Very rare full run of the radical Methodist periodical, The Methodist Monitor. Alexander Kilham [1762-1798] viewed the death of John Wesley as a watershed moment fraught with possibilities in either direction . . . it could be the end of Methodism as it had been, or it could see the movement continue its way toward a true revival of the Church writ large.
Kilham met and became associated with John Wesley in 1785, immediately becoming an effective Circuit preacher. After Wesley's death, he believed the logical progression of Methodism was away from the Anglican church. He urged formal separation and believed the turn back toward Anglicanism after Wesley's death was out of fear at the loss of leadership. He was ejected from the Methodist church, but continued to fight for what he viewed as the "true Methodism" until his death in 1798 through the pages of the present periodical.
Issued only for two years, it really had the solitary goal of returning the Methodism again to its independent, revivalist roots.
Kilham, Alexander [ed.]. The Methodist Monitor: Or, Moral and Religious Repository: Consisting of Original Pieces and Selections from a Number of Respectable Writers: With Extracts from Various Pamphlets, &c. Publishing among the Methodists since the Death of Mr. Wesley. A Work Calculated to Disseminate useful Knowledge, at a Small Expense, among all Denominations of Christians: Especially amongst the Methodists. Volumes I & II. Leeds. Binns and Brown. 1796 & 1797. 372 + 376pp.
Contents include: A Series on Liberty of Conscience by Henry Robinson [contemporary of Roger Williams]; Remarks on the Minutes of the Last Methodist Conference; Remarks on Messrs Mather and Pawson's Affectionate Address; Mr Bramwell's Letter to Travelling Preachers; The Cause and Cure of the Present Agitated State of the Methodist Connexion; Alexander Kilham's Letter to the Manchester Leaders and Stewards; Progress of Liberty; Wickliff's Reflection on Popery [a clear warning against affiliation with the "state" church]; On the Kingdom of God; Examination of the London Methodistical Bull; Michael Servetus' Letters; Directions on Prayer Meetings; Extracts from Neal's History of the Puritans [again, tending toward independency]; etc. etc.
Original or early pebbled cloth spine over paper boards [as issued]. Mss title on spine and through cloth at hinges, though firm. Textually quite good with some period handling and a few pencil marks in the margins. Very solid. Good + copy of a very scarce run.