Cornish Methodism, revivalism, and popular belief, c. 1780-1870
In this regional study of Methodist development and societal influence throughout the period of industrialisation, recent trends in Methodist historiography at a national level are combined with the research and source material accumulated at a local level, to provide a detailed analysis of Methodist growth in Cornwall between the years 1780 and 1870. The thesis is divided loosely into three sections. In the first, four chapters outline the essential background to interpretative analysis by considering, in turn, recent historiographical developments in Methodist studies; social change in Cornwall during industrialisation; the performance of the Anglican Church in the county as represented in the Visitation Returns for 1779, (as well as historical and structural reasons for its 'failure'); and Methodist growth as expressed through available statistical indices, especially the date of formation of Methodist societies, and the 1851 Ecclesiastical Census. In the second section, one long chapter is devoted to an in-depth, county-wide analysis of Methodist growth, which considers the impact of external factors, particularly socio-economic, and internal circumstances, such as the degree of maturity of pastoral and
Luker, David
Methodist Church ; History ; Evangelical Revival ; Methodism ; Religious life and customs ; England ; Cornwall (County) ; Cornwall (England ; County)
Cornish Methodism, revivalism, and popular belief, c. 1780-1870. In this regional study of Methodist development and societal influence throughout the period of industrialisation, recent trends in Methodist historiography at a national level are combined with the research and source material accumulated at a local level, to provide a detailed analysis of Methodist growth in Cornwall between the years 1780 and 1870. The thesis is divided loosely into three sections. In the first, four chapters outline the essential background to interpretative analysis by considering, in turn, recent historiographical developments in Methodist studies; social change in Cornwall during industrialisation; the performance of the Anglican Church in the county as represented in the Visitation Returns for 1779, (as well as historical and structural reasons for its 'failure'); and Methodist growth as expressed through available statistical indices, especially the date of formation of Methodist societies, and the 1851 Ecclesiastical Census. In the second section, one long chapter is devoted to an in-depth, county-wide analysis of Methodist growth, which considers the impact of external factors, particularly socio-economic, and internal circumstances, such as the degree of maturity of pastoral and
cornish methodism popular belief regional_study methodist development societal influence throughout_period industrialisation recent trend methodist historiography national_level combine source_material accumulate local_level provide_detailed analysis methodist growth cornwall divide loosely three_section first_four outline essential background interpretative analysis consider turn recent historiographical development methodist study social_change cornwall industrialisation performance anglican church county represented visitation well historical structural reason failure methodist growth available statistical especially date formation methodist societies ecclesiastical census second_section long devoted depth county wide analysis methodist growth considers_impact external_factor particularly socio_economic internal circumstance degree maturity pastoral