The Impact Of The Serampore Trio

In 1726 Edwards moved to Northampton to help his grandfather as assistant pastor, “he was probably more inclined to agree with the stricter views of his father rather than with his grandfather’s more open policy regarding communicant membership, but for the time being, an agreement to disagree seems to have prevailed” . When Solomon Stoddard died in February 1729, Edwards assumed full responsibility of the congregation. With the inheritance of the congregation came considerable expectations, considering Northampton regarded Solomon as a sort of deity. “New England’s occasional awakenings and other efforts to revive piety were part of an international ‘pietist’ movement” .

The Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, and Martin Luther have been three very important figures in the Christian church. Each went through a unique personal experience that changed the course of their lives. Those experiences were important to them and they should be important to anyone of the Christian faith. In this research paper I will explore these experiences and how they do and do not relate to each other.

The poems, journals, and sermons by William Bradford, John Winthrop, Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards displayed these characteristics: the love of something, the courage to do something, the belief in something, and the ability to stand strong and stable in their beliefs. In “Of Plymouth Plantation” the people traveling to find the people on the ship had the love and desire to seek God in everything they did. They believed in God so much they were putting not only their health but lives in jeopardy by traveling so far. “Thus his curses light on his own head, and it was an astonishment to all his fellows for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him.” Even though they under came harsh conditions they were determined to find a safe

Ann Marie Plane, “Creating a Blended Household: Christian Indian Women and English Domestic Life in Colonial Massachusetts”

On the other hand, McIntosh commented in her interview that the neighboring master “have lots of land…and fixed up his slaves their own cabin” where missionaries came and preached. In another account, Nellie Jones of Savannah describes how “a gray-headed planter catechized us negro children …But I heard of the missionary instructing a large number of colored boys and girls at the big-planters farm”

Religion plays a major role in the day to day lives of the early settlers in America. So much so, that early colonial writers use it as a form of literary persuasion. John Smith and William Bradford were two such writers.

During the colonial era, there were many religions seeking to spread to America. Strong leaders and philosophers were able to spread their ideas through powerful sermons that captured the emotions of the audience. Jonathan Edwards, a preacher, creates a compelling and persuasive tone and diction to express God's fury very distinctly. He uses metaphors and imagery to contrast the relationship between sinners and God to those who are religious. John Winthrop, on the other hand, spoke optimistically and reassured his audience during his voyage to Arabella to demonstrate his desire for unity and a godly society within Massachusetts Bay. Both men were able to captivate their audiences through persuasive diction, tone, and style to succeed in gaining their support and trust.

Reverend William Thompson was born at Winwich, Lancashire, and preached there before coming to New England. Like many other immigrants of this time period, William Thompson fled England in the seeking religious freedom. He first settled at York, Maine, and was a minister there between 1637 and 1639. He was ordained as minister of the First Congregational Church at Braintree, Massachusetts (now Quincy), 19 November 1639. He normally wrote his name Tompson, but few scholars have continued to refer to him in that

Bradford’s style is very different from Edwards’. Bradford conveyed his message by describing the pilgrims’ voyage to America. His text is written as diary entries that include stories from their travels. In paragraph two, Bradford describes an event where a man was thrown over the boat. His vivid descriptions of the “fierce winds” allow the reader to picture this story. His use of imagery helps readers imagine and understand what the pilgrims faced while on their voyage and even after the reached their destination.

George Whitefield was born into a thespian society and family. His whole world revolved around schoolboy performances. Whitefield paid to put himself through Pembroke College by helping out the wealthier students and by waiting on them. George Whitefield joined a group that called themselves “Methodists” led by the Wesley brothers John and Charles. Whitefield experienced a “new birth” through this new view of the Methodists. Whitefield decided to become a missionary and travelled to the Georgia colony to spread his message of his new found life; however, his ship was delayed and he ended up being ordained as a deacon in the Anglican church. When Whitefield spoke he amassed huge crowds. Whitefield incorporated his thespian career into his sermons to give the audience a more realistic view of what is really going on in the scriptures. When preaching on eternity Whitefield stopped and spoke excitedly "Hark! Methinks I hear [the saints] chanting their everlasting hallelujahs, and spending an eternal day in echoing forth triumphant songs of joy. And do you not long, my brethren, to join this heavenly choir?". Whitefield made it to Georgia and returned to England just three months later; although, when he returned he found out that many churches did not welcome his unconventional preaching methods. Whitefield did not let this stop him- he instead starting to looking for places to preach in the open, outdoors. He felt closer to his audience in this way due to the fact that there was not a paper or a pulpit to keep him from engaging with his audience instead of a physical barrier that stood between him and his audience members. In 1739 Whitefield returned to tour around the American colonies. Whitefield sailed to the “New World” and his first stop was Philadelphia.

Reverend Samuel Kirkland, a New Light minister, had a long career as a missionary amongst Native Americans in upstate New York which began before the American War of Independence and continued into the 1790s. His extensive, detailed journals and his role in the founding of Hamilton College have ensured that Kirkland has become one of the most famous missionaries of the late eighteenth century; however, there were several other individuals and groups who were competing with Kirkland for the attention and souls of Native Americans in that area. Of one of those groups, Kirkland wrote: “A minute & just history of the Quaker undertaking, the bigotry, Superstition &partiality which masked almost every Stage of their progress I think would be highly

Allen, Roland. Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours? Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1962. 179 pp.

William Bradford wrote, ‘Of Plymouth Plantation’ written sometime between the years 1630-1651 serves as an historical account of the Pilgrims’ voyage and colonization in America. Bradford was born in England but became a separatist, and in 1620, sailed with his wife for America aboard the Mayflower in search of religious freedom. Bradford was a prominent member of the colony, even becoming governor for many years. His written account is still largely considered one the most important historical documents of the Colonization period. However, although viewed as an established historical piece, Bradford exhibits some bias in his historical accounts. His main purpose in writing the book was to convey his world-view/ideology of the Puritan lifestyle and to demonstrate his belief that the establishment of the colony was directly carried out according to God’s divine will. His religious beliefs were demonstrated in the language of the text through the use of a plain-style, third person narrative writing along with his use of biblical illustrations.

Mary Rowlandson’s memoir The Sovereignty and Goodness of God was indeed a compelling, thorough and praise worthy piece of literature. Rowlandson, not only recollected a chapter of her life, she delivered a solid visual of the circumstances during Metacom’s War. Rowlandson being a minister’s wife, a Puritan and pious women, gives us her journey with the Indians. Without any hesitation she narrates the journey she experienced and in the following essay, I will be discussing portions of her journey, and the significance of religion in her life.

Missionary expansion throughout the centuries has taken a hard, often violent road. The expansion of Christianity begins with the adherents of Jesus Christ and ended with the premature demise of many of the disciples. In the centuries following the disciples, many missionaries were faced with percussion and death as the gospel was proclaimed. As missionary expansion occurs throughout the centuries, often times facing trial and difficulty, the question comes up; is the capital cost of missionary expansion worth the monetary value? This paper will highlight many trials that have been faced by three missionaries in particular and explain often by the words of these missionaries why the enormous cost of missionary expansion is worth the cost. The thesis of this paper is: everyone is called to preach the gospel; the calling of the missionary is called to live by faith even when facing difficulty.