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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An Address on Behalf of the Society for the Relief of Superannuated Ministers and the Indigent Families of Deceased Ministers of the Synod of South Carolina

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1858

1858 address urging the Church’s obligation to provide for superannuated ministers and indigent families, arguing from Levitical law and Christian duty of charity.

Narrative of the State of Religion

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1862

1862 minutes of the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States reporting on education, prayer for youth and soldiers, the war’s impact on congregations, revivals, and missions.

Our Ecclesiastical Relations to Freedmen

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1867

An 1867 Presbyterian report urges retaining freedmen within the Church to protect their spiritual welfare. It affirms racial unity in Christ while acknowledging civil equality and social difficulties.

The Past and Present Relations of Our Church to the Work of Foreign Missions

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1868

Dr. Girardeau’s 1868 address defends the Southern Presbyterian Church’s duty in foreign missions, reports activity to Brazil, China and the Choctaw, and urges prayer and financial support.

Confederate Memorial Day Address

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1871

Rev. John L. Girardeau’s 1871 Memorial Day address honors Confederate dead, defends their cause, and urges the South to preserve family, state, and church against ‘Radicalism’.

Ministerial Consecration and Ministerial Support

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1872

Calls for full ministerial consecration and support to prevent pastoral drift into secular work; outlines key duties: preaching, study, visitation, catechesis.

The Remembrance of the Righteous

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1874

Covenant of Grace Chart

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1876

Covenant of Works Chart

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1876

The Suffering Seaboard of South Carolina

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1876

1876 Southern Presbyterian essay on post‑war suffering along South Carolina’s seaboard, describing attachment to the land, wartime privations, and theological reflections on suffering and slavery.

Theology as a Science, Involving an Infinite Element

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1876

Inaugural address arguing theology is a science despite its ‘infinite’ subject. Examines the relation of faith and reason, confessional standards, and systematic knowledge of God.

The Philanthropic Argument for Foreign Missions

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1878

Argues that foreign missions are a divinely commanded duty: evangelisation is necessary for salvation, grounded in Christ’s commission and philanthropic aim of redemption.

Review of James McCosh, The Emotions

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1880

Critical reviews of Lecky’s History of European Morals, McCosh’s The Emotions, and Hitchcock’s Socialism—praising insight and style but noting methodological and theological shortcomings.

The Diaconate

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1879

A Presbyterian committee report examines the diaconate: its divine institution, perpetual character, non-preaching role, qualifications, election and ordination, and its relation to the presbyterate.

The Freedom of the Will in Its Theological Relations

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1878

The Importance of the Office of Deacon

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1881

An 1881 Presbyterian Review essay defends the scriptural and practical importance of the office of deacon, emphasizing care for the poor and its role in church order and doctrine.

The Diaconate Again

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1881

A Presbyterian review article debating church polity and the diaconate: whether presbyters include the office of deacon, the scriptural meaning of ‘deacon’, and proper church order.

Addendum to George Howe, History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. 2

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1883

Preface and addendum to Volume II of George Howe’s History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, outlining the project’s scope, church expansion, and a brief biography and death of Dr. Howe.

Eulogy on Professor George Howe, D.D., LL.D. (1883)

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1884

Eulogy for Prof. George Howe, D.D., long-serving professor at Columbia Theological Seminary, recounting his life, ministry, teaching, character, and legacy.

Rev. David H. Porter, D.D.

John Lafayette Girardeau ⬩ 1884

Memorial volume (1884) of the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S.C., containing biographical sketches of graduates and ministers, recounting pastoral service, chaplaincy, and deaths.

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