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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The Office of Deacon

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1848

Reflection on ten years after the 1838 Presbyterian disruption and a treatise urging revival of the deaconship (including deaconesses), clarifying deacons’ duties and distinction from elders.

A Pattern of Mercy and Holiness, Exhibited in the Conversion and Subsequent Character of Col. William Yeadon

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1849

A sermon on Christ’s sovereign mercy transforming sinners, using Paul as a pattern and celebrating Col. William Yeadon’s late conversion and holy death.

Parochial Schools

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1849

Argues the church’s duty to provide parochial education. Following Christ’s commission (Matt. 28), the church must teach and disciple all ages, especially school-age youth.

The Principle of Secrecy

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1849

An essay on Port-Royal and Jansenism. Main piece argues secrecy is morally neutral—its use makes it good or evil—and warns secret societies undermine republican openness and trust.

Introduction to E.P. Rogers’ The Doctrine of Election Stated, Defended, and Applied

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1850

Introduction defending the doctrine of Election and divine sovereignty, distinguishing election from reprobation, and urging candid, prayerful study of predestination.

Secret Societies

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1850

1850 critique arguing secret societies oppose open Christianity, foster corruption and social harm. It defends public revelation and church openness as protective of morals.

The Canaanitish Woman

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1850

Reflection on the Canaanite woman’s persistent faith (Matt. 15; Mark 7), her motherhood, and how her story illustrates Gentile inclusion in the gospel and lessons in prayer.

The Primitive Revelation of a Divine and Incarnate Saviour, Traced in the History and Rites of Bacchus

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1850

Two essays: one critiques competing Church–State theories and urges revived evangelistic zeal; the other traces pagan myths (notably Bacchus) as corrupted preservations of primitive revelation pointing to Christ.

The Unity of the Human Races Proved to Be the Doctrine of Scripture, Reason, and Science

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1851

Endorsements for Thomas Smyth’s ‘On the Unity of the Human Races,’ praising its scholarly defense of humanity’s single origin and the harmony of science with Scripture.

Solace for Bereaved Parents: Or, Infants Die to Live

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1852

Pastoral guide offering consolation to bereaved parents; argues for the salvation of infants from a Calvinist, historical perspective and includes prose and poetry.

The Church Awakened to Her Duty and Her Danger

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1853

An 1853 sermon calling the Church to urgent duty in foreign missions — prayer, giving, and active evangelism. Appeals to Romans 10 and the Great Commission to press worldwide outreach.

The Necessity and Importance of Controversy

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1853

The Province of Reason, Especially in Matters of Religion

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1853

Argues reason has limits in matters of religion and must be tested by special revelation; critiques Deists and Unitarians and defends Scripture and experimental faith.

On the Trinity

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1854

Report on Presbytery plans to organize separate congregations and instruct colored people. A theological defense of the Trinity, arguing revelation supersedes human reason.

The Bible and Not Reason, the Only Certain and Authoritative Source of Our Knowledge, Even of the Existence of God

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1854

Argues Scripture, not human reason, is the only certain, infallible source for knowing God; prophetic and miraculous attestation and ongoing revelation vindicate the Bible.

The Doctrine of the Trinity, Practical and Fundamental

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1854

Argues the Trinity is a practical, fundamental doctrine essential to true worship and salvation; refutes Unitarian/Arian errors and appeals to Scripture as final authority.

Christians

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1855

Objections to the Doctrine of the Trinity from the Unity of God, as Taught in Scripture, Answered

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1855

Defends the doctrine of the Trinity against objections based on the unity of God in Scripture. Argues ‘one’ denotes unity of essence, not a solitary person.

On Elohim as a Title of God, and as Implying a Plurality in the Godhead

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1855

Argues for Christ’s full divinity and rebukes denials. Demonstrates that the Hebrew title ‘Elohim’ (a plural form) and scriptural language support plurality in the Godhead (Trinity).

Presumptive Arguments for the Doctrine of the Trinity

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1855

Defends the doctrine of the Trinity, arguing it is more clearly revealed in the New Testament but rooted in ancient, widespread traditions and early revelation across nations.

Showing 5,621–5,640 of 11,604 items

Archives

The Office of Deacon

A Pattern of Mercy and Holiness, Exhibited in the Conversion and Subsequent Character of Col. William Yeadon

Parochial Schools

The Principle of Secrecy

Introduction to E.P. Rogers’ The Doctrine of Election Stated, Defended, and Applied

Secret Societies

The Canaanitish Woman

The Primitive Revelation of a Divine and Incarnate Saviour, Traced in the History and Rites of Bacchus

The Unity of the Human Races Proved to Be the Doctrine of Scripture, Reason, and Science

Solace for Bereaved Parents: Or, Infants Die to Live

The Church Awakened to Her Duty and Her Danger

The Necessity and Importance of Controversy

The Province of Reason, Especially in Matters of Religion

On the Trinity

The Bible and Not Reason, the Only Certain and Authoritative Source of Our Knowledge, Even of the Existence of God

The Doctrine of the Trinity, Practical and Fundamental

Christians

Objections to the Doctrine of the Trinity from the Unity of God, as Taught in Scripture, Answered

On Elohim as a Title of God, and as Implying a Plurality in the Godhead

Presumptive Arguments for the Doctrine of the Trinity

Confessional Intelligence

AI Response

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