PREFACE

IN this book representatives of the different branches of which the united Methodist Church in this country is now composed, give from their respective points of view a brief record of the historical development of Methodism in this land. No control is sought to be exercised over the expression of individual opinion. It is possible that in the treatment of what were at the time strongly disputed topics, there may be expressed some variety of judgment; but as these are now dead issues, with respect to which we can agree to differ, it is thought best to leave untouched such expressions. It is a happy thought that at the close of the first century of Methodism in Canada all these causes of dispute and of difference between brethren are now laid aside, and that we can calmly survey what was once a hotly disputed field. At no previous period in the history of Methodism in this land could this have been possible, and in no other land beneath the sun is it possible yet.

The different phases of church life and church work—missionary, educational, literary, statistical and the like—are treated by persons having special facilities for treating the same. It was felt by the General Conference, which authorized the publication of this book, that it would have been a misfortune to allow this opportunity to pass without summing up the progress of the century. With devout hearts we may well exclaim, “ What hath God wrought! ” If with limited means and divided efforts in this sparsely settled country so much has been accomplished in the past, what may we not expect as the result of the larger endowment and greater number and more favourable opportunities of the future.

WESLEY MEMORIAL, WESTMINSTER ABBEY

CONTENTS

The Providential Rise of the Wesleyan Revival
Rev. George Douglas, D.D., LL.D.

Historical Sketch of Methodism in the Eastern Provinces
Rev. John Lathern, D.D.

Historical Sketch of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Upper and Lower Canada
Rev. Hugh Johnston, M.A., D.D.

Historical Sketch of the Methodist New Connexion Church in Canada
Rev. William Williams, D.D.

The Methodist Church of Canada, 1873-1883
Rev. E. H. Dewart, D.D.

Historical Sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada
Rev. S. G. Stone, D.D.

Historical Sketch of the Primitive Methodist Church in Canada
Rev. J. Cooper Antliff, D.D.

The Bible Christian Church
Rev. George Webber

The Methodist Church
Rev. Albert Carman, D.D.

The Methodist Church in Relation to Missions
Rev. Alexander Sutherland, D.D.

Methodist Literature and Methodist Sunday-schools
Rev. W. H. Withrow, D.D., F.R.S.C.

Methodist Education in Canada
Rev. Nathaniel Burwash, S. T. D.

Statistical Record of the Progress of Methodism in Canada during the First One Hundred Years of its History
Rev. George H. Cornish, LL. D.