Illustrations Depicting Divine Intervention in the Ratification Process

Beginning in January 1788, Benjamin Russell, the printer of the Massachusetts Centinel, began publishing a series of illustrations that featured the architectural motif of pillars.  As each state ratified the Constitution, Russell added another pillar to the grand federal edifice with the Hand of God starting the process of raising another pillar. Throughout the process of ratification, a few newspaper editors occasionally followed Russell’s example and printed illustrations with and sometimes without the finger/hand of God. The selected items below do have the finger of God included.  We have also listed other items that refer to divine intervention in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. 

Other materials referencing the “Finger/Hand of God”