Final answer:
The Galesburg, Illinois, congregation and various reform groups realized they needed to support the government with public services and subsidies, embracing the social gospel movement to apply Christian ethics to societal issues and assisting in community development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Galesburg, Illinois, congregation and various reform groups realized that their communities would have to support the government with public services and subsidies.
During the 1870s and 1890s, amid the social challenges faced by working-class city life, religious institutions like the Galesburg congregation embraced the social gospel movement and took active roles in social reform.
They applied Christian ethics to address societal issues such as labor reform, income inequality, and the provision of community services.
The social gospel ideology, advocated by figures such as Reverend Washington Gladden, stressed the importance of caring for one's neighbor in the secular world and working together for societal betterment.
Churches and organizations like the YMCA began to offer amenities like gymnasiums, libraries, and evening classes on hygiene and health care, aiming to improve the daily lives of Americans.
Likewise, during Reconstruction, state and local governments provided basic necessities and invested in public infrastructure, partially funded through taxes on land and property.
This effort in community aid was seen as essential not only for the well-being of individuals but also for maintaining civil society and governance.
The involvement of congregations in the settlement movement reflected a commitment to living among and directly assisting those in poverty. Through these actions, groups allied with religious organizations demonstrated their support for the government by actively participating in social welfare and community development.