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Written from the perspective of the various denominations that thrived in the 19th century, this comprehensive survey of the middle period in America's religious past actually starts a little earlier, in the 1780s. In the aftermath of the American Revolution, the citizens of the newly-minted republic had to cope with more than the havoc wreaked on churches and denominations by the war. They also tasted for the first time the effects of two novel ideas incorporated in the Constitution and the First Amendment: the separation of church and state and the freedom to practice any religion.Grant Wacker takes readers on a lively tour of the numerous religions and the major historical challenges--from the Civil War and westward expansion to immigration and the Industrial Revolution--that defined the century. The narrative focuses on the rapid growth of evangelical Protestants, in denominations such as Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists, and their competition for dominance with new immigrants' religions such as Catholicism and Judaism. The author discusses issues ranging from temperance to Sunday schools and introduces the personalities--sometimes colorful, sometimes saintly, and often both--of the men and women who shaped American religion in the 19th century, including Methodist bishop Francis Asbury, ex-slave Sojourner Truth, Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, and evangelist Dwight L. Moody.Religion in American Life explores the evolution, character, and dynamics of organized religion in America from 1500 to the present day. Written by distinguished religious historians, these books weave together the varying stories that compose the religious fabric of the United States, from Puritanism to alternative religious practices. Primary source material coupled with handsome illustrations and lucid text make these books essential in any exploration of America's diverse nature. Each book includes a chronology, suggestions for further reading, and index.
E-Book Content
Religion in Nineteenth Century America
JON BUTLER & HARRY S. STOUT GENERAL EDITORS
Religion in Nineteenth Century America Grant Wacker
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS New York • Oxford
For Julia, who turned ideals into deeds Americorps City Year, San Jose 1998-99 Oxford University Press Oxford New York Athens Auckland Bangkok Bogota Buenos Aires Calcutta Cape Town Chennai Dar es Salaam Delhi Florence Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Mumbai Nairobi Paris Sao Paulo Singapore Taipei Tokyo Toronto Warsaw and associated companies in Berlin Ibadan Copyright © 2000 Grant Wacker Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 www.oup.com Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Oxford University Press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Wacker, Grant. Religion in 19th century America/by Grant Wacker p. cm. — (Religion in American life) Includes bibliographic references and index. Summary: Tours the ever-shifting landscape of 19th-century America, reflecting the constant change of religious life in that century. ISBN 0-19-511021-8 (alk. Paper) 1. United States—Religion—19th century—Juvenile literature. 2. United States—Church history—19th century—Juvenile literature. [1. United States—Church history—19th century.] I. Tide. II. Series. BL2525.W33 2000 200'.973'09034—dc21 99-088938 ISBN 0-19-511021-8 (library edition) 987654321 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper Design and layout: Loraine Machlin Picture research: Lisa Kirchner On the cover: Vespers by Gari Julius Melchers Frontispiece: