921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

2 io l,V,_i/i_g Family.
carried off the majority of the old society,
which composed the old church, were then
called "lhe new lights." Their style of preach-
ing was "bold, zealous, impassioned, and
enthusiastic, forming a striking contrast to
that which the church had previously enjoyed.
The truths of divine revelation which people
from infancy had been taught to regard with
reverence were now exhibited in a manner
new and surprising, and it had a powerful
effect. The attention of the people generally
was soon greatly awakened, and their feel-
ings were excited on the subject of religion."
The preaching of the celebrated Whitefield,
who first officiated there in October, :74I, car-
ried the excitement to the highest pitch, repro-
ducing those astonishing exhibitions which
usually accompany what have been called
"revivals," and was followed by the usual re-
sults. Near the close of Mr. Whiting's min-
istry, commenced those controversies and
divisions, which, spreading over most of the
towns of New England, " hardly find a parallel
in modern times, and in which most of the