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 theprimary 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and unpublished, for a host of autonomous chapels, many of them extinct,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
