From Sea to Shining Sea: God's Plan for America Unfolds

The Light and the Glory #2

by Peter J. Marshall, David Manuel

In From Sea to Shining Sea history buffs are transported back to the post-revolutionary era to discover how God intervened on behalf of a struggling nation. This fast-paced, absorbing narrative and sequel to the bestselling The Light and the Glory covers that fragile time in America's history from 1787 to 1837 when a newborn nation faced challenges and overcame her growing pains by clinging to her Christian heritage.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Christian, American History, Christianity, School, Education

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

The Rev. Peter John Marshall was the son of Rev. Peter and Catherine Marshall. He often wrote as Peter Marshall.

From 1977 until his death, he had devoted himself to a nationwide ministry of preaching, teaching and writing.

Reviews

[Tim Chavel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Marshall has written three books in this series, "The Light and The Glory: 1492-1793," "From Sea to Shining Sea: 1787-1837," and Sounding Forth The Trumpet: 1837-1860." And three books are a historical view of Scripture from a Biblical perspective. This one deals with America's attitude toward slavery. But, by no means is it only about slavery. Peter Marshall is the son of the Peter Marshall who was the chaplain of the Senate of the U.S. for a number of years. The elder senior has both a book and movie about his life, "A Man Called Peter." I have seen the movie (very powerful) but have not read the book yet.

Here are just a few quotes from this book:

Ben Franklin speaking to our Founding Fathers:

"How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir," he looked at Washington, "were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor . . . . And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: 'that God governs in the affairs of man.' And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests; our projects will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war, or conquest. I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business." pp. 18-19

Franklin's motion failed, because someone pointed out that the Convention had no money with which to pay a chaplain. But a substitute motion, that a sermon be preached to the delegates on July 4 at the request of the Convention, went through speedily. When the anniversary day arrived, many of the delegates, including George Washington, attended a special service at Christ Church. After the oration by a young law student, the Reverend William Rogers, pastor of the church, prayed that God would "be their wisdom and strength [and] enable them to devise such measures as may prove happy instruments in healing all divisions. p. 20

In 1789, the Continental Congress established chaplains for both the House and the Senate, whose official duties include opening each day's proceedings with prayer. p. 21

Repentance is the missing ingredient in much of modern American Christianity. Yet its pivotal role in national revival is clearly revealed in Holy Scripture in such passages as the much quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Those of us already committed to Christ are being challenged not only to face our personal needs for growth and change and take them to God in prayer, but most important of all, He is calling us to repent of our wicked ways. No matter how much we might prefer to see ourselves as freed from sin, we still have wicked ways. We still often live for our own personal comfort or success, ignoring the needs of the poor or hurting around us. We are still self-righteous, still get jealous or vindictive, still lust after other people's approval.

Repentance involves heartfelt change. And change, the lifelong process of being conformed to the image of God's Son, involves pain. Unlike Dwight or Asbury, JQA, or Jackson, most of us today are unwilling to go through much emotional or spiritual pain. We can wear out our knees praying for revival, but if we are not willing to go through the pain of repentance, the Great Awakening we seek will not come.

But there can be a victorious conclusion. We have forgotten that true repentance is not only tremendously freeing, cleansing, and uplifting, but it brings the blessing of God in its wake! Further, repentance on the part of a few can spread throughout a family, a church, or a whole society. The salt can regain its savor!

Once again, America stands, like a Biblical Nineveh, at the crossroads of mercy and judgment. If we Christians will hear and heed in time, God's plan for America will yet be fulfilled, and He will crown her good with brotherhood - from sea to shining sea! pp. 432-433

I recommend this book to those who enjoy history and especially if you want to learn more about America's Biblical roots!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Source: Self-purchase.
Rating: 5 stars for excellent.
Summary:
In the first book in this series, The Light and the Glory, the emphasis is on the founding of America through to the Revolutionary War.
In From Sea to Shining Sea, the emphasis is on 1787-1837, those fifty years after the nation was established.
Examples of topics:

the War of 1812,
westward expansion,
a nation divided over slavery,
the Great Awakening movement,
denomination and religious movements,
circuit riders,
the Alamo.


My Thoughts:
I have loved both books in the God's Plan for America series. The third book in this series, Sounding Forth the Trumpet, I do not have but definitely want to read.
I feel the books in this series are exceptional tools for a home library or home schooling.

One of the best parts of the book is on the topic of slavery in America. Peter Marshall and David Manuel are transparent in their descriptions of slavery: the West Coast of Africa, slavery in America, the profitable industry of slavery, the division and conflict created because of slavery, an overseer's role on the Plantation, a day in the life of a slave on a Plantation, the break down and destruction of slave families, the Missouri debates, the auction block, and the justification given for owning slaves. I admired the author team for the careful and honest history lesson.
Every delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 acknowledged the evil of slavery. But not all were prepared to agree with those who demanded that it be abolished forthwith. The antislavery voices had a strong case: what could be crueler than to tear men and women from their ancestral homes and families, transport them under hideous, murderous conditions halfway around the world, there to break their wills and force them to do another man's bidding, for no recompense? This, in the world's newest republic, which prided itself on being a model of freedom. Page 28.
Most Southern slave owners failed to see this hypocrisy. They regarded their slaves as they did their livestock-as property they had paid good money for and that represented a sizable investment. Page 29.
A second part of the book I enjoyed reading is on westward expansion. The author team divided the westward expansion into four divisions.
Act 1-The Lewis and Clark expedition.
Act 2-The Mountain men and fur trade.
Act 3-Wagon trains.
Act 4-The removal of red men/Native Americans.

I'm planning to read more about mountain men and Native American history soon.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel to their best-selling The Light and the Glory, authors Peter Marshall and David Manuel cover that fragile time in America’s history from 1787, after the 1783 Treaty of Paris, to 1837, as the country plunged westward and expanded across a continent. During this time, the infant nation faced many challenges and overcame her growing pains by clinging to the Christian faith that was her heritage. The 444 paged paperback includes an index, making it an excellent reference work for homeschooled high school students studying American history. Marshall and Manuel’s way of presentation is better and more exciting than fiction, making learning about the history of the U. S..A. fun. However, everything that is written is factually documented by copious footnotes, and there is a complete bibliography of source materials. Of course, this book looks at our nation’s past from the standpoint of providential history. All three books in this series develop a historical view of the United States from a Biblical perspective.

The authors may attribute many things to God which we might question, but it is still good to consider history in the light of God’s will. Who can successfully deny that God may well have had a plan for America in mind? Much of From Sea To Shining Sea deals with America's attitude toward slavery, but it is by no means only about this subject. It also discusses the shameful treatment of the Indians (Native Americans). And it is even-handed in its approach, pointing out both the strengths and the weaknesses of key figures and policies. As I said in my review of The Light and the Glory, I may not fully agree with every conclusion presented by those who espouse providential history, but it is certainly refreshing to read of historic events without the Christian point of view being purged. Marshall and Manuel’s work is highly recommend for all who enjoy history and especially for those who want to learn more about America's Biblical roots. The sequel is entitled Sounding Forth The Trumpet and covers the period of 1837 to 1865.

[Larry Killion · Rating 3 out of 5]

“From Sea to Shining Sea

By Peter Marshall and David Manuel

This sequel to the best-selling "The Light and the Glory" covers that fragile time in our history from 1787 to 1837 when newborn America faced many challenges and overcame her growing pains by clinging to the Christian faith that was her heritage. Good follow up after "The Light and the Glory". Looking forward the next book. It is refreshing to read of historic events without the Christian point of view being ignored. Three stars. ”

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real American history.I read it aloud with my kids and we all liked it.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent historical novel. I learned so much history which was little-known to me, but so important to the development of our country.

[Kent Horner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of divine providence in the history of our nation 1797-1837. I give tis the same review as "The Light And The Glory".

[Bro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite histories. It has some good points, but really paints the South in a bad light, but the author is from the North.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book when my children were younger!

[Tammy Webb-witholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! This speaks of the nation moving west. A wonderful story and history of names and places as we spread our territory to the west - I loved all of these books. I assigned them to myself.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this trilogy. I learned a great deal of new information from this second book. I do recommend it for history lovers. The authors Christian insight provoke good thought.

[Michael Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less substantive than its predecessor, "The Light and the Glory," by the same two authors.

[Nyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

(See my recent review about book #1 of this series, The Light and the Glory) I feel the same about this book as the one before it.🥱

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is from a religious propaganda book series. My cousin gave me this book, I did not purchase it but gave it a chance. . In the Forward, titled, "Seeds of Darkness", the author indeed states that the French helped America gain freedom in the American Revolution, but "the French would launch their own revolution, boasting that, unlike America, their Republic would achieve the Brotherhood of Man, without the Fatherhood of God as a prerequisite. Their version of republicanism, a heady brew, flattered man into believing that his own intellect reigned supreme." The French helped America gain independence from England, NEVER attempted to take anything from America, and became and remain one of our closest allies. They 'gifted' us the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of their belief in our country, standing beside us, even today in NATO.
The next paragraph begins thusly.....
"An anti-spiritual invasion rolled over our land." As if the French did that. Seriously? This book is ridiculous, based on this ridiculous premise that only this one group of poor pilgrims and puritans held the religious key to the salvation of America and France invaded us and took it away, when they helped America gain independence from England. I've never read anything so full of feigned religious persecution. The French did nothing but help us.
This book is full of religious propaganda meant to separate and divide Christians from people of other religions or no religion. We know this country had non Christians here before any Puritan or Pilgrim arrived and the Puritans and Pilgrims were not the ONLY people to arrive on this land, claiming MANIFEST DESTINY. That the land is theirs because they say it is theirs and because God told them it is theirs. That one little band of pilgrims/puritans did not have ownership of America. We all do. Christians, Amish, Quaker, non-Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, EVERYONE on this land . This book is complete HOGWASH. This one will not be passed along to anyone, recycled, sold, shared, traded, given away or exchanged. It is going in the fire pit

[Rhonda Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book, starting with the end of the American Revolution up to the 1830's, on how we went from a small country with slavery to a much larger country with VERY SPLIT views on that topic! Very few history books discuss how the Second Great Awakening influenced our political views. It shows how it radically changed many cities and towns, as people converted to faith in Christ. And how that even some Southerners hated the institution! This is a "must-read" book!!!!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to The Light & The Glory. I personally prefer Revolutionary to Civil. Still good information, I did not know.

[Mark Vann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but a bit long. The first book in the series, the Light and the Glory was a bit better. Still enjoyed this book.

[Fred Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good treatment of God's plan for America in the early 19th century

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good look at our country’s growing pains and our various treatments of natives and blacks.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

BW

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique perspective on the history of America.