An Index has also been added, to increase the permanent value of the book to the reader. If the history of the remarkable “religious awakenings” of the eighteenth century were more diligently studied, and the holy enthusiasm and wonderful zeal of those great leaders in “hunting for souls” were to inspire workers of this century, what marvellous conquests and victories should we witness for the Son of God!
Philadelphia, March, 1882.
PREFACE.
The author of the following pages begs that they may be read kindly—and, he will venture to say, not critically. Originally published as a series of papers in the Sunday at Home, * * * they are only Vignettes—etchings. The History of the great Religious Movement of the Eighteenth Century yet remains unwritten; not often has the world known such a marvellous awakening of religious thought; and, as we are further removed in time, so, perhaps, we are better able to judge of the momentous circumstances, could we but seize the point of view.
CONTENTS.
| CHAP. | PAGE. | |
| I. | The Darkness Before the Dawn | [7] |
| II. | First Streaks of Dawn | [24] |
| III. | Oxford: New Lights and Old Lanterns | [48] |
| IV. | Cast Out from the Church—Taking to the Fields | [68] |
| V. | The Revival Conservative | [86] |
| VI. | The Singers of the Revival | [109] |
| VII. | Lay Preaching and Lay Preachers | [132] |
| VIII. | A Gallery of Revivalist Portraits | [154] |
| IX. | Blossoms in the Wilderness | [180] |
| X. | The Revival Becomes Educational—Robert Raikes | [193] |
| XI. | The Romantic Story of Silas Told | [216] |
| XII. | Missionary Societies | [250] |
| XIII. | Aftermath | [260] |
| XIV. | Revival in the New World | [281] |
| Appendices | [303] | |
| Index | [321] |