METHODIST TICKETING SYSTEM
[Methodism:] 22 quarterly tickets from the Wesleyan Methodist Society, of which four respectively from 1810, 1811, 1819 and 1820, the others from 1854-1860. The earlier ones with names of James and Ann Jones (friends of John Wesley), the later ones with name of John G. Morrow (d. 1924). [London] [1810-1860].
Methodist ticket collection taken from an album of one Rev. John G. Morrow (d. 1924), a sometime missionary in South Africa, and minister in England. The tickets represent a system that was central to Methodist worship. They are coded, dated with month and year, and each contain a passage from the Bible. Included here are a prize group of early Methodist tickets belonging to James and Ann Jones, sometime associates of Wesley in Winchelsea, Surrey.
“In December, March, June, and September, the tickets are renewed. And in the large circuits, especially, greatly adds to the preacher’s labour, yet it is a work of importance and general advantage of the societies. The tickets are printed at our own press in London, with text of scripture upon them, which is varied each quarter and a letter of the alphabet, going regularly through, then beginning again. Two out of every ten have a small b upon them in addition to the other letter; these are designed to be given to such as meet in band. The tickets are the same each quarter, all over the connection. At the time of giving the tickets, the preacher sees by the usual marks, whether the members have met well or ill; and if they have not met well, he inquires into the cause. He speaks to each person respecting his or her religious experience, much in the way that a leader speaks to each member in his class. He blots out the names of any who have left the society, or any who have been judged unfit to be continued members; and also sets down the names of new members. In some places the preacher has to meet the bands, after he has done preaching. A band seldom consists of more than three or four persons. These persons are supposed to be nearly in the same state of grace, or in other words, their attainments in religion are supposed to be nearly equal. And the bands do not consist of men and women together as in many of the classes, but men only, and women only, are in the bands.” Jonathan Crowther. A Portraiture of Methodism, or a History of Wesleyan Methodists (2nd Ed) 1815.
Details
Three sheets of album leaves, with tickets as described pasted on. Also pasted to the leaves, half a page of writing about the provenance of these tickets, initialled J.G.M. (John G. Morrow) and dated 14/5/80; a clipping from a newspaper containing a report on the golden wedding of the same; and miscellaneous other items.