Sensing Salvation in Early British Methodism : Accounts of Spiritual Experience, 1735-1765

This book examines the spiritual experiences of the first British Methodist lay people and the language used to describe those experiences. It reflects on physical manifestations such as shouting, weeping, groaning, visions, and out-of-body experiences and their role in the process of spiritual development. These experiences offer an intimate perspective on the surprisingly holistic origins of the evangelical revival. The study features autobiographical narratives and other first-hand manuscripts in which 'ordinary' lay people recount their first impressions of Methodism, their conflicted feelings throughout the conversion process, their approach toward death and dying, and their mixed attitudes toward the task of writing itself. The book will be relevant to scholars of Methodism, evangelicalism and religious history as well as those interested in emotions and religious experience. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Introduction Methodist meltdowns Authenticity and enlightenment "Feminine" feelings Fluidity between physicality and emotion Holiness through wholeness Sources and scope The story behind the study Notes Bibliography 2. Early Methodist Media Methodists under convictions: Samuel Roberts manuscript Sermons Evangelical preaching Cognitive and emotional responses to preaching Verbal response to preaching Feelings Texts Texts read aloud Hymns read and sung Encouraging literacy Laudable reading material Inappropriate reading material Experiences and practices of reading Voices Texts and promises applied Supernatural voices Holy conversation Word of mouth Closing reflections Notes Bibliography 3. Authoring the Self Devil tempting a Methodist with false assurance of holiness: Samuel Roberts manuscript Constrained to speak, compelled to keep silent Pre-conversion reticence to speak Post-conversion compulsion to speak Post-conversion hesitation to speak The problem of writing Lives in print Negotiating the Methodist self Plain speech Ineffability Closing reflections Notes Bibliography 4. Sight and the Self Devils rejoicing in having turned Israelites away from God: Samuel Roberts manuscript Pre-conversion concerns Childhood visions Fear of death Darkness and blindness Awakening The eye of the preacher Convictions Diabolic visions Becoming biblical characters Vision of the vile self The point of no return Redemptive visions Visions of Christ Spiritual sight Post-conversion Closing reflections Notes Bibliography 5. Enthusiastic Bodies Methodist class members exulting in their "sweet" feelings: Samuel Roberts manuscript View from the outside Methodist leaders Lay perspective Senses, sensibility and the supernatural Overflowing eyes Out-of-body experiences Coming to life Feelings and perception Closing reflections Notes Bibliography 6. The Drama of Dying Vision of an angel promising eradication of sin: Samuel Roberts manuscript The early Methodist deathbed Around the deathbed Negotiating pain Evangelism from the deathbed Dying visions Obstacles to dying well Desiring death Family and grief Problematic deaths Express evangelization Last-minute conversions Evangelization to the dying Condemned malefactors Closing reflections Notes Bibliography 7. Conclusion Media and communication Body and feelings Death as spiritual experience Kinship and community Transatlantic continuity Notes Bibliography Index