The Great Awakening

The Great Awakening

As I was roaming around, I saw people gathering up at the corner of the street. I could hear the people chattering. The commotion seemed like they were waiting for somebody to come by. Maybe some celebrity is to arrive I pondered. I could see all kinds of people, young as well as old, in the large gathering. As I stood confounded, a short character appeared in front of the audience. He was standing on a stage, which was set as such that it made him visible to the audience. His face was familiar and I automatically started recollecting memories from my mind. Than it came to me, I knew him, he is George Whitefield! The best among all preachers in Britain and America in the 18th century, stood right in front of me.

The crowd, upon recognizing him started to gather around him. Despite his short height he could address to numerous people at a time. It was common knowledge that his voice works like a trumpet blast. He used his loud and clear voice well, addressing people at great distance without much effort. He was talented enough to use dramatic gestures and modulated his voice perfectly. It was enough to grab the attention of the listeners and make them follow his preaching. Famous and knowledgeable personalities, such as Benjamin Franklin, endorsed this oratory prowess.

George Whitefield was in support to build an orphanage for the poor. He initiated the Great Awakening that the incumbent minister, Reverend Jonathan Edward seconded too. Whitefield preached no less what Calvinist believed for centuries. He proclaimed that sinful people are dependent on the mercy of Almighty God for the salvation.

The Great Awakening was a revival from the old traditions and practices. It believed in performing individual religious practices rather than pre-established doctrine of churches. This lowered the significance of the clergy and the importance of the church in many aspects. There was a growth of new dominations under this as this was the result of the individualism in salvation and faith. American colonies unified as number of preachers and rivals spread the message throughout the colonies.

However many did not approve of this revivalism in religion. Evangelicals' emotionalism was in question by the colonies, moderate and conservative clergymen. George Whitefield preached in various communities, travelling from one place to another criticizing the clergymen. Within congregations, battle raged over the challenge of the authority of the clergies and the approach of evangelical as it was claimed that it is the use of heart rather than the head.

Soon enough there was a division in America. 'New light' or the Awakening established their own churches and schools in all over the colonies. One of them is Princeton University. Whereas, the 'Old Light' rejected the idea of the new style of worship. Presbyterian and Congregationalist denominations were divided in the new and the old lights. Surprisingly tolerance towards acceptance of the religion increased. With variations in the religion it was obvious that there will ...