The history of Methodism . ecords, andhence cannot trace them. In 1753 Ireland is entered as one circuit, No. 12, with sixrounds, or subdivisions, and nine preachers, the greaternumber of whom were duly appointed to labor in thenorth, as before. In 1755 we meet with the same arrange-ment ; the north being statedly visited by Walsh, Cown-ley, vSwindells, and many others among the choicest spirits ofthe itinerancy of that day. While there is no room for doubt that Walsh and many ofhis fellow-laborers unfurled the Methodist banner in Belfastprior to Wesleys first visit to the north, we have no re
The history of Methodism . ecords, andhence cannot trace them. In 1753 Ireland is entered as one circuit, No. 12, with sixrounds, or subdivisions, and nine preachers, the greaternumber of whom were duly appointed to labor in thenorth, as before. In 1755 we meet with the same arrange-ment ; the north being statedly visited by Walsh, Cown-ley, vSwindells, and many others among the choicest spirits ofthe itinerancy of that day. While there is no room for doubt that Walsh and many ofhis fellow-laborers unfurled the Methodist banner in Belfastprior to Wesleys first visit to the north, we have no recordto that effect; and hence it can never be known to which ofthat noble band belongs the honor of having introducedMethodism into the town. But it was probably ThomasWalsh, as he spent a large portion of his time on the north- 722 British Methodism era round, and lrad his full share of the evangelistic 1756 we find him in Newtownards, where he was nearbeing- strangled in a riot while preaching on the Lords .MAI OF IRELAND IX WESLEY S DAY. Let us follow John Wesley in his itinerancy and obtainfrom his Journals passing glimpses of the Ireland of his da}-. On his second visit to Cork, in 1750, where he was accom-panied by Christopher Hopper, riots broke out with renewed The Capua of the Preachers 723 violence. He went to Bandon to preach, but the Cork mob followed him and hung him in effigy. His best guardianswere the soldiers, many of whom became stanch Methodists,and the mob became more afraid of them than of the mayor,to whom Wesley wrote a letter closing with these words: Ifear God and honor the king. I earnestly desire to be atpeace with all men. I have not willingly given any offenseeither to the magistrates, the clergy, or any of the inhabit-ants of the city of Cork ; neither do I desire anything of thembut to be treated (I will not say as a clergyman, a gentleman,or a Christian) with such justice and humanity as are due toa Jew, a Turk, or a pagan. The da
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