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Account of A Revival of Religion in Plymouth, Connecticut, in the year 1799

This is a selection from New England Revivals As They Existed at the Close of the Eighteenth, and the Beginning of the Nineteenth Centuriescompiled by Bennet Tyler in 1846. This relates various instances from the Second Great Awakening, recorded in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine.

Towards the end of the year 1798, there was an appearance of more attention to religion than had been common among us, although it was not noticed at the time. Our assemblies on the Sabbath were more full, and the attention of the congregation to the Word preached, and other parts of social worship, more fixed than had been usual. Nothing farther very specially appeared, until the month of February, 1799, when the Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind, and seemed to breathe on many at one and the same time.

The first visible indication of this, was on a lecture day, previous to the Lord’s Supper. These lectures had heretofore usually been attended but by few, besides professors, and too many of these were negligent in their attendance. But at this time there were, probably, three, if not four times the number which had ordinarily attended on such occasions, especially of the young people, and the countenances of many indicated sadness of heart. Indeed the whole congregation appeared solemn; but some in different parts of the house, by their tears which they could not conceal, manifested that their minds were tenderly, impressed.

At the close of this meeting in the daytime, an evening lecture was appointed, which, it is believed, was the first evening religious meeting which had ever been publicly notified, or attended, in the town. At this meeting, a much greater number attended than in the daytime. A brother in the ministry being present, preached from these words—“He flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.” The assembly was solemn, the hearers attentive, and the Word preached seemed to be accompanied with divine power.

A religious meeting was now appointed on the Wednesday evening of the next week; and although the season, and the traveling, were both uncomfortable, many came from almost every quarter; and it seemed as if God was present of a truth, speaking to sinners in a still small voice, and saying what have you been doing? And where are you going? Consider what you do, and what your end is like to be. After praying and singing, the people were addressed from these words—“Escape for thy life; look not behind thee; neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” A solemn silence reigned among the hearers, who appeared to hear as for their lives; and many were to be seen in various parts of the house, weeping and trembling under a sense of their guilt and danger; and saying to themselves, “What must I do to be saved?” For at this time, but few spake out the feelings and exercises of their hearts; but at the close of the meeting, they returned to their homes, in pensive sadness.

From that time to the present, there have been almost every week from two to five, and sometimes six religious meetings, beside the two upon the Sabbath; as I have invariably attended them myself, I can witness to the order and decency, the silence and solemnity, with which, and the numbers by which, these meetings have been attended. The silence observed among those who were going to, or returning from these meetings, was very impressive, and frequently noticed with surprise and pleasure. Little or no tumult or noise, and the appearance of most, much as if they had been going to, or were returning from the funeral of some near relative or friend. And while in the house, nothing was said but by the minister; for so little disposed were the people to take an active part in any religious exercise, except singing, that it was difficult to get one publicly to propose or ask a question. Many were swift to hear, but all slow to speak.

In this time of God’s pouring out of his Spirit and reviving his work among us, sixty-one have been added to the church, and baptism administered to about one hundred. Among the baptized are sixteen households or families.

At one time, a number of households, containing about twenty souls, were baptized.

Those who have, in this time of awakening, joined the church, are most, if not all of them, between fourteen and forty years of age. The greatest number have been from the class of married people. Of the unmarried, twenty-one are females.

I shall now give some further particulars relating to this revival of religion.

About four or five months after the attention began, two lads or young men, who lived near each other, having finished their daily labor in the field, met in a school-house nearby, and spent the evening in religious conversation. They had not spent more than two evenings in this manner, before their being together, and the design thereof, was known to some in the neighborhood, who, the next time they met, joined their company.

About this time I heard of their meeting, although it was not generally known. A doubt, at once, arose with respect to the propriety of encouraging so young a class, of the different sexes, meeting by themselves, for religious purposes, without some one of more age and experience, to superintend their meetings, and preserve regularity among them, as also to instruct them in things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and their own salvation.

At their next meeting, I went among them, and found nearly forty males and females, from about eight to eighteen years of age, convened for the purpose of praying together, reading, singing psalms, and talking upon religious subjects. Being now desired by them, I met with them weekly for several months. The second time I met with them, there were about double the number there were the first time; and the third time, there were, I judged, about one hundred and forty. Although it was now the busiest season of the year with farmers, being about harvest time, and the evenings short, young men and women and children came from a distance of several miles; and much the greatest part appeared to have their minds impressed with seriousness; for in every part of the house, tears were seen, and sighs and sobs heard; although endeavors were used to suppress the one, and to conceal the other.

These meetings of young people and children were kept up for several months, and until more elderly people, who wished to participate with them in their devotional exercises, came in among them, and so rendered them common for those of every age. But it is hoped that the religious impressions made, at this time, upon the young and tender minds of a number, will never be wholly effaced, but will remain through time, and be like a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.

Judges 11

Jephthah leads Israel’s defense; he attempts peace with Ammon but they resist. Jephthah sacrifices his daughter because of his rash vow.

  • Ammon’s stated reason for fighting Israel (v. 13) is from Numbers 21:24.
  • Regarding Jephthah’s foolish vow (vv. 29ff), consider what this says about the prevailing morality in that day! And yet, Hebrews 11:32!
  • While thinking about these two things, finish this sentence: “Believers can do great things by faith yet…”

Judges 10

Despite the Lord’s deliverance through several judges, Israel engages in idolatry and is thus oppressed.

  • In verse 11, how would the Lord have spoken to Israel? Through what means did He do so in that day and age?
  • How did Israel show their repentance (v. 16)?
  • Note how God’s compassion is expressed in verse 16 and meditate on that.

Resources for Week of June 23, 2013

Here are some helpful resources for learning from and laboring for Jesus Christ:

Today we celebrated our fourth anniversary! Pastor Larry Hobbes preached an excellent message from 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. That message is available here.

Here is this week’s bulletin. Please note that our prayer meeting this Wednesday will be at the Rome Township pavilion. Join us as we look into God’s Word and pray for souls in this area.

You can download our Daily Devotional here. Each day a separate post on a Bible chapter will be published here.

Judges 9

Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons, kills all his brothers save one and makes himself king. Civil war ensues, but God removes Abimelech.

  • Note verse 56—this demonstrates that God is the king in Israel. Human rulers would come and go, but God remains.

Judges 8

Gideon’s army finishes off the enemy and deals with Israelites who did not help. Gideon declines being king but falls into idolatry.

  • Why did Gideon refuse to be king?
  • What was Gideon’s failure?
  • How did Israel fall away from the Lord? What lessons can you learn from this for yourself?

Judges 7

The Lord pares Gideon’s army down to 300 and gives them a great victory over Midian.

  • Why did God say that Gideon had too many soldiers?
  • What would the trumpets and torches signify (v. 16)?
  • As you read verses 19ff, keep Leviticus 26:8 & Joshua 23:10 in mind.

Judges 6

Israel is oppressed by Midian; God calls Gideon to destroy Baal’s altar and deliver Israel.

  • What was the ministry of the prophet (vv. 7–10)?
  • The “angel of the Lord” is best understood as being an appearance of Christ before His incarnation. Compare v. 11 with verse 14.
  • The various tests that Gideon asked God to do are not to be followed in our lives. These demonstrate Gideon’s lack of faith, not the strength of it!

Judges 4

Israel is oppressed by Jabin and Sisera, and is delivered by Deborah and Barak.

  • Israel is seen “in the sight of the Lord.” Do you see yourself “in the sight of the Lord”?
  • Note verse 7—who is in control?
  • Who received the credit and glory for victory (v. 23)?

Judges 5

Deborah and Barak’s song of victory.

  • Note verse 31; there are only the Lord’s enemies and those who love Him. Which describes you?
  • What is the point of the figure of speech about those who love the Lord (v. 31)?

Judges 3

The Lord tests Israel’s obedience by the remaining nations. Israel is oppressed because of their sin. Three judges deliver Israel: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar.

  • Joshua’s campaigns did not eliminate every Canaanite; those battles effectively “broke the back” of Canaanite resistance, and the various tribes were to “mop up” the rest.
  • Why did the Lord leave the nations (v. 4)?

Judges 2

The Lord rebukes Israel for their compromises. Joshua and his generation die. The cycle of apostasy and deliverance is described.

  • “Judges” were individuals specially chosen and equipped by the Lord for delivering Israel from their enemies and encouraging faithfulness to the covenant. They were in different parts of Israel.
  • “Bochim” (v. 5) means “weepers”; “served” (v. 11) can also be translated “worshiped”
  • What was the cause of Israel’s deliverance (v. 18)?
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