RELIGIOUS intolerance and prejudice was clearly rife in and around the Faithful City 250 years ago, judging by a remarkable report in the Worcester Journal for this week of 1751.

"Every evening of late, this City has been greatly disturbed by a meeting of a numerous Crew of those over-righteous people called Methodists.

"On Tuesday night, a very bad incident occurred. Some girls who had care of several young children, were all admitted amongst other people into the Assembly Chamber.

''The door and windows being fastened, the Preacher, who is a journeyman carpenter, began his Harrangue, but with such terrible grimace and hideous out-cry that he frighted the children to such a degree that some of them fell into fits, whereupon the Preacher was desired to stop and cause the door to be opened.

"However, he was intent upon continuing his Text and would not be interrupted until the Room was in such great uproar that the disturbance was heard by some people without, who burst open the door. If they had not done so it is thought two of the children would have died on the spot.

"The chief leaders of the Methodist Sett are the above Preacher, a journeyman hatter and a cobbler, and their followers consist of the most illiterate and lewd persons, particularly many of the common women of the Town."