will have to pass through1 your language still will be1 ,the ,lord liveth1 and blessed be my rock1 and exalted be the ,god of my salvation40 ,she left nothing undone1 that the creature could do1 to soften the stroke of separation4 ,while she herself stood1 as the pigeon on the house-top1 ready 8,to clap the glad wing1 and tower away1 ,to mingle with the blaze of day20 her longing desire for that hour was frequently expressed by her exclaiming2 8,o6 my ,god1 when shall ,i come to thy dear bosom60 ,at another time she would say1 8,my ,jesus1 and my all1 ,i pant to see thee as thou art2 ,o come1 and take me to thy loving breast40 ,but1 to write all her lively animating expressions1 would fill volumes3 ,i must therefore desist from recording any more of them1 and conclude this account 7which ,i have many times wished some abler hand had been the writer of17 by mentioning1 that at the beginning of her christian warfare1 she saw1 as a plan for her life1 the words of the apostle ,paul to ,timothy1 #ast ,epistle1 chap4 v4 verse #aj3 8,well reported of for good works2 if she have brought up children1 if she have lodged strangers1 if she have washed the saints' feet1 if she have relieved the afflicted1 if she have diligently followed every good work40 ,and here ,i cannot but appeal to all you who have known her1 whether her life has not agreed with this description1 which she took as a rule for her conduct4 ,is she not well reported of for good works8 has she not brought up children8 has she not lodged strangers8 has she not washed the saints' feet8 has she not relieved the afflicted1 and diligently followed every good work8 ,these things you know she has done2 yea1 has she not been abundant therein8 ,but did she value herself upon any of all the works of righteousness she wrought8 ,no1 by no means4 ,all her salvation she ever ascribed to him who had loved her1 and washed her in his own most precious blood3 therefore1 with delight she would often repeat1 8,because that ,i can nothing do1 ,jesus1 do all the work alone2 ,and bring my soul triumphant through1 ,to wave its palm before the throne40 ,i must now conclude3 but not without fervently praying1 that the zeal1 diligence1 love1 and humility1 with all that faith in and active dependence upon the ,saviour1 that was in her1 may dwell richly in each of you3 and trusting that ,i also shall be interested in your prayers1 that an abundant entrance may be administered unto me into the kingdom of our ,god and ,saviour1 after that ,i have for a little longer done and suffered his righteous will2 that so ,i may overtake my company that's gone before1 and safely arrive 8where all the ship's company meet1 who sailed with the ,saviour beneath40 ,waiting for that happy day1 ,i remain1 ,your affectionate friend1 and willing servant1 in ,christ1 ,,mary ,,tooth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following hymn of ,mr4 ,newton's1 being very expressive and suitable to the occasion1 was sung at ,madeley1 when the above letter was read there4 ,,hymn4 ,,in vain my fancy strives to paint ,the moment after death2 ,the glories that surround the saints1 ,when yielding up their breath4 ,one single sigh their fetters breaks1 ,we scarce can say1 8,they're gone60 ,before the willing spirit takes ,her mansion near the throne4 ,faith strives1 but all its efforts fail1 ,to trace her in her flight3 ,no eye can pierce within the veil ,which hides that world of light4 ,thus much 7and this is all7 we know1 ,they are completely blest2 ,have done with sin1 and care1 and woe1 ,and with their ,saviour rest4 ,on harps of gold they praise his name1 ,his face they always view2 ,then let us followers be of them1 ,that we may praise him too4 ,their faith and patience1 love and zeal1 ,should make their memory dear2 ,and1 ,lord1 do thou the prayers fulfil1 ,they offer'd for us here4 ,while they have gain'd1 we losers are1 ,we miss them day by day2 ,but thou canst every breach repair1 ,and wipe our tears away4 ,we pray1 as in ,elisha's case1 ,when great ,elijah went1 ,may double portions of thy grace1 ,to us who stay1 be sent4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,printed ,,by ,,william ,,smith1 ,,ironbridge4 ,,footnotes4 #bg ,i do not mean it to be understood1 as though she never spent more than this in a year2 but this ,i must say1 it was very seldom that her clothes account exceeded five pounds per year1 and in general it was under that sum3 she saw it a duty not only to avoid expending much in this way1 but was also very careful in the use of her clothes4 #cj ,this refers to a dream which will be published when her life and journals come out4 #cd ,this also has a reference to what will be more fully seen when her life is published4