Excerpt from Early Methodists Under Persecution

This work was undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining, SO far as possible, the actual extent of the suffering of the early Methodists, and of their struggle against persecution. It deals only with events in the British Isles and covers the life of the Rev. John Wesley. There was persecution after his death, but by that time the crisis had passed and Methodism had become SO thoroughly established that there was no longer any possibility of crushing it. Therefore what followed, though extremely trying, was more incidental.

At the beginning of the task the hope was entertained of making this a source book of facts, but the abundance of material soon made this plan impracticable. Were all the material to be used which is at hand, it would make a volume of twice this Size. Therefore this does not purport to be a complete account. For the sake of brevity some material has been omitted entirely, and wherever possible, nearly all has been abridged. In some in stances narratives have been broken for this purpose. However, it is believed that enough is given, both to Show the extent of the sufferings of the Methodists, and to portray the spirit of their persecutors.

In the search for material nothing has been found anywhere that would suggest an outline for the work, or that would direct the student to the sources. It seems to be almost entirely an unexplored field. It has been necessary, therefore, to handle volume after volume wherever material seemed likely to be found. Between two and three thousand volumes have thus been re viewed. Also such English periodicals as refer to the subject and could be found have been consulted. Of the three collections Of pamphlets relating to the early Methodists, and found in this country, all have been carefully examined.

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