[Part 3 of Mrs Chapman's "Story of Manx Methodism"]

Primitive Methodism in the Isle of Man

One movement within Methodism that took deep root was Primitive Methodism. It was particularly a working people's movement, having its origins in the Potteries and spreading rapidly through the Midlands and North of England. Its simplicity and its emphasis on lay responsibility appealed greatly to the farmers, miners and fishermen of the Island.

The Bolton ( Lancs ) Quarterly Meeting minute records what H.P.Kendall, the Primitive Methodist Historian called 'the boldest mission any circuit had attempted, when on Decr 7th, 1822, they agreed to send John Butcher to the Isle of Man. Butcher's Journal gives a vivid picture of conditions he met. The island was isolated, boats ran across only once a week, agriculture had well nigh collapsed and. wages were poor. drunkenness was rife, and smuggling almost a staple industry! :But he had hope. The Wesleyan preachers had, perhaps, softened the ground for him; the Bible had been translated into Manx ⁽¹⁾; many Sunday schools were in existence and a few day schools, so that some of the people could read. Although there had been, in theory, compulsory education from 1703 it was not enforceable, as there were too few schools.

Butcher had a tiresome journey. But his sense of vocation and his sense of humour carried him through. Of his voyage and landing -at what is still called Butcher's Beach at Derbyhaven - he says, "The Devil tried to throw me overboard but all he got was my hat".

He immediately began preaching in Castletown, and, his efforts was so blessed that by 1824 there were 18 preaching places for Sunday services and many more class meetings. He made his home at Colby and in a letter written on May 5th, 1823 we learn of the work being done "We have only two preachers, we can cover only 12 square miles, we have no local preachers but some are being trained and are nearly ready to exhort ". He goes on to tell of an amazing love-feast on April 19th, 1823 when so many wanted to testify that they limited the speakers to two minutes each, yet all could not speak, so they adjourned the meeting to a large barn at Ballasalla the next day

Butcher's assistant in 1824 , was William Sharman, and both men literally wore themselves out, Butcher collapsing under the strain. By the end of the first year they reported 643 members, and were strong enough financially to pay back to Bolton the assessment they had been unable to pay the previous year and, also to pay for books supplied. Sharman stayed only one year, and Butcher was joined by his son Thomas. More will be said about their individual work under the circuit headings, but all was not plain sailing. In 1832 they report to District Meeting, "the ungodly proceedings of Mr. Mole... causing divisions, influencing some to leave the society.... ". But in 1833 the membership is reported as "about one thousands" The next year it was down by one hundred and the reasons given are: excommunication through drunkenness and smuggling; the cholera epidemic and emigration.

Emigration has always been a drain on the young; men of the island, and in one quarter alone 17 Primitive Methodist families were reported to have gone to the U.S.A. of whom three men were local preachers and seven class leaders.

Probably the early figures were over stated in their early enthusiasm, and in 1836 a figure of 787 was probably more realistic.

In 1838 there were two circuits, Ramsey and Peel; and Douglas with Castletown. In 1842 Ramsey became a separate circuit with Peel as 'branch'; in 1868 four circuits were in existence. In 1874 Douglas split to form Douglas I and II but in 1899 Douglas became one circuit again with Laxey, Baldhoon and Baldrine forming the Laxey circuit. In 1843 the Irish Mission was under the care of the Isle of Man for one year only, then the Home missions took it over.

In 1840 the Rev. Thos. Jobling reports 838 members in the island, in 1842 there were 1700, and a sixth minister is requested. In this year the first of the District Synods was held in Douglas the intrepid Lancashire folk making the Journey over. ( N.B. There never was an Island District in Primitive Methodism )
The primitive Methodist story will continue under the circuit headings.