 At the age of 14 , during the Second Great Awakening , which was especially strong in Upstate New York , Briggs experienced a conversion experience and joined the Baptist faith . He spoke at revival meetings of his experience , drawing appreciative applause from the crowds , according to Hiland Hall , who came to know Briggs at that time and who became a lifelong friend and political associate . His faith informed his personal behavior : he remained committed to religious ideals , for instance objecting to Congressional sessions that stretched into Sunday and abstaining from alcohol consumption . 
 At the age of 14 , during the Second Great Awakening , which was especially strong in Upstate New York , Briggs experienced a conversion experience and joined the Baptist faith . He spoke at revival meetings of his experience , drawing appreciative applause from the crowds , according to Hiland Hall , <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>came to know Briggs at that time and who became a lifelong friend and political associate . His faith informed his personal behavior : he remained committed to religious ideals , for instance objecting to Congressional sessions <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a>stretched into Sunday and abstaining from alcohol consumption . 
At the age of 14 , during da Second Great Awakening , which was especially strong in Upstate New York , Briggs experienced a conversion experience and joined the Baptist faith . He spoke at revival meetings of his experience , drawing appreciative applause from tdacrowds , according to Hiland Hall , came to know Briggs at dat time and who became a lifelong homie and political associate . His faith informed his personal behavior : he remained committed to religious ideals , fir instance objecting to Congressional sessions stretched into Sunday and abstaining from alcohol consumption .