1850 WESLEYAN METHODIST. 148pp Manuscript - Wesleyan Methodists in Full Panic and Schism.

An excellent mid-19th century Wesleyan Methodist 148pp MSs chairman's copy of the minutes of the District & Circuit meetings for the entire year; fascinating content including on missions, chapels, and most significantly, extensive content regarding ongoing internal strife and ministerial discipline issues related to the schism initiated in 1849 via the Reform Movement. Excellent.  

Entitled, Minutes of the Birmingham & Shrewsbury District Committee. 1850-1851. Chairman's Copy. 

These minutes were from the critical year in which the "Wesleyan Reformers" were leading people away from the Wesleyan Methodists in droves to join the newly formed Wesleyan Reform Church [which ultimately became the United Methodist Church]. The main agitators were James Everett, William Griffith, and Samuel Dunn. Their primary criticisms of Wesleyan Methodism proper were structural; i.e. that Wesleyanism had become a hierarchy of power and that it ruled from a central organization rather than empowering the local minister, people, and chapel. To their eyes, it resembled a government of men more than the Kingdom of God. The Reform Methodists argued that ministers should stay at a church so long as the minister and people agreed and it seemed good to the Spirit [not as long as the leadership decided] and that both ministers and lay preachers should be able to baptize, not just one centrally authorized delegate, etc., The split had the Wesleyan leadership in something of a panic as ministers and congregations began to shed and ministers within their own ranks began to voice objections to the perceived abuses of power. 

As the notes succinctly state toward the end of the minutes, "The work of God has been greatly injured by the agitation which has prevailed in the connexion." 

Contents include: rosters of ministers in attendance, questions related to the finances related to the children's fund and detailed accounting, questions related to the finances of the widows' fund and detailed accounting, questions regarding which chapels need investment enlargement or new organs, a controversy involving the Snedshill church at [Wellington Circuit] where a chapel has begun construction without consultation and is already overdrawn though only 20% complete, etc., selection of missionary speakers for the autumnal gathering, charges brought against the District for the inappropriate expulsion of Wesleyan Mr. Thomas Glassey on the grounds that he was not represented [G. B. MacDonald, Robert Melson, and William Jackson all took part, though Glassey said he trusted none of them - the meeting devolved into threats against the Chairman- he was charged with being a part of a "reform committee" that was in reality a confederacy organized to agitate the Wesleyan Societies, etc., extensive], then a case of discipline is brought against Robert Melson [he is not present - noted as unwell, but is to be advised again about publishing public letters criticizing the administration of Wesleyan Methodism], a recommendation that John Nelson be received as in good fellowship as a minister since he has enforced Wesleyan discipline and not sided with the reformers, lengthy and moving account of the life of Wesleyan minister Jacob Stanley Senior of Northumberland who died the preceding year, account of the various candidates for ministry and missionaries [they include booksellers, mechanics, druggists, etc.,] including whether they drink drams or take snuff or smoke or have debt etc. plus accounts of their conversion, interior religious life and reputation, etc., account of efforts to experience a revival of religion among the Wesleyans, an account of the discipline of another minister, James Youngman, who strongly remonstrates against it as unmethodistical and an abuse of power . . . it seems he too is aligned with the Reform Union and has written letters critical of leadership etc., Youngman's account comes up again at a later meeting where he is given the boot for publicly supporting the Reform Movement, etc., 

The records are extensive and to our knowledge not elsewhere available. Some ink  and pencil notes and corrections throughout, presumably in the hand of the Chairman, with the documents themselves in the hand of the Secretary. Nearly every report signed personally by James Methley, Chairman of the Wesleyan Methodist District as described and eminent minister [See West's Sketches of Wesleyan Preachers, p.61. 1848]

Measures 8 x 9.5 inches in original half calf binding, spine deteriorated and contents shaken, though clean, complete, and legible.  148pp.