The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

in the way one chooses to keep the Sabbath; for example, it matters less what kind of music that one listens to and more what “effects” that music has on the person who listens to it (327). Also for Stowe, part of retaining flexibility in one’s observance of the Sabbath was in “giv[ing] […] latitude […] to children” (324). Martha showed flexibility in the way she observed the Sabbath by accommodating her children and by occasionally missing services to care for a needy friend. On 4 June, 1888, she writes, “This afternoon Clayton and Jason and I had our questions and Psalms and text out in the sunshine on the bridge over by the railroad. The Carpenter read the 13 and 14 chapters of Luke with us this Evening.” Marthas willingness to take advantage of the nice weather and let her children be outside for their catechism as well as her willingness to include a hired hand shows her flexibility. There are also a few times that she missed listening to her beloved Pastor Morton in order to care for an ailing or struggling friend. On Sunday, 11 June, 1888, she writes, “Mr. Mc. and I called at Uncle David Torrences (?) before church, Aunt Nancy asked me to stay with them. Mr. Mc. called for me after preaching. […] We had preaching at our own church. Mr. Morton preached I was so anxious to have been there--but did not want to leave Aunt Nancy.” Similarly, on Sunday, 8 July, 1888, she writes, “Fred, Harlan, Clara and Jason at Sabbath School and church. Fannie, Homer, Clayton, and Florence at home. Mr. Mc. and I went off to Mr. Peters this morning--they seemed so sorrowful we could not find in our heart to leave them--we went with them to their church in Selma. Rev. Timmons (?) and Rev Johston (?), colored brothers […] altogether we certainly felt that, under the circumstances, it was good for us to be there-- 91