later, refers to the coal and iron mines existing in the neighbourhood, but rather doubtingly, as if he was uncertain whether they would be found to the "commodity or hindrance of the inhabitants." But the inhabitants soon solved this doubt in their favour, and Wednesbury grew up to be a prosperous and progressive community through the wealth of these minerals. About the middle of the last century, when the old British sports raged in their fury throughout the country, cock-fighting, bull, bear, and badger-baiting distinguished the town. It was in the midst of a population educated under such influences that John Wesley made his appearance as a Christian missionary in 1743. The narrative of his experience, taken from his private journal, is exceedingly rich. The people rose en masse and haled him before magistrates as a man who was trying to turn the world upside down. To give a religious aspect to their fanaticism, as the Ephesian craftsmen did on a similar occasion, they raised this mob-cry against him:
"Mr. Wesley's come to town
To try and pull the churches down."
If he did not effect this, he accomplished something they more really feared—he pulled down any of their evil habits, and Wednesbury is now one of the most active centres of the denomination
