The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-04-02 00:00:00

WORCESTER.-DISTURBING PUBLIC WORSHIP.

We regret to find that a spirit of intolerance and
persecution has, for some time, strongly prevailed at
Pershore, in the county of Worcester, against a
small society of Methodists, in the connection of
the late Rev. John Wesley, lately instituted in that
place, who have, it, the usual manner, met for reli-
gious worship in a house situate in the Newland
there duly certified. This small society, with other
well-disposed and peaceable persons, have many
times, both before and at divine service, been mo-
lested and grievously persecuted. The Preachers
, have several times been stoned and pelted with mild
Land dirt, and their lives put is jeopardy ; the house
assailed with mud and stones, and the occupier
of the house rendered insecure in his person and
property. The windows and window shutters have
been several times broken, and, in fact, nothing
left unattempted by outrageous mobs to, deter the
Preachers in this connection from preaching in
'this place, and to annoy the occupier of the house,
his family, and the persons who chose to attend
the service. And in these proceedings, as is usually
the case, it appears that the ill-disposed have been
encouraged by persons who ought to have con-
sidered that, in this free country,. no person proves
himself more friendly to the Establishment than he
who allows other persons to enjoy their religious
worship without molestation. This, indeed, the law
and Constitution of the country enjoin. These ob-
servations originate in consequence of an indictment
removed from the Quarter Sessions for the county of
Worcester, by certiorari, which came on to be triad
at the last Assizes ; in• which Mr. Hunt, whit is a
man of property and a tanuer, at Persbtre,, and
etkers, were charged with a riot in the said bassi on
Sunday, the 13th Jan. 1811, and for breakinkthe win:
dons and shatters, throwing stones, and ass:W(4llmnd
wounding sone Mary Tomkins. The offenonwas mast
circumstantially and clearly proved, and not.tbe least
evidence adduced by the Defendants either iaden tal me
extenuation of the charges. The Learned- -Judgetin
his most perspicuous charge and summing up of the
evidence on this occasion, noticed emphatically, that
ogreat riot and disturbance of the public peace had
taken place, very disgraceful to all concerned in It;
and this upon a Sunday evening ! lie commended
the wisdom of our ancestors in passing the Toler&
tion Act, and declared that these proceedings were
against the well-being of the Establishment, as well,
as against good order and serious feeling, for that no
one proves himself more friendly to the Establisismait
thau he ho allows other persons to enjoy their fit:'
ligiotta worship without molestation. Uy the MO!,
the Judge introduced a short enlogium on the talents
'and learning of the late Rey. John Wesivy; ate.
revered founder of this religious society, and no-,
Geod. ccinaisely-the chief points of difference between
the.Wasleyan Methodists and the fistablehmeot.—
lie toolc.nOtice, that the parties assembfedtterp not
u private niceUng to bear a mere Eatheaiaat, bat perk
tons assembled le hear 8 litaseed- Pavaciiirt, it a

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