1860 THOMAS COKE. First Edition Methodist Biography in Fine Presentation Leather Binding.

A simply spectacular copy of what is a rather rare early biography of early Methodist leader, Thomas Coke.

Thomas Coke (1747–1814) was an Oxford-educated Anglican priest who became John Wesley’s chief lieutenant, the "Father of Methodist Missions," and the first Methodist bishop.

After joining Methodism in 1777, Coke became Wesley's primary administrator, serving as president of the Irish Conference and managing complex church affairs. Always with a bent toward order, after receiving ordination by Wesley, he was sent to lead the Methodist Episcopal Church in America and, despite resistance from independent minded American Methodists, imposed something very like the episcopal structure to the movement. He Ordained Francis Asbury and traveled to America, then a perilous journey, 18 times.

Coke also went further, and championed global missions when the movement was largely focused on Britain and America. He initiated missions in the West Indies (Caribbean), Sierra Leone, Nova Scotia, Ireland, and France, using much of his personal fortune to fund missionaries, lobbying for native rights in British colonies, and established the first Methodist missionary society.

He died in 1814 while leading a mission to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Bears a fine morocco presentation onlay to the pastedown, presenting the volume to Mr. Philip Bright, member of the Common Council of the Borough of Brecon where Thomas Coke had been a member of the town Council and acted as Justice of the Peace. The presentation was made by the building committee of the Dr. Thomas Coke Memorial Sunday and Day Schools. 

[Thomas Coke. Methodism. Missions] Etheridge, J. W. The Life of the Rev. Thomas Coke, D.C.L. With a Portrait. First Edition, Fourth Thousand. London. John Mason. 1860. 450pp.

Very attractive neo-gothic full calf binding with raised bands, contrasting black leather spine title label, and deeply embossed gold relief tooling on the boards. A bit bumping with some minor rubbing at extremities. Textually very good with a very small stain on prelims. Textually crisp, solid, and clean.