Pilkington, W., The Makers of Wesleyan Methodism in Preston and the Relation of Methodism to the Temperance & Teetotal Movements (1890), is a locally grounded historical account of the origins and development of Wesleyan Methodism in Preston and the surrounding areas, beginning with its earliest presence in the area from the middle of the nineteenth century. Originally prepared as a paper for the 1888 Jubilee of Wesley Chapel, Preston, and expanded for publication at the request of the Jubilee committee, the work was written by a long-serving Wesleyan local preacher. Drawing on official circuit records, newspapers, Methodist publications, and personal testimony, it documents the growth of the Preston Wesleyan Methodist Circuits, profiles key individuals, and examines the close relationship between Methodism and the Temperance and Teetotal movements as expressions of Methodist moral and social teaching.
ANNOUNCEMENT.
At a meeting of the committee appointed to prepare for celebrating the jubilee of Wesley Chapel, Preston, in November, 1888, the writer of this history was requested, among other arrangements, to prepare a paper on Preston Methodism from its introduction into the town to 1838, which he had the honour of reading. Subsequently he was desired to print it in an enlarged form, bringing up the history to the present time. In accordance with this wish, he consented to undertake the duty. With this apology for appearing in public as a recorder of the principal events in Methodist history in this neighbourhood, he asks for the kindest consideration from critics.
The limits of this work will not allow of a description of the modern development of Methodist work in connection with the various junior Methodist bodies. But for the information of those readers who are not adherents of John Wesley, it will be as well to state here, that one doctrine is preached by all branches of the Methodist family. Their “creed” is practically the same, the points of difference being only as regards government, i.e., the temporal management of the Church.
In publishing this work he has had two objects before him. First, to make the history as complete as possible by including a notice of every cause in the Preston Wesleyan Methodist Circuits. Second, to keep within certain bounds, so as to be able to publish it at a price within the reach of all who are interested in the progress of Wesleyan Methodism and its relation to the Temperance and Teetotal Movements.
The facts and circumstances have been culled from a variety of sources, from books, magazines, newspapers, official records, and verbal reports.
He desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to the Rev. W. Lees, for his valuable help in revising the proof-sheets; to the Rev. J. Pratt, of Lune-street Circuit, and the Rev. J. Smith, of Wesley Circuit, for the loan of official records; to the proprietors of the Preston Guardian, for access to the files of their journal, from which he has derived considerable assistance in the compilation of the historic facts herein recorded; to those friends who have kindly subscribed for a work which they had not seen; and to the printer, Mr. C. W. Whitehead, who has turned out the work, which, as regards type, paper, and binding, is a credit to the book-work of Preston. Five months have elapsed since the work was first announced to be ready; but the unavoidable delays will prove advantageous to the subscribers, as much additional and important matter has been given.
The Author begs to inform the public that a very limited number of copies of this work can be obtained on application to himself, price five shillings.
The makers of Wesleyan Methodism in Preston and the relation of Methodism to the Temperance & Tee-total Movements by Pilkington, W, is available to view or download on the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/themakersofwesl00pilkuoft/page/n5/mode/1up
The makers of Wesleyan Methodism in Preston and the relation of Methodism to the Temperance & Tee-total Movements by Pilkington, W, is available to view or download on the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/themakersofwesl00pilkuoft/page/n5/mode/1up