Originally published in 1932, and therefore inevitably of its time, this book discusses the place of the intellect as a guide to religious truth. The author's work brought principles from Quaker decision-making to bear on wider questions about democracy and religion. The author affirms that the 'Light Within', although a personal endowment is not independent of the historical fact that spiritual geniuses in bygone ages have seen and testified and lived.

Francis E. Pollard (1872-1951) one of the original members of the War and Social Order Committee, was a teacher at Bootham School, and later secretary of the National Peace Council.