In my quest to know the past and become acquainted with my own heritage, I have been studying the Second Great Awakening in the America. A powerful movement between 1770 and 1830, the Second Great Awakening marks the conversion and definite salvation experiences of thousands of Americans across the country. Evangelical Christians -- predominantly the Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists -- spread the gospel through itinerant preachers and large gospel meetings, reaching many nominal Christians and many unbelievers. The Second Great Awakening is responsible for the fact that the southern United States, despite being settled mostly by Anglican people in search of wealth and a better life, has become the Bible belt and the home of many of the country's evangelicals.
In this move of the gospel, salvation reached many people, and the way was opened for them to freely speak of their experiences of the grace of God. Young and old, black and white, male and female all had the opportunity to hear God's speaking and receive His salvation, and many of these took the opportunity to share with others this newfound joy in the grace of God.
Evangelical leaders realized that the young would shape the future religious landscape of the country and particularly worked to convert them to Christianity. Further, they encouraged young men to cultivate a burden for the gospel and their fellow mankind. Subsequently, many left kith and kin to serve as itinerant preachers. With little formal training, they were forced to turn to God as their source, particularly in spiritual matters. To assure people of salvation and to find solace and supply, they resorted to frequent prayer and the Bible, reading works by the Wesleys and other evangelicals as well. Through trial and tribulation, they realized that the ultimate power was not in themselves or in their eloquence but in the compelling message of the gospel. Though life was often hard and they lived in "holy poverty," many consecrated themselves to serve God at least for part of their lives.
It's amazing to me how God worked in this country two centuries ago. Because these people poured out their lives and were faithful to God and to His word, we are here today.
For more details, see Chapter 2, The Season of Youth, in Christine Leigh Heyrman's Southern Cross: The Beginnings of the Bible Belt.
