I finished a book every Southeast Missourian should read, "When the Mississippi Ran Backward", by Jay Feldman. It tells the story of the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811-1812.
The main point of interest to me was the revival of religion it spawned. People decided an angry God was warning them to repent.
The Pastor at Old Bethel Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau County baptized over 400 in the year following the earthquake. At the same time, the Methodist Western Conference increased from 30,000 to 45,000 members.
Unfortunately, as time passed, many became backsliders. One Pastor said, after the danger had lessened, one third of his congregation left the church and returned to their old ways.
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