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) - Read the Appendix to Chapter 12.
My summary
Today we read an Appendix to Chapter 12 which is made up of:
(i) extracts from the private journal of the Rev Eleazer Wheelock;
(ii) extracts from the private journal of the Rev Ebenezer Parkman of Westborough, Mass.
The extracts are a bit hard to summarise due to their disjointed nature. They give various accounts of the revivals, particularly the responses to preaching.
What grabbed me
I was interested to read Wheelock's mention of Satan in the midst of the revival: 'October 21, 1741. Had but little sleep. Arose before day. Rode with Mr. Coit and my friends to Voluntown. Courteously received and entertained by Mr. Dorrance. Went to meeting at ten. Heard Mr. Gideon Mills preach well. Preached after him. There is a great work in this town; but more of the footsteps of Satan than in any place I have yet been in : the zeal of some too furious : they tell of many visions, revelations, and many strong impressions upon the imagination. They have had much of God in many of their meetings, and his great power has been much seen, and many hopefully converted. Satan is using many artful wiles to put a stop to the work of God in this place. Good Lord, let him be confounded. Let his mischieif fall upon bis own bead. At their conference at night, I mentioned some of these devices of Satan, which I apprehend they are in danger of, and heard the accounts of a number of new converts. '
We can never be complacent about Satan.
The Holy Spirit has great power, but Satan is not completely powerless. Even during revival.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 13.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment