,000 members in 1771, the Methodist churches by1850 had more than 1,000,000 members – the largest evangelical network in the United States.

In his book Women of Methodism Abel Stevens identified 15 women deeply involved in the early movement. They hosted preachers, organized classes in their homes or neighbourhoods and accompanied Asbury on his journeys. Yet, by entitling one chapter ‘Asbury and his female friends’ Stevens revealed much about the limitations of women’s authority.24 These women were not like Nancy Towle. Their activities were restricted to the domestic, private realm and, while their influence may have spread far, they rarely enjoyed a public voice beyond the local class meeting.