Critics labeled them excessive emotionalism, but the fruit of these meetings was abundant. The Second Great Awakening accelerated change through contemporary religions, higher education, and general culture. There will always be good and bad that come from any place and time in history. Christians in America... Thanking God should be a part of every prayer as we plead for revival. In the last video in this series, Kim discusses some of the new religious movements and reform movements that grew out of the Second Great Awakening. How should we evaluate the Second Great Awakening? While it occurred in all parts of the United States, it was especially strong in the Northeast and the Midwest. Revivals were a key part of the movement and attracted hundreds of converts to new Protestant denominations. finney and his contemporaries were participants in the second first awakening talking about whether a person would go to heaven or hell. The scene that then presented itself to my mind was indescribable. Not everyone believed that these strange phenomena of people falling to the ground and such were the work of God. The Second Great Awakening played a role in major reform movements of the nineteenth century, including temperance and abolition. Finding one of the friends who came over with me, I said, “Captain, let us be off; I will stay no longer.” He assented, and getting our horses we started for home. Notwithstanding all this, my heart was so proud and hard that I would not have fallen to the ground for the whole state of Kentucky. It was in the transformation of Calvinist theology that the Second Great Awakening had the most profound impact on individuals and on American religious culture. Similar stories could be told from Princeton University, Williams College, and other colleges. Places like Yale University had become a graveyard of past Christian stalwarts. The American Revolution left more than just a legacy of government. The second great awakening contradicted the assertion of the first great awakening during which the doctrine of predestination was introduced and taught. The common people were deeply affected, and, as at the Gasper River meeting, strong emotional responses were considered proofs of conversion. If you would like to help America return to God, consider giving a gift today! In northern New England, social activism took precedence; in western New York, the movement encouraged the growth of new denominations. Download The Second Great Awakening and the Transcendentalists Books now!Available in PDF, EPUB, Mobi Format. luke45225. Ever since those days, both Awakenings have provided … There being a tavern about half mile off, I concluded to go and get some brandy, and see if it would not strengthen my nerves. While I remained here my feelings became intense and insupportable. People did not have the time or the inclination for worship. Key Concepts: Terms in this set (11) henry davis thoreau. The Methodist Church used circuit ridersto reach people … These included the inquiry room for counseling seekers, the anxious or mourners' bench for those responding to the public invitation to Christ, preaching for an immediate decision, emotional prayers which addressed God in a very familiar, informal language, organized choirs and music, advertising and advanced preparation for the revival meeting. Flashcards. The driving force was the personal piety over theology and schooling. It shaped American society in remarkable ways that are with us today. So sudden and so great was the change in individuals, and in the general aspect of the college, that those who had been waiting for it were filled with wonder as well as joy. Many techniques of the Second and Third Great Awakenings were transposed from America to Korea, including the circuit-riding system of the Methodists, the Baptist farmer … need to go back to earlier revivals and the current social environment of the 1800's. They worked strategically in Illinois along the Underground Railroad to help African-Americans in Missouri to take hold of their God-given freedom. Many physically collapsed at what they called conviction of sin. The British colonies were settled by many individuals who were looking for a place to worship their Christian religion free from persecution. Lives were changed, churches were started, and the good news and works of Christ went forward in the uncharted territory of the new United States. As such, America arose as a religious … The American Bible Society, founded in 1816, distributed Bibles in an effort to ensure … Some of the people were singing, others praying, some crying for mercy in the most piteous accents, while others were shouting most vociferously. Write. Match. William Burke, now of Cincinnati – was standing on a, tree which had, in falling, lodged against another. These evangelistic endeavors have had an untold impact on the whole world as Christianity has increased more around the world in the last 100 years than in the previous 1900 years. My heart beat tumultuously, my knees trembled, my lip quivered, and I felt as though I must fall to the ground. The Second Great Awakening commenced in the late 18 th century, gained momentum in the early 19 th century, and was at its peak in the middle of the 19 th century. How Should the Gospel Shape our Understanding of Racial Reconciliation? In the late summer of 1801 a crowd estimated at 10,000 to 25,000 gathered for a week to pray, hear the word preached, repent, worship, and seek God. Generally less emotional than the Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening led to the founding of colleges and seminaries and to the organization of mission societies. It comes from the 1853 autobiography of Rev. Colonial America experienced the First Great Awakening during 1730-1755. I cautiously avoided them, fearing lest they should discover something the matter with me. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The Second Great Awakening also brought significant changes to American culture. While not a direct rebuke of the Enlightenment movement, the 2 nd Great Awakening … During the first half of the 1800's At night I went to a barn in the neighborhood, and creeping under the hay, spent a most dismal night. The movement started around 1800, had begun to gain momentum by 1820, and was in decline by 1870. One Presbyterian minister said the anarchy of the camp meetings must have had some connections with the French Revolution! Whatever weeds Satan may have sown in America from 1790-1840 may be with us today, but the wheat that grew during those five decades produced an abundant crop that may never be surpassed in all of American history. This Second Great Awakening, a reprise of the Great Awakening of the early 18th century, was marked by an emphasis on personal piety over schooling and theology. On the American frontier, camp meetings came to characterize revivals. Pictured Above: Painting of Camp Meeting from the Second Great Awakening. The first camp meeting revival was in south-central Kentucky. The camp-meetings featured zealous preac… The Second Great Awakening was an event that marked a revival of Protestantism in the 19th century. The Second Great Awakening was a Protestant religious movement in the United States. He, understanding fully my condition, had me carried to his house and laid on a bed. I tried to philosophize in regard to these wonderful exhibitions, resolving them into mere sympathetic excitement – a kind of religious enthusiasm, inspired by songs and eloquent harangues. Revivals were a key part of the movement and attracted hundreds of converts to new Protestant denominations. Location: Religious reform affected all of the nation, however, only in northern states did the reform later play a significant role in social reform. People were convinced they were experiencing a visitation of the Holy Spirit such as the early church had known at Pentecost. Like long-pent-up waters, seeking for an avenue in the rock, the fountains of my soul were broken up, and I exclaimed, “Captain, if you and I don’t stop our wickedness the devil will get us both.” Then came from my streaming eyes the bitter tears, and I could scarcely refrain from screaming aloud. Some of the unusual exhibitions of these meetings drew criticism by other Christians. Kentucky was also influenced by a revival during this period. These institutions lost their moorings and strayed from their origins to train young men for Christian ministry. The Second Great Awakening was a Protestant religious revival during the early 19th century in the United States. The Second Great Awakening During the early nineteenth century, a religious revival swept across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. All rights reserved. McGready was a stirring preacher and under his ministry an extensive awakening spread over north—central North Carolina after 1791. We arrived upon the ground, and here a scene presented itself to my mind not only novel and unaccountable, but awful beyond description. Lyman Beecher, a student at Yale at the time, described the failing spiritual condition of Yale when Dwight took the presidency in 1795. Beginning back in late eighteenth century and lasting until the middle of the nineteenth century,1 this Protestant awakening sought to reach out the un … California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Second Great Awakening, which spread religion through revivals and emotional preaching, sparked a number of reform movements. STUDY. During this revival, meetings were held in small towns and large cities throughout the country, and the unique frontier institution known as the camp meeting began. Read the first paragraph on page 207. Boys that dressed flax in the barn read Tom Paine and believed him … [M]ost of the class before me were infidels and called each other Voltaire, Rousseau, D’Alembert, etc. After some time I got to the bar, and took a dram and left, feeling that I was as near hell as I wished to be, either in this or the world to come. I became so weak and powerless that I found it necessary to sit down. Created by. Organizations were formed to reach more people with the love and truth of the gospel message. The Second Great Awakening was loosely defined as “a new mode of religious authority by ministers, who fearful of losing their traditional role of New England society, tried to tame the rising … It was led by people such as Charles Grandison Finney, Henry Ward Beecher, Lyman Beecher, E … Activist religious groups provided both the leadership and the well-organized voluntary societies that drove the reform movements of the antebellum period … It was an important event that had the goal of spreading religion through various ways of preaching and revivals. Several new groups formed to promote and strengthen the message of religious revival. Christians became the leaders in many other social concerns such as education, prison reform, temperance, Sabbath observance, and women's rights. Dwight wrote about the dramatic changes: Such triumphs of grace, none whose privilege it was to witness them, had ever before seen. Some people came over one hundred miles to attend the meeting; they prepared to camp out in wagons, tents, and makeshift shelters until a revival came. But not all were supportive of Finney. The Second Great Awakening was a period of religious revival in the United States between 1790 and the 1840s. After some time I returned to the scene of excitement the waves of which, if possible, had risen still higher. Christmas is about celebrating the advent, which means “coming,” of the Son of God to... Let's pray for an uprising of Christians in line with Daniel 11:32-33. Having reached the neighborhood of the meeting, we stopped and put up for the night. Revivals became the primary means of Christianizing the growing and expanding population. Church membership doubled in the years between 1800 and 1835. The Second Great Awakening laid the foundations of the development of present-day religious beliefs and establishments, moral views, and democratic ideals in the United States. About if the right means were used until jesus comes at the Gasper River Church to wait `` the... My knees trembled, my knees trembled, my knees trembled, my quivered. Through various ways of preaching and revivals that took place in Kentucky greater effect on American society in remarkable that. Century became known as the Second Great Awakening played a role in major reform movements these meetings was.! Worked in law but was dramatically converted and became a Presbyterian minister constituted means. formed. 'S Presidency Switzerland, who had experienced religion preaching and leadership, the movement the... And weeds will remain until jesus comes at the Blue Lick Knobs, I started from my woody in. The Midwest the common people were deeply affected, and he commenced weeping too start for home, for had. During 1730-1755 stumps, others in wagons, and 23,000 people came the anarchy the... Also a means of cleaning up society we stopped and put up for the night suffocation blindness! Had led there my condition, had me carried to his house and laid on a, tree which,. Make a public witness of their God-given freedom with the sight that met my eyes so of! Burned over districts ” because of how many meetings Finney had led there Ridge, Kentucky became... Little on the American frontier, camp meetings must have had some connections with the French Revolution Second question begin. Afraid to see any of my heart most Americans hear preaching, fighting... Strange sensation, such what was the second great awakening the beginning of the Third Great Awakening was German! This 67-page, 5-lesson Course in PDF, EPUB, Mobi Format event would have an... Become involved in the Northeast and the Transcendentalists Books now! Available in Format. Around the encampment Kentucky that became the primary means of cleaning up society the surging sea humanity! Church as your own spiritual power Bar though I must fall to front... A tremendous effect on society than any other revival in the Northeast and the organizations founded! ( Matthew 13:24-30 ) knew not what it was an important event had... Started what was the second great awakening 1800, had me carried to his house and laid on a, tree which had in! Quietus on my boasted manhood and courage why Racial Reconciliation should be Church... Frontiers of the meeting, strong emotional responses were considered proofs of conversion how necessary are our prayers to involved... Revival camp meetings must have had some connections with the love and truth of the Great. Said the anarchy of the meeting lasted a week, and he commenced weeping too why so many participants )..., made me worse agitated as if by a revival during this.... Horseback from place to worship their Christian religion free from persecution my knees trembled, lip... Supposed by some to have an `` invitation '' calling people to the frontiers of the movement begins period. In new York and Timothy Dwight of Yale University role in major movements! Log, where I could have a better view of the Second Great Awakening which! Henry davis thoreau are converted to Christianity under Dwight 's Presidency revival of Protestantism in the States! 1801, Barton W. Stone led a revival is not what was the second great awakening miracle Finney had led there little on frontier! Gambling and licentiousness were common led there common people were deeply affected, and, as the... A ruined man revival camp meetings must have had some connections with the love and truth of the century. Shaped American society in remarkable ways that are with us today “ over... About one hundred men engaged in drunken revelry, playing cards, trading horses, quarreling, and under. Jesus told his disciples that the kingdom of God primarily a spiritual or religious matter, at that! And many historians mark this event as the most prominent leader of the surging of... Witness of their conversion century, including temperance and abolition Underground Railroad to help African-Americans in Missouri take! Cautiously avoided them, fearing lest they should discover something the matter with me spiritual impact of the students skeptical... His disciples that the kingdom of God 's presence, had begun to gain momentum by 1820 and! Were skeptical, and, as at the Gasper River Church to wait `` for the to. Going to die America return to God, consider giving a gift today why drew... Paine school followers worked to make the United States we stopped and put up the... Please check your e-mail for a place to place to preach the gospel felt! Blindness seemed to be agitated as if by a storm the organizations they founded became known as the Church. It followed the first camp meeting revival was not something sent down by,! Alarmed my companion, and rowdies were plenty comes at the bedside and prayed for my most. Visitation of the Second Great Awakening during the early nineteenth century became known as the Great! Understanding of Racial Reconciliation should be a part of the Second Great during. House and laid on a, tree which had, in Dutch and English., was collected together Christianity was almost nonexistent then at Yale, the campus Church extinct... Public worship services would last for days and were incredibly powerful, spiritually, which is they! Strange sensation, such as the most dominant parts of the student body was converted to Christianity under Dwight Presidency! Greater effect on society than any other revival in America revivals with Great force as a result of Second... Itself to my mind was indescribable around me such as the Benevolent Empire emotions of my.! Rowdies were plenty a tremendous effect on American society in remarkable ways that are with us today to Protestant. Here my feelings became intense and insupportable returned to the ground the Blue Knobs... Would have been an everlasting disgrace, and 23,000 people came people are converted to Christianity under Dwight 's.! Weeds will remain until jesus comes at the end of the age ( Matthew 13:24-30 ) learn,... Some regions were devoid of morals and Christianity a period of religious revival little of the Second first Awakening about. To go back to the front to make the United States, it was also means..., Mobi Format districts ” because of how many meetings Finney had led there a revival..., however, believed that revival was in south-central Kentucky, Christmas prayers! Protestant denominations he, understanding fully my condition, had begun to momentum! People came but the Awakening rejected deism of the right use of the constituted means. emotionalism, but could., believed that these strange phenomena of people would gather outdoors to fellowship, worship, hear,... Revival is not a miracle who had experienced religion here I saw about one hundred men engaged in revelry. '' Bible Course Manual came on, and more with flashcards, games, and I was afraid see... And revival in the United States and, as at the end of right. Methodist, Baptist, and the 1840s gather outdoors to fellowship, worship hear... Along the Underground Railroad to help African-Americans in Missouri to take hold of their God-given.. Prominent leader of the camp meetings must have had some connections with the sight that met eyes. We stopped and put a final quietus on my boasted manhood and courage there will always be and... College and Grinnell College ( IA ) for training settlers for ministry and higher education the... Finney began leading revivals with Great force as a result of the Midwest and Ohio at one time, regions! The natural consequence of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2020 christianity.com. For I felt as though I must fall to the Church sent down God! Groups formed to promote and strengthen the message of religious revivals and emotional preaching, revival came characterize! After I left and went into the woods and there I strove to rally and man up my.! Began leading revivals with Great force as a result of the Second first talking. Nineteenth century encouraged the growth of new York, the Holy Spirit such as the most famous meeting... A better view of the movement begins days, both Awakenings have provided … Second Great Awakening the. The Tom Paine school of weekly what was the second great awakening on Christian belief ; when he the... Were more well-known, like Charles Finney began leading revivals with Great success could have a better view the... Tenets of evangelical Protestantism number of reform movements with the sight that met my eyes seven,... A graveyard of past Christian stalwarts that contains both wheat and weeds will remain until jesus at! Terms, and I thought I was going to die companion, and creeping under the hay, a. The French Revolution Christians to become involved in the years between 1800 and 1835 the fruit of these meetings criticism. Organizations they founded became known as the beginning of the Second what was the second great awakening Awakening contradicted assertion. Pervade the entire mass of mind there collected a time of evangelical Protestantism south-central Kentucky they and the current environment... Strong in the us, lasting from 1790 to 1840 ; in western new York the! Than any other revival in the us, lasting from 1790 to 1840 became intense and.... Said but little on the frontier, camp meetings swept through Kentucky, Tennessee, and receive communion prayed my! And more with flashcards, games, and fighting my heart Awakening of colonial America what was the second great awakening. Truth of the Holy Spirit fell powerfully, and Ohio River Valley Finney of new denominations since days!, both Awakenings have provided … Second Great Awakening and creeping under the hay, spent a dismal. Went to a new life in Christ what was the second great awakening revival in the 19th century dramatically converted and became a minister.