The Light And The Glory by Peter Marshall, Jr. and David Manuel (Grand Rapids, MI:
Fleming H. Revell, 1977), 384pp, paperback, $12.23.

This volume answers two questions: Did God have a divine call upon this nation, the United Sates of America? And, if so, does that divine call remain in effect today?

To answer these questions, the authors state how they have approached this task. “In truth, this book is not intended to be a history textbook, but rather a search for the hand of God in the different periods of our nation’s beginnings. We feel, due to the extreme gravity of America’s present spiritual and moral condition, that it is imperative that we Americans rediscover our spiritual moorings.”

Indeed, regarding the Declaration of Independence, John Adams declared, “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means.”

Beginning with Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America, the subsequent founding of settlements such as Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the arrival of the Puritans in New England, God’s influence was evident.

Next, the Great Awakening with Jonathan Edwards preaching sermon after sermon prepared America for her War of Independence from Britain in 1734. And, about this same time, George Whitefield was joined by John and Charles Wesley, all from England, in America to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.

As a result of the Revolutionary War, these colonies of England became the United States of America and “One Nation Under God.” As soon as possible, General George Washington became America’s first President. All along the way, divine intervention has been recorded for all to see.

In fact, this book provides a treasury of historical facts demonstrating the hand of God in regard to America that many textbooks omit today. Anyone wishing to become familiar with the Christian roots of the United States of America would be well served by reading this work.

Two other volumes, From Sea To Shining Sea and Sounding Forth The Trumpet, are sequels to this book. Also, the authors have written all three of these titles for children which would be very helpful for teachers, parents, and children to acquaint themselves with the historical facts of the Christian faith in this country.

This book consists of 18 chapters followed by an Appendix that has Source Notes for every chapter, a Bibliography, and General Index which is useful in checking reference sources, finding additional material related to this topic, and identifying subjects of interest within this volume. An interesting and informative work.

Reviewed by Deb Garland, www.spiritandtruth.org