Enfield, Connecticut

 

In following the journey of preacher Jonathon Edwards, I, Stephen Adamas, have traveled to the city of Enfield in the colony of Connecticut. This town resides near the Connecticut river, in between the towns of Hartford and Springfield. The meeting placed used the Second Meeting House of the First Church of Christ.

Jonathon Edwards,

while preaching her in July of 1741, has delivered one of his most famous sermons to date. This sermon is called “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Many of the congregation that listened to this sermon said Edwards used very fiery imagery. Edwards warned of the possibility that wicked men could be sent to hell at any moment. The concept of being sent to hell was a common theme during the sermon, and that those who rejected Christ or those who did not Satan at all times could be sent to Hell.

It is believed that Edwards came to this church specifically because it’s congregation had not been influenced by the teachings of other Great Awakening preachers. Edwards was invited by the pastor of this church. Edwards has used this style of teaching in order to use fear as a method to turn people away from their lives of sign.

It was said that some members of the church were incredibly distressed by Edward’s sermon. Edwards had to stop at multiple points due to the outcry of the congregation. The concept that judgement could arrive at any moment was too traumatic for the congregation. Some members simply believed that they would be going to hell, and wondered what they could to change their path.

Edwards used this sermon again in his home church in Northampton. The sermon was also typed up and published, so that many people would be able to read it. Some call it one of the most persuasive pieces of the Great Awakening.


written by Vincent Mule for History 121 at NVCC

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