Religion has always played a major role in the affairs of men and nations. However, we seldom read about its' significance. David B. Chesebrough has written this fascinating book called "Clergy Dissent in the Old South". In his book, Chesebrough describes how Southern society created tremendous pressure for its citizens to conform to the acceptance of slavery as a way of life and finally to succeed from the Union. Unfortunately this society also pressured the Christian clergy to pervert its' faith and not only condone slavery but promote it as well. The southern clergy provided encouragement to the Southern people throughout the civil war. Even after the fall of Vicksburg and Gettysburg in 1863, the southern clergy remained a major catalyst in prolonging the inevitable collapse of the southern cause by turning the civil war into a holy crusade.

The author describes how the major Protestant churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist) in the Old South split over the issues of slavery and succession. Rarely were dissenters tolerated. Merely to speak against slavery or to pray for Abraham Lincoln could be considered an act of treason. Dissenters either kept silent, fled north, or faced the possible consequence of being lynched. This book describes the stories of some of these heroic dissenters.

This is an excellent book. Any one interested in learning about the Old South and the civil war, needs to be a student of its' religious make up. The author has thoroughly researched this subject matter and he has presented it in a very readable book.