For You They Signed by Marilyn Boyer (A Review)

Tomorrow we will celebrate the Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many of us as US citizens are painfully unaware of the history and turmoil that surrounded the signing of that great document. Although the Declaration was unanimously approved for July 4, 1776, the actual signing of the calligraphic copy (the one we all see reproduced and/or photographed)  did not occur until August 2nd.

To learn more about the signers, and what they were placing into God's hands with their decisions, please join me on this review of Marilyn Boyer's book, "For You They Signed, The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation." Boyer's insightful book is available from Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing for $39.99 as a printed hard-bound copy, or $9.99 as a digital download (EPUB and MOBI versions.)

The Preface of the book begins with a quote from Woodrow Wilson: "A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we have come from, or what we have been about."

This hefty book, at 342 pages, contains detailed biographical sketches of all the 56 signers. These sections include not just when and where the signers were born and died, but they tell the stories of the men. The stories of their families, and how they served in their local communities. Many of them were local businessmen, state delegates or church leaders before signing, and most went on to serve in both state and national legislatures in our new government.

While reading through the book, you will find a variety of educational backgrounds, self-taught, educated at home, common schooled, Academy trained, and even John Witherspoon, from New Jersey, who originally hailed from Scotland, and received both  Master's and Divinity degrees from the University of Edinburgh.

I would first recommend For You They Signed as a family read-aloud, whatever you family's size of make-up. It is a study in character, the characteristics of the signers, and their families. You can learn a lot, not only about their belief in God, but about the sentiments of their towns and neighbors. Secondly, it would also be acceptable for High School-aged students to read independently, and then discuss.

Yes, this book talks about God, a lot. Because He was a central part of the lives of almost every signer. The more you search out the true history of the lives of the Declaration's signers, and the farther away you get from today's 'politically correct' answers, the better you can understand these men. You will see that their service to country was an overflowing of their service to men on behalf of God.

It has taken me many months to write this review. My words seem so inadequate to express to you all that I have learned by reading this book. In a day when I struggle to understand so much of what our currently elected officials choose to do and endorse, I found so much refreshment and encouragement by learning how these 56 men truly pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor into God's hands to guide and protect them.

As you celebrate our country's Independence, join me in celebrating our personal dependence on God.

I leave you with a quote from John Quincy Adams that inspires me. "You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."


I received a printed copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations.

nlpg- Some Fruits of Solitude

Some Fruits of Solitude:Proverbs, Wisdom and Principles for Better Living

By William Penn

At first glance, “Some Fruits of Solitude” by William Penn may appear to be a small book. Rest assured that it is not. The 170 pages of “Reflections and Maxims” are divided by topic. This hardcover edition by Attic Books (www.attic-books.net) released in March of 2012 retains the original 17th century spellings, so it might be a struggle for those not familiar with KJV or Shakespearian language.

This book is a challenging read, not so much for what Penn wrote, but from the conviction that comes from reading it and wanting to improve one’s own life, by following God more closely in each daily step. Number 511 from the section titled “Religion” addresses this inner conviction. “Men may Tire themselves in a Labyrinth of Search, and talk of God: But if we would know him indeed, it must be from the Impressions we receive of him; and the softer out Hearts are, the deeper and livelier those will be upon us.” Or perhaps we are reminded of our needs when reading number 27 from the section “Pride”: “It is too frequent to begin with God and end with the World. But He is the good man’s Beginning and End; his Alpha and Omega.”

It is well worth the time it takes to read all 12 pages of the introduction, as it provides historical background about both Penn and his writing.

This is not a quick read, but rather a devotional style book where one needs to read a selection and meditate on its importance. The book is divided into Parts I and II, so the numbering of the maxims starts over on page 107 with Part II.

I would recommend this book to readers High School aged and above. It would be an excellent gift for those interested in developing their relationship with Christ.

This book was provided to me free of charge by New Leaf Press for review.