Primitive Methodism

[janwhin]

I've come across an interesting piece extracted from "Northern Primitive Methodism" by W M Patterson, 1909:

The sub heading is "A Gallant Corner":
"Amble society and circuit form another illustration of heroic effort and persistent endeavour. In March 1885, the first society was organised in the seaport, and the Drill Hall was engaged in which to hold meetings. Five persons gathered at the initial assembly - Robert Ballantyne, John Ross and his wife, and two others. The stern handful continued their work, notwithstanding the difficulty they had in getting preachers for their small detached society. At first Blyth Circuit refused to take Amble under its care, but it won the sympathy and help of Robert Wheatley, James Barrass, Robert Lawther and William Walton, and eventually the circuit accepted it. After being in a rented schoolroom for four and a half years, the members bought the sale rooms in Queen Street for £400. It was a bold stroke, but turned out a good business investment. The General Missionary Committee came to the help of the little church, and of the few adjacent places which had been missioned, J. Wesley Waddell, a probationer, being placed on the ground. When he had completed his four years' term, Amble, with which there are now societies at Radcliffe, Widdrington, Stobswood, Chevington, Chevington Drift and North Broomhill, was made into an independent station. During John Alderson's superintendency the important step of the disposal of the Sale Rooms and the erection of a chapel and school was taken. The latter were built in 1902, at a cost of £2,453, and while William E Goodreid was in the circuit a manse was erected. There are families in Amble who richly deserve the thanks of the whole Connexion for their loyalty, sacrifices and labour.......
Chevington, which had the assiduous care of William Walton for three months after the initiation of the mission, has been the witness of the saving grace of God, and got a home of its own in 1905. A new district sprang up at Chevington Drift a few years ago. Preaching services were commenced, a society was formed, and in 1906 a chapel was built, which has been the one centre of religious work in the village. The work at Radcliffe, where there is a comparatively strong society, and where a chapel was erected in 1901, is promising. After not a few futile attempts, a footing was obtained in the populous colliery of North Broomhill in 1906, and the mission started then was so successful that the circuit authorities were compelled to build a chapel in 1908 so as to conserve the fruits of their labours.
The anxious devoted members in this corner of the vineyard had a stiff fight, and their courage and fidelity have had a rich reward. The membership of the circuit is 247, and the quarterly income is over £50. Never forgetting the godly women, such men as Ballantyne, Manders, Cavers, Hedley, Tate, Smith, Thompson, Dodds, Tuck and others, with Mark Paulson as their present superintendent, are worthy of the sympathy the District has shown them."

Outside our little area, Blyth is referred to as "Port Carbon" and Ashington as "Fell-em-doon."