One Small Candle: The Plymouth Puritans and the Beginning of English New England

In One Small Candle, Francis J. Bremer explores the religious beliefs and practices of the Pilgrims who settled the Plymouth Colony in America, highlighting their commitment to lay empowerment and participatory democracy. He shows how these values influenced the political, intellectual, and cultural aspects of New England life a hundred and fifty years before the American Revolution.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 22 October 2020
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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In the early 17th century, a group of individuals who had challenged the religious establishment of early 17th-century England and faced displacement in the Netherlands took a daring step forward. They embarked on a journey to establish a new community in America, risking everything they had. The story of these pioneers, who sailed across the Atlantic on the Mayflower, has been recounted numerous times, but their faith and religious practices have often been overlooked or misunderstood. In his book, "One Small Candle," Francis J. Bremer delves into the profound role of religion in the settlement of the Plymouth Colony and its lasting impact on the political, intellectual, and cultural landscape of New England a century and a half before the American Revolution.

Bremer traces the origins of the Puritans, a group of congregationalists who sought to reform the established national church in early 17th-century England. Their persecution for challenging the status quo led them to seek refuge in the Netherlands in the 1610s. Despite facing hardships and adversity, the Puritans remained steadfast in their belief that ordinary men and women should have a significant role in governing church affairs. This belief was reflected in the congregational church covenants they established and inspired the earliest political forms of the region, including the Mayflower Compact and local New England town meetings.

The Puritans' commitment to lay empowerment and participatory democracy was a defining characteristic of their culture. They believed that individuals should not be governed by elites or institutions but rather by their fellow citizens. This philosophy shaped the social and political structures of early North America, emphasizing community and cooperation rather than individual greed and competition. Bremer argues that the Puritans' rejection of individual greed and focus on community defined the culture of English colonization in early North America.

"One Small Candle" offers a timely narrative of the people who founded the Plymouth Colony. It sheds new light on the role of religion in shaping the United States and highlights the enduring influence of the Puritans on American society. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Bremer provides a comprehensive account of the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of the early colonization era. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on American history and religion, offering insights into the origins of the nation and the values that continue to shape it.

\n Weight: 440g\n
Dimension: 148 x 218 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780197510049\n \n