Required readingNarrative of Surprising Conversions in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Section I.
My summary.
Today Edwards gives a general overview of the revival he experienced.
We learn about:
(i) the history of Northampton, particularly in religious matters;
(ii) the state of the young people during Edwards early ministry;
(iii) a few changes amongst the young people, including in a neighbouring village;
(iv) the overruling of the noise of Arminianism;
(v) a dramatic change in a young woman that spread to others;
(vi) the constant interest in religious matters;
(vii) the workings of the Spirit in other parts of the country;
(viii) the numbers soundly converted and their ages.
What grabbed me
A most encouraging reading! Sheer delight!
One highlight: 'Presently upon this, a great and earnest concern about the great things of religion, and the eternal world, became universal in all parts of the town, and among persons of all degrees, and all ages. The noise amongst the dry bones waxed louder and louder; all other talk but about spiritual and eternal things, was soon thrown by; all the conversation, in all companies and upon all occasions, was upon these things only, unless so much as was necessary for people carrying on their ordinary secular business. Other discourse man of the things of religion, would scarcely be tolerated in any company. The minds of people were wonderfully taken off from the world, it was treated amongst us as a thing of very little consequence. They seemed to follow their worldly business, more as a part of their duty, than from any disposition they had to it; the temptation now seemed to lie on that hand, to neglect worldly affairs too much, and to spend too much time in the immediate exercise of religion. This was exceedingly misrepresented by reports that were spread in distant parts of the land, as though the people here had wholly thrown by all worldly business, and betook themselves entirely to reading and praying, and such like religious exercises.'
Oh, for people to be concerned of nothing but Christ and service of him!
Next week's reading
Read Section II.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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