1738-1784: The "Great Awakening"

Christian revival in England and America. This coincides with the Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, during which many educated people cease to consider themselves Christians.

1728 William Law writes "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life."
1738 John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, all Anglican priests, have religious experiences in Georgia.
1740 Open-air preaching, charismatic phenomena, and involvement of the poor. A nominal connection with Church of England continues until 1790's. However, most Anglicans (being rationalists or even Deists, and remembering Puritanism) oppose the Awakening. Most other denominations support it. (Liberal opposition to Great Awakening is called "Old Light").
1741 George Frederick Handel composes "The Messiah".
1779 Charles Simeon, a scrupulous college student, discovers God's free grace in Jesus Christ while preparing to receive communion. He becomes an Anglican evangelical leader.
1779 Olney Hymns published; it includes the original form of "Amazing Grace", by John Newton, a converted slave trader.
1784 Methodist Episcopal Church founded in Baltimore by leaders designated by John Wesley. This is the beginning of Methodism as a separate denomination.

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