The New Great Iron Wheel

"The New Great Iron Wheel" is a seminal work of religious polemics that presents a meticulous examination of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Written by the influential Baptist leader and Landmarkist J. R. Graves, this volume is structured as a series of open letters addressed to Bishop Holland Nimmons McTyeire. Through these correspondences, Graves offers a spirited defense of Baptist ecclesiology while critiquing the hierarchical structure and governance of the Methodist system.

The work delves deeply into the "iron wheel" of Methodist polity, arguing against what the author perceives as the autocratic nature of the episcopacy and the lack of local church autonomy. Graves provides a detailed analysis of Methodist law, history, and practice, contrasting them with his interpretation of New Testament church order. As a primary document in the history of American denominational conflict, "The New Great Iron Wheel" illustrates the intense theological and structural debates that shaped the religious landscape of the American South.

This text serves as an essential resource for scholars of church history, students of Baptist identity, and those interested in the evolution of Protestant denominations in America. It captures the fervor and intellectual rigor of the Landmark movement, offering insights into the complex relationship between major Christian traditions during a period of significant growth and division.

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