In this influential work of anthropology, Frederick Morgan Davenport explores the origins and functions of religious revivals, and the ways in which they reflect broader trends in mental and social evolution. Drawing upon a wide range of examples from around the world, he shows how religious revivals often serve as a way for societies to cope with change and uncertainty. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of religion and the ways in which it shapes human societies. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.