One of my favorite blogs is the My Primitive Methodists blog, a "community archive for the 19th century working class movement known as the Primitive Methodists." I find it interesting for the history that it provides, but I also it inspiring. Please take a look and support the effort.
It's hard to argue with a religion that takes the points made in the following excerpt seriously:
The Primitive Methodist Chapel became central in village life. A lofty Christian experience developed. Christ was in the midst. Prayer Meetings were spiritual meals. Class Meetings were genuinely experimental, truly educational and really inspirational. Love of fellows deepened. From the Colliery Chapel as a centre, gracious influences emanated that invigorated all phases of public me. These little Bethels were often miniature colleges. Deep conversations on important life topics that increased knowledge, developed ready utterance and equipped men for public work, were the order of the day. Strong religious experience was at the root of the social and industrial reforms occupying the minds of intelligent miners in our church. Preaching the democratic gospel of Jesus, emphasizing liberty of conscience, equality of opportunity, brotherhood of man, and Saviourhood of Christ; it was only to be expected that in mining areas our church should be interested in the working conditions of the people. Laymen inspired by our principles became associated with Trades Union matters. Trusted by their fellows, taught in our Class Meetings and Pulpits to express themselves clearly, large numbers were appointed Union Officials. In times full of danger and risk, these Primitive Methodists strongly advocated the just and righteous claims of the miners, when up against a tyrannical capitalism. They were men of fine intelligence, possessing the truly human touch and aflame with zeal for a noble cause. Take John Johnson as a shining example. The story of the suffering of these heroic souls is great reading. Unselfish, sacrificial, Christian products of our church they were. Embedded in the constitution of the Miners’ Associations of Durham and Northumberland lie lofty social and industrial ideals, that were first conceived in the minds of leading laymen of our church. Miners they were, and also Christian gentlemen. Read the fine ethical, human and spiritual emblems adorning the splendid Miners‘ Lodge banners that visit Durham City annually for the Gala Day, and you get creations of the heart and soul of ardent moral and spiritual giants, and Primitive Methodist local preachers. In days when the collier was treated as a chattel, a cog in the industrial wheel, a tool and not a man, with no acknowledged right to organise for industrial justice, then this Church, through its godly men, did much to lift the standard of life. Colliery Directors have paid tribute to our Church’s influence on the miners’ moral life, by employing evangelists like the Rev. William Gelley to preach at their colleries, to bring salvation to the workers and so stop idle time and increase output. Brutal pugilism, beastly drinking, degrading gambling often yielded to the potency of love’s evangel. The standard was improved by bringing Christ into the miners’ lives and homes. Those pit village homes, situated in drab streets, took on a new air of neatness and cleanliness when Primitive Methodism arrived there. What a rich family idea was present in colliery village Churches! Bearing one another’s burdens, sharing one another’s joys, weeping with those that wept and rejoicing with those that rejoiced. The appetite for the House of God was keen, the relish for religious services was marked, the heart and flesh cried out for the living God. Troubles were conquered in the praise service, carking cares were overcome by the joy of the Lord. Minds were opened to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and sound judgment, wholesome character, and strong personality were realised amongst the mining folk.
It is not such an easy task to state clearly and strongly the present day effect of Primitive Methodism on the social, industrial, moral and spiritual life of coal miners. Good and great men and women there are still in our midst, who, while saturated with the spirit of our Church, are vital factors in ,the wide, varied life of mining centres, and forcibly mould public opinion. Men of the type of Councillor Peter Lee, Chairman of the Durham County Council, Agent of the Durham Miners’ Association, Primitive Methodist Local Preacher and Sunday-school Teacher, serve as illustrations. Furthermore, a large number of miner local preachers are possessed of considerable ability and keep abreast of the thought and literature of modern times, and take an intelligent part in the civic affairs of their districts and sweeten the atmosphere with their powerful and fragrant personalities. Mr. W. Smith, J.P., of Cramlington, Northumberland, who so impressed Berwick-on-Tweed District Synod and Hull Conference, is a case in point. He is Christian, poet, philosopher, social reformer and humorist thrown into one man. What a testimony these men are bearing today to the redeeming, moralising, progressive force in Primitive Methodism! They abundantly prove that moral wholesomeness, Christian robustness, and humanity are ingredients of a worthy character that grows in the soil of our Church in mining areas. A survey of the coal fields calls up names of present day men and women of the collier class who are seers, statesmen, readers, thinkers, mystics, poets, saints, and humanitarians. We think of Mr. John Williamson, of Brandon, a local preacher, is great lover of books, and a true poet.
The White Slaves of England by J Cobden, 1853---Found on Wikipedia.
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