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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Hopkins’s Moral Science

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1863

Review of Mark Hopkins’ Lectures on Moral Science; critiques his shift from intrinsic right to a happiness-centered (utilitarian) ethic and defends moral excellence grounded in God’s nature.

The Children of the Covenant, and Their Part in the Lord

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1863

Defends infant baptism as a sign and seal of the covenant, urging churches to recognize and nurture baptized children’s covenant status — citing Joshua 22 as precedent.

The Manner of Preaching

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1863

1863 essay on preaching: argues that manner and delivery—clarity, natural emphasis, and varied style—crucially affect the Gospel’s power and warns against mannerism and affectation.

Witherspoon’s Theology

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1863

Essays on the Anglo‑American Sabbath and Dr. Witherspoon’s theology: the federal headship of Adam, original sin, human inability, and regeneration.

Shedd’s History of Christian Doctrine

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1864

Review of Shedd’s History of Christian Doctrine tracing doctrinal development, Constantine’s church-state union, and philosophy’s influence on Trinitarian and soteriology debates.

The Doctrinal Attitude of Old School Presbyterians

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1864

Studies Athanasius and the Arian controversy and outlines Old School Presbyterian doctrine, defending verbal inspiration, Scripture as the sole rule of faith, and limits of human reason.

The War and National Wealth

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1864

Analysis of the Civil War’s heavy drain on national wealth—public debt, inflation, scarcity, and unequal burdens—arguing that only stringent public economy can sustain the war and institutions.

Whedon and Hazard on the Will

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1864

Princeton Review (1864) surveys Baconian philosophy and the debate over freedom of the will. Reviews Fischer on Bacon and Whedon/Hazard’s responses to Edwards’ determinism.

Herbert Spencer’s Philosophy

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1865

Mid-19th-century review critiques Herbert Spencer’s philosophy, arguing the conservation/correlation of forces fosters materialism, pantheism, and atheism and threatens Christian theology.

The Late National Congregational Council

Lyman Hotchkiss Atwater, D.D., LL.D. ⬩ 1865

Analyzes explanations of Christ’s first miracle (Cana) and reviews the 1865 National Congregational Council’s decisions on polity, evangelization, missions, and ministerial training.