Chapter II: Preface

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The author of the following pages begs that they may be read kindly—and, he will venture to say, _not_ critically. Originally published as a series of papers in the _Sunday at Home_, * * * they are only _Vignettes_—etchings. The History of the great Religious Movement of the Eighteenth Century yet remains unwritten; not often has the world known such a marvellous awakening of religious thought; and, as we are further removed in time, so, perhaps, we are better able to judge of the momentous circumstances, could we but seize the point of view.

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CONTENTS.

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CHAP. PAGE.

I. THE DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN 7

II. FIRST STREAKS OF DAWN 24

III. OXFORD: NEW LIGHTS AND OLD LANTERNS 48

IV. CAST OUT FROM THE CHURCH—TAKING TO THE 68
FIELDS

V. THE REVIVAL CONSERVATIVE 86

VI. THE SINGERS OF THE REVIVAL 109

VII. LAY PREACHING AND LAY PREACHERS 132

VIII. A GALLERY OF REVIVALIST PORTRAITS 154

IX. BLOSSOMS IN THE WILDERNESS 180

X. THE REVIVAL BECOMES EDUCATIONAL—ROBERT 193
RAIKES

XI. THE ROMANTIC STORY OF SILAS TOLD 216

XII. MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 250

XIII. AFTERMATH 260

XIV. REVIVAL IN THE NEW WORLD 281

APPENDICES 303

INDEX 321

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THE GREAT REVIVAL.

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