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Wesleyan and Methodist heritage is an integral part of the history of countries worldwide and we welcome everyone who is interested in their own roots, culture and history to visit the pages in this web site.

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NEWS AND EVENTS

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The Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society, Cumulative Index to Volumes 51 to 60,
is now available on the Biblical Studies.org.uk website. The direct link is https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/whs/51-60-index.pdf

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FEATURE ARTICLE

TEMPERANCE

It is often argued that of all the issues of the late Victorian and Edwardian era, the one that most unified the various Methodist denominations, as well as the other nonconformist churches was that of temperance. The various denominations reportedly engaged with varying degrees of enthusiasm, perhaps led by the Primitive Methodists who had early espoused the cause at their 1831 Conference.

               Temperance had at first been associated with alcohol, but by the later years of the nineteenth century there was some concern that the simple non-alcohol pledge should be extended to apply not only to beer and spirits but to 'all that doth intoxicate,' and to include such substances as opium and laudanum,

 

 

 

    The postcard pictured above is an interesting insight into the issue through a Methodist lens. It is in cartoon form (not of the best printing) of a ship-named the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Captain Wesley is telling the drinkseller:

               "Look here Mr Drinkseller, you must leave the quarterdeck! We shall be glad, if possible to take you across as a passenger, but we cannot allow you to rank as an officer."

       That he cannot be an officer, only a passenger” highlights the responsibility of ministers. It was sent by Thomas Champness himself in November 1903. The message to another Methodist minister, Rev. J. E. Pater of St. Leonards on Sea, reads:

               "My dear Sir,

               May I call your attention to the fact that by far the great majority of the people called Methodists agree with what has come to be called 'The Champness Resolution.'                
 Lutterworth TC."