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 Evidence of Christian Experience: Being the Ely Lectures for 1890

Stearns surveys apologetic methods, tracing deism's decline and defending Christianity by reason, natural theology, and historical testimony to miracles.

Lewis French Stearns ⬩ 1899

Bedford Sesqui-Centennial Celebration, Aug. 27, 1879: Historical Discourse

Sesquicentennial historical address on Bedford's incorporation, New England town government, Puritan influence, and the town's duty to provide a house of worship and minister.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1879

Historical Review of the Church (New School Branch)

Review of the New School Presbyterian history (1837–1871): the Old School–New School split, institutional losses, home missions, constitutional changes, and efforts toward reunion.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1870

The Great Commission: A Sermon Before the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions …

A sermon on the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) stressing Christ's universal authority and the church's duty to make disciples by baptism, teaching, and organized ministry.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1870

Commemorative Discourse Delivered at Newburyport, Mass., … on the Centennial Anniversary of the Death of the Rev. George Whitefield, September 3rd, 1870

Commemorative 1870 discourse on George Whitefield, recounting his conversion, ordination, early struggles, Methodist ties, and pivotal role in the evangelical revival.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1870

Historical Sketch of the Reunion

Critiques Mill's definition of matter and surveys the Old/New School Presbyterian rupture, arguing separation was regrettable though sometimes necessary, and reunion a biblical imperative.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1869

Sermon at the Ordination of James S. Dennis

Ordination sermon for James S. Dennis to Syria, urging the Church’s duty to evangelize all nations and affirming Scripture, Church institutions, and prayer as sufficient means.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1868

A Funeral Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of the Late Adj’t Myron W. Smith

Funeral sermon for Adjutant Myron W. Smith (d.1864) on God's providence, the worth of youth, and the meaning of early death. Offers Christian consolation and honors patriotic sacrifice.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1864

The Cross a Remembrancer

Two sermons: the temporary hour of darkness and the cross as a remembrancer, teaching Christ's atonement, God's redeeming love, and the call to faith, repentance, and obedience.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1862

The Powers of Darkness Have Their Hour

Sermon: apparent triumphs of evil are permitted by God's providence to test and refine his cause; Christians must endure affliction as Christ did (Luke 22:53).

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1862

The Moral Aspects of the Present Struggle

An 1861 essay examining the moral stakes of the American Civil War—its causes, the Union's duty, and the need for principled, lawful resistance guided by Providence.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1861

President Willard’s Body of Divinity

Review of Samuel Willard's Body of Divinity (1726), assessing his life, ministry, and influence on New England Puritan theology. Summarizes his exposition of the Shorter Catechism and the chief end of man.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1860

Liberal Education a Necessity of the Church: A Discourse

Sermon (1859) arguing the Church needs liberal collegiate and theological education to form broad, well-trained leaders—like Moses and Paul—to serve the church and society.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1860

Men of Business: Their Intellectual Culture

An 1857 essay collection urging intellectual cultivation of the man of business. It argues commerce is central to civilization and must be guided by Christian moral and religious principles.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1857

First Church in Newark: Historical Discourses, Relating to the First Presbyterian Church in Newark

1853 historical discourses on First Church in Newark, tracing its colonial origins, ministers (Pierson, Macwhorter, Burr, Griffin), revivals, and ties to the town and College of New Jersey.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1853

A Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of Daniel Webster: Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church, Newark, New Jersey, … Oct. 31, and … Nov. 14, 1852

1852 funeral sermon on Daniel Webster. Rev. J.F. Stearns reflects on 'great men' as gifts from God, their influence on nations, and the civic and moral duties they imply.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1852

Justification by Faith: A Sermon Delivered Before the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Sermon defending Protestant forensic justification by faith (text: Romans 5:1–2), contrasting it with Roman Catholic and Anglo‑Catholic views and tracing Reformation origins.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1852

The Resurrection of the Just: A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of Rev. John E. Emerson, Pastor of the Whitefield Congregational Church in Newburyport

Funeral sermon affirming Christ's victory over death and the sure resurrection of the body. Offers consolation about the soul's interim state and final restoration.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1851

The Good Republican: A Discourse Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church , Newark , N.J. , on Thanksgiving Day , December 12th , 1850

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1851

Sermons and Charges, Delivered at the Installation of the Rev. George L. Prentiss

Sermon on the excellence of the Christian ministry: its spiritual sphere, proper means (truth, not politics or sensationalism), and the pastor's duty to form and care for souls.

Jonathan French Stearns ⬩ 1850

Showing 8,501–8,520 of 22,007 items

Archives

The Evidence of Christian Experience: Being the Ely Lectures for 1890

Bedford Sesqui-Centennial Celebration, Aug. 27, 1879: Historical Discourse

Historical Review of the Church (New School Branch)

The Great Commission: A Sermon Before the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions …

Commemorative Discourse Delivered at Newburyport, Mass., … on the Centennial Anniversary of the Death of the Rev. George Whitefield, September 3rd, 1870

Historical Sketch of the Reunion

Sermon at the Ordination of James S. Dennis

A Funeral Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of the Late Adj’t Myron W. Smith

The Cross a Remembrancer

The Powers of Darkness Have Their Hour

The Moral Aspects of the Present Struggle

President Willard’s Body of Divinity

Liberal Education a Necessity of the Church: A Discourse

Men of Business: Their Intellectual Culture

First Church in Newark: Historical Discourses, Relating to the First Presbyterian Church in Newark

A Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of Daniel Webster: Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church, Newark, New Jersey, … Oct. 31, and … Nov. 14, 1852

Justification by Faith: A Sermon Delivered Before the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The Resurrection of the Just: A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of Rev. John E. Emerson, Pastor of the Whitefield Congregational Church in Newburyport

The Good Republican: A Discourse Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church , Newark , N.J. , on Thanksgiving Day , December 12th , 1850

Sermons and Charges, Delivered at the Installation of the Rev. George L. Prentiss

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