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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.

The New Oxford School: Or, Broad Church Liberalism

Surveys Anglican divisions—Low (evangelical), High (Tractarian/ritual), and Broad Church. Critiques Broad Church liberalism’s rationalizing spirit, skepticism about miracles, and de-emphasis of Scripture.

The Physical Training of Students

Review of Herbert Spencer’s Education arguing for balanced liberal education. Critiques his positivism and urges stronger physical training and attention to student health.

A Plea for High Education and Presbyterian Colleges

Examines prophecy’s role in upholding the covenant and pointing to Christ. Advocates rigorous Christian liberal education and strong Presbyterian colleges, emphasizing classical languages.

The Human Body as Related to Sanctification

Essay examining the relation of the human body to sanctification, critiquing ritualism and rationalism, and analyzing body, soul, and spirit from philosophy and Scripture.

The Nature and Effects of Money

Reviews Chinese ethical philosophy and presents a political-economy essay on money—division of labour, why gold and silver serve as money, coinage, and money as measure of value.

Hopkins’s Moral Science

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 Manner of Preaching

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ecce Homo

A critique of Ecce Homo arguing the book reduces Christianity to moralism and social organization, neglecting essential doctrines of Christ. Warns of Socinian/rationalist tendencies and faulty exegesis.

McCosh on J.S. Mill and Fundamental Truth

Review of James McCosh’s critique of J.S. Mill and modern rationalism, defending common-sense realism and a priori truths against sensationalist, relativist, and nihilist doctrines.

Showing 4,921–4,940 of 11,608 items

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