American Methodist HistoryAmerican Methodist History

Civil War and Reconstruction Civil War and Reconstruction PeriodPeriod

Issues of the DayIssues of the Day

Denominational CompetitionDenominational Competition

New Science (aka Darwin)New Science (aka Darwin)

SlaverySlavery

States RightsStates Rights

DenominationalismDenominationalism

Constant war of words (and Constant war of words (and sometimes fists) between members sometimes fists) between members of differing denominationsof differing denominations

Issues over infant baptism, worship, Issues over infant baptism, worship, prayer, ritual and leadership led to prayer, ritual and leadership led to numerous debatesnumerous debates

New ScienceNew ScienceWith the publication of “Origin of the With the publication of “Origin of the Species”, Methodists (like many Christian Species”, Methodists (like many Christian communities) perceive a world view under communities) perceive a world view under siege.siege.

Charles Lyell provides a new view of Charles Lyell provides a new view of geology, challenging the basis of the geology, challenging the basis of the Christian creation narrative.Christian creation narrative.

A few rationalist attempts made a A few rationalist attempts made a reconciliation, with little positive resultreconciliation, with little positive result

SlaverySlavery1844 did not settle the issue of slavery.1844 did not settle the issue of slavery.

Border states felt caught between the two Border states felt caught between the two denominations.denominations.

Instead, most persons self-affiliated on Instead, most persons self-affiliated on national, political issues of the day (Union national, political issues of the day (Union vs. Confederacy)vs. Confederacy)

This division still pitted church against This division still pitted church against church, brother against brother, sister church, brother against brother, sister against sister.against sister.

Methodist Episcopal ChurchMethodist Episcopal Church

During the Civil War, gave During the Civil War, gave unconditional support to the Union.unconditional support to the Union.

Bishop Simpson’s friendship with Bishop Simpson’s friendship with Lincoln provided symbolic Lincoln provided symbolic significance for the denomination.significance for the denomination.

Simpson conducts Lincoln’s funeral in Simpson conducts Lincoln’s funeral in Springfield, IL Springfield, IL

Methodist Episcopal ChurchMethodist Episcopal ChurchDenomination also supported Denomination also supported chaplains during the Civil War.chaplains during the Civil War.Over 500 Methodist ministers Over 500 Methodist ministers became regimental chaplains.became regimental chaplains.Also expanded the denomination into Also expanded the denomination into Southern territory. Southern territory. Questionable to what extent the Questionable to what extent the military assisted in such military assisted in such “evangelistic” efforts.“evangelistic” efforts.

Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, South

Hardly the church of secession. In fact, Hardly the church of secession. In fact, rather restrained in its commentary.rather restrained in its commentary.

While the MEC, South joined the cause of While the MEC, South joined the cause of the Confederacy, times were more the Confederacy, times were more desperate, so polemics were less harsh.desperate, so polemics were less harsh.

Did develop a vigorous mission to the Did develop a vigorous mission to the slaves also the voices of abolition were slaves also the voices of abolition were rare, indeed. 217,000 slaves brought into rare, indeed. 217,000 slaves brought into the church during the war.the church during the war.

Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, SouthHigh participation of minister in the war as High participation of minister in the war as soldiers, many of whom also provided soldiers, many of whom also provided chaplaincy service.chaplaincy service.Some groupings of men took on a Some groupings of men took on a revivalist flair.revivalist flair.Buildings suffer excessive damage from Buildings suffer excessive damage from Union troopsUnion troopsGeneral Conference of 1862 did not take General Conference of 1862 did not take place due to the disruption and danger of place due to the disruption and danger of civil war.civil war.

ReconstructionReconstructionFor the Methodist Episcopal Church, the For the Methodist Episcopal Church, the end of the war meant Union Victory and end of the war meant Union Victory and the expansion of the denomination.the expansion of the denomination.

It also meant God’s vindication for the It also meant God’s vindication for the “side of righteousness”“side of righteousness”

Interesting enough, several MEC Interesting enough, several MEC congregations interested in providing war congregations interested in providing war relief to their southern comrades. relief to their southern comrades.

ReconstructionReconstruction

In large part due to the relationship In large part due to the relationship of Bishop Simpson to Lincoln, the of Bishop Simpson to Lincoln, the Methodist Episcopal Church now Methodist Episcopal Church now seen as a Republican Outpost.seen as a Republican Outpost.

Establishment of Freedman’s Aid Establishment of Freedman’s Aid Societies.Societies.

Freedman’s Aid SocietyFreedman’s Aid SocietyDuring and after the Civil War northern During and after the Civil War northern women who had been active in the anti-women who had been active in the anti-slavery movement before the war often slavery movement before the war often formed organizations to help former slaves formed organizations to help former slaves become free members of American become free members of American society. They sent clothing, money, and society. They sent clothing, money, and books to the South. In freedmen's aid books to the South. In freedmen's aid societies women also raised money to societies women also raised money to send teachers to the South, most of whom send teachers to the South, most of whom were young white women. Women in the were young white women. Women in the freedmen's aid movement faced many freedmen's aid movement faced many problems. problems.

Freedman’s Aid SocietyFreedman’s Aid SocietyMany in Northern society were not yet Many in Northern society were not yet ready for women to become prominent in ready for women to become prominent in public life or to assume leadership in public life or to assume leadership in national organizations. And, although most national organizations. And, although most Northerners supported the end of slavery, Northerners supported the end of slavery, many feared social equality between the many feared social equality between the races and subscribed to many racist races and subscribed to many racist stereotypes of African Americans. Lastly, stereotypes of African Americans. Lastly, because most men in the movement because most men in the movement feared that former slaves would become feared that former slaves would become dependent on charity, they opposed dependent on charity, they opposed women's efforts to provide adequate women's efforts to provide adequate resources to former slaves. resources to former slaves.

Freedman’s Aid SocietyFreedman’s Aid SocietyThey are now collecting money on a large scale from some They are now collecting money on a large scale from some persons who never before were called on, and who have persons who never before were called on, and who have contributed freely. Miller would like for all the anti-slavery contributed freely. Miller would like for all the anti-slavery and freedmen's societies to be merged in this--a and freedmen's societies to be merged in this--a Reconstructive Union. He sent an appeal to our "Friends' Reconstructive Union. He sent an appeal to our "Friends' Association." I told him it was objected, that woman was Association." I told him it was objected, that woman was ignored in their new organization, and if it really were a ignored in their new organization, and if it really were a reconstruction for the nation, she ought not so to be, and reconstruction for the nation, she ought not so to be, and that it would be rather humiliating for our anti-slavery that it would be rather humiliating for our anti-slavery women and Quaker women to consent to be thus women and Quaker women to consent to be thus overlooked, after suffering the Anti-Slavery Society to be overlooked, after suffering the Anti-Slavery Society to be divided in 1840 rather than yield, and after claiming our divided in 1840 rather than yield, and after claiming our rights so earnestly in London to a seat in the "World's rights so earnestly in London to a seat in the "World's Convention." He was rather taken aback, and said, "if there Convention." He was rather taken aback, and said, "if there seemed a necessity for women," he thought "they would be seemed a necessity for women," he thought "they would be admitted;" to which the impetuous reply was, "admitted;" to which the impetuous reply was, "seemed a seemed a necessitynecessity!! for !! for one halfone half the nation to act with you!" the nation to act with you!"

Lucretia Mott, 19Lucretia Mott, 19thth Woman Rights Leader and Quaker Woman Rights Leader and Quaker

The State of Southern MethodismThe State of Southern Methodism

““So far as we can ascertain, most of So far as we can ascertain, most of its conferences are virtually broken its conferences are virtually broken up, its circuit system is generally up, its circuit system is generally abandoned, its appointments without abandoned, its appointments without preachers to a great extent, and its preachers to a great extent, and its local societies in utter confusion.”local societies in utter confusion.”– Christian AdvocateChristian Advocate, 1865, 1865

Joshua Soule (1781-1867)Joshua Soule (1781-1867)

Joshua Soule was born in Joshua Soule was born in Bristol, Maine on August Bristol, Maine on August 1, 1781.  He died in 1, 1781.  He died in Nashville, Tennessee on Nashville, Tennessee on March 6, 1867.   Soule March 6, 1867.   Soule quickly became known as quickly became known as an opponent of Calvinism, an opponent of Calvinism, Unitarianism, and Unitarianism, and Universalism. Universalism.

Joshua SouleJoshua SouleWhen he was twenty-three he was appointed When he was twenty-three he was appointed presiding elder over the state of Maine. He was presiding elder over the state of Maine. He was on the committee to draft the constitution of the on the committee to draft the constitution of the delegated general conference, which, since 1813, delegated general conference, which, since 1813, has been the fundamental law of the church. He has been the fundamental law of the church. He was a delegate to the general conference of was a delegate to the general conference of 1812, and also to that of 1816. At the latter he 1812, and also to that of 1816. At the latter he was elected book-agent and editor of the was elected book-agent and editor of the "Methodist Magazine." He did not like these "Methodist Magazine." He did not like these posts, and had made up his mind not to accept a posts, and had made up his mind not to accept a re-election ; but in 1820, before that question was re-election ; but in 1820, before that question was raised, he was elected a bishop.  raised, he was elected a bishop. 

Joshua SouleJoshua SouleA great debate had occurred on whether A great debate had occurred on whether presiding elders should be elected or, as presiding elders should be elected or, as before, appointed by the bishops. Mr. before, appointed by the bishops. Mr. Soule was opposed to their election, but Soule was opposed to their election, but the majority of the conference voted in the majority of the conference voted in favor of it. Having full confidence in his favor of it. Having full confidence in his sincerity, they elected him bishop, but he sincerity, they elected him bishop, but he declined rather than administer what he declined rather than administer what he believed to be an unconstitutional law, believed to be an unconstitutional law, reentered the pastorate, and was reentered the pastorate, and was stationed first in New York and then in stationed first in New York and then in Baltimore.  Baltimore. 

Joshua SouleJoshua SouleIn 1824 the General Conference In 1824 the General Conference reversed its action and reelected him reversed its action and reelected him bishop. These circumstances have no bishop. These circumstances have no parallel in the history of the parallel in the history of the denomination. denomination. In 1842 Soule visits Great Britain as a In 1842 Soule visits Great Britain as a delegate from the General delegate from the General Conference of the United States to Conference of the United States to the British Wesleyan conference.  the British Wesleyan conference. 

Joshua SouleJoshua SouleIn 1844 the General Conference was held in New In 1844 the General Conference was held in New York. Bishop James O. Andrew had become York. Bishop James O. Andrew had become complicated with slavery, and the conference complicated with slavery, and the conference passed a resolution asking him to desist from the passed a resolution asking him to desist from the exercise of his functions until this encumbrance exercise of his functions until this encumbrance should be removed. It was Bishop Soule's opinion should be removed. It was Bishop Soule's opinion that the conference had no right to pass such a that the conference had no right to pass such a resolution. Bishop Andrew declined the resolution. Bishop Andrew declined the proposition, and the result was a division of the proposition, and the result was a division of the church. Bishop Soule adhered to the southern church. Bishop Soule adhered to the southern members, and when the Methodist Episcopal members, and when the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was established he went with it, Church, South, was established he went with it, and became its Senior Bishop.  and became its Senior Bishop. 

Joshua SouleJoshua Soule

In 1848 he visited the General In 1848 he visited the General Conference of the Methodist Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pittsburg, but Episcopal Church at Pittsburg, but was not recognized as a bishop or a was not recognized as a bishop or a delegate, though he was courteously delegate, though he was courteously received as a visitor. At the age of received as a visitor. At the age of seventy-two he retired from public seventy-two he retired from public life. life.

Palmyra ManifestoPalmyra ManifestoStatement prepared by two dozen Statement prepared by two dozen ministers and twelve laymen in the ministers and twelve laymen in the summer of 1865 in Palmyra, Missouri.summer of 1865 in Palmyra, Missouri.

Maintained that continued separation of Maintained that continued separation of the two denominations of paramount the two denominations of paramount importance, if for no other reason, importance, if for no other reason, because of all the wrongs perpetrated because of all the wrongs perpetrated upon the Southern churches by Union upon the Southern churches by Union TroopsTroops

Palmyra ManifestoPalmyra Manifesto

“…“…it is due every principle of self-it is due every principle of self-respect and ecclesiastical propriety respect and ecclesiastical propriety that we maintain, with firm reliance that we maintain, with firm reliance upon the help of the Great Hand of upon the help of the Great Hand of the Church, our organization without the Church, our organization without embarrassment or compromise.”embarrassment or compromise.”– Excerpt from “Palmyra Manifesto”Excerpt from “Palmyra Manifesto”

General Conference of 1866 General Conference of 1866 Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, South

Should the laity have representation Should the laity have representation on the floor of the General and on the floor of the General and Annual Conferences?Annual Conferences?

Motion in favor of lay representation Motion in favor of lay representation passes.passes.

1870 General Conference the first 1870 General Conference the first with elected lay delegation, with with elected lay delegation, with equal lay-clergy representation.equal lay-clergy representation.

General Conference of 1866 General Conference of 1866 Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, South

Probationary period for church Probationary period for church membership abolished.membership abolished.

Compulsory attendance of class Compulsory attendance of class meetings abolished.meetings abolished.

Four year limit placed on each Four year limit placed on each itinerate appointment or charge. itinerate appointment or charge.

Four new bishops elected.Four new bishops elected.

General Conference of 1866 General Conference of 1866 Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, South

Conference decisions obviously Conference decisions obviously provide a needed framework for provide a needed framework for reconstituting the denomination.reconstituting the denomination.While white membership increases, While white membership increases, black membership rapidly declines.black membership rapidly declines.Less than 20,000 Black American Less than 20,000 Black American members by 1869.members by 1869.White membership by 1875: over White membership by 1875: over 700,000.700,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, SouthContinues its mission to the “Negroes” but Continues its mission to the “Negroes” but political changes push toward segregation political changes push toward segregation of congregations.of congregations.J.B. McFerrin, assists in the reconstitution J.B. McFerrin, assists in the reconstitution of publishing and education concerns.of publishing and education concerns.Sunday schools boomingSunday schools boomingVanderbilt University founded in 1875Vanderbilt University founded in 1875Revivalism resurgentRevivalism resurgentTemperance Movement supported by the Temperance Movement supported by the denomination.denomination.

Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, South

The African American membership of The The African American membership of The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had declined significantly during and after the declined significantly during and after the war. In 1870 its General Conference voted war. In 1870 its General Conference voted to transfer all of its remaining African to transfer all of its remaining African American constituency to a new church. American constituency to a new church. The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (now called The Christian Methodist (now called The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church) was the product of this Episcopal Church) was the product of this decision.decision.

Meanwhile, in the North…Meanwhile, in the North…Rapid urbanization brings an end to Rapid urbanization brings an end to Romanticism and a rise in Liberal Romanticism and a rise in Liberal philosophy.philosophy.Methodist Episcopal Church becomes Methodist Episcopal Church becomes a major urban denomination. a major urban denomination.Movement for massive church Movement for massive church extension into rural areas begins.extension into rural areas begins.Membership by 1900 exceeds three Membership by 1900 exceeds three million.million.

Methodist Episcopal ChurchMethodist Episcopal ChurchContinued its general opposition to Continued its general opposition to understanding the Episcopacy as a higher, understanding the Episcopacy as a higher, third tier of ordination. Instead, Bishop third tier of ordination. Instead, Bishop was an office served, but not necessarily was an office served, but not necessarily for life.for life.

Methodist Protestant Church moved Methodist Protestant Church moved further away from the Episcopacy, forming further away from the Episcopacy, forming an Annual Council to advise bishops in an Annual Council to advise bishops in 1875. Annual Council finally dissolved by 1875. Annual Council finally dissolved by 1892.1892.

Methodist Protestant ChurchMethodist Protestant ChurchThe Methodist Protestant Church was The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in November 1828 in response organized in November 1828 in response to growing controversy within the to growing controversy within the Methodist Episcopal Church surrounding Methodist Episcopal Church surrounding the representation of lay members within the representation of lay members within church conferences.  Members broke with church conferences.  Members broke with the Methodist Episcopal Church over what the Methodist Episcopal Church over what they perceived as the unlimited exercise they perceived as the unlimited exercise of power over church policies by the of power over church policies by the ministry, to the exclusion of lay members.ministry, to the exclusion of lay members.  

Methodist Protestant ChurchMethodist Protestant ChurchRejecting the notion of Episcopal, or ministerial, Rejecting the notion of Episcopal, or ministerial, control, the new church designated equal control, the new church designated equal representation of ministerial and lay members for representation of ministerial and lay members for each conference, thereby assuring "the mutual each conference, thereby assuring "the mutual rights of the ministry and the laity."  Originally rights of the ministry and the laity."  Originally known as The Associated Methodist Churches, the known as The Associated Methodist Churches, the later title was adopted in 1830 during the Second later title was adopted in 1830 during the Second Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.  Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.  Beginning with a national membership of 5,000 in Beginning with a national membership of 5,000 in 1830, membership reached 196,985 by 1939. 1830, membership reached 196,985 by 1939.

Methodist Protestant ChurchMethodist Protestant ChurchThe Methodist Protestants being a reform The Methodist Protestants being a reform movement, were well-known for the battles they movement, were well-known for the battles they fought over the great societal issues of the 19fought over the great societal issues of the 19thth century such as slavery, temperance, and secret century such as slavery, temperance, and secret oath-bound societies. oath-bound societies. In regard to slavery, the Methodist Protestants In regard to slavery, the Methodist Protestants were considerably more abolitionist than the were considerably more abolitionist than the Methodist Episcopals, probably because the Methodist Episcopals, probably because the smaller body did not have many churches in smaller body did not have many churches in southern states. southern states. Reunited with Methodist Episcopal Church in Reunited with Methodist Episcopal Church in 1939.1939.

LiberalismLiberalismA 19th century political viewpoint or A 19th century political viewpoint or ideology associated with strong ideology associated with strong support for a broad interpretation of support for a broad interpretation of civil liberties for freedom of civil liberties for freedom of expression and religious toleration, expression and religious toleration, for widespread popular participation for widespread popular participation in the political process, and for the in the political process, and for the repeal of protectionist legal repeal of protectionist legal restrictions inhibiting the operation restrictions inhibiting the operation of a capitalist free market economy.of a capitalist free market economy.

LiberalismLiberalismLiberal American Protestantism in the 19th Liberal American Protestantism in the 19th century was allied with similar trends in Europe, century was allied with similar trends in Europe, where scholars were reading and interpreting the where scholars were reading and interpreting the Bible in a new way. They questioned the validity Bible in a new way. They questioned the validity of biblical miracles and traditional beliefs about of biblical miracles and traditional beliefs about the authorship of biblical books. There was also the authorship of biblical books. There was also the challenge of Charles Darwin's theory of the challenge of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to contend with. If human beings were evolution to contend with. If human beings were descended from other animals, as most scientists descended from other animals, as most scientists came to believe, then the story of Adam and Eve, came to believe, then the story of Adam and Eve, the biblical first parents, could not be literally the biblical first parents, could not be literally true. In this manner, Methodist theology and true. In this manner, Methodist theology and doctrine submitted itself to the standards of doctrine submitted itself to the standards of rationalism and objectivism. rationalism and objectivism.

LiberalismLiberalism

What distinguished 19th-century What distinguished 19th-century Liberal Protestants was optimism Liberal Protestants was optimism about the human capacity for about the human capacity for improvement. Some of the early improvement. Some of the early ministers believed that the church ministers believed that the church could accelerate progress by trying could accelerate progress by trying to reform society. In the spirit of the to reform society. In the spirit of the gospels, they began to work on gospels, they began to work on behalf of the urban poor. behalf of the urban poor.

The Question of ItineracyThe Question of Itineracy

During Reconstruction, both During Reconstruction, both denominations struggle with the denominations struggle with the issue of itineracy.issue of itineracy.

Many pastors presenting arguments Many pastors presenting arguments both for and against the institution of both for and against the institution of itineracy.itineracy.

In Favor of ItineracyIn Favor of ItineracyScriptural institution practiced by Scriptural institution practiced by Jesus, disciples and the primitive Jesus, disciples and the primitive church.church.Part of the early beginnings of Part of the early beginnings of MethodismMethodismAdvocated by John WesleyAdvocated by John WesleyPracticed by Asbury, Coke and othersPracticed by Asbury, Coke and othersProvided ability of clergy to reach Provided ability of clergy to reach othersothers

In Opposition of ItineracyIn Opposition of ItineracyItineracy a human invention.Itineracy a human invention.Times have changed since Wesley and Times have changed since Wesley and Asbury.Asbury.Permanent appointments would improve Permanent appointments would improve efficiency and encourage preachers to be efficiency and encourage preachers to be more studious and devoted.more studious and devoted.Impossible to promote a stable, moral Impossible to promote a stable, moral existence under such a system.existence under such a system.Continued threat to the family.Continued threat to the family.Parishioners do not like the system.Parishioners do not like the system.

Decline of Class MeetingDecline of Class Meeting

Domesticated by the Sunday schoolDomesticated by the Sunday school

When Circuit Riders take When Circuit Riders take appointments, class leader and local appointments, class leader and local preacher positions no longer preacher positions no longer necessary.necessary.

Decline of the Camp MeetingDecline of the Camp MeetingAnnual Conferences begin to purchase Annual Conferences begin to purchase land as permanent camp meeting spaces.land as permanent camp meeting spaces.Removes the spontaneity of camp meeting Removes the spontaneity of camp meeting experience.experience.Liberal Protestant movement enhance Liberal Protestant movement enhance decline.decline.Chautauqua, as a logical, well planned Chautauqua, as a logical, well planned summer series of lectures, emerges.summer series of lectures, emerges.Camp meetings still held in the South Camp meetings still held in the South (revivalism still a part of the Methodist (revivalism still a part of the Methodist Spirit)Spirit)