Revive Us Again - Clarissa Danforth

1792–1855

Churches can get crusty. Over time, the supple movement of the Spirit is hardened into rules and traditions that are strictly followed. People forget whom they’re worshiping, or why.

You can trace a pattern of revival through history. Men like John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, George Whitefield, and the Wesleys—as well as a number of the women mentioned in this book—stepped up to remind Christians of the immensity of God’s grace, the power of his Spirit, and the joy of a life lived in his love. Virtually all of these “revivers” broke the rules in some way. They often faced serious opposition from those who claimed to be guardians of the true faith.

For a half-dozen years in the early 1800s, Clarissa Danforth was the hottest revivalist in New England. A historian of the time described her as “a lofty, vain young lady” before she came to know Christ at age seventeen. People in her Freewill Baptist church soon recognized her speaking ability. Though there was resistance to women preaching in church, “social meetings” were held in which Clarissa was asked to expound on the Scriptures. Eventually the demand grew greater, and this young woman began preaching throughout the region. As the historian noted, “Whoever could divest himself of prejudice against a woman’s appearance in public, listened to her preaching with profit as well as delight.”

In 1819, Clarissa began a revival in Smithfield, Rhode Island, which continued for sixteen months. An estimated three thousand people came to Christ. Her popular preaching style could be emotional—she reportedly “warned the people with tears”—but also full of “common sense.” It’s clear that God used her to get his message across.

Most Americans in that time would have considered themselves Christian, and yet for many, it was merely a formal faith, a matter of customs and traditions—not a lively relationship with God. Clarissa was one of numerous preachers who revived people from their religious slumber, who “woke them up” into a new life in Christ.

Today’s world is different, but this issue remains the same. Many people claim a Christianity that’s merely formal, not personal. What can you do to wake them up?

I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.

Revelation 2:4-5