Popular Objections to Christianity
Lecture defending Christianity against Deism and contemporary infidelity, arguing many objections arise from misunderstanding natural religion, reason's limits, and moral bias.
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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.
Popular Objections to Christianity
The Bible; A Book for the World: An Address Delivered Before the Cadets’ Bible Society of the Virginia Military Institute, May 1st, 1849
1849 address praising the Bible’s history, preservation, and authority. Affirms creation, human sin 'by one man', and Christ’s atoning death and resurrection; urges Bible dissemination.
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Washington College, Lexington, VA
Memorial tributes to Rev. George A. Baxter, recounting his long presidency at Washington College, scholarly ministry, Presbyterian influence, and the college's alumni impact.
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The Exclusive Claims of Prelacy, Stated and Refuted
B.M. Smith refutes prelatical claims that salvation depends on episcopal ordination and rites, defending Presbyterian polity and the sufficiency of the gospel.
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A Tribute to the Memory of Our Ancestors: A Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of Gen’ll Robert Porterfield, Delivered June 4, 1843
Funeral sermon (1843) urging remembrance of ancestors and Revolutionary virtues. Exhorts honor of Providence, patriotism, Christian principles, and emulation of forebears.
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Anecdote of the Messrs. Lacy and Turner
John Bunyan’s Confession of Faith: an orthodox statement affirming the Trinity, Christ’s deity and incarnation, his atoning work, resurrection of the dead, and final judgment.
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Importance and Ends of Doctrinal Knowledge and Preaching
1838 Presbyterian journal: pastoral letters reflecting on death, consolation, and practical piety; followed by a legal essay detailing constitutional requirements for a valid General Assembly.
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The Use of Wine in the Bible
Report of Rev. Lyman Beecher’s 1835 heresy trial over his teaching of 'natural ability' to obey the gospel. Debate engages the Confession of Faith, moral inability, regeneration, and authorities.
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Sources of Infidelity: A Baccalaureate Discourse, Delivered at Dartmouth College, June 25, 1876
Baccalaureate sermon diagnosing sources of infidelity—early associations, stumbling at mystery, and false independence—and urging faithful home influence and humble acceptance of divine revelation.
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Prayer as a Power: A Baccalaureate Discourse, Delivered at Dartmouth College, June 22, 1873
Baccalaureate sermon presenting prayer as a real power with God and men—effective when offered in faith, according to God's promises, providence, and the use of means.
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Christian Magnanimity: A Baccalaureate Discourse, Delivered at Dartmouth College, July 14, 1867
Asa D. Smith's baccalaureate sermon, "Christian Magnanimity," calls Christians to aspiration, public spirit, and large-hearted character as essential to duty, usefulness, and national progress.
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An Address Delivered at the Inauguration of the Author as President of Dartmouth College, November 18, 1863
Inaugural address by Asa D. Smith emphasizing the college's central role in forming character and professions. Family, school, state, and church together shape education and civic virtue.
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Christian Stewardship: A Farewell Sermon Delivered in the Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church, New York, Sabbath Morning, November 15, 1863
Farewell sermon on Christian stewardship: all believers—and especially ministers—are God's stewards, accountable to use gifts, goods, and opportunities for Him and to give an account.
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Duty Of Repentance
Sermon on the duty of repentance: true repentance involves conviction of sin, heartfelt abhorrence, and practical forsaking, leading to turning to Christ for salvation.
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The Puritan Character: An Address Delivered Before the New England Society of the City of Montreal, December 23, 1857
1857 address praising the Puritan character: individual conscience, private judgment, and religious liberty as the roots of civil freedom and New England society.
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A Discourse on the Life and Character of Rev. Charles Hall, D.D., Delivered in the City of New York, Sabbath Evening, January 1, 1854
Commemorative sermon (Jan 1854) by Asa D. Smith honoring Rev. Charles Hall. Using Matthew 6:22, it praises single‑hearted devotion to God, personal piety, and lifelong Christian influence.
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An Address, Delivered at a Re-Union of the Sons of Weston, July 4, 1853
Account of the July 4, 1853 reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Weston, Vermont, detailing committees, Sabbath services, procession, addresses (Orator Rev. Asa D. Smith), music and civic festivities.
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Personal Piety as Related to the Missionary Work: A Sermon Delivered Before the Foreign Missionary Society, of New-York and Brooklyn, April 4 and 11, 1852
Sermon urging that deep personal piety is the vital source and driving power of missionary work, warning against reliance on mere sympathy or aesthetic sentiment. (Psalm 51:13)
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The Guileless Israelite: A Sermon on Occasion of the Death of Mr. Joseph Brewster, Delivered …, June 29, 1851
1851 funeral sermon praising Joseph Brewster as a 'guileless Israelite,' highlighting his sincere piety, Puritan lineage, and his mother's catechetical influence as a Christian exemplar.
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