In 's
, , one salient difference between the church of Calpurnia and the Maycomb
Methodist Episcopal Church South is that the black church allows the children,and , to remain
whereas the white churches are strictly segregated. Thus, the spirit of charity abounds in the
poor, little church that has few hymn books and no organ or piano.
On the
other hand, the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church who practice charity abroad by
sending missionaries and charity to Africa, help no one at home who is outside their
perimeters. Clearly, Chapter 12 points to the religious hypocrisy of the white
community.
That the congregation of Calpurnia's church are poor and oppressed
as well is evident when the hymns, which are sung jubilantly, end "in a melancholy
murmur."
When the preacher gives his sermon, the children notice that
Reverend Sykes "used his pulpit more freely to express his views on individual lapses from
grace." The Reverend scolds the more recalcitrant of his congregation, even to the point
of defining their sins. Scout also notes that, to their amazement, Reverend Sykes chastises the
church members:
....Reverend Sykes emptied the can onto
the table and raked the coins into his hand. He straightened up, and said, 'This is not enough,
we must have ten dollars.'
But, then, he explains that
the money is for the family of Tom Robinson.
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