A scarce first American edition of Wilberforce's scathing reproof of popular, cultural, and political Christianity as opposed to the internally transformative life given through Christ by the regeneration of the Spirit. Includes the who's who Subscribers' list, featuring William Tennent, Benjamin Rush, Ashbel Green, etc. 

The present the copy of Rev. Ira Hart [1771-1829] and gifted by Hart to Maria Sherman, who would later become his wife. Hart was at first a missionary of the "Connecticut Society," which flourishing during the Second Great Awakening. He planted churches during the revival in Lowville and in Middlebury. He was later minister at Stonington.

There is an interesting account of his revival work t Waterbury in Heman Humphrey's Revival Sketches, HERE [p.156]

Scarce in the trade, being offered just once at auction in the last 65 years. 

Wilberforce, William. A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes, Contrasted with Real Christianity. By William Wilberforce. Member of Parliament for the County of York. First American Edition. 1798. 343pp.

A good + copy, bound in leather; some losses at extremities and rubbing at spine and hinges which  have been professionally consolidated with cellugel and bees wax. Generally solid, with generally bright pages, some light foxing, and a bit toned throughout.