By: Ishan Porwal
Relationship with Other Events in Movement
Social Reform
A large amount of the social reform that occurred before the Civil War, was caused by the Second Great Awakening. Since there was a unique dedication to religion, many people strived to use Christian teachings to solve social problems. Preachers encouraged converts to achieve salvation which involved not only for their personal sins, but to provide for society as a whole therefore clearing sins in all of its forms. In this fashion, evangelical converts were often leaders in multiple reform movements amid the 19th century.
Equality and Temperance
Universalism was established in the States during the late eighteenth century by John Murray, nicknamed the “Father of American Universalism.” The Universalist Church of America became the sixth-largest denomination in the United States at its zenith. Universalism is the theology that all human beings might be protected by Jesus Christ and ultimately harmonize in God’s kingdom. Members of this faith advocated a sense of equality, contributing to the abolitionist movement.
The renewed devotion to religion that resulted from the Second Great Awakening also influenced the Temperance Movement. Temperance is abstinence from alcoholic drinks. In Christian religion, it is believed that over-indulgence that leads to drunkenness is sinful. Since deliverance was being increasingly promoted in this time period, temperance became a center of attention in revivals.
Women's Rights
Most of the converts within the Second Great Awakening were women, who thus were extremely involved in the core and growth of the many movements. Though it is unknown exactly why more women converted than men, conversion allowed them to create identities for themselves and form a community consisting of women with shared experiences. They did all this despite living in a time of economic and personal anxiety and backlash from some men. Even though women didn’t formally possess any ministerial positions but at times, they did hold public roles in revivals. Women became informally important during this time period in the movement of conversion and passing on religion to their children through their maternal roles. The increasing number of female converts also affected preachers’ doctrines. Christ was slowly feminized, emphasizing his humility and forgiveness. The Second Great Awakening advocated women’s rights among many other topics of reform and it gave women a chance to participate in affairs outside of their households.
The Infant Christian
The Infant Christian is a children's story written by Mrs. C. V. R. Hale of New York. The story exemplifies the Second Great Awakening as children are encouraged to become Christians at a young ago. One interesting part reads...
"If you will turn away from sin
In childhood's early day,
The Lord will make you pure within,
And take your guilt away."