Worlds of Wonder, Days of Judgment
Jun. 8th, 2020 08:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
marycatelliWorlds of Wonder, Days of Judgment: Popular Religious Belief in Early New England by David D. Hall
Covering popular belief in New England. Much more the people in the congregation than those who left it. At least, figuratively. "Horse-shed" members would go out to the horse-shed between the two sermons and gossip instead of attending Sunday school. . .
Discusses the prevalence of literacy and the books sold. How children would learn to read. The penny godlies, whether imported or printed locally, and the much deplored jest books and chivalric romances.
The prevalence of "wonders" whether deemed divine or diabolical. Such incidents as hearing a gunshot or a drummer boy in the absence of a source. Rainbows were particularly favored but comets were an evil sign. The question of whether such things might have natural origins.
The question of "conversion" and the difficulty of attaining full membership in a congregation. Many people hung back for fear of not being good enough. Indeed some regretted their baptism; one woman, confessing to witchcraft, said she had thought she was worse off for it, because she should go on.
Thanksgiving feasts, and fast days, always irregular, and how the almanacs tried to number the months.
And more.
Covering popular belief in New England. Much more the people in the congregation than those who left it. At least, figuratively. "Horse-shed" members would go out to the horse-shed between the two sermons and gossip instead of attending Sunday school. . .
Discusses the prevalence of literacy and the books sold. How children would learn to read. The penny godlies, whether imported or printed locally, and the much deplored jest books and chivalric romances.
The prevalence of "wonders" whether deemed divine or diabolical. Such incidents as hearing a gunshot or a drummer boy in the absence of a source. Rainbows were particularly favored but comets were an evil sign. The question of whether such things might have natural origins.
The question of "conversion" and the difficulty of attaining full membership in a congregation. Many people hung back for fear of not being good enough. Indeed some regretted their baptism; one woman, confessing to witchcraft, said she had thought she was worse off for it, because she should go on.
Thanksgiving feasts, and fast days, always irregular, and how the almanacs tried to number the months.
And more.