1720s Raritan Valley Revival: A Spark in the First Great Awakening

Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen

The Raritan Valley Revival of the 1720s holds a significant place in the religious landscape of colonial America. While often overshadowed by the larger First Great Awakening that swept through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, the Raritan Valley Revival served as a precursor and catalyst for this larger movement. This article examines the history of this revival, exploring its antecedents, key figures, related movements, and lasting impact on the Middle Colonies and American religious practices.

Antecedents of the Raritan Valley Revival

By the early 18th century, a sense of religious complacency had settled over many colonial churches ¹. The fervour of the early Puritan settlers had diminished, giving way to a more formal and less emotionally driven form of worship. This shift in religious climate, combined with the growing influence of Enlightenment rationalism, prompted some colonists to question traditional religious beliefs and explore alternative spiritual paths, such as Deism, Unitarianism, and Universalism ¹.

Adding to this spiritual landscape, prominent figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield emerged, advocating for a revival of true Christian spirituality and piety ². Edwards, with his intellectual approach to faith and powerful sermons like “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” sought to awaken the religious spirit in New England.

Whitefield, known for his charismatic preaching and ability to draw massive crowds, aimed to “blow up the Divine Fire lately kindled” throughout the colonies ². Their efforts contributed to a growing desire for a more personal and experiential form of faith.

The Raritan Valley in New Jersey, with its fertile lands and navigable river, attracted a diverse group of settlers, including Dutch, English, and French Huguenots ³. This economic prosperity ⁴ may have also contributed to a sense of complacency and a desire for a more vibrant religious experience. The Dutch Reformed Church held a prominent position in the Valley, shaping the religious landscape and setting the stage for a spiritual awakening that would challenge the prevailing religious climate ³.

Into this atmosphere of religious decline and yearning for spiritual renewal stepped Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen…

The Initiator: Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen

The Raritan Valley Revival can be largely attributed to the efforts of Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen, a Dutch Reformed minister who arrived in the Raritan Valley in 1720 ⁵. Frelinghuysen, deeply influenced by Pietism, a movement emphasizing personal piety, emotional engagement with faith, and a life transformed by spiritual conversion and experience ⁶, challenged the formalism of the established church and ignited a spiritual fire in the hearts of his congregation.

His passionate sermons and emphasis on experiential faith resonated with many who longed for a deeper connection with God ⁸.

Frelinghuysen’s ministry marked a departure from the traditional, intellectual approach to religion that had become prevalent in many colonial churches ⁹. He stressed the importance of a heartfelt conversion experience and a life transformed by faith ⁹. This emphasis on emotional engagement and personal piety would become a hallmark of the First Great Awakening.

Leaders of the Revival Movement

While Frelinghuysen played a pivotal role in initiating the Raritan Valley Revival, other figures emerged as leaders in the movement. The Tennent family, a prominent Presbyterian family with deep roots in the Middle Colonies, played a significant role in the revival’s expansion. William Tennent, Sr., established the Log College, a seminary that trained many revivalist preachers, including his sons Gilbert, William, and John ¹. Gilbert Tennent, in particular, became a powerful voice in the revival movement, known for his fiery sermons and passionate calls for repentance ¹.

The Tennents, along with other Log College graduates, spread the revival fire throughout the Middle Colonies, preaching in churches and open-air meetings ¹⁰. Their emphasis on emotional experience and personal conversion resonated with many who were seeking a more vibrant and engaging form of faith. William Tennent, Jr., for example, actively participated in Presbyterian observances of the Lord’s Supper, further demonstrating the revival’s impact on religious practices ¹¹.

The Moravian Revival

Around the same time that Frelinghuysen was igniting revival fires in the Raritan Valley, a similar movement was taking place among the Moravians in Germany ⁷. The Moravian Revival, rooted in Pietism, emphasized personal piety and communal living. This parallel movement highlights the broader religious currents that were flowing through Europe and the American colonies during this period. The Moravian emphasis on missionary work and spreading the Gospel would later influence the evangelical fervour of the First Great Awakening.

Supernatural Happenings and Events

While the Raritan Valley Revival was primarily characterized by passionate preaching and fervent religious experiences, some accounts suggest the presence of supernatural happenings. Historical records from this period often mention instances of spiritual ecstasy, divine visions, and miraculous encounters associated with revival meetings ¹². These accounts, though often anecdotal, provide a glimpse into the intensity of religious fervour that permeated the revival.

One notable event associated with the revival was the reported burning of a Bible by deist students at the Raritan Valley Presbyterian Church ¹³. This act of defiance against traditional religion highlights the tensions and conflicts that arose during this period of religious upheaval.

Lasting Impact of the Revival

The Raritan Valley Revival, though geographically limited, had a significant impact on the Middle Colonies and American religious practices. It challenged the established religious order, fostered a renewed emphasis on personal piety and a heartfelt love for Jesus, and contributed to the rise of new religious denominations ¹⁴. The revival also played a role in shaping the social and political landscape of the colonies, as it encouraged greater religious freedom and individual autonomy ⁹. This challenge to the authority of the Church of England and the embrace of individual choice in matters of faith would have a lasting impact on the development of American religious identity.

One of the most notable outcomes of the revival was the growth of evangelical Protestantism ¹. This new form of Protestantism placed greater emphasis on personal conversion, emotional experience, and active evangelism. It would continue to shape American religious life for generations to come. It is important to note, however, that not all religious groups were equally impacted by the revival. The Baptists, for example, had a relatively small presence in the colonies at the time and held mixed reactions to the revival movement ¹⁵.

Chronological Timeline

Conclusion

The Raritan Valley Revival of the 1720s stands as a testament to the power of true Christian conversion and the enduring human desire for spiritual renewal. While it may not have reached the same scale as the later revivals of the First Great Awakening, it played a crucial role in setting the stage for this larger movement. The revival’s emphasis on personal piety, emotional experience, and evangelical zeal would continue to shape American religious life for centuries to come.

The Raritan Valley Revival reflects the evolving religious landscape of colonial America, a time of both spiritual decline and fervent seeking. It contributed to a shift away from formal, established religion towards a more personal and experiential faith, paving the way for the First Great Awakening and the rise of evangelical Protestantism. The revival’s emphasis on individual religious experience and its challenge to traditional authority also played a role in the growing movement towards religious freedom in the colonies, a defining characteristic of American religious identity.

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