Final answer:
The Methodist class meeting system was intended for spiritual education and moral development, not specifically to enhance physical fitness. Eventually, the social gospel movement led to churches incorporating physical health initiatives, but this was separate from the original class meeting goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class meeting system, stemming from Methodist traditions, was not primarily aimed to enhance physical fitness, but rather it had a different set of objectives. These meetings were rooted in the idea of spiritual education and moral development, serving as a platform where individuals could strengthen their faith, improve their moral conduct, and ultimately become better members of society. The emphasis was on using education as a tool for empowerment, particularly important for freedpeople who saw education as a pathway for personal and communal progression.
Physical exercise did become a part of the broader cultural movements of the time, with health reformers advocating the importance of physical activity for overall well-being. This was reflected in how churches and organizations, influenced by the social gospel movement, began to include gymnasiums and promote well-being through various activities. The objective here was to foster a holistic approach to health, combining both the physical and the spiritual.
However, the original Methodist class meeting system's purpose was more closely related to spiritual and moral development than to promoting physical fitness, although it intersected with the broader movements of the time that did emphasize the benefits of physical exercise and good health.