According to "The Protestant Churches of America" by John A. Hardon, p.
294-295 under a section called "Smaller Methodist Bodies":
"Its [Free Methodist Church of North America] beginnings go back to 1860
when a group of lay members and ministers met a Pekin, New York, to
protest against what they called the abondonment of original Wesleyanism
The Free Methodists insist that it is the duty and privilege of every
believer to be sanctified wholly, and to be preserved blameless unto the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are characterized by great
strictness in Christian conduct."
The author goes on to mention strict views on temperance, divorce, dress,
pacifism.
Nothing is said about the free/rented pews. I really think [but can't yet
prove from my sources at home] that this not a correct answer. Rented pews
were more typical of higher economic class churches - esp. Episcopal and
Presbyterian - I don't associate this concept w/ Methodism, but could be
wrong. A issue like rented pews wouldn't be coming down from Conference
and the Bishop and being imposed on local congregations/charges. That
would be decided by the trustees of each charge.
The "wanderings" from Wesleyan "Holiness" sees to be more on target. That
led ca. 1900 to yet another secession over supposed "lack of holiness" in
the M. E.Church to form the Church of the Nazarene and led others out in
various Pentacostal Churches which stressed "holiness."
Does anyone know for sure?
Does the Free Methodist church have an episcopal system? Many Methodists
objected to Asbury episcopacy, which is prob. the tightest control over
the local congregation from the top down in major Protestantism in this
country. Maybe they were "free" from this top-down power structure. This
led to the M. P. Church being organized in the 1820's?
I don't think we have really answered the Free Methodist question.
David Roberts
On Wed, 4 Dec 1996 CANISTOTA@aol.com wrote:
> I am interested in the Free Methodist Church. Several of my husband's > Phillips ancestors were FM ministers. Are there any sources, that you know > of, that I can check out for the Free Methodists? > > Just out of curiosity. What are the differences between the various > Methodist denominations? > > Any thoughts or help that you care to offer on this subject will be > appreciated. > > Good hunting, > > Laurel A. Dickinson > Canistota@AOL.com > >