Methodism In Britain Research Articles

Thomas Wride and Wesley's Methodist Connexion

‘His singularities of spirit and manners prevented him from being [as] acceptable and useful as he otherwise might have been’ (Wride's obituary in the Methodist Magazine). Thomas Wride is not one of Wesley's preachers anyone would expect a modern biographer to choose. He does not appear in Thomas Jackson's Early Methodist Preachers. Neither Charles Atmore's Methodist Memorial nor the printed version of John Vickers's Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland mentions him. Yet Clive Norris, whose book on Methodist finance in the eighteenth century remains the standard work, has found much more material than this reviewer had realized was available and has used it to produce a portrait of a preacher who served Wesley and whom Wesley seems to have valued, despite Wride's failure to get on well with his fellow preachers. He also has produced a picture of the Methodist connexion in the later eighteenth century, with useful sketches of Irish circuits, of how a supernumerary preacher managed in York in his old age, and how Wesley supervised and encouraged his itinerant preachers, maintaining good relations even with one of the more difficult and prickly among them.The sizeable cache of documents in the John Rylands Library written by Wride has been well known for some time, though usually dismissed as long-winded, sometimes both confused and confusing, and often doggerel with some poetry. Norris worked out that some of the confusion was caused by Wride using a blind ‘in case it be seen by any one not concerned’. Norris prints an illustration to show how it worked, and so has brought order to much of the more confusing material. He also has discovered a similar store in the United States at Duke University and brings it all together. Norris used material from other Itinerants of the time, such as John Cricket, to illuminate Wride's relatively long stay in Ireland. A useful appendix lists extant letters between Wesley and Wride.This book is an excellent description of Wride, based on deep study of the documents. Wride married late, with Wesley's (possibly reluctant) permission, and one of the strengths of the book is its summary of the love relationship, which this certainly was (though Jenny was as unpopular in Wride's circuits as he could be) and the problems faced by preachers' wives as well as the preachers within Methodism. Wride began life in Salisbury in 1733, and entered the itinerancy in 1768, late for the eighteenth century. By 1770 he was the Assistant in Whitehaven, a new circuit with few members, which included the Isle of Man. Norris describes Wride's attitude to revival. He shows how complex was his relationship with Wesley, who was very patient with him, telling him to be ‘mild’.Norris has chapters on Wride as physician (common among Wesley's preachers who were imitating the great man), Wride's personal and professional networks (mostly about Wride's quarrels with other preachers), and on Wesley, Wride, and the marketplace of (mostly religious) ideas. In the last he shows Wride's independence of Wesley. In Norwich Wride was suspicious of a Baptist called John Hunt, who was offering help, but Wesley thought Hunt would be useful and moved Wride away. There is an interesting chapter on the growing pains of the Connexion. This includes such topics as money and horses, both of which were a problem for preachers like Wride. There is an intriguing insight on the slowness by which Methodism's central grants might reach their intended target, a criticism that could be levelled today also. In November 1772 Wride reported to Wesley from Newry that the grant to the circuit to cover debt of £6 and a halfpenny had still not arrived, though Conference had met on 4 August. Wride also followed Wesley's rules on hymn-singing, much to the distaste of many of his congregations who wanted more hymns. In 1780 Wesley and Conference made Wride leave the itinerancy, accusing him of not taking his duties as Assistant seriously, of ‘drollery’ (his language was sometimes unacceptable), that he was ‘light and trifling’ in manner, and that he was ‘slothful’. Norris assesses the charges and in general finds him not guilty, except of failing to work well with his fellow itinerants. Wesley was lenient and allowed him back in ‘on Trial’ in 1782.This is an important book that all historians of Methodism in the eighteenth century should read and ponder. It illustrates the importance of the ordinary preacher who kept the Methodist system going and expanded the circuits' sphere of influence with great success, despite their own personal failings and limitations. It also shows how the Methodist connexional system, once created by Wesley, was moving beyond the control even of its founder, who could visit each area only once a year.

Revisiting the Falklands-Malvinas Question: Transnational and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Revisiting the Falklands-Malvinas Question: Transnational and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Women, the Early Development of Sociological Research Methods in Britain and the London School of Economics: A (Partially) Retrieved History

Histories of sociology have concentrated on the development of theory rather than methods. This article examines the work of five women researchers associated with the London School of Economics in the early 20th century to highlight an aspect of this neglected history: the development of research methods. Mildred Bulkley, Maud Davies, Amy Harrison, Bessie Hutchins and Varvara De Vesselitsky all carried out empirical research on the sociology of work, women and the household deploying multiple research methods, including surveys, interviews, observations, covert ethnography and diaries and schedules for recording household diets and finances. Their work combined a sensitivity to social context and lived experience within a framework integrating the drive to social reform with a focus on scientific sociology. Very little of this work is known today. An awareness of it changes our understanding of disciplinary history, particularly with respect to the provenance of research methods, and their role in establishing academic sociology.

Corporatism and Industrial Democracy: The Social Origins of Present Forms and Methods in Britain and Germany (1977)

This paper, written in 1977, analyses historical differences in the social aspects of industrialization in Britain and Germany. These are seen as relevant to an understanding of industrial relations in these countries and as to why the particular forms taken by developments of ‘industrial democracy’ in the two countries will continue to differ in significant ways. Deep-rooted institutions, values, traditions, and dispositions to act in certain ways rather than others, affect the wish and capacity to alter direction. This is relevant to the discussion within the European Community about legislation in employee participation. The European Community Commission argues that industrial and commercial growth; cross-frontier movements of companies, capital, and employees; and economic and monetary union require organized convergence towards ‘a common structural foundation’ throughout the Community. A structure of employee participation is seen as one important element of this convergence. But given the divergent historical legacies of the member-states, how far the Commission’s thrust towards uniform economic and social structures is likely to succeed is problematical.

Holding therapy in Britain: historical background, recent events, and ethical concerns

Holding therapy, an intervention often used in the treatment of foster and adopted children, has been rejected by professional groups on grounds of lack of evidentiary support and of potential harmfulness. Nevertheless, some British proponents have continued to advocate its use. Is this support brought about by the familiarity of concepts used in this treatment? This article reviews the history of related concepts and methods in Britain. It is concluded that a long history of British involvement with related ideas may have encouraged approval of holding therapy, but that ethical concerns argue against its use.

Lancashire, India, and shifting competitive advantage in cotton textiles, 1700–1850: the neglected role of factor prices1

In the early eighteenth century, wages in Britain were more than four times as high as in India, the world's major exporter of cotton textiles. This induced the adoption of more capital‐intensive production methods in Britain and a faster rate of technological progress, so that competitive advantage had begun to shift in Britain's favour by the late eighteenth century. However, the completion of the process was delayed until after the Napoleonic Wars by increasing raw cotton costs, before supply adjusted to the major increase in demand for inputs.

European Industry 1700-1870

This paper offers an overview of the development of European industry between 1700 and 1870, drawing in particular on the recent literature that has emerged following the formation of the European Historical Economics Society in 1991. The approach thus makes use of economic analysis and quantitative methods where appropriate. There are a number of important revisions, compared with previous accounts of Europe’s Industrial Revolution, particularly as embodied in the major existing textbooks on European economic history. First, the Industrial Revolution now emerges as a more gradual process than was once implied by the use of the take-off metaphor. Nevertheless, the scale of the structural transformation that occurred during the process of industrialisation continues to justify the use of the term Industrial Revolution. Second, although the emphasis on the central role of technological change is not new, we use economic analysis to shed new light on the process. Drawing on a model of technological choice first introduced by Paul David, we emphasise the importance of factor prices for the initial switch to modern capital intensive production methods in Britain, the rate of diffusion of these methods to other countries and path dependent technological change. In the cotton industry, particular emphasis is placed on the role of high wages, while in the iron industry, the price of coal is seen to play an important part. We also draw on the idea of a General Purpose Technology to evaluate the role of steam power.

European Industry 1700-1870

Abstract This paper offers an overview of the development of European industry between 1700 and 1870, drawing in particular on the recent literature that has emerged following the formation of the European Historical Economics Society in 1991. The approach thus makes use of economic analysis and quantitative methods where appropriate. There are a number of important revisions, compared with previous accounts of Europe’s Industrial Revolution, particularly as embodied in the major existing textbooks on European economic history. First, the Industrial Revolution now emerges as a more gradual process than was once implied by the use of the take-off metaphor. Nevertheless, the scale of the structural transformation that occurred during the process of industrialisation continues to justify the use of the term Industrial Revolution. Second, although the emphasis on the central role of technological change is not new, we use economic analysis to shed new light on the process. Drawing on a model of technological choice first introduced by Paul David, we emphasise the importance of factor prices for the initial switch to modern capital intensive production methods in Britain, the rate of diffusion of these methods to other countries and path dependent technological change. In the cotton industry, particular emphasis is placed on the role of high wages, while in the iron industry, the price of coal is seen to play an important part. We also draw on the idea of a General Purpose Technology to evaluate the role of steam power.

A dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland. Edited by John A. Vickers. Pp. x+338. Peterborough: Epworth Press, 2000. £30. 0 7162 0534 3

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A Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland

A Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland

Laying the foundations of numeracy. A comparison of primary school textbooks in Britain, Germany and Switzerland

The foundations of mathematical competence laid by primary schools in Germany and Switzerland are compared with Britain on the basis of the main textbooks used in the three countries, supported by observations of classroom practice. The study forms part of the National Institute's wider research programme into comparative productivity, education and training which has repeatedly noted the mathematical deficiencies of British school-leavers. The study examines, among other matters, the greater emphasis given to mental calculation in Continental schools, the more detailed gradation of successive learning-steps, greater number of practice-exercises at each step, and greater continuity in the teaching of each topic. British pupils' attainments could be improved by textbooks which gave more attention to these aspects but, the author stresses, classroom organisation and teaching methods in Britain would also benefit from closer attention to Continental practices.

Intensive Care Society's APACHE II study in Britain and Ireland--II: Outcome comparisons of intensive care units after adjustment for case mix by the American APACHE II method.

To compare outcome between intensive care units in Britain and Ireland both before and after adjustment for case mix with the American APACHE II method and to validate the American APACHE II method in Britain and Ireland. Prospective, cohort study of consecutive admissions to intensive care units. 26 general intensive care units in Britain and Ireland. 8796 admissions to the study intensive care units. Death or survival at discharge from intensive care unit and hospital. At discharge from both intensive care unit and hospital there was a greater than twofold variation in crude mortality between the 26 units. After adjustment for case mix, variations in mortality were still apparent. For four intensive care units the observed numbers of deaths were significantly different from the number predicted by the American APACHE II equation. The overall goodness of fit, or predictive ability, of the APACHE II equation for the British and Irish data was good, being only slightly inferior to that obtained when the equation was tested on the data from which it had been derived. When patients were grouped by various factors such as age and diagnosis, the equation did not adjust across the subgroups in a uniform manner. The American APACHE II equation did not fit the British and Irish data. Use of the American equation could be of advantage or disadvantage to individual intensive care units, depending on the mix of patients treated.

Management selection: A comparative survey of methods used in top British and French companies

This paper presents results of a study comparing the methods used to select managers in 73 British and 52 French organizations. While larger companies in both countries are more likely to use reliable and valid selection methods, British companies are significantly more likely to do so. These results are discussed in terms of cultural differences. The data are also used to look at changes over time in the use of management selection methods in Britain, comparing these current data with those obtained by Robertson & Makin (1986) in 1984. Results are encouraging since they suggest that methods such as psychological tests, biodata and assessment centres are being used more frequently, although the interview remains dominant.

A randomized comparison of manipulation of the fractured nose under local and general anaesthesia

Reduction of simple nasal fractures may be performed under local or general anaesthesia: the latter is by far the most popular method in Britain, though why is hard to define. We have attempted to compare the 2 approaches by means of a randomized, prospective trial. Fifty consecutive, adult patients with radiologically proved fractures of the nasal bones were randomized to a local or general anaesthesia group and underwent manipulation with Asch's and Walsham's forceps between 7 and 15 days post-injury. Analysis of results at 4 h and 8 weeks post-operatively showed no significant benefit conferred by fracture reduction under general anaesthesia as opposed to local anaesthesia with respect to post-operative airway patency or cosmesis. It is suggested that significant benefits can be obtained in terms of patient convenience and cost effectiveness if nasal fractures are reduced under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Soil moisture estimation by the neutron method in Britain: A further report

THE PROCEEDINGS OF AN INFORMAL NEUTRON GAUGE USERS' MEETING, RESULTS OF THE COMPARISONS AND A CONDENSED ACCOUNT OF THE MAIN DISCUSSION POINTS ARE REPORTED. A SERIES OF THREE TEST PROFILES WERE PRESENTED TO COMPARE THE INTERFACE EFFECTS AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE DIFFERENT GAUGES. IN COMPARING RESULTS OF THE VARIOUS EQUIPMENTS, IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE SOURCE/DETECTOR GEOMETRY OF THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. MOISTURE VOLUME FRACTION CURVES ARE PRESENTED WHICH APPLY TO THE PROBES AS THEY ARE MARKETED. PROBLEMS IN DEFINITIONS, CALIBRATION AND STANDARDS, FIELD EQUIPMENT AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE EFFECTS OF SOIL CHEMISTRY AND BULK DENSITY ON THE CALIBRATION CURVE ARE UNDERESTIMATED BY MANY USERS WHILE OTHERS ARE SO DISCONCERTED BY THE PROBLEM THAT THEY TEND TO IGNORE IT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF ABSOLUTE MOISTURE, VERY LARGE MOISTURE DIFFERENCE CHANGES, OR MOISTURE CHANGES WHERE VERY HIGH ACCURACY IS REQUIRED, DETAILED FIELD OR THEORETICAL CALIBRATIONS OF EACH SITE ARE UNAVOIDABLE. NEUTRON SUBSURFACE MOISTURE GAUGES WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPROVED, BUT PRESENT MODELS WHEN OPERATED WITH CARE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR LIMITATIONS ARE PRODUCING EXCELLENT RESULTS.

Soil moisture estimation by the neutron scattering method in Britain: J. P. Bell and J. S. G. McCulloch.J. Hydrol.4, 254–263 (1966)

Soil moisture estimation by the neutron scattering method in Britain: J. P. Bell and J. S. G. McCulloch.J. Hydrol.4, 254–263 (1966)

Comment on “Soil moisture estimation by the neutron scattering method in Britain”: by J. P. Bell and J. S. G. Mcculloch (J. of Hydrology 4 (1966) 254–263)

The usefulness of climate information for agricultural risk management hinges on its availability and relevance to the producer when climate-sensitive decisions are being made. Climate information providers are challenged with the task of balancing forecast availability and lead time with acceptable forecast skill, which requires an improved understanding of the timing of agricultural decision making. Achieving a useful balance may also require an expansion of inquiry to include use of non-forecast climate information (i.e. historical climate information) in agricultural decision making. Decision calendars have proven valuable for identifying opportunities for using different types of climate information. The extent to which decision-making time periods are localized versus generalized across major commodity-producing regions is yet unknown, though, which has limited their use in climate product development. Based on a 2012 survey of more than 4770 agricultural producers across the U.S. Corn Belt region, we found variation in the timing of decision-making points in the crop year based on geographic variation as well as crop management differences. Many key decisions in the cropping year take place during the preceding fall and winter, months before planting, raising questions about types of climate information that might be best inserted into risk management decisions at that time. We found that historical climate information and long term climate outlooks are less influential in agricultural risk management than current weather, short term forecasts, or monthly climate projections, even though they may, in fact, be more useful to certain types of decision making.

Soil moisture estimation by the neutron scattering method in Britain

Soil moisture estimation by the neutron scattering method in Britain