METHODISTS, CALVINISTIC. Up to 1751, John Wesley and George Whitefield had worked in harmony, but then arose a difference of opinion between them on the doctrine of election, which resulted in their separation. Whitefield held the Calvinistic view, Wesley the Arminian.
After Whitefield's death, in 1769, his followers gradually settled
into two separate religious bodies, one being the Lady Huntingdon's
Connexion, or, as it is sometimes called, the English Calvinistic
Methodists, and the other the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists.
Whitefield was chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon, and it was by his advice she became the patroness of his followers, and founded a college for the education of Calvinistic preachers. The doctrines of this connexion are almost identical with those of the Church of England, interpreted, of course, in a Calvinistic sense, and her liturgy is generally employed. They have no general ecclesiastical government, and have become virtually Congregational Societies.
The Welsh Calvinistic Methodists owe their origin in a great degree to a Mr. Harris, who did for Wales much what Wesley and Whitefield did for England. He instituted "Private Societies" in 1736, but it was not till 1811 that the connexion separated from the Church. Their Church government differs slightly from Wesleyanism, and their doctrines are said to be in accordance with the 39 Articles, interpreted in a Calvinistic sense.
Chapels 1,343
Ministers and Preachers 981
Deacons 4,317
Members 5,029
On probation 177,383
Sunday Scholars 119,358
During the year 1881-82, L163,875 was collected for various religious purposes.