This collection contains copies of the Methodist Recorder published during the period 1861-1919. Founded in 1861 with the mission 'to tell truth and love', the Methodist Recorder was edited and published by six Wesleyan ministers in London. While the six ministers responsible for creating the Recorder formed an ‘editorial council’, editorial control initially rested largely with Reverend William Morley Punshon, an influential minister in a prominent London circuit. The ministers were followers of John Wesley (1703-1791), an English cleric who led a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism.
Created as an independent weekly newspaper that scrutinised current affairs within the Methodist community, the Recorder was widely successful and has been published continuously for more than 150 years. The Recorder emerged as a more liberal rival to the first Methodist newspaper, The Watchman, which it later incorporated. Subjects covered were wide-ranging, from current events to the promotion of worthy charities and literary recommendations.