in 1743 the wesleys and their new methodist movement were severely tested. early in the year, john and charles wesley preached in the open air on the tump. they were warmly received and made welcome by the vicar. soon afterwards another preacher came and was rude about the current state of the anglican clergy. this angered the vicar, and the magistrates published a notice ordering that any further preachers were to be brought to them. when wesley next came his supporters were still there but a crowd of others heckled him and threw stones. later the crowd came to his lodgings and took him to the magistrates, but they declined to have anything to do with wesley or the crowd. the crowd ill-treated wesley and nearly killed him but he remained calm. eventually they came to their senses and returned him to his hosts.