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.

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Letter from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America to the Presbytery of Transylvania (1795)

David Rice ⬩ 1847

Minutes of the 1795 General Assembly addressing slavery, urging forbearance and church unity amid differing views, commissioning frontier missionaries and promoting education.

David Rice

David Rice ⬩ 1858

Biographical sketch of Rev. David Rice (1733–1816), a Virginia-born Presbyterian minister and Kentucky pioneer, educator and anti-slavery author, noted for piety and longstanding ministry.

Francis Alison, D.D.

Francis Alison, D.D. ⬩ 1858

Biography of Francis Alison (1705–1779), Irish‑born Presbyterian minister and educator who founded academies, engaged in the Old Side–New Side controversy, and was noted for piety and charity.

An “Old Side” Plea for Reunion (1758)

Francis Alison, D.D. ⬩ 1869

A sermon urging Presbyterian ministers to pursue peace and reunion, calling Christians to "keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4). Advocates humility, forbearance, and charity.

Suffer Them to Come Unto Me

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1879

Wendell Phillips

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1884

Colored Men as Professors in Colored Institutions

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1885

Calls for hiring qualified Black professors in colored institutions to foster scholarship, ambition, and mutual respect. Condemns white trustees’ selfishness and caste prejudice.

The Defects of Our Ministry, and the Remedy

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1886

A critique of clergy shortcomings—deficient intelligence, character, and piety—and proposed remedies: raise educational standards, enforce stricter discipline, and prioritize holiness in ministers.

The Secret of Power in the Pulpit

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1887

Argues true pulpit power is spiritual—coming from the Holy Spirit; ministers need consecration and prayer to preach for conversion. Includes a poem depicting urban vice and penitence.

Introduction to D.A. Payne’s Recollections of Seventy Years

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1888

Memoirs of Bishop Daniel A. Payne, tracing his rise from slavery to AME leadership, advocacy for education (Wilberforce University), abolition, and international ministry.

It Is Drawing the Color Line

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1888

1888 editorial opposing plans for separate Presbyterian bodies for blacks and whites, calling such segregation a concession to prejudice and urging church unity and equality under Scripture.

Our Future as a People

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1890

The Anglo-American Pulpit and Southern Outrages

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1893

Poems on motherhood and nature; an essay proposing practical Christian union among denominations; an article urging the rich pay fair taxes; reflections on the unconscious mind.

A Passing Thought

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1895

Magazine issue of poems and essays covering Korean Christian ministers and foreign missions, women’s clubs and social reform, and an essay on rural versus urban life.

Memorial Sermon for Frederick Douglass (1895)

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1897

Eulogic sermon honoring Frederick Douglass. Praises his character, intellect, and journey from slavery to freedom, and urges pure, honorable leadership for the race.

Some Things That Lie Across the Pathway of Our Progress

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1897

1897 Hampton Conference report urging Black education, land ownership, agricultural and trade training, and a reformatory. Emphasizes unity, self-development, and practical measures for homes and work.

The Negro

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1898

Four sermons by Rev. Francis J. Grimke confronting post‑Reconstruction racial oppression, press and pulpit hostility, and Southern lawlessness; urging perseverance, prayer, and defense of Negro civil rights.

The Negro Will Never Acquiesce as Long as He Lives

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1898

Reports of racial unrest: the Sixth Virginia (Black) regiment arrested after protest over white officers; lynchings, murders and the Wilmington massacre highlight violent injustice.

Recommendations of the Committee on Religion and Ethics

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1899

Proceedings of the 1899 Hampton Negro Conference urging cooperative public-private education, manual training, temperance, moral home-training, practical preaching, and labor/business reform.

The Lynching of Negroes in the South

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1899

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