First published in 1864, this seminal work traces the development of the Presbyterian Church in America from its earliest days to the mid-19th century. Drawing on meticulous research and a deep knowledge of church history, Ezra Hall Gillett provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the social, political, and theological forces that shaped this influential religious institution. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.