| Ministers. | Members. | |
| 1850 | 1,500 | 465,553 |
| 1860 | 2,408 | 699,164 |
| 1866 | 3,769 | 505,101 |
| 1867 | 3,952 | 535,040 |
| 1869 presents no important change. | ||
The average annual increase in seventeen years has been 4,087.
40. The "Free Methodist Church" originated in 1859, and consisted of a few congregations in New York and other Northern states. Its statistics have been as follows:
| Preachers. | Members. | |
| 1864 | 66 | 3,555 |
| 1866 | 85 | 4,889 |
| 1868 | 94 | 6,000 |
The average annual increase in two years has been 617.
41. The "Western Primitive Methodist Church" held its twenty-second annual conference in New Diggings, Wisconsin, 1866. The subject of union with other non-episcopal bodies was favorably considered. Their numbers were in 1865 as follows: Preachers, 20; members, 2,000.
42. The "Independent Methodist Church" organized its first congregation in New York City in 1860. The third annual session of its conference was held in 1864, and a movement made toward union with other non-episcopal bodies.
43. The "Friends," or "Quakers," arose in England about 1647, under the preaching of Mr. George Fox. The numbers of this denomination are estimated at 100,000, comprised in eight yearly meetings.
44. A division took place during the first quarter of the present century among the Friends, under Mr. Elias Hicks. A distinct and independent association was made under his name. Their numbers are estimated at 40,000.
45. The "Shakers," or United Society of Believers, are a small denomination which first made its appearance in this country in 1776.