Moving beyond the 18th century, the papers in this collection examine the explosion of Methodist education during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This era marked a shift from itinerant preachers relying on the "Book of Nature" and the Bible to the establishment of robust institutions of higher learning.
, examines the practical difficulties of maintaining these standards in industrial settings The Sunday School Movement : John Wesley’s early support for all-day Sunday Schools Moving beyond the 18th century, the papers in
: Methodism rejects the divide between "academic" and "spiritual" excellence, arguing that a disciplined mind better serves God and neighbor. The conference title draws from a famous hymn
The conference title draws from a famous hymn by Charles Wesley, written for the 1748 opening of Kingswood School Published by the Wesley Historical Society, this collection
provided basic literacy and biblical training to children who worked during the week. Gender and Class : Papers investigated how Wesley's thinking on child-rearing
were strategically located in northern industrial districts to serve working-class families. Notable Perspectives from the Papers
This intricate relationship is the subject of the seminal work, . Published by the Wesley Historical Society, this collection of essays serves not only as a historical record but as a theological treatise on the DNA of Methodism. This article explores the themes, historical insights, and enduring relevance of this critical text, demonstrating why the 2002 conference papers remain essential reading for historians, educators, and theologians today.