Talk:Second Great Awakening

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This article is copied in several places on the internet, and with each new copy I believe that an historical inaccuracy is perpetuated. It claims that observers of the Second Awakening revivals in the East were "awed by the respectful silence" of those bearing witness to their faith. This does not appear to be true — however, I'll leave it there until I can find solid proof. I used to have a quote, which I believed was the original source of this misquote, which I took to say almost precisely the opposite. I'll see if I can find it. Otherwise, the article is dense with good information, IMO. — Mkmcconn

Contrary to the paragraph:

There was dancing, running and singing - all of which Stone said were manifestations of God's presence. The noise of the meetings was so great that some said "the noise was like the roar of Niagara."

Supporting the paragraph:

"In the east, Yale University experienced a revival of Biblical Christianity under President Timothy Dwight, Jonathan Edwards' grandson. Christianity was almost nonexistent then at Yale, the campus church almost extinct. For four years Dwight preached a series of weekly sermons on Christian belief; when he finished the series, he started over again. Finally, in 1801, after seven years of preaching, revival came to Yale. At least half of the student body was converted to Christianity under Dwight's Presidency. One college tutor wrote home to his mom, "Yale College is a little temple; prayer and praise seem to be the delight of the greater part of the students while those who are still unfeeling are awed with respectful silence." [1]

The contrast here is between the experience-centered revivals of Cane Ridge, and the college-centered revivals in the eastern states. But even in this, does the quote really say what the entry has taken it to say? Are the unbelieving students in awe of the respectful silence kept by those who testify to their faith? Or isn't the reporter, in plainer English, writing to tell his mother that even those who are not part of the revival of religion at the college are not speaking out against it or mocking it, but respectfully keep their mouths shut. I'm considering how to change the entry. — Mkmcconn

I've deleted the paragraph. Mkmcconn 19:39 May 7, 2003 (UTC)

[edit] Second Great Awakening

Can we put some dates on this? Is ca, 1790- 1840 realistic?

It depends on who's doing the telling. The Cumberland Presbyterians date the revival from around 1795 (numerous presbyteries passed several resolutions to pray for revival, beginning around 1790, or so). The Stone-Campbell people date it from 1800/1801 (Cane Ridge). The end is harder to point to. Mkmcconn (Talk) 04:44, 11 July 2005 (UTC)

Would it be reasonable to put the endpoint at 1844 with the Great Disappointment?? Ansell 08:51, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

yes but that only affected a small group of Millerites. the next awakening has to start 1857 so we better end this one in 1840s Rjensen 09:34, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

This article needs dates.

[edit] Causes?

Does anyone know why this happened? It would be hard to believe it's just a big coincidence... --euyyn 07:47, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

I've just found something about this here --euyyn 07:50, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

And this in History of the LDS:

This "awakening" was a Christian response to the secularism of the Age of Enlightenment, and extended throughout the United States, particularly the frontier areas of the west.

I hope to find something more scattered in other articles before I try to add it to the article. --euyyn 00:44, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Louis P. Masur, 1831: Year of Eclipse.

"But with this growth [referring to the expansion of the United States, Westward development, etc.]came discord. The middle class divided on political and religious issues and united against the labouring classes on moral questions such as the consumprion of alcohol. The story repeated itself in scores of other towns and cities. With expansion and wealth came dissension and strife. Only a revival of religion, many believed, could preserve the nation "from our vast extent of territory, our numerous and increasing population, from diversity of local interests, the power of selfishness, and the fury of sectional jealousy and hate." page 66. quoting from Lyman Beecher "Necessity of Revivals."

You should also look at Joyce Appleby's "Inheriting the Revolution" which talks about how the 2nd Great Awakening interacted with republican ideas of progress and self-development. Both civic and religious reformers saw mankind as flawed, capable of being reformeed, and that that reform must start from the self. This fit well with republican virtues, even if religious involvement with the state did not. Cherbert18 20:17, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Asahel Nettleton

Just observed that as yet there is no Wikipedia page for Asahel Nettleton (1783–1844) who was one of the most influential figures during the Second Great Awakening. This is a plea for someone to take up the task. [2] gives a cameo. [3] is a brief biographical sketch. To prepare such an article, the user is directed to the invaluable book by Andrew A. Bonar and Bennet Tyler. DFH 19:18, 20 July 2006 (UTC)