Mr. Fletcher was for some time at the head of a college founded by the
Countess of Huntingdon for young men preparing for the ministry, at
Trevecca, in South Wales. His attachment to his flock at Madeley,
however, prevented him paying more than occasional visits and giving
advice with regard to the appointment of masters, and the admission or
exclusion of students. Mr. Benson, one of the tutors, tells us that he
here gave numberless proofs of his amiable disposition. To mention but
one instance, two of the students were bitterly prejudiced against each
other, and he took them into a room by themselves, reasoned with them,
wept over them, and at last prevailed. Their hearts were broken; they
were melted down; they fell upon each others’ necks and wept aloud.
The long journeys on horseback, in all seasons and in all weathers, from
Madeley to Trevecca and back again to Madeley, however, told upon his
constitution, and much impaired his health.