Early Methodism in and Around Chester —

EARLY METHODISM IN AND AROUND CHESTER — Among the many ancient cities in England which interest the traveller, and delight the antiquary, few, if any, can surpass Chester. Its walls, its bridges, its ruined priory, its many churches, its old houses, its almost unique " rows," all arrest and repay attention. The cathedral, though not one of the largest or most magnificent, recalls many names which deserve to be remembered. The name of Matthew Henry sheds lustre on the city in which he spent fifteen years of his fruitful ministry ; and a monument has been most properly erected to his honour in one of the public thoroughfares. Methodists, too, equally with Churchmen and Dissenters, have reason to regard Chester with interest, and associate with it some of the most blessed names in their briefer history. By John Wesley made the head of a Circuit which reached from Warrington to Shrewsbury, it has the unique distinction of being the only Circuit which John Fletcher was ever appointed to superintend, with his curate and two other preachers to assist him. Probably no other Circuit in the Connexion has produced four preachers who have filled the chair of the Conference. But from Chester came Richard Reece, and John Gaulter, and the late Rev. John Bowers ; and a still greater orator than either, if not the most effective of all who have been raised up among us, Samuel Bradburn. (George Osbom, D.D. ; Mag., April, i8yo.) Rev. Samuel Bradburn. Rev. Richard Reece. Rev. John Bovvers. Rev. John Gaulter. earlp DKtDoaistn In ana around CiK$t£T* 1749-1812. BY Francis Fletcher Bretherton, b.a. cumd.) With a Preface by REV. RICHARD GREEN, (Late Governor of Didsbury College.) Printed and Published for the Author by PHILLIPSON & GOLDER, Eastgate Row, Chester. 1903. — Our Church's heroes are its early evangelists. The highest enthusiasm of old and young is kindled by the story of their travels and labours—how that in afflctions, in imprisonments, in necessities, in tumuks, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in the Holy Ghost, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God, they preached the word, and laid broad and deep the foundations of our Church. Many with pardonable pride trace their own descent from the grand old saints of former days, and lovingly relate how, through their prayer, or self sacrificing labour, or hospitality, or wit, Methodism was established in their own neighbourhood. But They who on glorious ancestry enlarge Produce their debt instead of their discharge. We confess that we are the sons of them who gave their substance and life that England might be saved ; therefore let us also, seeing that we are compassed about with so great a crowd of witnesses, lay aside every weight. (The Annual Address of the Conference of 1901 to the Method- ist Societies in the Connexion established by the late Rev. John Wesley, M.A.J PREFACE *1THE History of Methodism is not receiving less attentiori in our time than it formerly did. To the histories already issued, a much larger one than a?iy of them has just been added, the product of the pe?i of Dr. f. Fletcher Hurst, a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This work, which is published in New York, comprises ?io less than ten large volumes ; the first three dealing with British Methodism, the others with Methodism i?i America a?id in its world wide extension. Great i?iterest attaches to these extensive surveys : but a number of smaller works, more limited i?i their range, and far more mimite in their researches, have been, and are still being, given to the public. These are records of Methodism within the limits of indi- vidual ci?'cuits. A list of more tha?i 150 such local histories was published in the "Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society for March, 1897." These, of course, vary greatly iii their relative ?nerits. "Early Methodism in a?id around Chester," which Mr. Bretherton has prepared with much care arid patience, is an addition to the best of them. The original part of this work was written many years ago by the Reverend, now the venerable, Benjamin Smith. The manuscript lay for a long time unpublished. It afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. R. Thursfield Smith, f.P., of Whitchurch, who introduced it to ?ny notice. VI The value of the work was at once appare7it to me, but, as much additional matter had been accumulated since its completion, and as the means of elucidating many obscure periods of the story had been discovered, it was thought desirable to revise the whole. This I began to do, but the pressure of other work compelled me to lay it aside. About this time Mr. Bretherton was appointed to the Chester Circuit. His attention was soon arrested by the records of the planting of Methodism in the city and neighbourhood, and his interest in them deepened as his i?iquiries continued. The opportune moment for the completion of Mr. Smith's work seemed to have arrived, a?id Mr. Bretherton was requested to undertake it. I have had the opportunity of watching Mr. Bretherton 's work from its inception, and the pleasure of re?idering him such aid as it was in my Power to give. He has been favomed with the constant help of that most successful collector of Wesleya?ia, Mr. Ihursjield Smith, who has both laid his large store of books a?id manuscripts tmder tribute, and by his wide knowledge and eficie?it counsel, has aided in securingfor the work the completeness that distinguishes it. Many of the historians of local Methodism have been depende7it mainly upon floating traditions and the recollectio?is of elderly people, for what additions could be made to the more general records. Mr. B%etherton, while availing himself of so much of this kind of help as was within his reach, has avoided dependence upon it, making diligent quest for original documents, and testing accepted authorities. He has ifitroduced fresh and interesting matter relating to Wesley himself and has searched the storehouse of the Magazines, and many comparatively rare papers and pamphlets, with many parts of the wide field of Methodist biography. Vll A specially interesti?ig feature of this volume is to be found in the attention give?i to the early period of Methodist histoty, the bulk of the work relating to events which transpired before the year 1800. This was the heroic age of Methodism, during which its essential pri?iciples fou?id their most vivid illustratioji, —a period that deserves the thoughtful study of the Methodists of to-day. I earnestly hope Mr. Brether1071' s volume will pro?note that study. Without hesitation, I give my hearty commendation to this work, trusting it may meet with a warm reception, not only in the neighbourhood of Chester itself but i7i all parts of the country. RICHARD GREEN. Edgbaston, February, igoj. : TO THE READER. The genesis of this work has been so fully- explained by Mr. Green, that only a few words on the point are necessary from me. The materials from various sources so increased upon my hands, that I found it necessary to rearrange and rewrite the whole of the original manuscript. The work of Rev. B. Smith was remarkably accurate, and without the foundation he laid, this volume would never have been undertaken. At the same time, I should say that all the authorities he used have been worked over anew, and there is hardly a statement in the book made without independent investigation. It is impossible to say here how much of this volume had a place in the Rev. B. Smith's manuscript but it may be said briefly that the references to books and pamphlets scattered up and down the volume have all been introduced by myself, and in most cases represent material not known to him ; that Chapters VII. and VIII. are almost entirely new; that I have bestowed a great deal of labour upon the New Con- nexion controversy, in Chapter V ; upon the family histories in Chapter VI. ; and upon the Appendices. The selection of the illustrations was made by me. — — IX For these reasons I am told by those who entrusted me with this task, that I am fully justified in calling myself the author of the book. Mr. Thursfield Smith's words at the outset were very definite on this point. You and you only must carry this work out. If you think well, Rev. B. Smith's name and mine may be me?itio?ied in the preface. (22/4/99). When other work had turned me aside from this history for six months, he wrote again : / have been a little anxious abotit the Chester History. Time rolls on. If the work is not carried through by you ?iow, I fear it will 7iever be done. I am 7J, and I thi?ik no one else can give you such help as I ca?i, having for years given so much attention to the subject. I mtist say that I heartily approve of your pla?is. Of course the work must be yozirs. The few words relating to Rev. Be?ijamin Smith and myself a?-e all that is desirable or necessary. In fact Mr. B. Smith has left the matter absolutely in my hands. You must be the " Master-builder. (24/1/00). No absolutely consistent system of arrangement has been practicable, owing to the unequal nature of the materials.

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