Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

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76 PRIMITIVE MKTHODIST CHURCH. CHAPTER XV. THE YORKSHIRE MISSIONS AND MALTON AND RIPON CIRCUITS. [HEN I look at the work in Yorkshire, it is ! amazing Many chapels are built, and the land generally spread with living Churches, and hundreds of souls brought to God." So Clowes wrote in March, 1821, and the purpose of this chapter is, if possible, to convey the impression that the wonder expressed by Clowes concerning " the work in Yorkshire " was natural and justified by current events and by what resulted from them . in other words, it is to be attempted to show that the wide and rapid extension of Primitive Methodism through the agency of Clowes and his fellow-workers of the Hull Circuit in 1820-1 is, so far as this side of our island is concerned, the outstanding fact to be noted and made to yield its impression. Rigid adherence to the chronological order of circuit formation would, for once, fail to do justice to the facts of our history and gain from them the right impression. York, Leeds, Malton, Ripon were the only circuits in this part of Yorkshire made in 1822 ; yet, by that time, all the country lying between these towns was overrun and as it were pre-empted for the Connexion. Tadcaster, Driffield, Scarborough, Bridlington, might not permanently become Circuits till long after, probably because they were comparatively close to Hull and under its fostering care and guardianship ; none the less, these and other Yorkshire towns, with the villages they served, were once for all won for the Connexion by the movement of 1821-2. Primitive Methodism paid no transient visit, but entered to stay. It was only when Yorkshire had been thus traversed and practically secured, that the North was almost simultaneously reached by two distinct lines of advance the one via Brompton and Guisboro', the other via Ripon and Darlington. We propose then in this chapter to show how this base was secured, and in doing so, the most natural course will be to begin with Tadcaster whose borders marched with those of Leeds on one side and with those of York and Brotherton on the other and then to follow the geographical spread of the movement which swept Yorkshire in what Clowes, who was in the midst of it, thought an amazing manner. This method is all the more necessary as, even after June, 1820, when branches were formed, their boundaries were often crossed. What with frequent interchanges and sallies and excursions it is difficult to locate the preachers. They are now here, now there, pursuing the work of evangelisation. this period one big Circuit. Practically the East and North Ridings were during
THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE AND ENTERPRISE. 77 TADCASTEB. We begin then with the ancient and interesting town of Tadcaster, lying on the direct road between Leeds and York, from which towns it is fourteen and nineteen miles distant respectively. It is also on the Great North Road and, with its ancient bridge crossing the Wharfe, it was as the postern-gate to the city of York. Its position accounts for the fact that the two most decisive and bloody battles recorded in English history Towton and Marston Moor, were fought within a few miles of the town, while, in 1642, Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Earl of Newcastle contended in the slreets of Tadcaster itself for the possession of the all-important bridge. Primitive Methodism was introduced into Tadcaster as early as June 1820 by Nathaniel West who, like John Flesher, began his ministry here. So successful was N. West's Tadcaster mission that, by September, he could report that one hundred and thirty -nine members had been enrolled in the town and neighbouring villages which TADCA.STER AI'PLKliARTH. Scene of First Camp Meeting, and where Camp Meetings were held for fifty years, in field behind trees on the left of picture, and right on the banks of the river Wharfe. Clowes held Open-air Services here in 1825. assiduously visited. His three months' labour resulted also in the acquisition of a chapel, by which we are probably to understand the renting and fitting up of the room in Wighill Lane, shoAvn in our picture. Tradition says that this had formerly been used by a sweep, and that at this early stage of the society's progress three soldiers, whose duty it was to serve as escort to the post from York to Wetherby, rendered good service. Before leaving Tadcaster for the Malton Branch, N. AVest took part in the opening services along with J. Farrar and Mrs. EL Woolhouse, of Hull, and her travelling-preacher son. After being in use for two years, the first chapel was built in Rosemary Row. This building, we are told, ultimately fell into the hands of the Roman Catholics who, in order to-
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Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

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