A companion to the PBS series, This Far by Faith isthe story of how religious faith inspired the greatest social movementin American history -- the U.S. Civil Rights movement. Hailed upon publication as a beautiful, seminal book on the role of the church in the African American community as well as on the social history of America, This Far by Faith reveals the deep religious conviction that empowered a people viewed as powerless to blaze a path to freedom and deliverance, to stand and be counted in this one nation under God. Here are the stories of politics, tent revivals, and the importance of black churches as touchstones for every step of the faith journey that became the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Using archival and contemporary photography, historical research, and modern-day interviews, This Far by Faith features messages from some of today's foremost religious leaders. “This Far by Faith is a must-read.” - Christian Science Monitor “[An] enlightening book.” - Booklist “The memorable photographs and illustrations...powerfully attest to the courage and religious convictions of generations of African Americans.” - Publishers Weekly “Fascinating.” - New York Times Book Review “[This Far by Faith] skillfully combines written and oral sources with historical narrative.” - Boston Globe “A rich historical overview of the key role religion has always played in Black life and the different ways in which African Americans over the centuries have called on faith to see them through.” - Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children's Defense Fund “This Far by Faith is an important and powerful contribution to the historical archives of this country.” - Philadelphia Tribune “A learned, well-illustrated volume.” - Choice “[A] clear, engaging...and nuanced introduction to the power of faith to sustain the African American community.” - Library Journal [This Far by Faith] covers a broad swath of African-American religious history and its impact on this nation. Almost anyone would learn something new from the book.” - Nashville Tennessean “The authors’ efforts to pull from what must have been hundreds of sources to compile an eminently readable text is praiseworthy.” - National Catholic Reporter “This Far by Faith is a must-read....[Williams and Dixie] are masters at placing black worship in the context of US history.” - Christian Science Monitor “This Far by Faith will go a long way in preserving stories about a significant aspect of our lives.” - Black Issues Book Review A companion to the PBS series, This Far by Faith isthe story of how religious faith inspired the greatest social movementin American history -- the U.S. Civil Rights movement. Hailed upon publication as a beautiful, seminal book on the role of the church in the African American community as well as on the social history of America, This Far by Faith reveals the deep religious conviction that empowered a people viewed as powerless to blaze a path to freedom and deliverance, to stand and be counted in this one nation under God. Here are the stories of politics, tent revivals, and the importance of black churches as touchstones for every step of the faith journey that became the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Using archival and contemporary photography, historical research, and modern-day interviews, This Far by Faith features messages from some of today's foremost religious leaders. Juan Williams is the author of the acclaimed PBS series companion volume Eyes on the Prize . He is a senior correspondent for NPR, political analyst for Fox News, and the host of America's Black Forum. Williams worked at the Washington Post for twenty-three years as a columnist, editorial writer, and White House correspondent. He has won an Emmy Award for his television documentary writing and has contributed features to Fortune, Atlantic Monthly , Ebony , GQ , New Republic , and Black Issues Book Review . He is a graduate of Haverford College in Pennsylvania. This Far by Faith Stories from the African American Religious Experience By Williams, Juan Amistad Press Copyright © 2004 Juan Williams All right reserved. ISBN: 0060934247 Chapter One "God Has a Hand in It" The God of Bethel heard her cries, He let his power be seen; He stopped the proud oppressor's frown, And proved himself a king. -- Richard Allen Charleston, South Carolina, today is a coastal city best known for its colonial past. The city is filled with exquisite homes built in the 1700s for wealthy plantation owners, shipbuilders, and importers. Tourists come to Charleston to see these grand houses, with their large, leafy gardens, elegant fountains, and porches with grand white pillars, which hint at the fabulous society life that once thrived here. All around the city are churches established before America was a nation. And at the center of the city is the Slave Market, which is now part museum and part cra