40 pages • 1 hour read
A Shopkeeper’s Millennium: Society and Revivals in Rochester, New York, 1815–1837
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Book Brief
400
Book • Nonfiction
Rochester, New York • 1830s
1978
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In A Shopkeeper's Millennium, historian Paul E. Johnson analyzes the social factors that led to Rochester, New York's religious revival in the 1830s, driven by economic and class tensions. The book explores how industrialization, political disputes, and class divisions spurred temperance and Sabbatarian movements, ultimately inviting minister Charles Finney to preach. Finney’s revival successfully united denominations, appealed to the middle class, and led to increased evangelical activism, with employers pushing workers towards church membership, thus intertwining religious fervor with economic discipline. The narrative includes discussions of problematic drinking behaviors.
Informative
Mysterious
Challenging
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
637 ratings
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Review Roundup
Paul E. Johnson's A Shopkeeper's Millennium is praised for its detailed exploration of the intersection between religious revival and social change in early 19th-century America. Readers appreciate its thorough research and engaging narrative. However, some find the analysis occasionally dense and challenging to follow. Overall, it is a compelling study that blends history and sociology effectively.
Who Should Read A Shopkeeper's Millennium?
A reader fascinated by early American history, religious movements, and socio-economic change will enjoy A Shopkeeper's Millennium by Paul E. Johnson. Similar to Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, it appeals to those intrigued by the interplay between religion and societal transformation in antebellum America.
637 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Charles Finney
Charles Finney
A prominent evangelical preacher in the 1820s and 1830s, known for leading a religious revival in Rochester, New York, and advocating for free will over predestination in Protestant theology.
Nathaniel Rochester
Nathaniel Rochester
An early land purchaser in what would become Rochester, New York, and a significant public leader in the city's political and civic development.
Elder Josiah Bissell
Elder Josiah Bissell
The preacher at Rochester’s Third Presbyterian Church and a leader in the city’s Sabbatarian movement, known for founding the Pioneer Line, a Sabbath-observing boat company.
Lyman Beecher
Lyman Beecher
A Boston minister whose preaching played a significant role in launching a nationwide temperance movement, affecting local societies such as the one in Rochester.
Thurlow Weed
Thurlow Weed
A member of the Clintonian political faction in Rochester, known for his role in stirring controversy over the Masonic influence on local politics through his publication efforts.
William Morgan
William Morgan
A stonemason from Batavia whose denied entry into the Masons and subsequent exposé led to widespread controversy over Masonry’s influence, resulting in his disappearance.
Alexis de Tocqueville
Alexis de Tocqueville
A 19th-century French diplomat famous for his work Democracy in America, which provides insights into the social and democratic context of 1830s America.
400
Book • Nonfiction
Rochester, New York • 1830s
1978
Adult
18+ years
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