Man, at His Best State, Vanity
Sprague’s sermon on Psalm 39:5 contends that even in his best state—birth, intellect, wealth, or station—man is vanity. Worldly honors are fragile, limited, and ultimately empty.
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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.
Man, at His Best State, Vanity
The Uses and Abuses of Money
Two 1848 sermons urging Christians to apply faith to daily business: practice discretion in worldly affairs and use wealth for good, not selfish indulgence.
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A Discourse Commemorative of the Late Hon. Ambrose Spencer, Late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New York
Eulogic sermon for Hon. Ambrose Spencer (2 Sam. 3:38) meditating on the death of great men, God’s sovereignty, human frailty, and the enduring influence of the departed.
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A Discourse Delivered on Sunday Evening, March 25, 1849
Funeral sermon reflecting on the character and destiny of ‘the good man’ (Acts 11:24). Affirms Christ as light, tenant, guardian and lord of the grave, giving assurance of resurrection.
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An Address Delivered at the Dedication of the Hinsdale Academy, January 11, 1849
1849 dedication address for Hinsdale Academy urging coeducation and rural schooling, highlighting New England virtues, national prospects, and the moral duty of education.
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An Address Delivered July 24, 1849, Before the United Literary Societies of Hamilton College
An 1849 Hamilton College address warning that the practical spirit of the age risks making educated men superficial or fanatical. It urges continual study and stewardship of intellectual gifts.
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August 9, 1849 Letter to Mr. J.C. Crumbaugh
Unintelligible, corrupted or garbled text—appears as random characters and symbols. Likely a damaged file or bad input; please resubmit readable content.
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Sermons by the Late Rev. James Richards, D.D.
A posthumous collection of Rev. James Richards’s sermons accompanied by an essay on his character. Covers God’s presence, providence, pilgrimage, pastoral ministry and missions.
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A Discourse Commemorative of the Rev. Samuel Miller
Eulogistic 1850 discourse honoring Rev. Samuel Miller, Princeton professor. Compares him to Elijah and praises his scholarship, piety, prayerful devotion, and benevolent service.
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A Discourse Delivered Before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Bowdoin College, September 5, 1850
Phi Beta Kappa discourse on the perpetuity of intellectual influence, arguing that great minds and their works (Homer, Demosthenes, Michelangelo, Luther) shape generations.
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A Discourse, Delivered September 3, 1850, Before the Porter Rhetorical Society, in the Theological Seminary at Andover
An 1850 Andover Seminary discourse surveying models of pulpit eloquence, tracing notable English and Scottish preachers and urging students to cultivate both composition and delivery.
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Hagar
A devotional reflection on Hagar’s wilderness anguish, maternal sorrow, and remorse, culminating in divine consolation—an angelic provision of water and a promise for Ishmael’s future.
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The Buckminsters, Father and Son
Survey of recent writings on the doctrine of the Trinity and an extended biographical sketch of Rev. Joseph Buckminster and his son, contrasting Puritan orthodoxy with Unitarian views.
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An Oration Pronounced Before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard University, July 17, 1851
1861 Harvard oration tracing the American mind’s origins—from Anglo-Saxon and Norman roots to Puritan influence, arguing religious liberty shaped national character and destiny.
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Everett’s Orations and Speeches
Reviews of Hawks’ The Monuments of Egypt and Everett’s Orations praise Egypt’s testimony to Scripture and Everett’s learned, moral, practical oratory, urging preservation of public writings.
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The Power of Christianity
A New Year’s sermon urging reflection on mortality and readiness for judgment. Affirms Christians’ power to labor, resist, and endure through Christ (Philippians 4).
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Women of the Old and New Testament (1849)
Collection of clergy essays profiling women of the Old and New Testament. This section examines the Virgin Mary—her Magnificat, motherhood, and later veneration.
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A Discourse Delivered by Request of the Executive Committee of the Board of Foreign Missions
A sermon on the posthumous influence of foreign missionaries: though dead, their labors live on in converts, colleagues, and the church, inspiring continued missionary zeal.
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The Golden Calf
Two sermons contrasting true saving religion with plausible counterfeits and condemning idolatry. They stress a right heart, covenant responsibility, Sinai’s law and the need of atonement.
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