Nonconformist Conscience Research Articles

The Nonconformist Conscience: Chapel and Politics, 1870-1914. By D. W. Bebbington. London: Allen and Unwin, 1982. 193 pp. $22.50

Journal Article The Nonconformist Conscience: Chapel and Politics, 1870–1914. By D. W. Bebbington. London: Allen and Unwin, 1982. 193 pp. $22.50 Get access Howard L. Malchow Howard L. Malchow Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Church and State, Volume 25, Issue 1, Winter 1983, Pages 158–160, https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/25.1.158 Published: 01 January 1983

Wesleyanism and Empire

Much as late-Victorian Nonconformists were inclined to take a simplified view of national politics, which they saw as a perpetual conflict between the agents of darkness and the apostles of light, students of the period have tended to take a simplified view of political Nonconformity, which was as multifarious in its secular loyalties as in its theological variations. The self-appointed guardians of the Nonconformist Conscience spoke with many voices, rarely in unison. Indeed, the individual who gave currency to that catchphrase, the Rev. Hugh Price Hughes, was - much by his Wesleyanism as by his idiosyncrasy - among the least typical of those whom he was alleged to represent.

A Victorian's "Crusade" in Chicago, 1893-1894

IN 1893-1894 when Anglophobia was still a quasi-patriotic state of mind in the teeming cities of the United States, William Thomas Stead, editor and publisher of the Review of Reviews, came as a visitor to Chicago and, almost by accident, became involved in a movement which stirred the city's apathetic masses into a spurt of civic consciousness and reform. As the son of a north country Congregationalist parson Stead had brought to journalism the fervor and zeal of the nonconformist conscience. As editor of the Darlington Northern Echo (1871-1880) he used his journalistic talent to spark the Bulgarian Horrors agitation and helped Gladstone make it a potent political factor in 1876. While editor of London's Pall Mall Gazette (1883-1890) Stead blended journalistic skill and daring in his so-called "New Journalism" to generate a sensationalism which captured public attention and enabled him to use public opinion to influence both Liberal and Conservative policies. Outside of Britain he was most renowned for the "Maiden Tribute" crusade in 1885 which prompted Parliament to raise the age of consent for young women and, because of Stead's infraction of a legal technicality, resulted in a short term of imprisonment for him.' Until his tragic death on the Titanic in 1912 Stead's work was marked by a moral fervor which was based upon the firm conviction that he was doing the work of his "Senior Partner" in heaven. By his own admission he was more a revivalist preacher than a journalist.2 Yet, although stubborn,

Parnell's fall and the nonconformist conscience

The fall of Charles Stewart Parnell as a result of the O'Shea divorce case in late 1890 is a dramatic episode of lasting human interest and an event of the first importance in the history of Ireland and of British politics. The story of the crisis has often been told, usually from the perspectives of the two Homeric protagonists, Parnell and Gladstone. While it is generally agreed that the English nonconformists played a decisive part in the dethronement of ‘the uncrowned king of Ireland’, their catalytic role has never been clearly, accurately, or fully explained. The problem is of special interest because it was during this controversy that ‘the nonconformist conscience’ entered the English language as a popular phrase as it had long before entered English politics as a potent reality. It is the purpose of this article to study the Parnell affair from the vantage point of English nonconformity and, in so doing, to re-examine the origin of the famous phrase and to throw light on the relationship of nonconformity and the liberal party in a critical phase of the home rule movement.

English Nonconformity and the Decline of Liberalism<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1">*</xref>

BY 1914 Liberalism which had been animating force of Victorian England and which experienced a vigorous renascence in Edwardian England seemed to have spent itself, unable to cope with problems besetting Britain on eve of First World War. An essential part of this greatness and decline of Liberalism was greatness and decline of English Nonconformity-the Protestant sects dissenting from Church of England.1 During nineteenth century Nonconformists had been characterized by religious vitality and political strength, forming what Gladstone called the backbone of British Liberalism.2 Seemingly more powerful than ever before at beginning of twentieth century, they contributed to and shared in Liberal party triumph of I906. Yet by 1914 it was apparent that Nonconformity, like Liberalism, had faltered; by 1920'S its religious vitality had markedly weakened and its political influence was negligible.3 It is purpose of this article to examine crisis of English Liberalism in terms of crisis of Nonconformist conscience. The theme is significant because Liberalism-whether regarded as a political party, an economic creed, or a frame of mind-throughout its history was closely related to Nonconformity, from which it drew constant spiritual nourishment and material strength.'

Book Review:The Greek Theory of the State and the Nonconformist Conscience. Charles John Shebbeare

Book Review:The Greek Theory of the State and the Nonconformist Conscience. Charles John Shebbeare