Manual of Church Polity
Hopkins' Manual of Church Polity (1878) outlines Presbyterian church government: its nature, purpose, ministry, ordination, apostolic succession, and church–state relations.
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Archives
The Confessional Presbyterian Archive is a curated digital library dedicated to preserving and promoting the writings of 17th–20th century Presbyterian pastors, teachers, and leaders. Featuring thousands of searchable texts, biographies, and historical resources, the archive provides direct access to the primary-source materials of American Presbyterianism.
Manual of Church Polity
The Presbyterian Cultus
Argument for revising Presbyterian public worship: critiques long extempore prayers and advocates using liturgical forms or a hybrid to make services more edifying and orderly.
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A General Liturgy and Book of Common Prayer
1883 Book of Common Prayer / General Liturgy compiled by Prof. M. Hopkins. Provides orders for morning & evening worship, Scripture reading tables, collects, prayers, and rites (baptism, communion).
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Sketch of the Public and Private Life of Samuel Miles Hopkins, of Salem, Connecticut, Written by Himself, and Left as a Token of Affection to His Children
Autobiographical sketch of Samuel M. Hopkins (1772–1837): family genealogy, education, legal and public career, religious views and reminiscences. Written for his children and later published.
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The Duty of the General Assembly to All the Churches Under Its Care: A Vindication of the Minority in Opposition to the Resolutions on the State of the Country
General Assembly urged a national day of prayer and affirmed loyalty to the Constitution. A minority argued it overstepped ecclesiastical bounds, risking church unity.
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Sermon Occasioned by the Assassination of President Lincoln. Delivered April 16, 1865
Sermon (Apr 16, 1865) mourning Lincoln's assassination; attributes the Civil War to sin and satanic influence, praises Lincoln's character, and urges public justice and retribution.
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Inauguration of the Rev. Wm. H. Hornblower, D.D. to the Professorship of Sacred Rhetoric, Church Government and Pastoral Theology
Inaugural address for Rev. Wm. H. Hornblower to the chair of Sacred Rhetoric, Church Government and Pastoral Theology, urging seminaries to emphasize practical homiletic and pastoral training.
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History of the College of New Jersey
Historical sketch of the College of New Jersey (Princeton): its 1746 charter, early presidents (Jonathan Dickinson, Aaron Burr), construction of Nassau Hall, trustees and funding struggles.
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The Pastor of the Old Stone Church
Memorial biography of Rev. Ethan Osborn (1758–1858), detailing his piety, long Fairfield pastorate, Revolutionary War service, providential deliverances, and spiritual recollections.
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Infidelity Against Itself
A polemic exposing modern infidelity: defining its character, history, and weaknesses, and urging simple, moral and rational defenses of Divine Revelation.
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Manliness for Young Men, and Their Well-Wishers
A pastoral exhortation to young men who leave home: resist city temptations, keep moral courage and temperance, and value the formative influence of family and reliance on God.
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Upward from Sin, Through Grace, to Glory
Devotional reflections on Christian experience—longing for reconciliation with God, conscience, assurance, love, service in suffering, and hope of heaven. Emphasizes personal piety.
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How Was Jesus Baptized?
Argues Jesus was baptized by sprinkling, not immersion, based on Jewish precedent: running (living) water used by divinely-appointed ministers (Moses, priests, Levites).
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Co-Operatiion in the Foreign Mission Field
Council argues missionaries should not sit in native presbyteries; native churches must be self-governing and missionaries focus on evangelism, following New Testament practice.
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Foreign Missions
A Centennial address urging Presbyterian unity in foreign missions, prioritizing simple Gospel proclamation over cultural imposition and emphasizing adaptive, Scripture‑rooted evangelism.
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Missionary Societies in the Church
Treats baptism from the Westminster Larger Catechism—distinguishing ritual from real (spiritual) baptism—and argues that missionary societies have been indispensable for global evangelism.
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By His Life
Evangelistic devotional urging readers to receive Christ's life and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Explains Christ's filling, Pentecost, and assures salvation by His life.
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Rev. Samuel Houston - War Diary
Biographical sketch and wartime journal of Rev. Samuel Houston: his ministry, Revolutionary War service (Cowpens, Guilford), piety, prayers, and final years.
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Letter Written on Behalf of the Board of Trustees of Liberty Hall Academy to President George Washington
History of Liberty Hall Academy's appeal leading to George Washington's 1796–1798 designation of James River Company shares to endow the seminary (Washington Academy).
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Letter to James Madison
Sketch of New Providence congregation: early Presbyterian settlers, building their stone meeting-house, strict Sabbath and family worship, pastoral changes, and founding of Liberty Hall grammar school.
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