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 Two weeks later the New York stock market crashed, shutting down businesses everywhere. Many people went into bankruptcy. The Panic of 1857 initiated one of the worst financial crises in American history. It also, seemingly, triggered the Third Great Awakening.
The spiritual life of America had been on the decline since 1840. The failed millennial prophesies of William Miller and the much-publicized spiritualist outbreak in upstate New York had led to a general disillusionment and cynicism with the Church.
But the Third Great Awakening changed all that. The prayer meetings spread from New York to cities large and small across America. In March of 1858, a religious journal reported,
“The large cities and towns from Maine to California are sharing in this great and glorious work. There is hardly a village or town to be found where a special divine power does not appear displayed.”
Lay leadership, fervent testimonies, and devout prayer characterized the revival. The meetings began and ended promptly, and no one prayed or spoke for very long. The Revival even touched people who did not attend the meetings.
During the awakening, a cargo ship sailed into New York harbor. The Harbor Pilot boarded the ship. As he guided the ship into port, he told the captain and crew what was going on in the city and a great hush fell over them all. By the time they reached the dock, most of the crew had committed their lives to Christ.
Over 1,000,000 new converts joined American churches during 1858-59. The outbreak of civil war in 1861 interrupted the prayer meetings, but the revival continued among the troops on both sides of the conflict, especially among the Southern soldiers.
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