This groundbreaking essay explores the liturgical question in American churches during the late 19th century. Focusing on the influence of the Westminster Divines on American prayer books, Charles W. Shields offers a detailed analysis of the debates surrounding liturgical reform and the religious divisions that emerged during this period. A must-read for anyone interested in religious history or the intersection of faith and politics.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.