The Second Great Awakening Jesus Drops in for a Visit Jesus Drops in for a Visit

The Second Great The Second Great AwakeningAwakening

• Jesus Drops in for a Jesus Drops in for a VisitVisit

““Awakenings”Awakenings”

• Periodic Waves of Periodic Waves of Religious ExcitementReligious Excitement

• Separated by long Separated by long periods of Religious periods of Religious calmcalm

• 1740s: FIRST GREAT 1740s: FIRST GREAT AWAKENINGAWAKENING

• 1800-1850s: SECOND 1800-1850s: SECOND GREAT AWAKENINGGREAT AWAKENING

• Enthusiasm, Enthusiasm, controversy, controversy, religious experiment.religious experiment.

Religion in the 1800’s Religion in the 1800’s • Deism helped to create a Unitarian faith, which Deism helped to create a Unitarian faith, which

held that God existed in only held that God existed in only one one personperson• Unitarians-proclaimed that their belief was in Unitarians-proclaimed that their belief was in

free will and possibility of salvation through good free will and possibility of salvation through good works (Ralph Waldo Emerson-Leading thinker)works (Ralph Waldo Emerson-Leading thinker)

• Unitarianism contrasted from the Calvinist Unitarianism contrasted from the Calvinist doctrines of the 1700's, differing on subjects doctrines of the 1700's, differing on subjects such as predestination and human depravitysuch as predestination and human depravity

• First Unitarian church was founded in 1796 but First Unitarian church was founded in 1796 but the faith became more widely accepted in the the faith became more widely accepted in the 1800's1800's , especially in the Northeast and by , especially in the Northeast and by intellectualsintellectuals

William Ellery Channing, William Ellery Channing, “Unitarian Christianity” “Unitarian Christianity” (1819)(1819)• Are people free to re-Are people free to re-

invent Religion?invent Religion? UNITARIANISMUNITARIANISM::(1)(1) Rejects “Trinity” (insists Rejects “Trinity” (insists

on “Unitary” God)on “Unitary” God)(2)(2) Rejects Jesus’ “divinity”Rejects Jesus’ “divinity”(3)(3) Rejects Centrality of Rejects Centrality of

Jesus’ Crucifixion & Jesus’ Crucifixion & Resurrection Resurrection

(4)(4) Modifies Modifies “Fall/Redemption” “Fall/Redemption” conceptconcept

(5)(5) Insists on right of Insists on right of individual to mold his or individual to mold his or her own religionher own religion

Prophecies in the Books ofProphecies in the Books of Daniel and Revelation Daniel and Revelation

Two Key Notions of the Two Key Notions of the Second Great AwakeningSecond Great Awakening

•Christian Perfectionism-Christian Perfectionism- Belief that salvation can lead to a Belief that salvation can lead to a sinless life: “heaven on sinless life: “heaven on earth”earth”

•Millennialism- Millennialism- Christ’s return to Christ’s return to earth willearth will begin a thousand year reignbegin a thousand year reign

"The belief of this doctrine has "The belief of this doctrine has seriously affected my temporal seriously affected my temporal wellbeing" wellbeing"

THE THE SECOND ADVENT SECOND ADVENT OF OF

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THE LORD JESUS CHRIST A PAST EVENT.A PAST EVENT.

BY BY ROBERT TOWNLEY, A.B. ROBERT TOWNLEY, A.B.

MINISTERMINISTER

James McGreadyJames McGready credited with inaugurating 1credited with inaugurating 1stst camp meeting camp meeting

Cane RidgeCane Ridge

MethodistsMethodists• John and Charles Wesley- credited with John and Charles Wesley- credited with

the founding of the the founding of the MethodistMethodist faith. faith.– believed that by living in a Christian

manner & truly believing in God, a person would gain salvation..

MethodistMethodist• After Wesley died in 1791, the After Wesley died in 1791, the

Methodist faith divided:Methodist faith divided:– Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church and the

Methodist ProtestantMethodist Protestant

• Methodism advanced westward; one Methodism advanced westward; one of the earliest Christian faiths to of the earliest Christian faiths to arrive in Ohio.arrive in Ohio.– Thomas Thomas WorthingtonWorthington– Edward TiffinEdward Tiffin

Francis Asbury, “A Spiritual Francis Asbury, “A Spiritual Letter” (1790)Letter” (1790)

• America’s Great America’s Great METHODIST leaderMETHODIST leader

• DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY (everyone …)(everyone …)

• OPTIMISM (… can OPTIMISM (… can be saved!)be saved!)

• How: FREE WILL , How: FREE WILL , PERSONAL CHOICEPERSONAL CHOICE

MethodistMethodist• Many Methodists Many Methodists

disagreed about disagreed about slaveryslavery

• Church initially Church initially condemned slavery but condemned slavery but many of its white many of its white members favored members favored slavery.slavery.

• Some African American Some African American members broke with members broke with the Methodist Church the Methodist Church in 1816 & established in 1816 & established the African Methodist the African Methodist Episcopal Church.Episcopal Church.

•Peter Cartwright was the best known of the Methodist “circuit riders” or traveling preachers.

Itinerant Methodist Itinerant Methodist MinistersMinisters“Circuit Riders”“Circuit Riders”

Burned Over DistrictsBurned Over Districts• The Burned Over Districts was a The Burned Over Districts was a

named coined by historian Whitney named coined by historian Whitney Cross in a 1950 book to describe an Cross in a 1950 book to describe an area in central and western New York area in central and western New York during the 2nd Great Awakening.during the 2nd Great Awakening.

• Western New York was so blistered Western New York was so blistered

by sermonizers preaching “hellfire by sermonizers preaching “hellfire

and damnation” that it came to be and damnation” that it came to be

known as the Burned-Over District.known as the Burned-Over District.

Charles Grandison Charles Grandison FinneyFinney• leader of the “river of revivals”leader of the “river of revivals”

• Supported loose interpretation of scriptures Supported loose interpretation of scriptures and styles of worshipand styles of worship

• Personal Relationship with Christ Personal Relationship with Christ

• ““Sinners are bound to change their own Sinners are bound to change their own hearts”hearts”

• Old School religion with new twists:Old School religion with new twists:

- “Anxious bench”- “Anxious bench”

- Women public prayer- Women public prayer

• denounced alcohol and slaverydenounced alcohol and slavery

Charles Grandison Charles Grandison FinneyFinney

Idealism in the Second Idealism in the Second Great AwakeningGreat Awakening• Emotionalism in religion began againEmotionalism in religion began again• Religion began to influence other ideals such Religion began to influence other ideals such

as freedom from cruelty of war, discrimination, as freedom from cruelty of war, discrimination, intoxicated drinking, and slaveryintoxicated drinking, and slavery

• There were increased plantation missions held There were increased plantation missions held for slavesfor slaves

• Methodists and Presbyterians divide on the Methodists and Presbyterians divide on the issue of slavery in 1830's-1840'sissue of slavery in 1830's-1840's

• Idealistic religion on a utopian socialism, moral Idealistic religion on a utopian socialism, moral reform, and other ideas came to Christianityreform, and other ideas came to Christianity

• The Second Great Awakening led The Second Great Awakening led many people to believe that the many people to believe that the second coming of Christ was near. second coming of Christ was near.

• Several of these groups settled in Several of these groups settled in the area that came to be known as the area that came to be known as the "Burned Over District.“the "Burned Over District.“

• Millerites were who one these Millerites were who one these groups, founded by William Miller, groups, founded by William Miller, they believed the coming of Christ they believed the coming of Christ was going to happen on October 22, was going to happen on October 22, 1844. 1844.

MilleritesMillerites

• Spawned from the Burned Over DistrictsSpawned from the Burned Over Districts

• Named after William Miller, self-taught Named after William Miller, self-taught Bible ScholarBible Scholar

• Interpreted the Bible to mean that Christ Interpreted the Bible to mean that Christ would return to earth on October 22, 1843.would return to earth on October 22, 1843.

• The failure of Jesus to descend onThe failure of Jesus to descend on

schedule dampened but did notschedule dampened but did not

destroy the movement.destroy the movement.

William Miller?William Miller?

Millerite Millerite PampletPamplet

Sylvester Graham: Sylvester Graham: Food ReformerFood Reformer

Ellen White: The New Ellen White: The New ProphetProphet

Sister Ellen’sSister Ellen’sVisionsVisions

Seventh Day Adventist Seventh Day Adventist ChurchChurch

John Harvey KelloggJohn Harvey Kellogg

• Graduate of Bellevue Medical College in 2 Graduate of Bellevue Medical College in 2 years (1876)years (1876)

• Began supervision of SDA Western Health Began supervision of SDA Western Health Reform Institute in Battle CreekReform Institute in Battle Creek

• Evolved into Battle Creek SanitariumEvolved into Battle Creek Sanitarium

• Vegetarian, Inventor, Physician,Vegetarian, Inventor, Physician,

Author, Oddball: “Biologic Living”Author, Oddball: “Biologic Living”

The “San”The “San”

““Electro-Treatment” Chair Electro-Treatment” Chair at the “San”at the “San”

Eventually, it all comes to Eventually, it all comes to this because of . . .this because of . . .

William Keith KelloggWilliam Keith Kellogg“none genuine without this signature”“none genuine without this signature”

T.C. Boyles’s novel T.C. Boyles’s novel and a bad 1994 flickand a bad 1994 flick

•

Joseph Smith, Jr.Joseph Smith, Jr.

Hill CumorrahHill Cumorrah

Moroni Gives Joe the Moroni Gives Joe the Golden PlatesGolden Plates

Smith HomesteadSmith Homestead

Young Brigham YoungYoung Brigham Young

Great Mormon TrekGreat Mormon Trek

• Zion in the WildernessZion in the Wilderness

• ““Deseret” (Utah)Deseret” (Utah)

Seagull Monument, Seagull Monument, Temple SquareTemple Square

Mormon Temple and Mormon Temple and Tabernacle Tabernacle

Old BrighamOld Brigham YoungYoung

Oneida ComplexOneida Complex

The cover of Puck The cover of Puck shown at right shown at right portrays its critics portrays its critics proclaiming the proclaiming the Oneida Community Oneida Community members to be living members to be living in peace and in peace and harmony, without harmony, without clergy scandals, and clergy scandals, and that therefore "They that therefore "They must be stopped!"must be stopped!"

Oneida Community: Practitioners of Oneida Community: Practitioners of “Stirpiculture”“Stirpiculture”

Oneida Mansion Oneida Mansion (now Museum)(now Museum)

““Oneida Ltd. is the #1 Brand in Oneida Ltd. is the #1 Brand in silverware / flatware with the silverware / flatware with the top 5 designs in the entire top 5 designs in the entire industry.” industry.”

Lyman BeecherLyman Beecher

• Great OratorGreat Orator

• Urged people to join Urged people to join associations lead by associations lead by the churchthe church

• Moral Reform on Moral Reform on poverty, teaching, poverty, teaching, reading, writing to reading, writing to poor and prevention poor and prevention of alcohol abuse.of alcohol abuse.

Divisiveness Caused by the Divisiveness Caused by the Second Great AwakeningSecond Great Awakening• Second Great Awakening widened lines between Second Great Awakening widened lines between

class and regionclass and region• Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and

Unitarians --> Wealthy classes and better-educatedUnitarians --> Wealthy classes and better-educated• Big Boundary between Northern Protestants, Big Boundary between Northern Protestants,

Methodists, and Baptists; and Southern Protestants, Methodists, and Baptists; and Southern Protestants, Methodists, and Baptists.Methodists, and Baptists.

• This split between North and Southern Faith and This split between North and Southern Faith and ideals in religion was considered the first sign of ideals in religion was considered the first sign of splitting. Later followed by a split in politics and the splitting. Later followed by a split in politics and the Union.Union.

Protestants encouraged increase in educational Protestants encouraged increase in educational learning and also importance of education in every learning and also importance of education in every householdhousehold

Mormonism (LDS)Mormonism (LDS)

• 1830- Joseph Smith, a visionary, reported an encounter with 1830- Joseph Smith, a visionary, reported an encounter with an angelan angel

• This led to the religion of MormonsThis led to the religion of Mormons• Deciphered the Book of Mormon from golden plates claimed Deciphered the Book of Mormon from golden plates claimed

to be received by Joseph Smithto be received by Joseph Smith• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was founded Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was founded

through J. Smith's claimthrough J. Smith's claim• Had leaders that were dedicated to free enterpriseHad leaders that were dedicated to free enterprise• Voted as a unit and produced their own militiaVoted as a unit and produced their own militia• Polygamy became a problem for Joseph Smith and the LDSPolygamy became a problem for Joseph Smith and the LDS• Brigham Young was an “eloquent” preacher with only 11 Brigham Young was an “eloquent” preacher with only 11

days of schoolingdays of schooling• Movement to Utah- use of irrigation system in desert of UtahMovement to Utah- use of irrigation system in desert of Utah

This image from a broadside of the American Anti-Slavery Society shows the battle between the "Eagle of Liberty" and the "Serpent of Slavery" (1838).

United Society of Believers United Society of Believers in Christ's Second in Christ's Second AppearingAppearing

Shaker Beliefs and PracticesShaker Beliefs and Practicesfrom Mother Ann Leefrom Mother Ann Lee

– PacificismPacificism– CelibacyCelibacy– WorkWork– DanceDance– SongSong– CollectiveCollective

OwnershipOwnership

Shaker Meeting House, Shaker Meeting House, Hancock VillageHancock Village

Sabbathday Lake Shakers Sabbathday Lake Shakers (1885)(1885)

Shaker Tree of Life

““Hands to work and hearts to Hands to work and hearts to God”God”

Shaker CommunitiesShaker Communities

Important Religions and Important Religions and PeoplePeople• Two largest denominations became Methodists and BaptistsTwo largest denominations became Methodists and Baptists• Peter Cartwright (1785-1872) prominent Methodist preacherPeter Cartwright (1785-1872) prominent Methodist preacher• Charles Grandison Finney was a prominent revival preacher. Charles Grandison Finney was a prominent revival preacher.

Known as the “greatest preacher” of the Second Great Known as the “greatest preacher” of the Second Great AwakeningAwakening

• Finney led massive revivals in 1830-1831 in Rochester, New Finney led massive revivals in 1830-1831 in Rochester, New YorkYork

• Encouraged women to pray aloud in public and denounced Encouraged women to pray aloud in public and denounced both alcohol and slaveryboth alcohol and slavery

• Stressed personal conversion and explored a democratic Stressed personal conversion and explored a democratic control of church affairscontrol of church affairs

• William Miller – Millerites and Adventists: interpreted the William Miller – Millerites and Adventists: interpreted the Bible to mean that Christ would return on Earth Oct. 22, Bible to mean that Christ would return on Earth Oct. 22, 18441844