Methodism and Trade Unions, by Robert D. Wearmouth

[p024] Methodism’ and the Trade Unions. By Robert F. Wearmouth. Epworth Press, 6s. * What the working classes of this land owe to religion and to Metho- dism in particular has never been fully portrayed,’ contends Mr. Wear- - mouth in his preface. This book sets out to tell it. An orthodox, although as always appalling picture of work- - ing-class conditions in the 19th century is followed by a rather dreary list of trade union pioneers, who shared in common their Methodist convictions, but who range from the heroes who faced deportation and starvation to those who sold out for knighthoods (Mr. Wearmouth has equal praise for both). Methodism was founded by a Tory who served his party well in pro- viding a powerful distraction for the working class from the world’s real problems. Much of its success in the A. H. Hanson. LABOUR REVIEW—Winter, 1961-62 19th century, however, lay in its emphasis on education and demo- cratic organization, and it was in- evitable that it should attract many of those whose hatred of servitude also made them zealous trade union- ists. But the real contribution of Me:hodism, though not apparent to the five Tolpuddle Martyrs who were Methodists, is revealed by Mr. Wearmouth when he says ‘these trade union leaders, outstanding in many respects, were distinguished by the nature of their activities. They were never revolutionary’. Or, of Thomas Burt, ‘he showed by his demeanour and influence that the government of the day had nothing to fear from the representatives of the working-class population’. — It is no surprise to find that Mr, Wearmouth, so safely appalled by posing ‘today’s problems not as the continued oppression of the working class, but as individual and minority rights, the risks of political power in the hands of the unions, the influence of communism, and (he oddly thinks ‘for no apparent reason’) the declin- ing Methodist appeal. A.B. A cleft stick