“John Fletcher, clerk, died on Sunday evening, August 14th, 1785. He was one of the most apostolic men of the age in which he lived. His abilities were extraordinary, and his labours unparalleled. He was a burning and shining light, and as his life had been a common blessing to the inhabitants of this parish, so the death of this great man was lamented by them as a common and irreparable loss. This little testimony was inserted by one who sincerely loved and honoured him. Joshua Gilpin, vicar of Wrockwardine.” EPITAPH ON GRAVESTONE. “Here lies the Body of the REV. JOHN WILLIAM DE LA FLECHERE, Vicar of Madeley. He was born at Nyon, in Switzerland, September 12th, MDCCXXIX, and finished his Course in this Village, August 14th, MDCCLXXXV, where his unexampled labours will be long remembered. He exercised his Ministry for the Space of Twenty five Years in this Parish, with uncommon Zeal and Ability. Many believed his Report and became his Joy and Crown of Rejoicing: While others constrained him to take up the Lamentation of the Prophet, ‘All the Day long have I stretched out my Hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying People; yet surely my Judgment is with the Lord, and my Work with my God. (He being dead yet speaketh.’)” MRS. FLETCHER, OF MADELEY.