The appearances of religion in the first chapter show us one facet of the family's beliefs. When Tim milks Old Pru he daydreams, but acknowledges that daydreaming is sloth and sloth is a sin. During a joking conversation between Tim and Sam in the barnyard, we can see that the Meeker family has been raised on firm ideas about what is godly and right, ideas originating from the Church of England. By joining the Rebels, by extension Sam joins in a fight against the Church of England. The war is not a tangible fright to the people of Redding, but it is a religious scandal which is just as threatening as the idea of war. Tim himself cannot yet imagine the war, and has not had to test his faith in the fairness of life and religion. Tim still has complete confidence in Sam's judgment.