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 Chapter 16 (The revival in New England - Conventions and testimonies).
My summary
Today we learn about different conventions of ministers and their opinions of the revivals.
The chapter includes the full text of a number of the ministers' agreed upon written statements and lists of their subscribers.
Initially we read one declaration that is opposed to the revival work, but later statements are more balanced in their treatment.
What grabbed me
An interesting chapter.
I thought this was a good cautionary note to the revival experiences: 'Indeed, it is not to be denied, that in some places many irregularities and extravagances have been permitted to accompany it, which we would deeply lament and bewail before God. and look upon ourselves obliged, for the honor of the Holy Spirit, and of his blessed operations on the souls of men, to bear a public and faithful testimony against; though at the same time it is to be acknowledged with much thankfulness, that in other places, where the work has greatly flourished, there have been few, if any, of these disorders and excesses. But who can wonder, if at such a time as this, Satan should intermingle himself, to hinder and blemish a work so directly contrary to the interests of his own kingdom. Or if, while so much good seed is sowing, the enemy should be busy to sow tares ? We would therefore, in the bowels of Jesus, beseech such as have been partakers of this work, or are zealous to promote it, that they be not ignorant of Satan's devices ; that they watch and pray against errors and misconduct of every kind, lest they blemish and hinder that which they desire to honor and advance. '
Just because Satan is evidently at work, one shouldn't condemn the work of the Spirit too.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 17 (Opposition to the revival in Connecticut).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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