Great Awakening - Tracy - XXV - Chapter 19 (The revival continued at the South)

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 19 (The revival continued at the South).

My summary
Today we learn further about the revival in the South of North America.

At the beginning of the chapter we hear of the schism between the Synod of New York and the Synod of Philadelphia.

Then a lengthy account is given from Samuel Davies concerning the origin of the Presbytery of Virginia.

Next we hear more about Whitefield's preaching efforts throughout the region.

The chapter then concludes with an account of the reconciliation of the presbyteries and the formation of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia.

What grabbed me
I found it interesting that the way people assessed a guest preacher was his view on books: 'In Amelia also, a county somewhat nearer this than the former, his [Mr Robinson] labors were extensively blessed ; and while he was there, or near it, some of the people in Hanover, having had some imperfect information of him, sent him an invitation to come and preach to them, though they knew very little of his character or method of preaching, only that it was uncommon, and tended to awaken people. They ventured to make an appointment for him to preach at their reading house (if I may so call it) before they received any promise from him by their messenger; and with much difficulty he came against the day appointed. Some of the people were anxious to discover his principles privately, in the morning, before he was to preach ; but knew not how, till they fell upon the device of asking his opinion of some books they approved of. Upon his declaring his approbation of these tests of orthodoxy, they were transported with the most pleasing expectations, and with eager impatience, attended him to the place where he was to preach. '

I'm not sure many churches would use such a test today!

Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 20 (The results) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'Another result of the revival was, a better knowledge of the nature of religious experience.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.