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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Sinful Sadday: Son of a Cotton Mill: A Story of a Little Orphan Boy Who Lived to Triumph

A 1907 children's novel about Samuel “Little Pardner,” an orphaned cotton-mill boy who endures poverty, his father's death and a mill fire, finding refuge amid Christian charity and orphan care.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1907

The Law of the White Circle

Early-20th-century novel exploring Southern race conflict, riots and vigilante white circles. A sociological study urging thoughtful, critical engagement with the race problem.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1908

The Midnight Mummer, and Other Poems

A 1911 collection of Thornwell Jacobs' lyrical poems blending nature, devotional longing, and meditative prayer. Themes of midnight, dawn, mortality, and seeking God recur throughout.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1911

The Oglethorpe Story

Tribute and history of Oglethorpe University: recounts its founding, donors and Southern Presbyterian churches' generosity, campus prayer, and revival after Civil War loss.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1916

The Life of William Plumer Jacobs

Short biography of William Plumer Jacobs, showing his devout youth and lifelong dedication to ministry, founding Thornwell Orphanage and advancing Christian education and charity.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1918

“Who Is This That Cometh to Disturb My Rest?”

Commemorative poem and report (Oglethorpe Univ., Dec 1923) on opening James Oglethorpe's vault, celebrating Georgia's founding, cities, and his legacy.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1923

The Discovery of Gen. Oglethorpe’s Tomb

Discovery of Gen. James Oglethorpe’s tomb with a biographical sketch praising his founding of Georgia, Indian diplomacy, prohibition policy, anti-slavery stance, and civic vision.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1923

The New Science and the Old Religion

Thornwell Jacobs argues modern science and Christian faith can be harmonized, urging reinterpretation of Scripture to accommodate cosmic history, geology, and evolution.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1927

Diary of William Plumer Jacobs

Diary of William P. Jacobs chronicling his youth and college years: spiritual growth, prayer meetings, conversion, Scripture study (Hebrew, Psalms), debates, phonography, and call to ministry.

Wiliam Plumer Jacobs, Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1937

The Story of Christmas: Sun, Savior and Santa Claus

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1941

William Plumer Jacobs: Literary and Historical

Collected literary and biographical writings on William Plumer Jacobs (1842–1917), founder of Thornwell Orphanage and promoter of Presbyterian education, highlighting faith, prayer, and altruism.

Wiliam Plumer Jacobs, Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1942

Step Down, Dr. Jacobs: The Autobiography of an Autocrat

Thornwell Jacobs' autobiography recounts his upbringing in a Presbyterian orphanage, the founding of Oglethorpe University, and reflections on faith, providence, and memory.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1945

My People

Memoir of Thornwell Orphanage and the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, SC, told through deeds, diaries, family portraits and personal anecdotes. Details founders and local Presbyterian life.

Thornwell Jacobs ⬩ 1954

The History of the Presbyterian Church, Clinton, S.C.

History of the Clinton, S.C. Presbyterian Church (1758–1900): founding and growth, wartime hardships, postwar race tensions and evangelistic efforts, Sabbath-school and community development.

Wiliam Plumer Jacobs ⬩ 1901

The Story of Thornwell Orphanage, Clinton, South Carolina, 1875–1925

History of Thornwell Orphanage (1875–1925) in Clinton, SC: its founding and growth under Rev. William P. Jacobs, the Presbyterian campus, buildings, and ministry to children.

1924

Presbyterianism in Nashville: A Compilation of Historic Data

History of Presbyterianism in Nashville (1904 compilation). Chronicles early ministers, congregations, church buildings, revivals, Sabbath schools, and civic influence.

William States Jacobs ⬩ 1904

Roman Catholic and Protestant Bibles Compared: The Gould Prize Essays

Historical comparison of Roman Catholic and Protestant English Bible versions, focusing on Jerome's Vulgate, the Apocrypha, and councils that shaped the canon.

Melancthon Williams Jacobus, Jr. ⬩ 1908

A Commentary on the Gospel According to Mark

Melancthon Williams Jacobus, Jr. ⬩ 1915

Last Will and Testament

Excerpt from a Long Island history profiling 17th‑century minister Thomas James: his salary, work with Native Americans (an Indian catechism), family, will, and burial request.

Thomas James, Jr. ⬩ 1905

The Unevangelized Millions in India

Addresses urging urgent foreign evangelization in India and Korea, diagnosing poverty, caste, superstition and fatalism as barriers and calling for Christian education and missions now.

Caesar Augustus Rodney Janvier ⬩ 1902

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