The Practice of Pluralism -- 18th Century Style

Paul Harvey

This book just came to my attention via Choice -- and it's sure to be of interest to some here, so I'll reprint the review.

Häberlein, Mark.The practice of pluralism: congregational life and religious diversity in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1730-1820. Pennsylvania State, 2009. 276p bibl index afp; ISBN 9780271035215, $79.00. Reviewed in 2010may CHOICE.

This meticulously researched book explores the complex religious landscape of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during the long 18th century. Lancaster, despite its relatively small size and inland location, served as a fertile ground for religious diversity and the interaction of Lutherans, Moravians, Calvinists, Anglicans, Quakers, Catholics, Jews, and others. Häberlein populates his book with English and Germans, clergy and laypeople, upright citizens and ne'er-do-wells, and the result is a captivating sketch of life in a growing town. Although this microhistory focuses on one town, it does not lose sight of the larger American religious and political contexts.Häberlein's depiction of Lancaster calls attention to the more widespread themes of revival, discipline and decorum, clergy-lay clashes over authority, and philanthropy. The author combines the denominational history model (to set the stage for the stories of the larger groups) with a social history of interactions among residents of different religions. The result is a detailed snapshot of a town where the people of each church strove for stability, and even in the turbulent times of the Great Awakening and War of Independence managed to build and sustain it. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, faculty. -- S. E. Imhoff, University of Chicago