Pietism and Methodism; or, the significance of German pietism in the origin and early development of Methodism

Pietism and Methodism – is a book, which was published in 1918 and written by Arthur Wilford Nagler, Instructor in Church History, Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston. The seventeenth century was the century of the devastation of the Thirty Years' War and the rigid scholasticism in which the Protestant movement was frozen. The eighteenth century was the century of the bitter struggle between England and France for colonial power in the Old and New Worlds and of that belief in an absent God and self-sufficient man which we call deism. The cold logic and harsh externalism of each epoch have felt the vitalizing power of a living religious movement. Pietism appeared in Germany in the seventeenth century. The eighteenth century saw Methodism in England. A comparative study of these two movements opens up surprising possibilities for the trained historical researcher. There are technical issues that cause interest and sometimes difficulties. And the practical result of such a study should be a deeper knowledge of each movement in the light of the other, and a fuller understanding of the place of living godliness in the life of the world. Dr. Nagler made a thorough and adequate analysis of the sources, he skillfully classified his material and drew his conclusions with care and insight. Of course, in a study that covers so many details of historical scholarship, differences of opinion are bound to arise among those who are most qualified. Even in such cases, Dr. Nagler's patient research and the care with which he organizes his evidence will earn respect from those who disagree with him. It is no exaggeration to say that his book is a definite contribution to our knowledge of the connections between the two movements.