Manx Methodist Historical Society - Newsletter 8

METHODISM IN MANX POLITICS

- Mr. C. C. McFee and the Rev. Fred Costain

At the Annual General Meeting in October 1987, Mr. McFee presented a paper entitled " Methodists and Social/Political Reform ".

Prior to the 1920's political power was still vested in the privileged few, the land-owner, the gentry and the affluent members of society. But it was with the coming of Wesleyanism in the early 1700's things had begun to change as men applied their Christian principles to Island affairs, and to remove social injustices which were evident, to raise the standard of life for the masses, and to take power from the privileged few and make it the right of all the people.

After 1823 the Primitives, or Ranters, added their weight to the reform movement, appealing particularly to the working class. The Methodist system of training local preachers, encouraged young men to speak and take part in meetings, which they were not previously able to do because of their subservient position. So there came to the foremen like Archibald Cregeen, a Colby Wesleyan, better know for his Manx Dictionary, who led what is known as " The Potato Mob ", protesting at Governor Smelt at Castletown for the removal of the iniquitous tithe which had been imposed in 1824, when every tenth blossom grown in a poor man's garden was taken from him and his impoverished family for the benefit of Church and State.

Another reformer, Tom Shimmin of Peel spent twelve months in Castletown Jail for his agitation against the corn laws.

By the beginning, of this century " The Rushen Mutual Improvement Society " was founded, with a view to its members becoming active in local affairs. They were mostly prominent Methodist, one of whom was Mr. J. R. Corrin, a Methodist Local Preacher who later became the first Labour M.H.K. so enthusiastic was Mr. Corrin that he was chastised by the Castletown Circuit Quarterly Meeting for preaching Christian Socialism and was threatened with removal from the Plan.

Another famous Methodist Local Preacher was Tom Cormode, a blacksmith from Peel who had the audacity to challenge the sitting member, the High Bailiff Laughton. Scorn was poured on this common working class candidate, which was turned to chagrin when Tom Cormode was returned with a healthy majority, and in fact served for 16 years before retiring with ill health.

When the men returned from the trenches in 1918, the Workers' Union was formed and the more socialist members of the Progressives detached themselves and became eventually the Rushen Labour Party - here again Methodists were very active, with Wesleyan Methodists active as Progressives and Primitives as Labour.

In 1919 a by-election in Castletown arose as the result of the death of Col. Moore. The Progressive candidate was Mr. Joseph Qualthrough, opposed by Labour Mr. J. R. Corrin. Lieut. J. D. Qualthrough was also nominated while still in khaki, and by mutual agreement supporters of Joseph agreed to support his son, J. D . who was elected and held the seat till his death, eventually becoming Speaker of the House. All three men were Methodists.

In the 1920 election adult suffrage had been achieved and from 1920 to1970 the Rushen constituency was represented by three successive Methodist Local Preachers, Mr. J. R. Corrin, Mr. Dick Kneen, and Mr. C. C. McFee, and because of elevation to the Legislative Council, all three were sitting in the Government together most of the time.

Mr. McFee quoted from Alfred Teare's book on the Manx Labour Party- " One thing stands out prominently in my memory, is the fact that the founders of the Labour movement were men of high Christian principles. Many of them were Methodist local preachers who sought to apply to industry and social conditions the teachings of Christ. Their ideals of service were simple and compelling, they believed in the brotherhood of man, and the ideal of service, and that the resources of the community should be used for the benefit of all ".

At the conclusion of his lecture, Mr. McFee said that Methodists and other non-conformists could be justifiably proud of the contribution they had made to establish social justice in the island, but since the1950's the Methodist influence had declined and he personally frequently found himself in the minority lobby fighting a rearguard action against the erosion of moral values, increased gambling facilities, the extension of drinking facilities and the Sunday opening legislation. He felt that the decline in public worship and membership in the Methodist Church coincided with this public attitude to such issues.

In support of Mr. McFee, Rev. F. Costain confirmed much of what had been said, and contributed further information on John Bridson, a founder member of the Highway Board, nominated in 1866. John Bridson was the grandson of the Bridson who had offered a preaching site to one of John Crook's preachers when he had attempted to preach at St. Mark's in 1775, and been knocked off the stone.

Rev. E. Cubbon recalled that the Labour Party in Peel had started in his father's shop.

Rev . R. Kissack, in proposing a vote of thanks made reference to Methodist editors of local newspapers, and reminded the meeting of the very valuable contributions that Mr. Mcfee himself had made in the political sphere. At one time in the Keys there were 14 members who were Methodist, 12 of them local preachers. The coming of Methodism had meant the coming of democracy and reformation.

In the Spring of this year, one of our best attended meetings was held at Union Mills, when over 60 people. enjoyed Rev. R. Kissack's lecture entitled " Born in Song ". an account of Charles Wesley's contribution to the Methodist revival through his hymns. The audience sang 10 hymns as illustrations, accompanied by Rev. Maurice Johnson. It was agreed by all that Methodism still lives in song, and may we never lose that very precious attribute. A very attractive tea was served by the ladies at Union Mills after the lecture, which contributed to the goodly fellowship of the afternoon.