THE GREAT AWAKENING This revival in America began in 1735. Jonathan Edwards’ revival was the beginning of this awakening which continued for about twenty-five years, and was powerful in many American states. From Northampton the revival spread to South Hadley, Suffield, Sunderland, Green River, West Springfield, Long Meadow, Enfield, and Northfield. From these towns as a centre it spread throughout New England and the Middle States. The leaders in this revival were Edwards, the Tennents, Davenport, and Whitfield. The preaching of Whitfield stirred the whole country, but it should be remembered that he was preaching to people whose hearts were prepared, and who were longing for the Gospel message. Of this period William Conant writes, “The preaching of the Gospel was attended with the most wonderful power, in every part of New England, and revivals gave new life and multiplied numbers to the churches, in a larger number of towns than our space enables us to enumerate, throughout New England, and in the Middle States. “ It cannot be doubted that at least 50,000 souls were added to the churches of New England, out of a population of about 250,000. A fact sufficient to revolutionise, as indeed it did, the religious and moral character, and to determine the destinies, of the country. “Not less than 150 new Congregational churches were established in twenty years. The increase of Baptist churches in the last half of the century, was still more wonderful, rising from 9 to upwards of 400 in number, with a total of thirty thousand members.” There was a similar growth in the Presbyterian and other churches. “The new converts were ‘fervent in spirit.’ They thirsted for the salvation of souls. Unexampled efforts. were immediately employed for the spread of the Gospel. Some went from house to house in their respective neighbourhoods ‘warning every man and teaching every man,’ and exhorting all to turn to the Lord. Pious ministers were stirred to unusual exertion, and old Christians renewed their youth. ‘The Lord gave the word; great was the company of them that published it.’ They had deep convictions of the evil of sin, and of the peril of a rebellious state. The love of God in Christ overpowered their souls. Their views of the solemn realities of another world were vivid and heart-affecting. Their earnest appeals made the stout hearted tremble, awed many a reprobate into silence, and wrung tears from daring and hardened offenders. Tens of thousands bowed before the majesty of truth. Some of the most powerful preachers emigrated to other States; and wherever they went, the floods of blessing poured over the land.”
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:58:13 +0000
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