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Book, page 71 / 96 the man my highest reason chooses to obey." Fletcher himself had greatly changed his opinion since the indictment of his "Reasons for and against Matrimony." To a friend he wrote his new sentiments thus:-- "God declared it was not good that man, a social being, should live alone, and therefore He gave him a helpmeet for him. For the same reason our Lord sent forth His disciples, two and two. Had I searched the three kingdoms I could not have found one brother willing to share gratis my weal, woe, and labours, and complaisant enough to unite his fortunes to mine; but God has found me a partner, _a sister_, _a wife_, to use St. Paul's language, who is not afraid to face with me the colliers and bargemen of my parish, until death part us. "Buried together in our country village, we shall help one another to trim our lamps, and wait for the coming of the Heavenly Bridegroom." Mrs. Fletcher's introduction to her husband's parishioners was sufficiently homely and simple. The Madeley kitchen was full of those who had come from a distance, and who were accustomed to take refreshments there between the two services. He led her forward into their midst, adding to his introduction the words, "I have not married this wife for myself only, but for your sakes also." Only a few weeks later they were honoured by a visit from John Wesley himself, who, friend of method as he was, felt anxious that they should lay down an exactly regular way of ordering their time, even as Mary Bosanquet had done for her larger household in the past. Whether they complied with the suggestion or not is unrecorded, but Mrs. Fletcher makes beautiful mention of interruptions to her ordinary routine, caused by unexpected visitors:-- "I have this day been engaged in company, and sweetly met the order of God therein." Blessed secret of peace! God had so united this saintly man and woman in love and grace that
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