For John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism in the 18th century, 'works' as well as faith were essential to the whole of Christian living, and caring for the poor, for prisoners, for widows and orphans mattered a great deal.
Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.
John Wesley, founder of MethodismMethodists were not only interested in welfare, they were concerned to remedy social injustice, and John Wesley's last known letter urged the abolition of 'that execrable villainy' slavery.
The Wesleys were an influence in prison reform and, inspired by Susanna Wesley, they earned a reputation as pioneers in education.
John Wesley himself wrote, edited or abridged some 400 publications. As well as theology he wrote about politics, music, marriage and slavery and medicine.
Methodists were encouraged to work to their utmost to improve the lives of others.
Later, Methodists were prominent among the Tolpuddle martyrs, and in the founding of trades unions and the Labour party.