The Second Great Awakening

Given Pearson's earlier comments on the temperance movement, it is obvious that he was also involved with the Second Great Awakening, which was a revival of Protestant religious revival through emotional religious teaching. This would also explain his admiration of preachers who seem to have a deeper connection with their sermons. This image is a cartoon of the progression of alcohol consumption and advocates for the temperance movement.

Image courtesy of https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ushistory1americanyawp/chapter/the-benevolent-empire/.