Holifield, in his “The Religion of the Protestant Child in America,” consisting of the chapter “Let the Children Come,” reveals the spaces of 44 diaries written by American children in the initial period from 1770 to 1861. By taking the first-hand accounts of these tales, readers get varied perspectives on the religious lives of the youth of a period that is foundational in the history of the U.S. There are several themes found in the chapter that illustrate the religion of the U.S. culture, such as; active participation, religious instruction, personal piety, community building and, conflict and change.
Active Participation
One of the key themes is the dedication of young people to religious life. Unlike adults who are passive receivers of rituals, children and youth attended church every time to attend services, prayer meetings, Bible groups, and Sunday schools (Holifield 750). Therefore, their participation proves children’s importance to their communities and churches. Children’s upbringing in their social and immediate environments determined their religious perspectives and practices. Analyzing how these contextual aspects entwined with the religious experiences of children in various regions and periods brings valuable knowledge about the religious diversity and complexity in America (Holifield 752). Some children were forcefully made to be active in religion due to parental decisions (Holifield 751). Thus, most Americans were defined by how they subscribed to religion, and one quickly became affiliated with one church or another.
Religious Instructions
Another crucial theme is about how children learn about Christianity. Education was given formally in the home school and public institutions of the type of academies and religious grounds (Holifield 751). Furthermore, children acquired informal learning in the household through family devotions and peer interaction during church congregations. The separate paths guar guaranteed the children an overall religious education, which would secure future leadership positions in their communities. The extent of children’s involvement with sacred notes, sermons, and religious doctrine was influenced by age, education, and culture (Holifield 753). Some kids can show a profound grasp of biblical stories and theological concepts. Other children needed help understanding complex theological ideas. Reviewing how children understand and use scripture in their encounters with religious beliefs gives insights into the formation of religious thinking and how religious culture is perpetuated across generations. The sermons and the religious experience, as described in the diaries, could be powerful emotionally and spiritually for the children. Some kids experienced reverence, astonishment, and conviction in response to religious concepts, while others may feel doubts, fears, and confusion (Holifield 753). The psychology and theology of religious childhood experiences bring us closer to comprehending how religion affected the moral worldview of individuals in America.
Personal Piety
Among other features of children’s religious endeavors was personal spiritual development. Journal passages show these prove to be core values like humility, obedience, and selflessness. The diaries can unveil an inner conflict between personal religiosity and the official institutions of the religion. Some children reveal the sincere gesture of their interest in God and their spiritual experiences, while others only act and observe religion as requested by their family or society (Holifield 754). It is enlightening to study how children manage the stress between individual faith and communal practice to understand how religious identity is developed and the role of individual belief vis-a-vis community practice. Many children showed their inner struggle with guilt or shame, especially when they failed to manifest Christian qualities, which reflected a profound internalization of religious values (Holifield 755). With such, one can relate to the hurdles of Americans coping with religious doctrines against their will, cultural beliefs, and what they initially subscribed to.
Community Building
Churches became the meeting places and social centers where children interacted with their peers and built communal relationships (Holifield 764). Young people met through the same religious worship and camps and acquired friends and networks that would last even in adulthood (Holifield 766). Additionally, these relationships were used as a base for creating social and political connections that built up the social fabric of American society. The theme is crucial in elaborating on how religion brought Americans together despite their background differences.
In conclusion, the examination of the 44 diaries by Holifield reflects upon various fascinating patterns highlighting the religious life of children in America at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries. With these themes, one comprehends the changes children made to religious communities and the worldwide cultural shifts. Historians use The diaries as valuable primary materials to research children’s development, religion, and American society.
References
Holifield, E. Brooks. “Let the children come: The religion of the protestant child in early America.” Church History 76.4 (2007): 750–777.
write