Spiritual Literacy in John Wesley's Methodism

Vicki Tolar Burton (Ph.D. Auburn University) is Associate Professor of English and Director, Writing Intensive Curriculum, Oregon State University.

• Acknowledgments Preface Abbreviations1. Introduction: John Wesley and the Rhetorical and Literacy Practices of Early Methodism2. John Wesley's Literacy Genealogy: Parental Patterns and Practices3. Writing to Believe: Diaries and Journals as Spiritual Literacy4. Speaking to Believe: Literacy and Rhetorical Practices of Traveling Preachers5. Walking in Light, Walking in Darkness: Methodist Women's Changing Rhetorical Space6. The Mystic and the Methodists: Account of the Experience of Hester Ann Rogers7. Reading to Believe: John Wesley's Book Inventory (1791)8. Climbing Boys and Spinning Girls: School on Sunday for Laboring ChildrenConclusion: The Witness of Their Own SpiritsAppendix A: Samuel Bradburn's Rules for Preaching Appendix B: John Wesley's Book Inventory Compiled at the Time of His Death (1791)Notes Bibliography Index

Spiritual Literacy illumines an underappreciated aspect of the Methodist movement--John Wesley's concern for the literary abilities of ordinary citizens. -Randy L. Maddox, Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, Duke University Divinity School