The Independent Methodists have never been a large denomination,
and even in the Northwest of England, their heartland, their
history is little known. From the beginnings of the movement
shortly after the death of John Wesley, the author describes the
formative influences in the first half of the nineteenth century -
Methodist, Quaker and Revivalist - that shaped it, giving it a
distinctively lay character unusual in Methodism. The social and
political factors that affected its development, such as the
Peterloo Massacre, the Beerhouse Act and Chartism are explored.
Early Independent Methodist societies often arose from breaches in
Wesleyan Methodism over radical politics, and they also differed
from the Wesleyans in allowing writing to be taught in Sunday
Schools. Other societies came into being through the attraction of
a 'free' ministry, particularly in communities where poverty was
prevalent; this attracted some dissident Primitive Methodists. In
the second half of the nineteenth century, Independent Methodism
took on the characteristics of a denomination, with a connexional
structure. Dr Dolan examines the involvement of the Independent
Methodists in wider society and their contribution to public life.
Five Independent Methodists became MPs, while many others held
civic office as mayors, aldermen and councillors. For over a
hundred years, the denomination has involved itself in the
ecumenical movement, climaxing with the decision in 2004 to enter
into a covenant partnership with the Baptist Union of Great
Britain. Dr Dolan explores many aspects of Independent Methodism,
including its theology, which veered between conservative
evangelicalism and theological liberalism. He also shows how
attitudes towards ministry have changed over 200 years. For over
two centuries Independent Methodists have maintained their
distinctive threefold standpoint. John Dolan, one of their number,
has written a comprehensive study of the movement. It has entailed
tracking down the primary sources, published and unpublished, for a
host of autonomous chapels, many of them extinct, and making a
sustained analysis of the developing trends in their corporate
life. The task has been pursued with an acute awareness of the
changing social and religious climate they inhabited. The resulting
account is thorough, persuasive and illuminating. One of the most
fascinating pieces in the Evangelical Nonconformist mosaic has now
received its due. From the Foreword by Professor David Bebbington
General
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