Holiness Manuscripts

Holiness Manuscripts is the first attempt to provide a substantive listing of primary sources documenting the "Holiness Movement," a major focus of recent study in American religious history. The guide covers important precursors of the Movement such as Methodist champions of Wesley's doctrine of Christian perfection, related German Pietist groups, the "Oberlin perfectionists," and the perfectionists associated with the Oneida Community. Its major focus is on important Wesley/Holiness denominations in the post-Civil War period, including the Salvation Army, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God (Anderson), and Brethren in Christ Church, and on the movement's influence on the United Methodist Church. Sources cited also provide information on the Keswick Movement; Pentacostal churches related to the Movement; the Movement's role in the spread of evangelical Christianity; key institutions such as colleges, camp meetings, and missions; and important social phenomena such as abolitionism, the temperance movement, and the role of women. Over 1,200 entries describe collections held by colleges and universities, libraries, historical societies, denominational archives, public agencies, and private individuals throughout the United States and Canada. A subject index provides access to the contents. Will benefit researchers in such fields as history, religion, theology, and genealogy.