In his talk in Gospel Renewal episode, Dr. Tim Keller mentioned why the alter-calling type rally is perhaps outdated or not the only course of revival.
During the Center Church workshop series, Keller made the Fulton Street Revival (1857-1858) as a case for since revival is also done via merely public prayer, instead of preaching in public, there should be many forms of evangelical methods and that some forms are superseded by the other.
The last notion is what I would disagree. Mainly, because faith comes by hearing. I have not examined, but I am quite sure, such acceptance of revivals such as the Fulton Street as an alternative rally is to be blamed for certain heresies arising at this same age.