ABSTRACT
The Toryism of the Wesleyan leadership in the early nineteenth century has so often been insisted on that the political convictions of prominent members of the connexion who were by no means Tories have sometimes slipped from view. Aristocracy keeps in view the honour and independence of the nobility, being often regardless of the people. R. W. Dale was a powerful exponent of the Christian obligation to participate in public life, a duty grounded in the doctrine of the incarnation. He developed a more chastened view of political affairs after he had diverged from the Liberal Party in 1886 over home rule for Ireland. G. B. Browne illustrates the rising tide of Liberal opinion within Wesleyan Methodism at a time when, according to many historians, the connexion was polarised between Tories and radicals. Sir Robert Peel proposes to endow new churches; and, while the present ministry is in power, we may be sure of insidious, or open legislative hostility.
