These four essays come from Dr. Slider's time spent at Hanover College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The first essay, "The Methodist Schism of 1844," deals with the split of the Methodist Episcopal Church before the Civil War. Kentuckians played key roles in this separation and the founding general conference for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, happened in Louisville, Kentucky in 1845. "The Negro during the Civil War" focuses on the plight of African-Americans in both North and South. "The Death of Frank Morehead Thomas" is about a Kentucky Methodist pastor and scholar. The final essay, "Neither Fish, Nor Foul" explores the Tennessee Valley Authority.