Final answer:
There are no hymn-books at Cal's Church because of the historical practice of lining out hymns, a method used in communities with low literacy. This tradition, especially strong in Primitive Baptist churches, involves singing hymns a cappella in response to a leader's oral prompts and is passed down orally without the need for books.
Step-by-step explanation:
The absence of hymn-books at Cal's Church is likely due to the historical practice of lining out hymns, which was commonly used in poor white and slave communities where literacy rates were low and access to pricy hymn-books was limited. This tradition involves a leader orally delivering lines of a hymn for the congregation to sing back, facilitating participation without the need for books or literacy. The Primitive Baptist churches, particularly those in African American communities, have maintained this tradition, often using hymn texts without musical notation and relying on the oral transmission of tunes and rhythms.
In these churches, hymn-singing is a vital part of the spiritual expression, typically conducted a cappella and without musical accompaniment, with a deeply held tradition of hymns such as those by Issac Watts (frequently referred to as "Dr. Watts" hymns). The deeply entrenched and culturally significant practice of lining out hymns still resonates in the worship services of these communities, delivering a rich and harmonious experience that is passed down through generations.