First Great Awakening

George Whitefield was born into a thespian society and family. His whole world revolved around schoolboy performances. Whitefield paid to put himself through Pembroke College by helping out the wealthier students and by waiting on them. George Whitefield joined a group that called themselves “Methodists” led by the Wesley brothers John and Charles. Whitefield experienced a “new birth” through this new view of the Methodists. Whitefield decided to become a missionary and travelled to the Georgia colony to spread his message of his new found life; however, his ship was delayed and he ended up being ordained as a deacon in the Anglican church. When Whitefield spoke he amassed huge crowds. Whitefield incorporated his thespian career into his sermons to give the audience a more realistic view of what is really going on in the scriptures. When preaching on eternity Whitefield stopped and spoke excitedly "Hark! Methinks I hear [the saints] chanting their everlasting hallelujahs, and spending an eternal day in echoing forth triumphant songs of joy. And do you not long, my brethren, to join this heavenly choir?". Whitefield made it to Georgia and returned to England just three months later; although, when he returned he found out that many churches did not welcome his unconventional preaching methods. Whitefield did not let this stop him- he instead starting to looking for places to preach in the open, outdoors. He felt closer to his audience in this way due to the fact that there was not a paper or a pulpit to keep him from engaging with his audience instead of a physical barrier that stood between him and his audience members. In 1739 Whitefield returned to tour around the American colonies. Whitefield sailed to the “New World” and his first stop was Philadelphia.

1. What was the impact of the Great Awakening and Enlightenment on the intellectual and spiritual life of the colonies?

What did the first Antislavery societies advocate and why? The first advocated for slave trade to be outlawed, 3/5 compromised to be repealed, and abolition of slavery because slavery was considered to be a sin.

During the 1530-1680, England went through many adversities involving economic struggles and restriction of religion beliefs. They conquer these adversities with the settlement upon Jamestown, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay.

The Great Awakening created greater unity among the colonists and influenced new ideas about religion and politics by saying that everyone was equal in the eyes of god, discouraging predestination, and encouraging education. Ministers of the Great Awakening such as George Whitefield preached that god didn’t favor anyone, such as the wealthy, over others, such as the poor. Because of this people began to question their leaders authority and they began to want a say in their religion and government. Another important thing the Great Awakening did was discourage the idea of predestination. This gave people hope for the future and encouraged them to be good people because the still had a chance to go to heaven. Last of all, the Great Awakening

George would later attend Oxford to obtain his undergraduate degree. It was at school that George was introduced to John Wesley through his participation in the Holy Club. Mark Noll explained this time by saying, “Whitefield had been an Oxford undergraduate of very modest means when he was recruited into the Holy Club where John Wesley and his brother, the hymn writer Charles, were prominent”. Noll goes on to say that it was through the participation in the club that George was saved. After Whitefield graduated his talent for preaching was almost immediately recognized. He was asked to travel to many churches throughout England preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Arnold Dallimore explained that during this time that people would simply try to touch George’s garments as he passed them. Though Whitefield had celebrity type success in England he was called to continue his preaching in America.

In essence, the Great Awakening was a religious awakening. It started in the South. Tent camps were set up that revolve around high spirited meetings that would last for days. These camp meetings were highly emotional and multitudes of people were filled with the Spirit of God. These meeting, were sponsored mainly by Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterians, and met social needs as well as spiritual needs on the frontier. Since it was hard for the Baptist and Methodist to sustain local churches,

The major changes in American religion that occurred in the early nineteenth century were the Second Great Awakening. The Second Great Awakening was a Christian Revival movement during the early nineteenth century. The movement began around 1800, it had begun to gain momentum from the 1820. With the Second Great Awakening; new religions were established, there were different academic curriculums, a change from the trinity to just one deity and they would touch on American culture and reform.

Jonathan Edwards, a Congregationalist minister in western Massachusetts, who was shocked at the dissipating religious spirit, believing that people were giving up to sinful pleasures. He worked against the secularization of the Enlightenment and focus on pushing the emotional side of religion by expressing the wonderful nature of Heaven and the horror of Hell, helping to renew intensity behind religion. This idea of Heaven and Hell was stated in his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, intended to scare people into looking for salvation, with descriptions of people being held over a fire in Hell. This is expressive of the change of social norms in Puritan New England, where going to the Minister’s house as opposed to the Tavern was acceptable. This also shows the more individualized ideals people had, for they were presented with the option of achieving their own salvation and take responsibility for their lives, having the option of maintaining a personal connection with God. (ch 3 txtbk)

By the 18th century, there were concerns about the declining religious devotion and the increase of secularism emerging in the United States. The result of these changes was the Great Awakening, the first major american revival. There were many preachers that were outspoken from their religion. George Whitefield was one of many of those preachers. Whitefield was very compassionate during his speeches, preaching the words of God, weeping with sorrow, spreading the word of God, and hitting people on an emotional standpoint. He made numerous evangelizing tours through the colonies and attracted large crowds. Nathan Cole, like thousands of others, came to see George Whitefield. Nathan Cole wrote in “The Spiritual Travels of Nathan Cole” and said, “When I saw Mr. Whitefield come upon the Scaffold he lookt almost angelical; a young, Slim, slender, youth before some thousands of people with a bold undaunted Countenance, and my hearing how God was with him every where he came along it Solemnized my mind; and put me into a trembling fear before he began to preach; for he looked as if he was Cloathed with authority from the Great God; and a sweet sollume solemnity sat upon his brow And my hearing him preach, gave me a heart wound…” Cole had just described that hundreds upon hundreds of people came to see Whitefield and speakers like him. This greatly revived religion in many peoples’ lives. Cole said that the speech given touched him in the heart as it did with thousands of others.

of religon. More people came to church for the worship of god from their heart.

The First Great Awakening was a religious revival that swept across Colonial America in the 18th century. The First Great Awakening changed the colonists attitudes toward religion and helped pave the way for the American Revolution. It impacted the way colonists worshipped and gave them a sense of independence. This paper will look at the cause and effect of the First Great Awakening.

    The Awakening, written by Kate Chopin, is full of ideas and understanding about human nature. In Chopin's time, writing a story with such great attention to sensual details in both men and women caused skepticism among readers and critics. However, many critics have different views with deeper thought given to The Awakening. Symbolism, the interpretation of Edna's suicide, and awakenings play important roles in the analysis of all critics.

George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards were both two extreme zealous preachers and very different from each other but had a similar message. George Whitefield was an English Minster, evangelist, and preacher. Whitefield’s purpose was to encourage people to repent their sins and transmute their sinful ways and become preserved to Christ. As for Jonathan Edwards he was a Puritan, preacher and philosopher. Edwards’ concept was to fixate on the experience in religion; he wanted people to understand the distinction between what Edward called a 'merely notional understanding ' of something and 'being in some way inclined ' with reverence. He wanted people to understand the nature and experience of religion. Both Whitefield and Edwards were important figures in Christianity; they could also be seen as entertainers of that time.

From my research and what I have heard a revival seems amazing and very positive for the Christian faith. These revivals are breaking out all over the world and transforming unbelievers to Christ followers. The revivals are creating an environment to welcome God in their midst. It is a positive thing because it gives God room to be free and work in the ways he wants to. Too many churches today are extremely structured. The excessive amount of structure can prevent God from moving and doing what he wants. I think there are positives in revivals being a movement and not a denomination. Now we see the main denominations that part take are Pentecostal/Charismatic churches. With the rich history of revivals it still has an open invitation for all different denominations. For example some Catholic churches take place in these revivals. Any one is welcome to participate in a revival. A negative thing about revivals can be if people get too caught up in the experience. The experience of God is a huge part of the revival, but if that is all the large group of people are focus on it can be harmful. A revival must lead to change and fruit, but if a person is too caught up in the experience they could prevent