METHODISTS, PRIMITIVE. A Christian body which represents a secession from the Methodism of John Wesley (see WESLEYAN METHODISTS). They were so called because they reverted, as they claimed, to the original or primitive methods of Wesley and his followers. They did this by " preaching in the open air, holding camp meetings to promote revivals, singing through the street, praying and preaching anywhere and everywhere they could, so as to save souls." The ministers of the older community, the members of which are now called Wesleyan Methodists to distinguish them from the Methodist New Connexion, disapproved of these irregular proceedings. "These elders induced the Conference to denounce the holding of a great camp meeting, May 31, 1807, on Mow Cop hill on the borders of Cheshire and Staffordshire. It was promoted by Hugh and James Bourne, and was attended by thousands of people. The
two enthusiastic brethren were refused their ,tickets of membership, and virtually driven from the society. Next a class leader, named William Clowes, was suspended for his sympathy and co-operation in the movement; and in the same year (1810) ten persons, who had been con verted at a village service in Stanley, were refused admis sion to the society. These with Clowes and the Bourns formed the nucleus of the new community, which from that time continued to grow and flourish. Its members were mostly poor and uneducated: yet they were thoroughly devoted to its interests, and were, moreover, always ready to make great sacrifices to promote them. In their Conference the Primitive Methodists have two laymen to one minister; and they were amongst the first to encourage the public preaching of women " (J. A. Houlder).