1813-1834 Daniel Baker Revivals 

Daniel Baker

Daniel Baker (1791-1857) was an American Presbyterian minister and evangelist who played a significant role in the religious landscape of the early 19th century. Raised in Midway Church, Georgia, where his father served as a deacon, Baker’s early life was steeped in the traditions of faith and piety ¹. While his ministry spanned several decades and numerous locations, this article focuses specifically on the period between 1813 and 1834, examining the antecedents, origins, key figures, and lasting impact of the revivals associated with his ministry. 

Antecedents

The revivals led by Daniel Baker occurred during a period of significant religious and social change in the United States. The Second Great Awakening, a widespread Christian revival movement, was sweeping across the nation, characterized by passionate preaching, camp meetings, and a renewed emphasis on personal religious experience ². This period also saw the rise of new Christian movements and denominations ³, as well as increased social activism inspired by religious enthusiasm ⁴.

In the years preceding Baker’s revivals, there was a decline in religious commitment and church attendance in many parts of the country ⁵. This decline, coupled with social and economic uncertainties, created fertile ground for the seeds of Christian revivals. In the South, where Baker primarily ministered, the religious climate was characterized by a mix of apathy and enthusiasm. While some embraced the excitement of camp meetings and passionate preaching, others were more secular in their outlook ². Economic challenges, such as the decline in cotton prices, further contributed to a sense of instability and a yearning for spiritual solace ⁶.

Adding to the social and political complexities of the time was the Nullification Crisis, a period of intense debate and division over states’ rights and federal authority ⁶. This crisis, which came to a head in the early 1830s, created tensions and anxieties within communities, particularly in South Carolina, where Baker would later conduct one of his most impactful revivals. 

Baker’s Personal Awakening

Daniel Baker’s own spiritual journey played a crucial role in the origins of the revivals.

Personal encounters with God

As with many other men and women, earmarked by the Holy Sprit for special ministry, Baker experienced periodic encounters with God, which gave him great encouragement and faith.

When a student at Hampden Sidney College: “Frequently would I go out into the woods to meditate and to pray, and not unfrequently, …. I would in my solitary walks break out into expressions of delight, and would for some considerable time go humming these and similar words, ‘Victory! Glory! Alleluia!’ Filled with zeal and love, I had my heart greatly drawn out towards my fellow -students. I conversed with some, I wrote to others, and invited many to come to the prayer-meetings, weekly held in the house of the President; and I believe that my efforts to do good, in various ways, were not in vain.”¹⁸

Revival at Princeton University

Daniel Baker arrived at Princeton in 1813 and while a student there, in 1815, he experienced revival first-hand and began to feel a strong call to the ministry. This transformative experience ignited a passion for evangelism that would shape the course of his life and service for God.

The 1815 Revival at Princeton University, also known as the Second Great Awakening at Princeton, was a significant religious event that took place at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) during the winter and spring of 1815. While many factors contributed to this spiritual awakening, the influence of Daniel Baker played a crucial role.

In his own words; “There were about 145 students, and of these, only six, so far as I knew, made any profession of religion, and even two of these six seemed to care very little about the matter; for, although four of us, Price, Allen, Biggs, and myself, agreed to meet every evening for what was called family prayer, they kept entirely aloof.

“Grieved to see the abounding of iniquity in College, I proposed to my three associates, that we should establish a weekly prayer-meeting for the especial purpose of praying for a revival of religion in College.

“This proposition was made some time during the second session, and was immediately and cordially acceded to. Accordingly, this prayer-meeting was held regularly until the close of the session, and none attended but the four already named, and one non-professor, S. C. Henry, who subsequently became, for many years, pastor of Cranberry church, New Jersey.

“At the commencement of the third session, as our prayers seemed not to have been heard, I was somewhat doubtful about continuing our weekly prayer-meeting, but, very happily, my associates were clear for continuing it, and it was well; for although we knew it not, the blessing was nigh, even at the doors.

“Some of the students seemed to be taken by surprise. They knew not what to make of it. At length some of them began to assume a very serious look, and even the tear began to trickle down the cheek. This sight, this novel sight, electrified our souls, and gave us new zeal. The services in the chapel were that day uncommonly solemn; and that evening we saw six or eight new faces at our “family prayer.

“The next day an event occurred which produced a considerable excitement amongst the students, and served to increase the religious interest greatly. A very profane young student was caught on return from a local tavern, and gambling.

“He was immediately convicted of sin. He felt that he had violated the laws of his Maker and the laws of College. He was struck under conviction and thereafter spent his time in telling his fellow-students what a great sinner he had been, and urging them all to attend to the salvation of their souls, as the one thing needful.

That night the room in which we held our family worship was crowded. A little after we changed our place of meeting to the largest room in College, and that was nearly full; some seventy or eighty students being present. It became common now for A., P., B., and myself, when our turn came round, after reading a portion of Scripture, to make some remarks by way of exhortation, seated in our chair.

The interest in the College continued to increase, and in about a week from the day of the national fast, I made this record in my diary, “Thank God! we can now say, there is a revival of religion in Nassau Hall College.” Yes, our prayers had been answered at last, and the Lord had done for us far more than we ever dared to hope for. When it was known that the work was a genuine and powerful one, our worthy President, the Rev. Dr. Green, rejoiced greatly. He would every now and then send for A., P., B., and myself, to inquire about the religious excitement, and would occasionally hold special meetings for the young converts and serious inquirers.

“O, it was a beautiful sight to see some seventy or eighty young men under the influence of deep religious feeling, about forty-five of whom were rejoicing in Christ. It was worth an angel’s visit from the skies, to see them walking, so lovingly, arm in arm, or in groups, talking about the great things the Lord had done for them.

“Although many were only almost persuaded to be Christians, some forty-five or fifty were, in the judgment of charity, soundly converted. About twenty or thirty, I should think, became ministers of the gospel, several of whom became pillars of the Church; two at the present time are distinguished bishops of the Episcopal Church; one has been, and perhaps still is, president of a College, another, according to a British print, is “the greatest divine now living,” whilst another has become famous as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands…” ¹⁹

The revival reached its peak in the second week of January 1815. It was described as a time when “the divine influence seemed to descend like the silent dew of heaven.” Students were deeply moved by a sense of the importance of spiritual and eternal matters.

The revival touched nearly every student on campus. There was a palpable sense of God’s presence, and many students experienced conversion and a renewed commitment to their faith.

Early Evangelistic Work

After graduating from Princeton in 1815, Baker embarked on preaching tours throughout Virginia ¹. He felt drawn to areas without established churches or regular religious services, often preaching in the open air to large crowds ⁷. His powerful sermons, characterized by an emphasis on “Christ and him crucified” ¹, resonated with people from all walks of life, leading to numerous conversions and a renewed interest in religious matters.

Divine Discontentment

Throughout his career, Baker would repeatedly take on pastorates for a few years, only to experience a “divine discontentment” that would lead him to leave and pursue evangelistic work ⁸. This inner restlessness stemmed from a deep conviction that his true calling lay in itinerant ministry, bringing the Gospel to those who had not heard it or had grown complacent in their faith ⁹.

The Beaufort Revival

In 1828, Baker accepted a call to pastor the Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia ¹⁰. While there, he experienced a period of spiritual dryness and self-reflection, which he described as a time of “coldness and insensibility of heart” ¹¹. However, through prayer and a renewed commitment to his calling, he experienced a personal revival that transformed his ministry and ignited a spiritual awakening within the congregation ⁵.

As news of the revival in Savannah spread, Baker received invitations to conduct similar meetings in South Carolina. In 1831 (or possibly 1832 ⁶), he arrived in Beaufort, a community grappling with the economic and political turmoil of the Nullification Crisis. Baker’s preaching, hosted at both the Parish Church of St. Helena (Episcopal) and the Baptist Church of Beaufort, had a profound impact on the town ⁶.

The revival meetings were characterized by a spirit of interdenominational cooperation and fervent prayer, including daily “concerts of prayer” at sundown ⁶. Baker’s sermons, delivered with passion and conviction, addressed the spiritual needs of the community, calling people to repentance and faith in Christ ¹. The impact was remarkable, with an estimated 200-300 conversions and a noticeable shift in the moral and religious tone of the town ⁶.

The Beaufort Revival had a lasting impact on individuals and the community. Richard Fuller, who later became a prominent Baptist minister, and Stephen Elliott, a young lawyer who converted to Christianity and later served as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, were among those deeply affected by the revival ⁶. In total, at least eleven young men entered the ministry as a result of these meetings, and the entire community experienced a renewed sense of unity and purpose ⁶.

A typical testimony to the effects of Baker’s ministry: “The Rev. Daniel Baker, a Presbyterian minister, visited Grahamville, and preached with remarkable success. Many of the young and the old, the lawyers and planters, turned to the Lord.’ The duellist threw away his pistols, the infidel believed in Christ, political feuds were forgotten, and the power of the gospel confessed.”²⁰

Revival in the Harmony Presbytery

“The churches in Harmony Presbytery have been recently blessed with a very unusual revival of religion. In ten congregations where these revivals have occurred, more than three hundred and twenty persons have been added to the church; and it is remarkable that the most of these are men, of whom a considerable number are seriously pondering their duty in regard to the sacred ministry. This precious harvest consists, for the most part, of intelligent and educated men. Besides the addition of so large a number, and of such an important class, whose influence must materially affect the cause of religion, a gracious and profound awakening has pervaded this part of our State, reaching the most obdurate of the impenitent-either melting them to tears, or transfixing them with solemn thought. Very few, indeed, have escaped the powerful appeals and intricate searchings of the word of God….. No `new measures’ were resorted to in order to arouse the feelings. These were rendered unnecessary by the Spirit of God. ²¹ 

Key Figures

While Daniel Baker was the central figure in these revivals, other individuals played important roles in their organization and impact. In Beaufort, Baker collaborated with Rev. Joseph Walker of the Parish Church of St. Helena, who recognized the need for spiritual renewal in the community and invited Baker to preach ⁶. The support and participation of local church leaders, such as Walker, were crucial to the success of the revivals.

Preparation for a revival.

“As far as I had opportunity to observe, and now recall his method in revivals, his first aim was to arouse Christians, and elicit much fervent and persevering prayer. I personally knew a circle that, during the revival at Columbia, on more than one occasion, spent the whole night in prayer. His application of truth was very plain and pungent, without being harsh and repulsive.

“Everywhere he won many friends, but I have no recollection of his having enemies. He was well aware that in revivals some would mistake sympathy and excitement for conversion; and he warned his hearers that experience had led him to expect that about such a portion, I think it was a tenth, of professed converts, would finally turn back from following Jesus.

“I have never forgotten him, and shall know him again in a better world, where I doubt not he has received a crown of righteousness gemmed with many stars.” ²²

Later Revivals and Legacy

Following the Beaufort revival, Baker continued his evangelistic tours, traveling throughout the South and even to Texas, where he attracted large crowds, sometimes numbering in the thousands ⁵. He also faced opposition from those who preferred a more “seeker-friendly” approach to preaching, demonstrating the challenges and controversies that often accompanied revival movements ⁵.

In 1849, Baker played a pivotal role in the founding of Austin College in Huntsville, Texas ¹². This institution, established by the Brazos Presbytery of the Old School Presbyterian Church, was intended to serve as a men’s college and theological school ¹³.

Huntsville citizens contributed $10,000 and five acres of land to secure the college’s location, and notable figures like Sam Houston and Anson Jones served on the board of trustees ¹³. Baker dedicated himself to raising funds for the college and even served as its president from 1853 until his death in 1857 ¹².

Timeline of Important Dates, Events, and People

Conclusion

The Daniel Baker revivals of 1813-1834 represent a significant chapter in the history of American evangelism. As with other great evangelists like D. L. Moody’s later in the century, Baker’s ministry can be described as ‘very successful evangelism, peppered with periodic revivals.’

Baker’s passionate preaching, combined with the social and religious context of the time, led to widespread spiritual awakenings and a renewed emphasis on the power of individual conversion and heart-felt Christianity. The revivals had a lasting impact on the communities where they occurred, contributing to increased church membership and a greater sense of social unity and moral purpose.

Baker’s revivals played a crucial role in the burgeoning evangelical movement in the South, emphasizing the necessity of personal conversion and emotional engagement in religious life. His ministry, characterized by both fervent preaching and compassionate pastoral care, left an enduring legacy on individuals and communities. The founding of Austin College stands as a testament to his commitment to education and his vision for a society shaped by Christian values.

The story of Daniel Baker and the revivals he led offers valuable lessons for contemporary religious movements. It highlights the power of personal piety, corporate prayer and anointed preaching. By studying the life and ministry of this “forgotten spiritual hero” ¹⁷, we can gain insights into the dynamics of the role of anointed evangelism and its enduring impact on American society.

Works cited

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