Intro
In American history, one of the earliest major events was the first Great awakening. Many different preachers assisted in spreading the Great Awakening throughout the colonies. Jonathan Edwards carried on the revival of his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard in North Hampton church in the North Hampton Revival (1733-1735). Englishman, George Whitefield (1740-1770) was the best-known and most widely traveled evangelist of the time and received much publiciity in the newspapers of that day. Another voice in the awakening was that of Presbrytarian Pastor, Gilbert Tennet who rocked the colonies with his claim that some preachers were not saved. Of these great Christian leaders, this paper will concentrate on the significant works of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards played a significant role continuing the work of the preachers who had gone before him …show more content…
Stoddard led the North Hampton church in 5 “harvests” in the years 1679, 1683, 1696, 1712 and 1718. This was the most conversions in New England history prior to the Great Awakening. Stoddard lived to be in his 80’s and could not carry on the duties of pastoring the church on his own. In 1727, the church brought on Stoddard’s grandson, Johnathan Edwards who picked up the torch from his grandfather and carried on the spirit of revival right where his grandfather had left off. Stoddard practiced a different approach than most Congregationalists of his era. Simon’s motivation was as Brockway puts it: “Stoddard sought more effective means of encouraging conversion.” Stoaddard permitted non-members to take part in communion, for he considered it possible for them to be convicted of their sin during the partaking of communion. He also did not require a public confession to join the church.
Jonathan Edwards Early