Engraving: Methodist camp meeting 1819, Library of Congress
“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley
― John Wesley
Readers, please forgive me for making use of the Hymn "O Sacred Flood" (David John’s Flood Run Part V). This Hymn is not contained in the June, 1898 Primitive Methodist Hymnal. In fact, it appears to have been composed by Ohioan William Augustine Ogden (1841-1897), and was popular from about 1875 - 1940. Whether the hymn made its way north to Canada and into the rather rigid Methodist congregations remains any hymnologist's puzzle.
London brothers John (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) Wesley, the patriarchs of Methodism, were fairly rigid in their hymn singing expectations. John's 1761 "Directions for Singing" is filled with (at least to the modern vocalist) humorous musical and behavioral dictums.
Nomenclature involved in the term "Primitive Methodist" appears somewhat jocular in its primeval associations, bringing a variety of puritanical punishments to mind. In actuality the term "Primitive" in the religious sense refers to a return to origins, or the purposeful practice of a belief system as it was originally intended. The Canadian Encyclopedia defines Methodism thusly:
"Methodism...encouraged personal holiness and a disciplined (hence "methodical") Christian life. It was distinctive in its Arminianism, the belief that individuals are free to accept or reject God's grace, and that it is possible to attain 'perfection' (the overcoming of a will to sin) in this life."
Primitive Methodism seems to have been a working-class revival in the early 1800's. Although Methodism first appeared as a schism from the Church of England, typical Methodist political tendencies leaned towards Toryism, royalism and away from rebellion (3). This came in very handy for the protestant Loyalists in Ontario, Canada and elsewhere. In addition, the temperance movement was a strong part of Primitive Methodism in the New World.
According to several Canadian censuses Williamsville Village in the city of Kingston was the location of the homes of Daniel Hersey (1797-1879) and his son Thomas Albert (1839–1910), and Primitive Methodism was certainly listed as their religion of choice. When Daniel Hersey left Cayuga County, New York and arrived in Ontario, Canada in approximately 1830 he very likely attended church in a private home, barn, or an open outdoor camp meeting led by a travelling (circuit rider) minister. His first church meetings may have been in Cataraqui at the location of the original cemetery, or in nearby Waterloo Village. I speculate on Waterloo Village because one source has indicated it to be the burial place of Daniel’s first wife, Mariah Acker (1795-about 1834) (1 page 34.){Please note there are a few date issues in Stephen E. Hersey’s account, some of which I will visit in later writings}.
London brothers John (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) Wesley, the patriarchs of Methodism, were fairly rigid in their hymn singing expectations. John's 1761 "Directions for Singing" is filled with (at least to the modern vocalist) humorous musical and behavioral dictums.
Nomenclature involved in the term "Primitive Methodist" appears somewhat jocular in its primeval associations, bringing a variety of puritanical punishments to mind. In actuality the term "Primitive" in the religious sense refers to a return to origins, or the purposeful practice of a belief system as it was originally intended. The Canadian Encyclopedia defines Methodism thusly:
"Methodism...encouraged personal holiness and a disciplined (hence "methodical") Christian life. It was distinctive in its Arminianism, the belief that individuals are free to accept or reject God's grace, and that it is possible to attain 'perfection' (the overcoming of a will to sin) in this life."
Primitive Methodism seems to have been a working-class revival in the early 1800's. Although Methodism first appeared as a schism from the Church of England, typical Methodist political tendencies leaned towards Toryism, royalism and away from rebellion (3). This came in very handy for the protestant Loyalists in Ontario, Canada and elsewhere. In addition, the temperance movement was a strong part of Primitive Methodism in the New World.
According to several Canadian censuses Williamsville Village in the city of Kingston was the location of the homes of Daniel Hersey (1797-1879) and his son Thomas Albert (1839–1910), and Primitive Methodism was certainly listed as their religion of choice. When Daniel Hersey left Cayuga County, New York and arrived in Ontario, Canada in approximately 1830 he very likely attended church in a private home, barn, or an open outdoor camp meeting led by a travelling (circuit rider) minister. His first church meetings may have been in Cataraqui at the location of the original cemetery, or in nearby Waterloo Village. I speculate on Waterloo Village because one source has indicated it to be the burial place of Daniel’s first wife, Mariah Acker (1795-about 1834) (1 page 34.){Please note there are a few date issues in Stephen E. Hersey’s account, some of which I will visit in later writings}.
I was very pleased to spot the former location of Kingston’s Primitive Methodist Church on 20 Brock Street near corner of Brock and Barrie streets; the third lot from Barrie street directly across from the Bishops Palace and caddy-corner to the lavish St Mary's Cathedral. Its undoubtedly traditional simple Primitive Methodist structure must have been an amusing contrast to the cathedral and a comment on Christian spending. Closed in around 1922 (2), the location now sports a series of lovely brick row houses.
There are still practicing Primitive Methodists today:
PrimitiveMethodistChurch.org
An extensive essay on Primitive Methodism history in Canada written by Reverend J. Cooper Antliff, D.D. can be found at Centennial of Canadian Methodism; Historical Sketch of the Primitive Methodist Church in Canada.
In addition, an interesting history of the Methodist Church in Canada can be found at the blog "Fadedgenes".
One can also find "Old-Time Primitive Methodism in Canada" in Google Books.
PrimitiveMethodistChurch.org
An extensive essay on Primitive Methodism history in Canada written by Reverend J. Cooper Antliff, D.D. can be found at Centennial of Canadian Methodism; Historical Sketch of the Primitive Methodist Church in Canada.
In addition, an interesting history of the Methodist Church in Canada can be found at the blog "Fadedgenes".
One can also find "Old-Time Primitive Methodism in Canada" in Google Books.
Whitby, Ontario Methodist Church – 1875 (136 miles west of Kingston on Lake Ontario)
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