A very scarce imprint. Theodore Clapp [1792-1866] was a prominent Southern Presbyterian divine, pastoring the First Presbyterian Church of New Orleans. Trained at Andover, after taking the post, as the story goes, he had just finished preaching a sermon on "Endless Punishment," when he was approached by a gentleman who said his mind had quite changed on the subject. He offered to Clapp the same challenge he had received, to study Scripture as though he had never of the doctrine and see where he came out. 

In the end, Clapp became a believer in something akin to what we would call conditional immortality. 

Parallel with his movement on this issue, he had also come to New Orleans as a pro-slavery divine, but by 1849 was writing against the institution, though still preaching in New Orleans. He had essentially closed the Presbyterian church and re-opened as an independent church with much the same congregation. 

The present was his "coming out" sermon related to his updated views on hell. It caused a nationwide stir in the press. 

Clapp, Theodore. A Discourse on Hell: Delivered in the First Congregational Church, New Orleans, March 19, 1848. Troy, N.Y. From Steam Press J. C. Kneeland and Co. 1848. 21pp.

A very good copy, bound in wraps, generally solid, with pages that are generally bright, have minor penciling in a period hand, and are a bit handled.