Man...I love trying to gleam a feeling of what Marcia's world was like through these Winston. It's pretty trippy...
Do you know what she meant by this line?
It seems as though Christians were waking up.
I don't know much about civil war history actually, but my father's family is from Mississippi and he loves to learn about it.
among the rebels, - yes, he said among the rebels (for what would induce them to lay down their arms so quickly)
It's interesting that she believes acceptance of god would lead the south to give up the war. Was there a very big religious split between the two sides? I had always thought both were pretty christian?
The Methodist people have had a protracted meeting. They have a prayer meeting every evening. Our people have had four this week, but I have not dared to go out.
Methodists are christians too yes? What does she mean here by 'our people'?
Thanks Winston for sharing these letters with us...I love the format too.
Thank you. I'm working out the format as I go, but I think I've found something that works.
I think "The Christians waking up" means that people are going to church more than they used to, attending all kinds of services. I'm not sure exactly what church the Grennells went to (I'm hoping I can figure this out with more letters) but I think Marcia sees the Methodists as another branch of the same tree. "Our people" most likely means her own congregation. The two congregations are clearly friendly, as one of the Methodists has come to her church to report on attendance and worship there.
I wish I knew more about the religious beliefs of the southerners. I did find this quote here
This seems to imply that religious communities Virginia were fragmenting as a result of the conflict, while I see signs of renewed faith and agreement up in Vermont.
Got it! Thats helpful, thankyou Winston.