Required reading
The Great Awakening: A history of the revival of religion in the time of Edwards & Whitefield by Joseph Tracy (Available from Amazon or free here) -
Conclude Chapter 12 (The revival in New England) but don't read the Appendix to Chapter 12.
My summary
Today we learn about the revival in:
(i) Portsmouth;
(ii) Gloucester;
(iii) Reading;
(iv) Newcastle;
(v) Waterly;
(vi) Northhampton.
Tennent and Whitefield have some share in the revivals but there appears to be a real appetite for preaching from local pastors too. Even children as young as five begin to pray earnestly.
What grabbed me
I enjoyed reading this Pastor's account of revival: 'The Rev. Benjamin Bradstreet, pastor of the church in Annisquam Parish, Gloucester, wrote, June 30, 1743 : "In my very small parish, consisting of about eighty families, we have had, in about twelve months past, (when we had before more communicants than families,) about forty added to the church, and all excepting one, by the grace of God, live to bear good fruit. Thanks be to God, we have no divisions nor separations among us ; we are without dreams, visions, and trances, (though there have been some in the neighbourhood,) nor are we troubled with exhorters. The people seem to express a greater love for their minister, and a greater desire than ever to hear the word ; and I hope their unworthy minister has a greater regard than ever for their souls.'
Church members loving their pastor and the pastor loving the church members - a sure sign of the Holy Spirit's power!
Next week's reading
Read the Appendix to Chapter 12.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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