Puritan Compromise

In reading chapter one of Jim Cullen's The American Dream, I realized that the Puritans of early America were not as bad as many make them out to be. Specifically, I found it remarkable that the Puritans were not unfamiliar to compromise, as Puritans are normally portrayed as stubborn and vindictive. Many Puritans disagreed on the church membership of children. Some believed that children should be incorporated into the congregation upon birth, while others felt it was appropriate for the children to grow up first and then make a spiritual testimony. The Puritans compromised by allowing the children to be members of the church, but requiring them to make a spiritual testimony (confirmation of faith) as adults. It is important to note, that Puritanism did not fall apart upon making a change. Change is an essential part of the American Dream. Compromise does not necessarily make us weaker. The Puritans can be seen as a symbol of the American Dream, as they continued to thrive through change and adjustment.