The Financing of John Wesley's Methodism c.1740-1800

by Clive Norris

Overview

The dominant activities of the eighteenth century Wesleyan Methodist Connexion, in terms of expenditure, were the support of itinerant preaching, and the construction and maintenance of preaching houses. These were supported by a range of both regular and occasional flows of funds, primarily from members' contributions, gifts from supporters, various forms of debt finance, and profits from the Book Room. Three other areas of action also had significant financial implications for the movement: education, welfare, and missions. The Financing of John Wesley's Methodism c.1740-1800 describes what these activities cost, and how the money required was raised and managed. Though much of the discussion is informed by financial and other quantitative data, Clive Norris examines a myriad of human struggles, and the conflict experienced by many early Wesleyan Methodists between their desire to spread the Gospel and the limitations of their personal and collective resources. He describes the struggle between what Methodists saw as the promptings of Holy Spirit and their daily confrontation with reality, not least the financial constraints which they faced.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198796411
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/09/2017
Pages:	334
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Clive Norris is an Independent Scholar.

Table of Contents

List of TablesList of FiguresList of Annexes in AppendixList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. Wesleyan Itinerant Preachers2. Financing the Preaching Operation3. The Preachers' Fund4. The Wesleyan Chapel Estate5. The Connexional Financing of Wesleyan Chapels6. Societies, Circuits, and the Connexion7. The Wesleyan Methodist Book Room8. Book Room Finances9. Education, Welfare, and Missions10. Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

"Researchers will revel in Norris's book though casual readers could find the copious detail intrusive to the flow of the text. Those interested in the early history of Methodism and have a head for figures or finance will gain the most from this book." — Graham Thomson, Holiness

"As a book examining the financial aspects of Wesleyan Methodism, this book is excellent, making extensive use of primary sources, and constructing a well-researched and compelling argument." — Claire Marie Rennie, University of Leeds, The Journal of Transport History

"The financing of John Wesleys Methodism is clearly presented, painstakingly researched, and deserves to become a standard work of reference that will illuminate a previously rather 'dark' area in the history of eighteenth-century Methodism. It begs for a similar treatment of Methodism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and I cannot commend it too highly." — Barrie Tabraham, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

"Norris forces us to look at religious enterprises differently. He reminds us that spreading the gospel came at a cost, both a personal and a financial one. The Financing of John Wesley's Methodism is therefore an indispensable read bringing a persisting gap between religions and economic history. More importantly, this enlightening work offers new answers to why some religious movements like the Methodists successfully institutionalized themselves when others failed." — Lionel Laborie (Lecturer in Early Moder n History, Leiden University), Wesley and Methodist Studies

"Clive Murray Norris's exploration of the financial management and organization of 18th-century Methodism not only sheds new light on the complexities of the denomination's origins and early growth, but addresses themes that resonate with more recent Methodist history and current practice. Based on the author's PhD thesis, The Financing of John Wesley's Methodism c. 1740-1800 is a richly detailed study of a wide range of primary sources set in the broader contexts of Methodist history and British economic history... This book therefore makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the day-to-day functioning of early Methodism." — Martin V. Clarke, Reading Religion

From the Publisher