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 Sin and the Curse; The Union, the True Source of Disunion, and Our Duty in the Present Crisis

1860 Charleston sermon: national sin has brought God’s curse; urges fasting, humiliation and prayer amid disunion, defends the Constitution and critiques perverted religion.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1860

Efficiency of Christian Principle (1853)

Sermon on Romans 6:13–14 urging believers, alive in Christ, to yield themselves and their members to God and refuse sin; obedience rooted in justification and union with Christ.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1861

The Battle of Fort Sumter: Its Mystery and Miracle, God’s Mastery and Mercy

June 13, 1861 sermon in Charleston treating the fall of Fort Sumter as evidence of God’s providence, defending the Southern cause and condemning Lincoln’s actions.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1861

The Trinity of the Godhead, the Doctrine of the Scriptures

Defends infant baptism’s relation to the church and presents a Scriptural case for the Trinity, rebutting Unitarian and rationalist objections.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1858

The Victory of Manassas Plains

An inaugural address and editorial from the Southern Presbyterian Review praising the Confederate victory at Manassas, urging church responsibility and evangelistic labor amid war.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1862

The Soldier’s Prayer Book

1863 Confederate soldier’s prayerbook offering social and private prayers for Sabbath, battle, victory, defeat, revival, rulers, the wounded, funerals, and peace—devotional aid for soldiers.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1863

The War of the South Vindicated

1863 editorial defending the Confederacy: argues the Southern war is self-defense, grounded in American revolutionary principles and divine providence to justify secession and slavery.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1863

The Character and Conditions of Liberty

1864 essay arguing civil government is God’s ordinance; justice and equality underpin liberty. Defends the Southern cause as righteous, citing Psalms, Daniel, and Romans 13.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1864

The Scriptural Doctrine of the Second Advent

Examines the Scriptural doctrine of Christ’s second advent as one final coming tied to the universal resurrection, judgment, and renewal of creation. Cites creeds and biblical proofs.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1866

The Scriptural and Divine Right for Using Mechanical as Well as Vocal Instruments in the Worship of God

Argues that mechanical instruments (harp, organ) have biblical and historical warrant in worship. Cites Genesis (Jubal) and Revelation’s harps to defend their use.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1868

Thomas Smyth

Biographical entries from The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review (1825–1868) profiling Presbyterian ministers, scholars, their writings, ministries, and missionary service.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1871

Rev. Thomas Smyth, D.D.

Argues Christian baptism was instituted by Christ only after His resurrection; John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, not Christian. Also includes a hymn on heaven and a note on close communion.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1873

In Memoriam: Thomas Smyth

Obituary and funeral eulogies for Rev. Thomas Smyth, longtime pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston (d. Aug 20, 1873). Accounts of his life, ministry, and funeral services.

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1874

The Christian Warrior Crowned

Memorial sermon for Rev. Thomas Smyth, D.D., honoring him as a Christian warrior and philosopher who ‘fought the good fight’ and finished his course. (Dec 14, 1873)

Thomas Smyth ⬩ 1874

The Glory of America

Timothy Alden Jr.’s 1801 centurys sermon (Portsmouth, NH) praises God’s providence in America’s founding, celebrates New England settlers’ sacrifices, and calls for national gratitude (Isaiah 35).

Timothy Alden, Jr. ⬩ 1801

A Valedictory Discourse, Delivered at the South Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Timothy Alden’s 1805 valedictory to South Church (Portsmouth): a pastoral farewell urging unity, peace, steadfast faith, charity, and heavenly-mindedness, with consolation for every age.

Timothy Alden, Jr. ⬩ 1805

An Account of the Several Religious Societies in Portsmouth, New-Hampshire

Account of Portsmouth’s early religious societies (1650s–1690s): church founding, covenants, ordination, discipline, and the persecution/imprisonment of Rev. Joshua Moody for nonconformity.

Timothy Alden, Jr. ⬩ 1808

Alden’s New-Jersey Register and United States’ Calendar, for the Year of Our Lord 1811

1811 New-Jersey Register and United States’ Calendar: an almanac and ephemeris with civil listings — governors, courts, legislature, militia returns, and county officials.

Timothy Alden, Jr. ⬩ 1811

A Collection of American Epitaphs and Inscriptions with Occasional Notes, Vol. 1

A collected volume (1812–1814) of American epitaphs and inscriptions compiled by Rev. Timothy Alden, with occasional biographical and historical notes on notable Americans and clergy.

Timothy Alden, Jr. ⬩ 1814

A Collection of American Epitaphs and Inscriptions with Occasional Notes, Vol. 2

Biographical memoir from Timothy Alden’s Collection of American Epitaphs on Rev. Jonathan French, recounting his piety, ministry, military service, and family with epitaph notes.