The Methodists, Vol. 8

Although this work takes proper notice of its origins in John Wesley's 18th-century movement in England, it assumes that in America the people called Methodists developed in distinctive fashion. The volume examines this American version, its organization, leadership, and form of training and incorporating new members. The authors treat Methodism as defined by conferences bound together by a commitment to episcopal leadership and animated by various forms of lay piety. Offering a fresh perspective based on sound, modern scholarship, this study will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone interested in church history.

American Methodists early organized into conferences that defined Methodist space and time and served as the locus of power. At the same time, they created a strong episcopal form of church government, subject to the body of preachers in conference, but free to lead and direct the organization as a whole. This mission was clear, well understood, and suited to the ethos of a growing America—to spread scriptural holiness in the land and to create a desire to flee from the wrath to come. By the middle of the 19th century, Methodists in America had grown from an insignificant sect to America's largest Protestant group. Essential to that growth were structures and processes of lay involvement, particularly class meetings and Sunday schools.

Library Journal

This is the eighth in Greenwood's "Denominations in America" series and deals only with the development of American Methodism. Following the arrangement of other volumes in the series, it includes sections on history, a biographical dictionary of leaders, a chronology, and bibliographic essay. The history is approached structurally. In Part 1, James Kirby (history, Southern Methodist Univ.'s Perkins Sch. of Theology) traces the development of the episcopacy. In Part 2, Russell Richey (church history, Duke Univ.'s Divinity Sch.) discusses organization of clergy into conferences. In Part 3, Kenneth Rowe (church history, Drew Univ. Theological Sch.) describes the development of lay organizations such as the class meeting, probationer's class, and Sunday school. Each section incorporates predecessor and splinter organizations of Methodism such as Methodist Episcopal; Methodist Episcopal, South; Methodist Protestant; Evangelical Association; United Brethren; and African Methodist Episcopal. The book's strength is its detailing of Methodist organizational structures and its honest presentation of American Methodism's struggles with racism and sexism. Its weakness is in the limited treatment of women's role in Methodism, with only passing mention of the several women's organizations that were vital to Methodism's survival and growth. The biographical dictionary of Methodist leaders reflects the book's overall approach: the 75 entries include 68 men (one-half of whom were bishops) and seven women. Nevertheless, this is an essential addition to academic collections in religion and American history and is also appropriate for public libraries with collection strengths in those areas.Linda V. Carlisle, Southern Illinois Univ. at Edwardsville

JAMES E. KIRBY is Professor of Church History at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology.

RUSSELL E. RICHEY is Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Professor of Church History at The Divinity School at Duke University.

KENNETH E. ROWE is Professor of Church History at Drew University Theological School and Librarian of the United Methodist Archives and History Center.