1740 Virginia Revivals

Samuel Davies

The Virginia Revivals of 1740 were a period of intense religious activity that swept through the colony of Virginia in the mid-eighteenth century. This pivotal event reshaped the religious landscape of Virginia and had a lasting impact on the social and cultural fabric of the colony. This article delves into the historical context of the Virginia Revivals, examining the key figures, events, and religious experiences that defined this transformative era. It also explores the broader context of the Great Awakening and analyzes the similarities and differences between the revivals in Virginia and the larger transatlantic movement. 

State of Religion in Virginia Before 1740

Before the Virginia Revivals of 1740, the religious landscape of the colony was dominated by the Church of England. As the established church, it held a privileged position in Virginia society. Colonists were legally obligated to attend its services and provide financial support to its ministers through taxes ¹. The church’s influence extended beyond spiritual matters, as its vestries played a role in various governmental functions, including poor relief and the supervision of orphans ¹. This close relationship between church and state meant that dissenters from the Church of England faced considerable challenges and even persecution ¹. Those who did not conform to the Anglican faith were required to pay taxes to support the church and faced public ridicule, imprisonment, and even physical abuse ². Baptists, for example, were often mocked by ritual dunkings in rivers that ridiculed their practice of adult baptism ².

The dominance of the Church of England was particularly strong in the Tidewater region, where the planter elite held sway. However, in the backcountry, religious adherence was more diverse, with Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists gaining a foothold ³. These evangelical denominations challenged the lax moral standards that prevailed in some parts of the colony and sought to promote a more rigorous form of piety ³. Their emphasis on personal conversion and emotional religious experiences resonated with many Virginians, setting the stage for the revivals that would soon erupt ³.

It is important to note that the religious climate in Virginia before the revivals was not one of widespread piety. Many colonists, especially in the backcountry, had no religious affiliation whatsoever, and their moral standards were often viewed as lax by those who adhered to a stricter interpretation of Christianity ³. There was a general negligence in attending church services, and even among those who did attend, there was a lack of concern for eternal matters ⁴. Family prayer and Bible reading in homes were rare, and vices of all sorts were common among the people ⁴. This lack of religious enthusiasm and the perceived decline in moral values created a fertile ground for the seeds of revivalism to take root.

Furthermore, the restrictions on religious freedom extended beyond dissenting Protestant denominations. Catholics, for example, were not allowed to worship openly in Virginia until 1781 ⁵. This highlights the extent to which the Church of England controlled religious life in the colony and the challenges faced by those who sought to practice their faith outside of the established norms.

The Virginia Revivals were not just a religious phenomenon but also a social and cultural one. The evangelical counterculture that emerged during the revivals challenged traditional social hierarchies and contributed to a more egalitarian society ⁶. Converts to these new sects adopted plain dress, considered fellow church members as equals, and attacked the special privileges accorded to the Anglican church ⁶. This challenged the traditional social order of Virginia, where the planter elite and the Anglican church held sway.

Significant Sermons and Writings

The Virginia Revivals were influenced by a number of significant sermons and writings that circulated among the colonists. In the newly settled areas, where churches and trained ministers were scarce, individuals drew strength from the writings of men such as Robert Bolton, Richard Baxter, John Flavel, and John Bunyan ⁴. These writings emphasized the importance of personal piety, spiritual conversion, and a close relationship with God. They provided a theological framework for the revivals and helped to shape the religious experiences of those involved.

Causes of the Virginia Revivals

The Virginia Revivals of 1740 were part of a larger religious movement known as the Great Awakening, which swept through the American colonies and Britain in the 1730s and 1740s ⁷. The Great Awakening was characterized by fervent preaching, emotional religious experiences, and a renewed emphasis on personal piety and spiritual conversion ⁷. In Virginia, the revivals were sparked by a confluence of factors, including the influence of itinerant preachers, the rise of evangelical denominations, and a growing dissatisfaction with the formality of the established church. The revivals were a response to both religious and social factors, addressing not only spiritual needs but also anxieties about social change and cultural shifts in colonial Virginia ⁷.

One of the key figures who helped ignite the revivals in Virginia was George Whitefield, a charismatic Anglican preacher who toured the colonies in the late 1730s and early 1740s ⁷. Whitefield’s powerful sermons and emotional delivery captivated audiences and inspired many to embrace a more fervent form of Christianity ⁷. His emphasis on the “new birth” experience, in which individuals underwent a profound spiritual transformation, resonated with those seeking a more personal and emotional connection with God ⁷.

The revivalist preaching style also played a significant role in the Great Awakening. Extemporaneous preaching, in which sermons were delivered without a prepared text, gave listeners a sense of deep personal conviction and emotional engagement ⁹. This style of preaching broke with the more formal and restrained traditions of the established church and contributed to the intensity of the religious experiences during the revivals.

Leaders of the Virginia Revivals

The Virginia Revivals were led by a diverse group of individuals who played crucial roles in shaping the movement. These leaders included both ordained ministers and lay preachers, and they came from various denominations, including Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Baptists ⁷. This diversity of leadership contributed to the broad appeal and impact of the movement.

One of the most prominent leaders of the Virginia Revivals was Samuel Davies, a Presbyterian minister who arrived in Hanover County in 1747 ⁷. Davies was a gifted orator and theologian who played a key role in establishing Presbyterianism in Virginia ¹⁰. He also actively evangelized among enslaved African Americans, a remarkable practice for the time ³. Davies’s sermons and writings had a profound impact on Virginia society, and he is considered one of the most influential figures of the Great Awakening in the South.

Another important leader was Samuel Morris, a bricklayer who played a pivotal role in the early stages of the revivals ⁷. Morris began holding private meetings in Hanover County around 1740, inspired by the news of Whitefield’s revivals ⁷. He would often read Whitefield’s sermons to his followers, creating an atmosphere of religious fervor ⁷. Morris’s leadership helped to lay the groundwork for the wider revival movement that would soon engulf Virginia.

In addition to these local leaders, the Virginia Revivals were also influenced by external figures. In the late 1740s, Presbyterian preachers from New York and New Jersey traveled to the Virginia Piedmont as missionaries, spreading the message of revival and contributing to the growth of the movement ¹¹.

Churches and Denominations Involved

The Virginia Revivals involved a variety of churches and denominations, reflecting the growing religious diversity of the colony. While the Church of England remained the established church, evangelical denominations, such as the Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists, played a significant role in the revivals ¹¹. The revivals contributed to a significant increase in religious pluralism in Virginia, challenging the dominance of the Anglican church and paving the way for greater religious freedom.

The Presbyterians were among the first to experience the impact of the Great Awakening in Virginia ¹¹. Their emphasis on emotional preaching and personal conversion resonated with many Virginians, and their numbers grew rapidly during the revivals ¹¹. The Baptists also experienced significant growth during this period, particularly in the backcountry, where they established numerous churches and attracted large followings ¹¹. The Methodists, though arriving later in the colony, also made significant inroads, particularly among enslaved African Americans ¹².

The Great Awakening also had a significant impact on enslaved African Americans and free blacks, increasing their exposure to Christianity ⁹. While the revivals did not lead to the immediate abolition of slavery, they did contribute to a growing awareness of the injustices of the institution and laid the groundwork for later abolitionist movements.

Religious Experiences and Manifestations

The Virginia Revivals were characterized by intense religious experiences and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These experiences often involved emotional outbursts, such as crying, shouting, and falling to the ground ⁷. Some individuals reported having visions, dreams, and other mystical encounters ⁷. These manifestations were seen as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, and they served to further intensify the spiritual passion of the revivals.

Emotional Outbursts

Emotional outbursts were a common feature of the Virginia Revivals. During religious services, individuals would often cry, shout, and fall to the ground in fits of religious ecstasy ⁷. These displays of emotion were seen as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives and a sign of their sincere conversion.

Visions and Dreams

Some individuals reported having visions and dreams during the revivals ⁷. These visions and dreams often involved religious themes and were interpreted as messages from God or spiritual revelations. They provided further evidence of the supernatural dimension of the revivals and contributed to the sense of religious fervor.

Mystical Encounters

In addition to emotional outbursts and visions, some individuals reported having mystical encounters during the revivals ⁷. These encounters involved a sense of direct and personal communion with God, often accompanied by feelings of intense joy, peace, and spiritual enlightenment.

The emphasis on emotional religious experiences during the revivals challenged traditional notions of religious authority and contributed to a more individualistic approach to faith ⁷. This shift in religious culture emphasized personal experience and emotional engagement over formal rituals and doctrinal adherence. The revivals created an atmosphere of spiritual intensity, where individuals felt a direct and personal connection with God ⁷.

Sometimes strange sounds, such as groaning and weeping, accompanied these manifestations of the Holy Spirit ¹⁴. These sounds were often interpreted as expressions of deep spiritual conviction or the release of pent-up emotions as individuals grappled with their sinfulness and sought forgiveness.

Role of Prayer

Prayer played a central role in the Virginia Revivals. Individuals and groups gathered for prayer meetings, where they sought God’s guidance, confessed their sins, and interceded for others ⁷. Prayer was seen as a means of communicating with God, seeking forgiveness, and experiencing spiritual renewal ⁷. The emphasis on prayer reflected the revivalists’ belief in the power of God to transform individuals and society.

The importance of prayer in the broader context of religious revivalism in Virginia is highlighted by the “Circular Letter” issued in 1795 by Baptist preachers Stephen Gano and Isaac Backus, along with twenty-one other New England ministers ¹⁵. This letter was an appeal for prayer for a general revival and met with unanimous approval from every major denominational group ¹⁵. The widespread intercession fostered by this action led to one of the most remarkable revivals in the history of the nation ¹⁵.

Results of the Revivals

The Virginia Revivals had both immediate and lasting results. In the short term, the revivals led to a surge in religious enthusiasm and a significant increase in church membership ⁸. Many individuals experienced profound spiritual transformations, and new churches and denominations were established ⁸. The revivals also had a broader social and cultural impact, contributing to a greater sense of religious pluralism and a weakening of traditional authority ⁸.

One of the most significant long-term results of the Virginia Revivals was the eventual disestablishment of the Church of England in Virginia ⁷. The revivals had empowered evangelical denominations and fostered a greater sense of religious freedom, paving the way for the separation of church and state that would be enshrined in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786 ⁷.

The revivals also had a profound impact on enslaved African Americans. Many converted to Christianity as a result of the Great Awakening ⁷. Samuel Davies estimated that more than 1,000 Black people attended the various churches he established in Virginia, and the itinerant Methodist minister Francis Asbury estimated that more than 100 African Americans belonged to a Petersburg evangelical society ⁷. For many enslaved African Americans, one of the most important outcomes of the Great Awakening, with its emphasis on reading biblical texts directly, was an increase in literacy ⁷.

The Great Awakening was a time when people were divided into two groups: those who believed fervently in the Christian faith and those who did not ¹⁶. It led to unity between people in different colonies because everyone was going through the same thing at the same time ¹⁶. Some people did not like the “excesses” of the revival, so they joined other churches ¹⁶. But some people liked it so much that they became members of other churches too ¹⁶.

In terms of the number of converts, one account from the revivals that touched other parts of Virginia and extended down into South Carolina provides some specific figures. In one area, there were only about 5 Christians at the time, but by the following July, 100 had joined the church ¹⁷. After another 13 months, 90 more joined, and every year since then, about 80 more joined the church (possibly 320 total) ¹⁷. Another account mentions recorded crowds of 2,000 to 3,000 at Methodist meetings ¹⁸.

Comparison with the Great Awakening

The Virginia Revivals were closely connected to the broader context of the Great Awakening, a transatlantic religious movement that swept through the American colonies and Britain in the 1730s and 1740s. The Great Awakening was characterized by fervent preaching, emotional religious experiences, and a renewed emphasis on personal piety and spiritual conversion.

The Virginia Revivals shared many similarities with the Great Awakening in other colonies. Both movements emphasized the importance of personal conversion, emotional religious experiences, and the authority of Scripture ⁸. Both challenged the established religious order and fostered a greater sense of religious pluralism ⁸. However, there were also some notable differences.

One key difference was the role of itinerant preachers. In New England, itinerant preachers like George Whitefield played a central role in spreading the revivals ⁸. In Virginia, while Whitefield’s influence was felt, the revivals were also driven by local leaders like Samuel Davies and Samuel Morris ⁸. This suggests that the Virginia Revivals had a more localized character, with local leaders the movement.

Another difference was the impact on enslaved African Americans. In Virginia, the revivals led to a significant increase in the number of enslaved people who converted to Christianity ⁷. This was less pronounced in other colonies, where slavery was less prevalent. This highlights the unique social and cultural context of Virginia, where slavery was deeply entrenched, and the revivals provided a space for enslaved people to find spiritual solace and community.

The Virginia Revivals, while sharing many similarities with the Great Awakening in other colonies, also had unique characteristics shaped by the specific social and cultural context of Virginia ⁷. The revivals in Virginia developed more slowly and had a more localized character, with local leaders playing a more prominent role in shaping the movement ⁷.

The First and Second Great Awakenings shared several similarities, particularly their focus on God and eternal damnation ¹⁹. Both movements emphasized the importance of personal piety and spiritual conversion and sought to awaken and refresh the colonists’ religious zeal ¹⁹.

The Separate Baptists, who moved from New England to North Carolina and spread their influence to surrounding colonies, including Virginia, also played a role in the Great Awakening ¹⁶. This demonstrates the regional variations within the Great Awakening and the diverse influences that shaped the movement in different parts of the colonies.

In Brief

The Virginia Revivals of 1740 were a pivotal moment in the religious history of the colony. They marked a shift away from the dominance of the established church and toward a more diverse and dynamic religious landscape. The revivals empowered evangelical denominations, fostered a greater sense of religious freedom, and contributed to the eventual disestablishment of the Church of England in Virginia.

The revivals also had a profound impact on the social and cultural fabric of the colony. They challenged traditional authority, promoted religious individualism, and fostered a greater sense of social equality. The Virginia Revivals were a testament to the power of revival to transform individuals and society.

The effects of the revival were phenomenal ²⁰. In a 20-year period, 150 new Congregational churches began, and between 1740 and 1742, 30,000 people were added to the church, probably doubling its size ²⁰. The revivals also had significant moral results, contributing to the establishment of nine university colleges and the Christianization of the wild frontier society ²⁰.

The Virginia Revivals contributed to the development of American religious culture and the broader historical context of the time. The emphasis on personal experience, emotional engagement, and religious freedom that characterized the revivals had a lasting impact on American society, shaping the development of religious pluralism and influencing later religious movements. The revivals also played a role in the growing sense of American identity and the movement towards independence from British rule.

Chronological Timeline

This timeline provides a concise overview of the major events and figures associated with the Virginia Revivals of 1740. It highlights the key moments that shaped the movement and its lasting impact on Virginia society.

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