Wesley Corpus

His duty to his own flock at Madeley would by no means admit of this. But he was to attend as often as he conveniently could; to give advice, with regard to the appointment of Masters, the admission or exclusion of students; to oversee their studies and conduct; to assist their piety, and judge of their qualifications for the work of the ministry. 8. “As Mr. Fletcher greatly approved of the design, espe cially considering, First, that none were to be admitted but such as feared God; and, Secondly, that when they were prepared for it, they might enter into the ministry wherever Providence opened a door; he readily complied with the invitation, and undertook the charge. This he did without fee or reward, from the sole motive of being useful in the most important work of training up persons for the glorious office of preaching the gospel. And some months after, with the same view, through his means, and in consequence of your recommendation to her Ladyship, I was made Head Master of the school, or, as it was commonly called, the College; though I could very ill be spared from Kingswood, where I had acted in that capacity about four years. 9. “As yet I was greatly wanted at Kingswood. I had likewise a term to keep at Oxford; so that I could only pay them a short visit in January, 1770. But in spring I went to reside there; and for some time things went on excellently well. The young men were serious, and made a considerable progress in learning. And many of them seemed to have a talent for preaching. Mr. Fletcher visited them frequently, and was received as an angel of God. It is not possible for me: to describe the veneration in which we all held him. Like Elijah in the schools of the Prophets he was revered; he was loved; he was almost adored; and that, not only by every student, but by every member of the family. And indeed he was worthy. “Forgive me, my dear Sir, if you think Iexceed. My heart kindles while I write. Here it was that I saw,--shall I say, an angel in human flesh? I should not far exceed the truth if I said so.