Arnold

 

"History of Methodism in Kentucky"

p. 165

"Methodism has been the broadest and most irenic of the denominations. Their emphasis has always been upon Christian experience and godly living, and they have put little stress upon the rites and forms that are merely incidental to Christianity. We have been willing "to think and let think" and to accord to each person liberty of conscience in these incidental matters. But narrowness and bigotry have not been content to let us alone in the exercise of our liberal views upon these matters, and time and time again we have been  under the necessity of defending ourselves against the onslaught of those holding  less liberal positions." 

The more things change, etc...