Realizing Spiritual Power: The Experience of Eighteenth-Century Methodist Women Open Access

Abstract

My thesis offers a close examination of the lives of eighteenth-century Methodist women within transatlantic Methodism. The early movement encouraged these women to recognize their ability to possess and wield spiritual power both inside and outside the religious community. The Methodist literary culture and market provided women the opportunity to realize and gain acknowledgment for their spirituality. The structure and composition of the early Methodist societies allowed women to act upon their internal religious sentiments through official and unofficial leadership positions. Finally, the early Methodist women were able to utilize their spiritual power in order to make decisions about their domestic lives. With the support of their religious societies, these women were responsible for interpreting God's will and were willing to challenge social norms in order to secure their salvation.

Table of Contents

Introduction...............................................................................................1

Section I: Recognizing Spiritual Power in Methodist Life Writing.........................13

Section II: Cultivating Spiritual Power in Early Methodist Societies.....................24

Section III: Wielding Spiritual Power in Methodist Marriages..............................34

Conclusion..................................................................................................48

Bibliography................................................................................................53

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	History
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Religion, History of History, European History, United States
Keyword	Spiritual Power Women eighteenth century Methodist
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Miller, Judith, Emory University
Committee Members	Strocchia, Sharon, Emory University Matthews, Rex, Emory University

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