5. in those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. metaphor the church did not just reflect what was happening in society; it actually had the ability to change what was happening in society. 6. let us all hope the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities… optimistic tone mood