Published in 1843 in Louisville, Kentucky, Hervey Woods’ The History of the Presbyterian Controversy is a significant contemporary account of the Schism of 1837, which split the Presbyterian Church into "Old School" and "New School" factions.

Writing just six years after the split, Woods provides an "insider" historical perspective on the events that led to the excision of four synods by the General Assembly.As a staunch defender of the Old School party, Woods favored strict adherence to the Westminster Confession and opposed the "Plan of Union" with Congregationalists. His work serves as a primary source for the theological and procedural arguments used by conservatives of that era.

The "Early Sketches" portion of the book traces the origins of the church back to the Westminster Assembly. By linking the 1837 controversy to centuries of Presbyterian history, Woods argued that the Old School was the true successor to historic Reformed Christianity.

Published in Louisville, the book highlights how the controversy played out on the "chaotic frontier" of the American West and illustrates the struggle to maintain traditional church order as the denomination pushed westward.

Woods, H[ervey]. The History of the Presbyterian Controversy, with Early Sketches of Presbyterianism. Louisville. Printed by N. H. White, Market Street. 1843. 204pp.

Fair only. Text block is solid with scattered foxing as shown, tears to prelims. Front board present, but detached. Rear board absent. Ready to be re-cased.