Length 14.1 cm x W 9.8 cm x H 1.8 cm
a - Length 14.1 cm x W 9.5 cm
b - Length 14.1 cm x W 9.8 cm x H 1.7 cm
A handbook entitled "Household Theology" by John Henry Blunt. The book contains religious information from "the Holy Bible, the Prayer Book, the Church, the Ministry, Divine Worship, and the Creeds".
a - The cover of the book has become detached along the spine. It contains the title, author and publishing company for the book.
b - The main body of the book is broken up into twelve chapters and is 271 pages long. The back cover is attached to the main book by two pieces of twine, the third has broken off completely.
In the 19th century Christianity was the dominant religion in Canada. This handbook was meant to be used as a companion to the Bible, the Common Prayer book and the Creeds. In the late 19th century, there was a shift in Christianity and how it was observed. For the first time in British history, public figures began to openly declare their Atheism or Agnosticism. In counteraction to these declarations there was a renewed interest in theological scholarship by clergy members and non-clergy members alike. This was a contributing factor to the establishment of Theological schools like the Anglican Trinity College in Toronto or the Presbyterian Queen’s Theological College in the 1840s. While most laymen were familiar with these sorts of writings it was a status symbol to be able to carry around a copy and pursue scholarship in times of leisure.
