Spread of revivals Second Great Awakening

1 spread of revivals

1.1 background
1.2 theology
1.3 burned-over district
1.4 west , tidewater south
1.5 west
1.6 church membership soars

spread of revivals
background

like first great awakening half century earlier, second reflected romanticism characterized enthusiasm, emotion, , appeal super-natural. rejected skepticism, deism, , rationalism left on enlightenment. @ same time, similar movements flourished in europe. pietism sweeping german countries. evangelicalism waxing strong in england.

the second great awakening occurred in several episodes , on different denominations; however, revivals similar. effective form of evangelizing during period, revival meetings cut across geographical boundaries, , movement spread throughout kentucky, tennessee , southern ohio. each denomination had assets allowed thrive on frontier. methodists had efficient organization depended on itinerant ministers, known circuit riders, sought out people in remote frontier locations. circuit riders came among common people, helped them establish rapport frontier families hoped convert.

theology

postmillennialism theology dominated american protestantism in first half of 19th century. postmillennialists believed christ return earth after millennium , entail either literal 1,000 years or figurative long period of peace , happiness. christians had duty purify society in preparation return. duty extended beyond american borders include christian restorationism. george fredrickson argues postmillennial theology impetus promotion of progressive reforms, historians have pointed out. during second great awakening of 1830s, diviners expected millennium arrive in few years. 1840s, however, great day had receded distant future, , postmillennialism became more passive religious dimension of wider middle-class pursuit of reform , progress.

burned-over district

in nineteenth century, western new york state called burned-over district because of highly publicized revivals crisscrossed region. charles finney, leading revivalist active in area, coined term. linda k. pritchard uses statistical data show compared rest of new york state, ohio river valley in lower midwest, , country whole, religiosity of burned-over district typical rather exceptional.

west , tidewater south

on american frontier, evangelical denominations sent missionary preachers , exhorters out people in backcountry, supported growth of membership among methodists , baptists. revivalists techniques based on camp meeting, scottish presbyterian roots. of scots-irish immigrants before american revolutionary war settled in backcountry of pennsylvania , down spine of appalachian mountains.

these denominations based on interpretation of man s spiritual equality before god, led them recruit members , preachers wide range of classes , races. baptists , methodist revivals successful in parts of tidewater in south, increasing number of common planters, plain folk, , slaves converted.

west

in newly settled frontier regions, revival implemented through camp meetings. these provided first encounter settlers organized religion, , important social venues. camp meeting religious service of several days length preachers. settlers in thinly populated areas gathered @ camp meeting fellowship worship. sheer exhilaration of participating in religious revival crowds of hundreds , perhaps thousands of people inspired dancing, shouting, , singing associated these events. revivals followed arc of great emotional power, emphasis of individual s sins , need turn christ, restored sense of personal salvation. upon return home, converts joined or created small local churches, grew rapidly. second great awakening marked religious transition in society in america. many americans calvinist sect emphasized man s inability save , way saved grace god.

the revival of 1800 in logan county, kentucky, began traditional presbyterian sacramental occasion. first informal camp meeting began there in june, when people began camping on grounds of red river meeting house. subsequent meetings followed @ nearby gasper river , muddy river congregations, 3 under ministry of james mcgready. 1 year later, larger sacrament occasion held @ cane ridge, kentucky under barton stone, attracting perhaps many 20,000 people. numerous presbyterian, baptist , methodist ministers participated in services. such leaders barton w. stone (1772–1844) , alexander campbell (1788–1866), camp meeting revival became major mode of church expansion methodists , baptists.

the cumberland presbyterian church emerged in kentucky. cane ridge instrumental in fostering became known restoration movement. made of non-denominational churches committed saw original, fundamental christianity of new testament. committed individuals achieving personal relationship christ. churches roots in movement include churches of christ, christian church (disciples of christ), , evangelical christian church in canada

church membership soars

1839 methodist camp meeting

the methodist circuit riders , local baptist preachers made enormous gains; lesser extent presbyterians gained members, particularly cumberland presbyterian church in sparsely settled areas. result, numerical strength of baptists , methodists rose relative of denominations dominant in colonial period—the anglicans, presbyterians, congregationalists. among new denominations grew religious ferment of second great awakening churches of christ, christian church (disciples of christ), seventh-day adventist church, , evangelical christian church in canada.

the converts during second great awakening predominantly female. 1932 source estimated @ least 3 female converts every 2 male converts between 1798 , 1826. young people (those under 25) converted in greater numbers, , first convert.