The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revival movement during the early nineteenth century in the United States. It began around 1800 and gained momentum by 1820. The movement expressed a theology, by which every person could be saved through revivals. Many converts believed that the awakening heralded a new millennial age. This awakening stimulated the establishment of many reform movements designed to remedy the evils of society before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

During this time in history, church membership soared. The Methodist circuit riders and local Baptist preachers made enormous gains. In the newly settled frontier regions, the revival was implemented through camp meetings. Each camp meeting was a religious service of several days’ length with multiple preachers. They were committed to individuals achieving a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Second Great Awakening had profound impact on American religious history. The membership of the Baptist and Methodists grew dramatically during this period in history. The application of Christian teaching to social problems was commonplance during the early part of the nineteenth century.

Rev. Dr. C.J.