Hit the Books means: To study. Example of use: “Danny was in danger of failing, so before his last math test he left the show early to go home and hit the books.” So that means that he needs to study accessibly..
It reveals that they are around the time of slavery or some kind of period where they find one race superior o the other. Also they pay for their sins but at the same time they are a very connected community and the meeting house is just a way to bring them together.