The intellectuals of Europe in the 18th century believed that the power of human reason could stamp out ignorance, superstition, and tyranny and change the way of the ignorant masses of the world. They believed that organized religion, the aristocracy, class division, and racial prejudice were all social diseases. The old idea that the church was the source of the truth became weak in the eyes of educated men. In France, Voltaire, among others, saw the destruction that organized religion brought to people.
In England, the traditional limits of freedom of speech and freedom of press were being surpassed. This stir of intellectuals in Europe was influenced by the philosophers of the colonies. Though great American thinkers such as Franklin, Jefferson, and Paine were influenced by this radical movement in Europe, there would be a different set of ideas to more firmly grip the colonial America of the early 18th century. Between the 1730’s and the 1770’s much of the colonial society reverted to the traditional idea of religious piety.
The “Age of Faith” was rising to meet the “Age of Enlightenment. ” The masses were reaffirming the view that one should follow their heart, emotions and of course, the bible, rather than trusting and/or sharpening human reason. The beginnings of the “First Great Awakening” were rooted in New England. Some of the first to spread this religious fervor were Reverend William Tennent and his four sons, all clergymen. They established a seminary to train clergymen to deliver powerful and striking sermons in rder to forcibly convert idle sinners.
This religious enthusiasm quickly spread to the Puritans and Baptists of New England. Through the influence of the best evangelical preachers, religious passion spread throughout the colonies. In the infestation of these traditional thoughts were the ideas that people were dependent on God. Absent was the self examination and social criticism of the Enlightenment. These ideas were eagerly embraced by the philosophers and university students.
This was due to the fact that ristocracy and church were not so overbearing as in the past and the people yearned for radical social change. The social circumstances were much different in the colonies. Though many historians have attempted to put a finger on the case, no one theory is prominent. But, surely in the end, the First Great Awakening may be partly contributed to its nature. Besides assembling the community, and reinforcing “good Christian ideals” it was an energetic, flamboyant and captivating show.