This thesis extends our understanding of the history of the Primitive Methodist Connexion by examining the denomination in a part of the country - Shropshire - in which it enjoyed considerable success during the nineteenth century, but on which there has been very little research. It takes as its starting point the relative lack of historical research on the Methodist circuit, a crucial innovation in religious provision, which gave Wesleyan Methodism and its subsequent offshoots considerable flexibility to coordinate their work in a highly effective way. To expand our understanding of Primitive Methodism in Shropshire, the structure and organisation of the Primitive Methodist circuit is outlined, and the nature of the experience provided for its followers is examined. The socio-economic profile of Primitive Methodist followers is explored and a close correlation between the social background of the preachers and their congregations is established. The factors underlying the denomination's success in the county are examined, and its progress in relation to other religious bodies is analysed. The effects of changing missionary tactics, internal dissension, sub-division and chapel building are investigated. Particular attention is paid to denominational administration, local governance, and changes in the spatial structures of circuits, as Primitive Methodism moved from early evangelistic enthusiasm towards consolidation as a major denomination.

王澤堂. / "2009年6月". / "2009 nian 6 yue". / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-105). / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Wang Zetang. / Chapter 第一章 --- 導論 / Chapter I. --- 引言 --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- 本硏究的重要和意義 --- p.1 / Chapter III. --- 與本硏究有關的學述著作 --- p.2 / Chapter IV. --- 硏究範圍 --- p.4 / Chapter V. --- 硏究方法及目的 --- p.4 / Chapter VI. --- 硏究資料來源 --- p.5 / Chapter VII. --- 硏究之限制 --- p.6 / Chapter 第二章 --- 循道公會在1940年代至1950年代的主要發展 / Chapter I. --- 引言 --- p.8 / Chapter II. --- 循道公會在1940年代的發展：籌建九龍堂和 九龍循道學校 --- p.8 / Chapter III. --- 循道公會在1950年代的發展 --- p.15 / Chapter 1. --- 九龍循道中學 --- p.15 / Chapter 2. --- 循道夜校 --- p.18 / Chapter 3. --- 石硤尾天台學校（循道會學校） --- p.18 / Chapter 4. --- 循道公會香港教區成立 --- p.20 / Chapter 5. --- 官塘循道學校 --- p.23 / Chapter IV. --- 小結 --- p.24 / Chapter 第三章 --- 循道公會在I960年代的主要發展 / Chapter I. --- 引言 --- p.27 / Chapter II. --- 北角堂及北角循道學校 --- p.27 / Chapter III. --- 官塘建堂建校計劃 --- p.33 / Chapter IV. --- 官塘區廉價房屋計劃 --- p.34 / Chapter V. --- 官塘雞寮徙置區 --- p.38 / Chapter 1. --- 官塘循道學校 --- p.38 / Chapter 2. --- 官塘循道診所 --- p.39 / Chapter VI. --- 官塘支堂 --- p.41 / Chapter VII. --- 華英中學 --- p.42 / Chapter VIII. --- 小結 --- p.45 / Chapter 第四章 --- 評析循道公會在1948年至1971年間的發展 / Chapter I. --- 循道公會在1948至1971年間對香港社會的貢獻 --- p.47 / Chapter 1. --- 學校教育 --- p.47 / Chapter 2. --- 房屋居所 --- p.48 / Chapter 3. --- 社會服務 --- p.50 / Chapter II. --- 發展背後的有利因素和優勢 --- p.51 / Chapter 1. --- 宣教士的角色和貢獻 --- p.52 / Chapter 2. --- 本地堂會的穩固基礎 --- p.55 / Chapter III. --- 跨越過的危機 --- p.57 / Chapter 1. --- 由建校達至建堂的夢想幻滅：策略的誤失？ --- p.57 / Chapter 2. --- 財政重擔：好大喜功的結果？ --- p.60 / Chapter 3. --- 華人教牧的培訓與流失，十個救火的青年？ --- p.63 / Chapter IV. --- 小結 --- p.68 / Chapter 第五章 --- 結論 / Chapter I. --- 教會對辦學校的重視 --- p.69 / Chapter II. --- 肩負對弱勢社群的承擔 --- p.70 / Chapter III. --- 大堂、細堂的資源共享 --- p.71 / Chapter IV. --- 三結合的文化 --- p.72 / Chapter V. --- 結語 --- p.73 / 附錄 --- p.75 / 附錄一：循道公會在1948年至1971年代的主要發展 事件 --- p.77 / 附錄二 ：香港循道公會與香港衛理公會在1960及 1970年代間的「聯合」經過 --- p.78 / 附錄三：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區崇拜人 數 --- p.96 / 附錄四：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區聖餐人 數 --- p.97 / 附錄五：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區成人教友 入數 --- p.98 / 附錄六：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區兒童教友 人數 --- p.99 / 附錄七：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區教友總人 數（成人+兒童） --- p.100 / 附錄八：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區成人洗 禮人數 --- p.101 / 附錄九：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區兒童洗 禮人數 --- p.102 / 附錄十：1952-1975年循道公會港九聯區洗禮總 人數（成人+兒童） --- p.103 / 參考書目 --- p.104

In this regional study of Methodist development and societal influence throughout the period of industrialisation, recent trends in Methodist historiography at a national level are combined with the research and source material accumulated at a local level, to provide a detailed analysis of Methodist growth in Cornwall between the years 1780 and 1870. The thesis is divided loosely into three sections. In the first, four chapters outline the essential background to interpretative analysis by considering, in turn, recent historiographical developments in Methodist studies; social change in Cornwall during industrialisation; the performance of the Anglican Church in the county as represented in the Visitation Returns for 1779, (as well as historical and structural reasons for its 'failure'); and Methodist growth as expressed through available statistical indices, especially the date of formation of Methodist societies, and the 1851 Ecclesiastical Census. In the second section, one long chapter is devoted to an in-depth, county-wide analysis of Methodist growth, which considers the impact of external factors, particularly socio-economic, and internal circumstances, such as the degree of maturity of pastoral and administrative machinery, and the level of Connexional or lay control over chapel and circuit affairs, on the form and function of Methodism in nine distinct socioeconomic regions within the county. In the third section, four chapters concentrate on West Cornwall, where Methodism was strongest, in order to examine the roots of, and reasons for, the distinctively indigenous form of Methodism which developed there. On the one hand, the pastoral and administrative difficulties in exerting adequate Connexional control are considered; while on the other, an interpretation of the 'folk' functionality of revivals and of Methodism as a 'popular religion' is offered.

The growth of popular protestantism and the increased demands of Irish Catholicism were two nineteenth century developments which would not take place without conflict. The high Churchmanship and Toryism of Wesley coupled with Methodist experiences in Ireland ensured that Wesleyans would not support concessions to the Irish Catholics. The remarkable numerical growth of Methodism in England only highlighted its apparent failure in Ireland when confronted by a surprisingly resilient Catholicism. Most religious and social conflicts have political ramifications and this one was no exception. Battle lines were dram over three important questions. Were Roman Catholics entitled to the same political, rights as everyone else? What were the relative responsibilities of Church and State in the provision of education? What was to be the fate of protestantism in Ireland when it was in such a hopeless minority? In all of these questions Methodism and Roman Catholicism found themselves on completely opposite sides. As with later non-conformists the Wesleyans could not accept that what was theologically and morally wrong could ever be politically right. In response the Irish Catholics could appeal to the government for change in a country where the religion of the majority was politically and socially in subjection to the religion of the minority. Methodism's allies were the Established Church and the Tory party, and both let them down. In the disappointment of political failure over the Maynooth Bill the Wesleyans reaffirmed their belief in religious methods by participating in the Evangelical Alliance. In spite of short term successes Methodism's political objectives were not achieved and participation in public affairs often produced connexional disharmony.

The purposes of the historical study are to describe Methodist education in Texas from 1840 to 1900; to find the reasons behind the proliferation of Methodist institutions after the Civil War and the problems involved in this development; to analyze centralization efforts after 1900 as a pattern of Methodist educational institutions emerged; to describe the evolution of Southern Methodist University as a regional college West of the Mississippi; to give brief descriptive overviews of the other six Methodist institutions in Texas; to describe the current status of Methodist higher education in Texas; to discuss Methodist higher education in Texas at the present and to project the possible future development of Methodist higher education in Texas.