Methodism

George Whitefield Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christian tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother Charles Wesley were also significant early leaders in the movement. They were named ''Methodists'' for "the methodical way in which they carried out their Christian faith". Methodism originated as a revival movement within Anglicanism with roots in the Church of England in the 18th century and became a separate denomination after Wesley's death. The movement spread throughout the British Empire, the United States and beyond because of vigorous missionary work, and today has about 80 million adherents worldwide. is an estimate by the World Methodist Council and includes members of united and uniting churches with Methodist participation. It represents approximately 60 million committed members and a further 20 million adherents.|group="nb"}}

Wesleyan theology, which is upheld by the Methodist denominations, focuses on sanctification and the transforming effect of faith on the character of a Christian. Distinguishing doctrines include the new birth, assurance, imparted righteousness, and obedience to God manifested in performing works of piety. John Wesley held that entire sanctification was "the grand depositum", or foundational doctrine, of the Methodist faith, and its propagation was the reason God brought Methodists into existence. Scripture is considered the primary authority, but Methodists also look to Christian tradition, including the historic creeds. Most Methodists teach that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for all of humanity and that salvation is achievable for all. This is the Arminian doctrine, as opposed to the Calvinist position that God has pre-ordained the salvation of a select group of people. However, Whitefield and several other early leaders of the movement were considered Calvinistic Methodists and held to the Calvinist position.

The movement has a wide variety of forms of worship, ranging from high church to low church in liturgical usage, in addition to tent revivals and camp meetings held at certain times of the year. Denominations that descend from the British Methodist tradition are generally less ritualistic, while worship in American Methodism varies depending on the Methodist denomination and congregation. Methodist worship distinctiveness includes the observance of the quarterly lovefeast, the watchnight service on New Year's Eve, as well as altar calls in which people are invited to experience the new birth and entire sanctification. Its emphasis on growing in grace after the new birth (and after being entirely sanctified) led to the creation of class meetings for encouragement in the Christian life. Methodism is known for its rich musical tradition, and Charles Wesley was instrumental in writing much of the hymnody of Methodism.

In addition to evangelism, Methodism is known for its charity, as well as support for the sick, the poor, and the afflicted through works of mercy that "flow from the love of God and neighbor" evidenced in the entirely sanctified believer. These ideals, the Social Gospel, are put into practice by the establishment of hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, and schools to follow Christ's command to spread the gospel and serve all people. Methodists are historically known for their adherence to the doctrine of nonconformity to the world, reflected by their traditional standards of a commitment to sobriety, prohibition of gambling, regular attendance at class meetings, and weekly observance of the Friday fast.

Early Methodists were drawn from all levels of society, including the aristocracy, but the Methodist preachers took the message to labourers and criminals who tended to be left outside organized religion at that time. In Britain, the Methodist Church had a major effect in the early decades of the developing working class (1760–1820). In the United States, it became the religion of many slaves, who later formed black churches in the Methodist tradition. Provided by Wikipedia
Showing 1 - 20 results of 99 for search 'Methodist Missionary Society', query time: 0.08s Refine Results
  1. 1
    Published 1920
    London : Methodist Missionary Society, [192-?]
    481 p. ; 15 cm.
    “...Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  2. 2
    Published 1843
    Ennqushwa [Peddie, South Africa] : Shicilelwe Gesishicilelo Sabawesli, 1843-1844.
    Emtati [Newtondale, South Africa] : Shicilelwe Gesishicilelo Sabawesli.
    1 online resource.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
    Newsbank World Newspaper Archive. Subscription required
    Online Resource
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  3. 3
    Published 1827
    London : Printed for the Society, by Mills, Jowett, and Mills, [1827]
    xx, 123 pages.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  4. 4
    Published 1825
    London : Printed for the Society, by B. Bensley, [1825?]
    142 pages.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  5. 5
    London, Weslayan-Methodist Missionary Society [1842?]
    1 online resource (4, [v]-vii, [1], 74 p.)
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
    Center for Research Libraries
    Online Resource
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  6. 6
    Published 1816
    [London] : [Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society], 1816-1838
    9 volumes.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  7. 7
    Published 1837
    Erini [Grahamstown, South Africa] : Shicilelwe Gesishicilelo Saba-Wesley, [1837-1841]
    15 volumes : illustrations.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  8. 8
    Published 1843
    Ennqushwa [Peddie, South Africa] : Shicilelwe Gesishicilelo Sabawesli, 1843-1844.
    Emtati [Newtondale, South Africa] : Shicilelwe Gesishicilelo Sabawesli.
    7 volumes : illustrations.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  9. 9
    Published 1985
    Zug, Switzerland : Inter Documentation, <[1985?]->
    <1,685> microfiches ; 11 x 15 cm.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  10. 10
    by Watson, Richard, 1781-1833
    Published 1813
    [S.l. : s.n.], 1813
    20 p. ; 21 cm.
    “...Methodist Missionary Society. Leeds District...”
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  11. 11
    Published 1981
    Leiden, Netherlands : IDC, [1981?]
    82 microfiches.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  12. 12
    Published 1982
    Zug, Switzerland : IDC, 1982.
    193 microfiches : positive ; 11 x 16 cm.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  13. 13
    Published 1983
    Leiden, Netherlands : IDC, [1983?]
    235 microfiches.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  14. 14
    Published 1980
    Zug, Switzerland : IDC, [198-]
    26 microfiches.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  15. 15
    Published 1982
    Zug, Switzerland : IDC, 1982.
    57 microfiches : positive ; 11 x 16 cm.
    “...Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  16. 16
    Published 1981
    Leiden, Netherlands : IDC, [1981?]
    219 microfiches.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  17. 17
    Published 1980
    Zug, Switzerland : IDC, [198-]
    109 microfiches ; 11 x 15 cm.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  18. 18
    Published 1980
    Zug, Switzerland : IDC, [198-]
    148 microfiches ; 11 x 15 cm.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  19. 19
    Published 1981
    Zug, Switzerland : IDC, 1981.
    24 microfiches : positive ; 11 x 16 cm.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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  20. 20
    Published 1983
    Zug, Switzerland : Inter Documentation Co., 1983.
    66 microfiches ; 10 x 15 cm.
    “...Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society...”
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