who compla(ne4 i>f lllUwge front heCatholics. \ 87 



inhabitants are in debt to this gentleman for the 

 erection of a Methodist chapel. The officiating 

 minister complained of the indocility of the ca- 

 tholics, ami the violence used by their priests 

 towards such as attempted to attend his meeting. 

 He stated several instances in which the priests 

 had recourse to blows, for the purpose of dis- 

 persing the catholics from his chapel. I know 

 from experience how ready persons of this de- 

 scription are to avail themselves of the cry of 

 persecution against them : yet every honest at- 

 tempt to improve the morals, and otherwise 

 benefit mankind, is certainly highly commend- 

 able. 



Whether more evil or good has arisen to the 

 community from the introduction of Methodism 

 admits of doubt. From what I have seen of 

 these sectaries, I am not prepossessed in their 

 favor, and candidly acknowledge I wish any 

 acceptable means could be devised to lessen 

 their influence, and bring back the people to a 

 due respect for the established church. In 

 many instances a want of room prevents the 

 common people from attending public worship. 

 In modern towns, it would be highly beneficial 

 to the cause of religion, could government 

 afford aid in procuring sittings for the lower 

 orders, by appropriating for their accommoda- 



