The Awakening Of The Freewill Baptists

The last decades of the eighteenth century brought numerous changes to the citizens of colonial New England. As the colonists were joining together in their fight for independence from England, a collection of like-minded believers in southern New Hampshire forged an identity as a new religious tradition. Benjamin Randall (1749ndash;1808) was one of the principle founders of the Freewill Baptist movement in colonial New England. Randall was one of the many eighteenth-century colonists that enjoyed a conversion experience as a result of the revival ministry of George Whitefield. His newfound spiritual zeal prompted him to examine the scriptures on his own, and he began to question the practice of infant baptism. Randall completed his separation from the Congregational church of his youth when he contacted a Baptist congregation and submitted himself for baptism. When Randall was introduced to the Baptists in New England, he was made aware that his theology, including God's universal love and universal grace, was at odds with Calvin's doctrine of election that was affirmed by the other Baptists. Randall's spiritual journey continued as he began to preach revival services throughout the region. His ministry was well received and he established a new congregation in New Durham, New Hampshire, in 1780. The congregation in New Durham served as Randall's base of operation as he led revival services throughout New Hampshire and Southern Maine. Randall's travels introduced him to many colonists who accepted his message of universal love and universal grace and a movement was born as Randall formed many congregations throughout the region. Randall spent the remainder of his life organizing, guiding, and leading the Freewill Baptists as they developed into a religious tradition that included thousands of adherents spread throughout New England and into Canada.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 edition. Excerpt: ...incompatible with duty and Scripture to ordain a minor, without the knowledge of his father." Rev. Nathaniel Webster and Timothy Morse were sent to Richmond, where some thirty or more were baptized, and a church was organized. The revival continued till more than seventy became members, and the next year Marshall was ordained. For a time he was an humble and successful preacher, of engaging manners and fluent speech. But he was not man enough to receive the people's compliments without injury, and his early promise disappointed their future hopes. Randall took cold on his return from Maine in February, 1804, and was in feeble health for several months. A hard, hollow cough, and a hoarse, husky voice, betrayed the unsoundness of his lungs, and awakened the apprehension of his friends. He was not at the August Quarterly Meeting with the Lebanon church, held at Dea. Clark's, across the Connecticut, in Hartland, Vt., but he sent an epistle, which was joyfully received. It speaks of his feeble health, the expectation of his meeting with his brethren no more, and his resignation to God's will. He 1804. RANDALL'S ILLNESS. 237 "reviews the peculiar doctrines of the denomination, and most emphatically expresses his confidence in their correctness. He cautions his brethren lest a desire to be great, and conform to the world, should find place among them. He pleads for the cause in Portsmouth, and asks the prayers of Christians in his behalf. The reading of the letter awakened the deep sympathies of Dea. Otis, and he unburdened his mind in a. few touching remarks, suggesting " that the Quarterly Meeting would consider the present feeble state of father Randall's health, and his circumstances, and draw...