Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-09-19

saUe Ane d, basanoss.
Thseoaparattvely recent lormation cfths society
called sMermoas," Latter Day Saints, and their
dreadfal persecutioss by those Of other regoss and
amongst other outraxe the massacre OF their men Dy
a mob, headed by Bogart, Methodist parssn' ano
others OF that persuasion, induce rs to review 'ne
rise and progress Of these societies, their
and prosecutions from the bgots belonging to otner
religious, sects and denominations.
Although, as we stated the other day, Jonn wesley
came over to America to preach in l757, YET the We
thodist society that distinguishes the peoP.e
who to this day acknowledge Mr.. Wesley as their
founder, under God, was, properly speaking a.
society specially under his pastoral charge, co.,
iected in the year l74O, at the chaPei In Nioor-
fields where he preached, and where the society IN
creased rapidly For this and the societies ne next
formed in Bristol, Kngswood, and few other places
he in l743 drew up the first set OF rules to regulate
the members which continue in force to the present
time; and the observance of which, was then, and
continues to be- the condition Of membership. They
are so well known as to render it unnecessary to
quote them. 1t may only be observed, that they en-
join no peculiar opinions, and relate entirely to mo-
raj conduct, to charitable Offices, and to the OBJ
servance Of the ordinances OF God These rules bear
the signature of John and Charles Wesley.
So far, so good. Whitfield was, to great extent,
associated with them; but John Wesley, becoming
jealous Of Whitfeld's popularity, preached violent
sermon against Of w htfeds peculiar doctrinal
notions. This produced the first dscord there. Soon
after this the mobs in different parts of the country
took offence at the peculiar doctrines and conduct
Of the Wesleyans; they were denounced as heretics
and fanatics and crazy creatures, as the Mormons
have been in Missouri; their places OF worship were
burnt and pulled down; their property plundered;
their parsons were stoned, and the congregation
beaten individually and collectively by different
mobs In London the rioting was tremendous, and
some few lives lost; and for long time il was
not considered safe for Methodist to hold forth
publicly. Wesley was currently charged with being
papist, as he says in his journal, and many other
equally ridiculous charges as those made against
the Mermons in the present day riot grew out
Of this and all Papiss were ordered, therefore, to
leave London by proclamation. as the Mormons
were ordered to leave Missouri, by the proclama-
ton of Governor Boggs.
In june I742 at Epworth, in Yorkshire, riot
took place. and wagon load Of Mothodists were
beaten and imprisoned for fanatics and dsturbers Of
the peace Here the parallel again holds good re-
CARDS the Methooists and Mormons. At Walsa
the chief magistrate Of the place led mob to beat
w
steps three times, and nearly killed him, because
thew said he was deluder, and dsturber Of the pub
lie peace Exactly what they say Of the Nor
mons. At Sheffield he was stoned nearly to death,
and an officer in the army drew his sword to run
him through The society house was pulled down,
and he had to leave Sheffield. On his way to Thorpe
with other preachers, mob laid in ambush to assas
snate him. but failed And yet the effect Of all this
persecution was but TO form new societies la the
northern, midland, and western districts.
Still the mob violence increased. Other clergy
men. and magistrates and soldiers, as in Missouri
headed the mob to maltreat them. At Wednesday,,
Darlaston, and West Bromwch, they beat and vio-
lated womt n and children in the most shameful man
ner and destroyed their property; and at last the
mob seized Wesley himself, and almost killed him.
Tn I743. hot persecution, both Of the preachers
and people, broke forth. The preaching house at
ST Ives was pulled to the ground; Of the pr ach
ers was impressed and sent for a soldier, as were
several ef the people: whilst being stoned, covered
with dirt, a.d abused. was the treatment which many
others OF them met with from day to day. Bat not
withdrawing this, they who had been eminent for
hurting fighting, drinking, and all manner OF wick
eduess, continued eminent for sobriety, piety and
meekness. The impressment Of the preachers for
soldiers by the magistrates, was not, however, con-
fined to Cornwall. About the same time John Mel
son and Thomas Beard were thus seized and for
soldiers, for other crime, either com mitted or
pretended than that of calling sinners TO repentance
The sns i've heroism Of John Nelson is well known.
Thomas Beard also was "nothing terrified by HE
but his body after while sunk under
affection He was then lodged in the hospital Of
where he still praised God continually
His fever increasing, he was let blood his fes
tered mortified. and was cat off; two three DAYS
after which, God signed his discharge, and called
him TO his eternal home.
The riots in Stafordshire. also, still continued
The mob Of Walsall, Darlaston, and Wednesday,
hired for the purpose by their superors broke open
their poor neghbors houses at their pleasure by day
and by night; extorting money from the few that
had il. taking away or destroying their victuals and
goods beating and wounding their bodies, ravaging
the women, and openly declaring they would de
stroy every Methodist in the country Thus peacea-
bic and loyal subject treated for eight months
and were thea publicly branded in the Whitehall and
Londsn Evening Post, tor rioters and i,cendiaries
Several other instances Of the brutal malreatment
Of the preachers occurred in these early periods,
which ended in disablement, or premature death.
Such was the progress Of Methodism in its infancy
and such the sutferngs its members endured; and
vet at the time Of Mr.. Wesley's death, the number
- TT. -