Abstract
This paper traces the life of Jonathan Edwards, zealous New England religious leader whose fiery sermons and brilliant oratory resulted in people flocking to churches across the country in a bid to redeem their sins. The paper shows how Edwards' conversion sermons grew into a conflagration in the entire East Coast in 1743 and soon came to be known as the "Great Awakening". Edwards' fiery description of hell and its damnations especially in his horrifying sermon, entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" -- drew people to such ferventness and trembling that those who could not take it even committed suicide.

From the Paper
"Edwards viewed the overwhelming change of hearts in the people as evidence of God's Hand, redeeming New England and expounded this in his works, "The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God" (1741) and "Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival" (1743), wherein he defended that view of the revival as an authentic sign of God's working with them and in their midst. He was deeply passionate over the revival and its authenticity and brought to the people the constant awareness of the need to enter through the narrow gate to God's Kingdom. He urged for constancy and mercilessness in searching oneself, and reminded them endlessly about their congregation with God. He was a severe and severely demanding pastor who left nothing to chance by leaving everything to God, so that in 1742, he drew up a formal covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ and had his followers sign it to bind them visibly as true and sincere believers (Hollinger)."

Tags:bible, Arminianism, Calvinism, preaching, Jesus, Christ, Presbyterians, Charles, Chauncy, Transcendentalism