Red River Revival

Red River Revival:

Has the following come from the Holy Spirit? evil spirits? or mass hysteria? is it biblical or not? Do events like the following line up with the Scriptures?

The place? the Red river near the Tennessee, and Kentucky border. The time, 1799. The Pastor? Rev. James McGready of North Carolina. Others present were, Mr. Rankin, Mr. Hodge and William McGee, Presbyterian preachers, and John McGee, brother of William McGee, a Methodist preacher.

It was a marathon service lasting four days. Nothing unusual occurred until the final day, when Mr. Hodge was preaching. Suddenly a woman began to vent her emotions with ear-splitting cries and shouts. When the service ended, instead of the congregation dispersing, they remained.

But a strange thing happened, many in attendance began to weep silently. Mr. McGee did not appear to understand what was going on, he left his seat and sat down on the floor. He began to tremble, claiming to feel the power of God on him. Suddenly he felt an irresistible urge to preach, and the people seemed eager to hear him. As he spoke, the same woman began to shout again, and could not be silenced.

The event is described as follows. McGee expressed his belief that there was a greater than he preaching and exhorted the people to let the Lord God Omnipotent reign in their hearts. They were to submit to God, so their soul could live. Many became vocal, as renewed outcries from the same woman grew in intensity.

The Methodist preachers emotions were now worked up to their highest level. After reflecting for a few moments, he concluded that he would disregard the normal orderly procedures of the church. He then passed along the aisles shouting and exhorting vehemently.

The noise and confusion increased, hysteria grew to new heights. Screams for mercy were mingled with shouts of ecstasy, as agitation overspread the multitude. This religious fervor soon spread along the Green, and the Cumberland rivers.

Men brought their beds and provisions traveling fifty miles to hear him preach. The idea was new. Hundreds of others adopted it, as new camp meetings sprung up. The first regular general camp meeting was held at the Gasper River Church, in July, 1800; but the rage spread, and a dozen encampments followed quickly. The meetings were held in the woods near churches; and the churches furnished lodging places for the preachers.

As the meetings progressed and the excitement grew more intense, those present rushed from preacher to preacher, singing, shouting, laughing, calling upon men to repent. Men and women fell upon the ground unable to help themselves. So many lay upon the ground that it was impossible for the multitude to move around.

During the evening hours, the excitement became so intense, those who fell were helped up and carried to the meeting house and laid on the floor so they would not be trampled. Those who fell were called, the “spiritually slain;” others lay quiet, unable to move, or speak; other could speak, but were unable to move. And yet others would scream as though in great pain, floundering about as if having no control of their bodies.

Red River revival begins to spread. Time, 1807. Place? Logan Co. Kentucky.

Here was a place where human imaginations ran wild. It was a turbulent evening, fanatical to say the least. As camp-fires blazed, those who had assembled  were seen bowing their heads. Hundreds of candles, lamps and torches blazed throwing both shadow and light into the woods, giving the woods and eerie appearance.

Chanting of hymns could be heard in the night; passionate exhortations, prayers; sobs, shrieks, and shouts, were heard from persons under intense agitation.
Sudden spasms came upon many, and unexpectedly they would thrust themselves to the ground. Feelings among them had worked itself up to the highest pitch of excitement until the early morning hours. 

Many hours had passed, and the enthusiasm of those present began to cause strange contortions among the people, coming from what they claimed to be so called mysterious agency.  From the preachers came a fervent, cheerful, optimistic excitement; and lastly, the zeal of the Methodists, who could not refrain from shouting aloud during the sermon, and shaking hands with those close buy.

Rev. James Crawford, claimed those who fell to the ground numbered an astounding three thousand. This revival was afterward called the New Lights. It has been recorded that following this Great American Awakening, the Quakers who had been united split into four distinctive groups. To the left of the New Lights it was found that 321 separate groups formed and many remain divided.

Again division seems to be the calling card of these forms of activities. Splits among the rank and file, each having pretentious leaders who break away from the historical teaching, and Biblically instructed forms of worship.

Phillip LaSpino  www.seekfirstwisdom.com