Great Cloudof Witnesses

Session 6

Eyewitness Report

“A Faithful Narrative of the Surprizing Work of God in the CONVERSION of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton …”

Jonathan Edwards

“More than 300 souls were savingly brought home to Christ, in this town, in the space of half a year, and about the same number of males as females.”

George Whitefield (1714 – 1770)

A Place for “Holy Affections”

“True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections. I am bold to assert that there never was any considerable change wrought in the mind or conversation [lifestyle] … that had not his affections moved.”

“He that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.”

--Jonathan Edwards (1746)

David Brainerd (1718 – 1747)

David BrainerdAugust 8, 1745

“In the afternoon I preached to the Indians upon Luke 15:16-23. There was much visible concern among them, while I was discoursing publicly…. The power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly ‘like a mighty rushing wind,’ and with an astonishing energy bore down all before it.

“I stood amazed at the influence, which seized the audience almost universally…. Almost all persons of all ages were bowed down with concern together, and scarcely one was able to withstand the shock of this surprising operation.”

Capt. Thomas WebbFirst Methodist Sermon in America (1766)

“The words of the text were written by the Apostles after the act of justification has passed on them. But you see, my friends, this was not enough for them. They must receive the Holy Ghost after this. So must you. You must be sanctified. But you are not. You are only Christians in part. You have not received the Holy Ghost. I know it. I can feel your spirits hanging about me like so much dead flesh.”