Bound for the Promised Land is the first extensive examination of the impact on the American religious landscape of the Great Migration-the movement from South to North and from country to city by hundreds of thousands of African Americans following World War I. In focusing on this phenomenon's religious and cultural implications, Milton C. Sernett breaks with traditional patterns of historiography that analyze the migration in terms of socioeconomic considerations. Drawing on a range of sources-interviews, government documents, church periodicals, books, pamphlets, and articles-Sernett shows how the mass migration created an institutional crisis for black religious leaders. He describes the creative tensions that resulted when the southern migrants who saw their exodus as the Second Emancipation brought their religious beliefs and practices into northern cities such as Chicago, and traces the resulting emergence of the belief that black churches ought to be more than places for "praying and preaching." Explaining how this social gospel perspective came to dominate many of the classic studies of African American religion, Bound for the Promised Land sheds new light on various components of the development of black religion, including philanthropic endeavors to "modernize" the southern black rural church. In providing a balanced and holistic understanding of black religion in post-World War I America, Bound for the Promised Land serves to reveal the challenges presently confronting this vital component of America's religious mosaic.

"At a time when the New Age movement is starting to make good on the Spiritualists' vision of America as a 'grand clairvoyant nation', Carroll's work raises provocative questions about the tension betwen freedom and authority in the harmonial religions of today." Church History

..". offers the most comprehensive, sane examination of its topic yet available, no mean achievement for a subject long afflicted by religious partisanship and now perhaps in danger of sympathetic attraction." Journal of American History

..". fascinating reading it will be for those with a taste for good scholarly writing and a love of the American past and the manifold varieties of the spiritual quest." The Quest

"In addition to being an excellent introduction to mid-19th-century Spiritualism, Carroll s work also offers scholars a new vantage point from which to view the religious creativity that was so prominent in antebellum America in general." Choice

During the decade before the Civil War, a growing number of Americans gathered around tables in dimly lit rooms, joined hands, and sought enlightening contact with spirits. The result was Spiritualism, a distinctly colorful religious ideology centered on spirit communication and spirit activity. Spiritualism in Antebellum America analyzes the attempt by spiritually restless Americans of the 1840s and 1850s to negotiate a satisfying combination of freedom and authority as they sought a sense of harmony with the universe."

Translated by F. Rothwell. Contents: Krishna (India and the Brahmanic Initiation); Heroic India, the Sons of the Sun and of the Moon; King of Mathura; Virgin Devaki; Krishna's Youth; Initiation; Doctrine of the Initiates; Triumph and Death; Radiance of the Solar World. Orpheus (The Mysteries of Dionyson); Prehistoric Greece, The Bacchantes, Appearance of Orpheus; Temple of Jupiter; Dionysiac Fete in the Valley of Tempe; Evocation; Death of Orpheus.

A treatise Written for the Personal Use of Those Who are Ignorant of the Eastern Wisdom, and Who Desire to Enter Within its Influence. Introduction by C. Jinarajadasa. (see also our book, "Our Glorious Future" by the same author which is a continuation of this book.)

In the spiritual language of the 20th century few names raise such varied reactions as that of George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff (1866-1949). Much of what is considered New Age spirituality can be attributed to Gurdjieff. This book is a tribute not only to the scope and power of Gurdjieff's ideas, but to the special "atmosphere" that surrounded his work with pupils.

Modern interpretation of the Manichaean religious tradition requires a firm foundation in the sober and meticulous reconstruction of highly fragmentary sources. The studies collected in this volume contribute to such a foundation by bringing new primary texts to the public for the first time, extracting new data from previously known sources, and defining and delimiting important but previously neglected sets of material. The studies are authored by an international group of leading scholars in the fields of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern studies, comparative religion, early Christianity, patristics, art history, Turkic studies and Coptology. The textual and art historical materials examined possess distinctive histories, character and significance representing the broad geographical range of Manichaeism from Algeria to China. By elucidating these essential remains of the Manichaean religion, the comprehensive treatments contained in "Emerging from Darkness" provide a provocative picture of Manichaeism as a diverse and productive tradition in a variety of settings and media. The volume will be foundational for future scholarly studies on the sources presented and for studies in Manichaeism and late antique religions in general.

Ever since nature and consciousness were separated in the late Middle Ages, giving rise to a science of matter alone, the spiritual beings who are the universe have felt abandoned and unable to complete their work, for this work depends for its success on human collaboration. At the same time, human beings have also felt abandoned, condemned to a speck of dust in an infinitely decaying universe. In these remarkable lectures, Rudolf Steiner reestablishes the human being as a participant in an evolving, dynamic universe of living spiritual beings: a living universe, whole and divine. And he does so in concrete images, capable of being grasped by human consciousness as if from within. How is this possible? Implicit in Rudolf Steiner's view is the fact that, fundamentally, the universe consists of consciousness. Everything else is illusion. Hence to understand the evolution of the cosmos and humanity in any terms other than consciousness is also illusion. Whenever we have to do with mighty cosmic facts, we have to do with states of consciousness. But states of consciousness never exist apart from the beings who embody them. Therefore, the only true realities are beings in different states of consciousness. In this sense, Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science is a science of states of consciousness and the beings who embody them. Indeed, rightly considered, all science-physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, geology, psychology, astronomy, etc.-is a science of beings. And the sensory perception, the physical trace, is but the outer vestment of the activity of beings in different states of consciousness. To describe these beings, Steiner uses the names made familiar by the wisdom tradition of theWest. He speaks of the evolutionary states of Saturn, Sun, Moon, Earth, Jupiter, Venus, and Vulcan; and the nine "choirs" of angels (Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones; Dominions, Virtues, and Powers; Principalities, Archangels, and Angels); as well as of elemental beings and nature spirits; and the elements of fire, earth, air, and water.

The Interpretation of "Light on the Path." Contents: Self-Conquest; The Disciple; "Attend You Unto Them"; The Masters; Sight, Hearing; Speech; Stability; The Transmutation of Desire; Work and Effort; Separateness; Sensation; The Retreat; The Advance; The Blooming of the Flower; Contemplation; The Study of Mankind; The Study of the Self; The Logos; The Gifts of the Disciple; The Victory; "I and My Father." (see also our book, "Light on the Path" by the same author.)

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Sawai Jai Singh, the statesman astronomer of 18th century India, designed astronomical instruments of masonry and stone, built observatories, prepared by Zij or a text for astronomical calculations. He opted for the naked eye masonary instruments when telescope had become quiet common with European astronomers.

This work by Prof. Haridas Bhattacharyya may be considered a landmark in the study of comparative Religion. The author has created a brilliantly authoritative and comprehensive work on five major religions, Viz., Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism. The scholar has also attempted a calm and critical examination of five principal living faiths, including the faith he personally professes.

In this interdisciplinary work, William L. Davis examines Joseph Smith's 1829 creation of the Book of Mormon, the foundational text of the Latter-Day Saint movement. Positioning the text in the history of early American oratorical techniques, sermon culture, educational practices, and the passion for self-improvement, Davis elucidates both the fascinating cultural context for the creation of the Book of Mormon and the central role of oral culture in early nineteenth-century America. Drawing on performance studies, religious studies, literary culture, and the history of early American education, Davis analyzes Smith's process of oral composition. How did he produce a history spanning a period of 1,000 years, filled with hundreds of distinct characters and episodes, all cohesively tied together in an overarching narrative? Eyewitnesses claimed that Smith never looked at notes, manuscripts, or books-he simply spoke the words of this American religious epic into existence. Judging the truth of this process is not Davis's interest. Rather, he reveals a kaleidoscope of practices and styles that converged around Smith's creation, with an emphasis on the evangelical preaching styles popularized by the renowned George Whitefield and John Wesley.

The practical sequel to Mother Earth Spirituality that applies Native American teachings and ritual to comtemporary living.

This is a textbook dealing with the living religions of India. It has been written by a scholar who has devoted more than fifty years in pondering over the subject. The account of each religion is accurate and reliable. The book aims at establishing harmony between religions.

Five volumes (Volume 5, 18, 24, 32 and 47) of the series on the 'Sacred Books of the East' have been devoted to study the Pahlavi texts. Easch volume covers a specific aspect of it and is a sequel to the previous one.;Though we must look to the Avesta for information regarding the main outline of the Parsi religion, it is to Pahlavi writings we refer for most of the details relating to the traditions, ceremonies and customs. To understand the relationship between these two classes of Parsi sacred writings, it must be observed that the Avesta and Pahlavi of the same scripture, taken together, forms its Avesta and Zend which are nearly synonymous with 'Revelation and Commentary'.

This exceptionally well-written book is good reading, not only for specialists but also for beginning students interested in women, Korean culture, and shamanism.