The chapter shows how itinerant preaching served to extend and nurture the work of the Connexion, where the initiative came from in opening new areas of work, how itinerancy was organised (including Lady Huntingdon’s personal role in this), and the source of funds for building chapels and running the Connexion. All the main reformed denominations were represented within the Connexion’s congregations; socially they appear to have consisted principally of artisans and small tradesmen. Ministry was supplied by students of Lady Huntingdon’s college, by Anglican clergymen, and occasionally by other established preachers. Other aspects of the Connexion discussed in this chapter include: instances of violent opposition; growing pressure for ministers to settle with congregations; sources of authority within congregations; the development of religious societies within the Connexion; pressures for regular Communion services; the use of the Anglican Prayer Book; the development of the Connexion’s own hymn book; the religious instruction of children; and the number, size, and catchment areas of congregations.
Keywords: Book of Common Prayer, chapel building, Holy Communion, hymns, itinerant preachers, open-air preaching, settled ministry, religious societies, Sunday Schools