“But with all his generosity and charity he was strictly careful to follow the advice of the apostle, _Owe no man any thing_. He contracted no debt. While he gave all he had he made it a rule to pay ready-money for everything, believing this was the best way to keep the mind unencumbered and free from care. Meanwhile his substance, his time, his strength, his life, were devoted to the service of the poor. And last of all he gave _me_ to them. For when we were married he asked me solemnly ‘whether I was willing to marry his parish?’ And the first time he led me among his people in this place he said—‘I have not married this wife only for myself, but for _you_. I asked her of the Lord for _your_ comfort as well as my own.’” MR. FLETCHER’S LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH. Mr. Fletcher’s wish was to live as he would be likely to wish he had lived when he came to die, a holy life rather than a triumphant death being his main object. A Godly life was the way to a happy death, he stated in one of his sermons; nevertheless, he continued, this rule like many others might have exceptions, as the partial or entire derangement of the human machine, or the self-chastisement of a tender conscience on account of former infidelities might determine. During the ravages of an infectious fever in the parish he reproved a portion of his flock who from fear of death refrained from rendering assistance to the sick and the dying. “Use every precaution prudence can suggest,” he said, “and meekly but confidently commit yourselves to the gracious Power in whom you live, and then without fear stand firm to the calls of duty. . . . For myself, whenever I shall have numbered the days He may appoint, I shall deem it an additional honour and blessing if He should appoint me to meet my death while I am engaged in the kind offices of humanity and mercy.”