Paul’s Preaching at Athens
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Analysis of Paul’s Areopagus sermon at Athens, contrasting pagan natural religion with Christian revelation and arguing for the gospel’s necessity and convicting power.
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.
Paul’s Preaching at Athens
The Rights and the Duties of Masters
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1850 Charleston sermon urging Christian instruction for enslaved people; outlines masters’ rights and duties and defends Southern slaveholding against abolitionist attacks (colossians 4:1).
Thoughts Suited to the Present Crisis
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Sermon on John C. Calhoun’s death that sees Divine Providence in the event, warns the nation of a grave crisis threatening the Union and religion, and urges sober counsel.
Thoughts Upon the Priesthood of Christ
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Argues that Christ’s mediation includes prophet, priest, and king, with a central, divinely appointed priesthood and sacrificial intercession essential to redemption. Draws on Romans and Hebrews.
Matthew XXII.29
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Argues for the plenary inspiration and divine authority of Scripture, citing Matthew 22:29 and Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees to rebut rationalist denials of revelation.
Report on Slavery
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1852 Southern Presbyterian Review argues the Church must follow Scripture and not condemn slavery where Scripture is silent. It defends master–slave relations as biblically regulated, not sinful.
Report on the Subject of Slavery, Presented to the Synod of South Carolina, at Their Sessions in Winnsborough, November 6, 1851
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J.H. Thornwell’s 1852 synod report defends slavery, arguing the Church must follow Scripture and not condemn slavery; he denounces abolitionist agitation as divisive.
Validity of Popish Baptism (1846)
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1851 Southern Presbyterian Review: urges a distinct Southern literature. Main essay argues Roman Catholic (Popish) baptism is invalid, examining matter, form, intention, and ministerial authority.
Letter to His Excellency Governor Manning on Public Instruction in South Carolina
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1853 letter to Gov. Manning urging reforms to South Carolina’s public instruction: defend liberal college education, enforce a compulsory curriculum, and cultivate disciplined study.
Paley’s Moral Philosophy
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Critical review of William Paley’s moral philosophy, challenging his utilitarian ‘expediency’ and reliance on future rewards as the basis of moral obligation.
Judgments, A Call to Repentance
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Sermon to the South Carolina legislature calling for public and personal repentance. Calamities are presented as divine judgments urging rulers and citizens to holiness and reform.
Memoir of Dr. Henry
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Essay on the theory of the beautiful and taste, followed by a memoir of Dr. Henry—scholar and educator—detailing his life, learning, and academic career.
Miracles
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Survey of 19th-century defenses of New Testament miracles against rationalist criticism, tracing Deist and German approaches that deny the supernatural and challenge Scripture’s authority.
Plato’s Phædon
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Review of Greek studies and Plato’s Phaedo, assessing translations and Schleiermacher’s arrangement, and examining Socrates’ arguments for the soul’s immortality.
Revelation and Inspiration
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Defense of the Reformers’ testimony to the Trinity and of Scripture’s divine inspiration. Argues that faith comes from God’s revealed Word, not private subjective intuition.
The Sacrifice of Christ, the Type and Model of Missionary Effort
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Thornwell expounds Christ’s voluntary sacrificial death and resurrection as the priestly atonement revealing divine glory. He presents this sacrifice as the paradigmatic model for missionary effort.
Miracles
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Survey of 19th-century debates on the reality and meaning of Christ’s miracles. Argues that miracles are essential to Scripture’s authority and to divine revelation.
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