The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Calvinistic Methodists

CALVINISTIC METHODISTS, a section of the Methodists in Great Britain, distinguished by their Calvinistic sentiments from the ordinary Wesleyans, who are Arminian. Wesley and Whitefield, the colleagues in the great evangelistic movement in the 18th century, differed with regard to the doctrines of grace, Wesley being Arminian, and Whitefield Calvinistic. Whitefield may be regarded as the founder of Calvinistic Methodism. Other names, and especially that of Howell Harries, of Trevecca, should be mentioned in connection with it. In its distinctive form it dates from 1725, but did not completely sever its connection with the Church of England till 1810. In government it is now Presbyterian. Its great seat is Wales and it is claimed as the only denomination in Wales of purely Welsh origin. The Calvinistic Methodists exist in three divisions: the Whitefield Connection, 1741; Countess of Huntingdon's Connection (Huntingdonians) 1748; Welsh Methodists, 1750.