You obviously know nothing about the vernacular of the day. Ministers and theologians of the time always used the terms "Religion" and "Christian" synonymously. Try reading Wesley, Whitefield, Edwards or any theologian of those times. Even as far as the mid-1800's and past (Charles Finney's writings for example). This was so commonplace as not to be debatable. This was not the great multicultural paradise that you enjoy at Purdue. ;-)
James 1:26-27
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
(from New International Version)