Additional Notes

These are my additions/notes to Ms Chapman's text

Preface

1.Manx Wesleyan Record Presume by this meant "The Manx Wesleyan Methodist Church Record 1893-" see index
2.Methodist Recorder A list of manx related articles is available.
3.Newspaper References The history of Manx Newspapers is given in section L4 of Cubbon's Bibliography (Vol2)
Manx Sun
Mona's Herald commenced 1833 by Walls and R.Fargher, in 1835 Fargher, aged 30 became editor until death in 1863. Remained in the Fargher family until 1930.
Isle of Man Times 1861-; founded by James Brown - the 'establishment' view
Isle of Man Examiner 1880- ;founded by Samuel Keown Broadbent, grandson of famous Wesleyan Minister. Tended towards the 'non-conformist' view.
Ramsey Courier 1884- ;founded by John Craine
Unfortunately Ms Chapman does not include full references to all of her quotes, especially to those in the Manx Museum. These will be added as I get chance to work in Library.
4.Rosser James Rosser The History of Wesleyan Methodism in the Isle of Man: with some account of the Island, and of the life and labours of Bishop Wilson; in a series of letters published Douglas 1849;
5.Curry Rev W. Curry The Story of Primitive Methodism in the Isle of Man published in The Primitive Methodist World pp917/8 Dec 27th 1906

Historical introduction

1.Membership - figures available for Wesleyan and Prims.
2.Manx Carvals - see Carvalyn Gailkagh, 1891
3.Wesley's Visits Occurred May/June 1777 and May/June 1781 see selection of extracts from journal.
Some background to the relationship of John Wesley to Man can be found in the article by J. Kerruish in Mannin Vol 9 p511 et seq 1917.
4.Rev Corlett According to Moore 'Manx Worthies' He was among the few clergy in the Isle of Man who showed any active friendliness towards the Wesleyan Methodists. In 1775 he assured John Crook, one of the earliest preachers in Man, that he would give him the right hand of fellowship, and he desired him to make use of his house as if it were a brother's. In 1777 he told John Wesley that he would gladly have asked him to preach, if it had not been that the Bishop (Richmond) had forbidden him to do so, but 21 years later he seems to have fallen out with John Crook, and to have stated his intention of preaching against the Methodists. In 1781 he greatly increased his congregations by preaching Bishop Wilson's sermons to them in Manx. He translated the book of Exodus into Manx, and superintended the publication of the ' Christian Monitor ' in the same language.'

being a day set apart by Wesleyan Methodists and others, of Douglas, for Public Thanksgiving to the Almighty for that merciful exemption of the town from cholera during that year. At a meeting held in the Vestry of the Wesleyan Chapel at which several ladies were present it was agreed: Quot;That a Society be formed, which shall be denominated 'THE DOUGLAS DORCAS SOCIETY', in allusion to the character of Dorcas recorded in Acts ix, 36. "

9.Rippon 'Affair' Samuel Norris in Manx Memories and Movements 1938, has the following:

.. another "come-over" minister of religion, but still in harness, was creating a great hub-bub in public affairs. He was the Rev. Thomas Rippon, the second Wesleyan minister in the Douglas circuit. He was contemporary in the Island with Governor Sir West Ridgeway and had observed, with him, the midnight orgies and other evils which preceded the suppression of illicit sale of liquor.
Mr. Rippon preached two sermons which he unfortunately named "The Morals of Douglas," a phrase which has done Douglas and the Isle of Man incalculable harm for over a quarter of a century.

These sermons-or rather the public title broadcast through the English Press-greatly enraged all shades of local public opinion. After delivering the first sermon the minister's life was hardly safe, but he persisted and gave his second discourse-then went to bed, a sick and nerve-racked man.
An injunction was sought and obtained in the Isle of Man Chancery Court to stop the publication of the sermons. The official life of the Island was greatly disturbed because the disclosures reflected on the administration of government; therefore the political judges, who were part of the Legislature and government, were only too ready to stop the circulation of what were described as gross calumnies of Douglas in the holiday season.
The time came, however, and before long, when Thomas Rippon was regarded as the most honoured and popular preacher in the Isle of Man. When his term of three years' service expired, the Governor of the Island had him as a respected guest at Government House; and many of his former critics were his warmest friends.
The fact was that when the sermons were examined in an impartial and chastened atmosphere, they were found to contain nothing except what was for the good of the town; and his suggested improvements were so reasonable and self-evidently desirable that they were speedily accomplished by both Government and private action. More police were wanted; more light in public and semi-public resorts; earlier closing down of amusements; and the prevention of the public exhibition of beer drinking. However strongly the indictment might have been framed, these things were almost all that were necessary to remove the alleged evils, and they were duly performed.

Primitive Methodism in Douglas

Castletown Circuit

Rechabite The Independent Order of Rechabites was a total abstinence society formed at Salford August 1835, with the first Manx branch (or 'tent') established July 1836. The name comes from Rechab.
A fuller history is available in 1936 Centenary Booklet




Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2001

Additional Notes

Preface

Historical introduction

After Wesley's Death - Dissent within Wesleyan Methodism

Primitive Methodism on the Island

Douglas: Wesleyan Chapels and Sunday Schools, and progress of societies

Primitive Methodism in Douglas

Castletown Circuit

Ramsey Circuit

Peel Circuit

Unusual Items of Interest