The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-03-27

Religions Awakening.
Next to the Kansas question, no topic At
present Cxcitcs more conversation or news
paper comment than the great religious ava
keninr which extends over nearly our entire
country. The general testimony is that this
revival IS more pcrvad!ng and extensive than
that which is known as the '.Great Awak-
eninsr in the days of Whit ie,d, Edwards.
and their co-Iaborers. In one respect, at
least it IS unusual. Il does not appear to
have been preceded nor attended with any
special or concerted measures intended TO
produce an unusual excitement on the sub
jet of religion; but in every community a
deep religious feeling appears to have taken
hold, first Of the churches and then Of the
world outside, Spontaneously, and the many
extra meetings that are being held seem 10
be moro the result than the cause OF the
avakeninr. Nor can we see that the feel
ing hal It's starting point in any particular
locality, from whence it spread, aud spread
ing gathered III force. On the contrary. the
accounts of unusual religious awakcriu-s
commenced reaching US simultaneously from
many points at great distances from each
other In New York and ST. Louis, in Men,
phis and Dubuque, in Chicago and PhiIadel-
adelphia. or tie same day, at least a month
or two ago, the daily papers all mentioned in
nearly the same terms, tie fact Of rapidly
increasin deep religious feeling in their re-
spcctivc communities.
How this great work, in which every pi-
Gus heart feels 50 deep an interest, progress
es, and to what extent the interest Of all
classes is enlisted in it, we could not ade-
quately presenthad We many columns to de
vote to the subject, yet W. have thrown to-
Gether little paragraphs clipped from. many
different quarters, which may give some
general idea ofthe spirit and extent Of the
.'awakeniu-r
CHIcAco--In Chicago meetings are being
held every eveningin nearly al the church,
-es, besides meetings for prayer during the
day. The .JgsrraeI Of Thursday says:
There we're -vcr tv, thousand persons
present ut the Noon PRAYER Meeting. at
Metropolitan Hall yesterday, anil the occa-
sion was full Of sol,u.Hity. The meeting
will continue daily, a; ncoT, at the same
place
The morning Trayr meetings ct eight o.
clock in the lecture rooms at most Of our
churches, are very numeFou-ly attended,
with increasing interest. The Second Pres
byterian Church lecture room was yesterday
nearly filed. From all sources the intelli-
sence greets US Of the daily apparent strcng-
thening and growth Of the religious interest
now moving in n most marked manner the
entire community.
NEW YoRE.-In no city does the rcIi.i Gus
interest seem to be more al Pervadirs than
in New YCri. Within 4 week " have no
ticed that the theatres have II. arry all been
obliged to suspend for want Of audiences.
ard that Eurtou's theatre has even been
purchased by the Youaz Meas Association,
and is now used as house Of prayer. the
great tragelian, Forrest. being among tie
converts. The Evening Pest says:
Never before vas religious propagaud-
ism so thoroughly carried out. Printed
hymns, tracts, P,acardS, everywhere remind
the inatteutive Of their duties. GfrIS and
young men visit families Ly The block. Civ
ing them tracts, Cr,irc them to rtrcrlt. Of
fering them free seats in the noigLbOrine
church. and taking an Inventory or spiritual
census Of the number and condition Of the
households. Altogether tie revival may be
pronounced the most striking phenomenon Of
the day.
The same p1Ter adds:
There are some twenty seven prayer meet
Ings now held daily in New York and Brook
lyn.
ST. LoUIs.-The Republican SAYS:
The Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
in this city, has enjoyed an unusual decree
OF revival influence IN all is charges. dri-irr
the past winter, and has not yet ceased lie
daily and nightly services which are reaut
site 10 meet the de ands OF the crowds or
people that have hocked to lis affairs. We
understand that this work commenced early
in December.
The Republican speaks in similar terms Of
all the other protestant denominations in the
city.
CLKvELASD.-The religious revivai in this
place continues with undated enthusiasm
Some thing like a thousand persons. Of both
sexes, and all ages, have been converted
within the past f. s weeks. Morning and
evening prayer meetings are held at most Of
the churches. and are largely attended In
fact, n deep and unprecedented interest IN
religion is everywhere manifest in Cleveland
DuBuoyH.-The religious interest at Du-
buque continues with undated foryor. The
Times OF the 18th says THAI there have been
one hundred and twenty-five conversions in
tie Congregational Church, and that meet
ings for preaching and prayer are held dairy
End nightly in several other churches
WIscoSsIS.-In almost every town in this
State and Wisconsin, religious revivsls are
in successful progress. Our country ex-
changes, from every quarter, contain ac-
cunts of the unusuvl awakening that is ex-
perieuced in their localities. In this city.
The same spirit has for some time been man
jfesting itself, md the churches are gaining
scores of accessions.