Wesley Corpus

21. While he was at Nyon, he wrote (among many other letters) to good old Mr. Perronet as follows:- * * “February 8, 1779. “HoNoURED AND DEAR FATHER IN CHRIST, “I HAvE had the pleasure of accompanying your son to your father’s birth-place. It is a charming country for those who have a taste for highland prospects. But what is it to our heavenly Father's hill of Sion? Thither may we all itravel, summer and winter, and there may we all have a happy meeting, and an eternal inheritance 1” 22. September 7. Mr. William Perronet wrote a little farther account of him: “Mr. Fletcher,” says he, “has preached here” *(at Nyon) “in the church, and might have preached much oftener, if his health would have permitted; for his friendly and prudent behaviour has won upon all the three Ministers, so that they are now on the best terms with him. But a inew difficulty has lately arisen. He has been summoned before the Seigneur Bailiff, who sharply reprehended him -(noble Bailiff indeed; worthy of his office ) for preaching against Sabbath-breaking, which, he said, implied a censure of the Magistrates, as if they neglected their duty. He repri manded him also for preaching against stage-plays, which he considered as a reflection on himself, as he had just then sent for a company of French comedians to Nyon. In conse quence of this, he forbid his exercising the function of a Minister in this country. A blessed instance of Republican liberty | Who would not wish for the same in England? However, one of the Ministers has ventured to give him a room in his own house. Here he preaches two or three times a week, to a few serious persons and abundance of children. His Lordship has not yet thought proper to interfere, although the thing is no secret. And not only the seriousness, but also the number, of the congregation increases daily.” 23. In the next year, 1780, Mr. Fletcher fully intended to return to England. But not long after he wrote as follows, to one of his parishioners at Madeley: “I HAVE the more readily complied with the request of my friends to stay here” (at Nyon) “a little longer, as it was so earnestly backed by the little society which is gathered in this place.