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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Jethro Rumple, D.D.

Biographical and historical sketches from the Presbyterian Encyclopedia (1884), profiling ministers, colleges, and denominational life across northern and southern assemblies. Includes pastoral records and church history.

Alfred Nevin, Gorham Dummer Abbott ⬩ 1884

Louisville: The Gateway City to the South

Illustrated 1900 account of Louisville: its setting at the Falls of the Ohio, founding by pioneers (Boone, Clark), river and steamboat history, and civic and cultural development.

Lucien Voorhees Rule ⬩ 1900

The Shrine of Love and Other Poems

A 1898 collection of lyric poems by Lucien V. Rule exploring love, heartbreak, devotion, and hope through romantic imagery. Includes dedications and reflective lyrics.

Lucien Voorhees Rule ⬩ 1898

A Report on Washington Territory

1889 survey of Washington Territory covering geography, climate, soils, forests, agriculture, coal, iron, minerals, cities and the prospects along the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1889

Rev. W.H. Ruffner

Biographical sketches of notable Southern men, highlighting clergy and public educators. Profiles Ruffner's reform of Virginia public schools and Bermudez's scholarly travels and honors.

1880

Congress and the Education of the People

Argues for federal aid to public education funded by public-land proceeds, denounces land monopolies and political resistance, and urges popular support for reform.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1880

The Public Free School System: Dr. Dabney Answered by Mr. Ruffner

Defense of Virginia's public free school system (1876). Argues education bolsters the economy, aids public-debt repayment, and rebuts fears about educating Black citizens.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1876

April 5, 1876 Letter to the Rev. R.L. Dabney

Devotional poem on submitting one's will to God; report urging Presbyterian presbyteries to implement Systematic Beneficence; and a literary analysis of the Song of Deborah (Judges 5).

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1876

Congregational Temporalities

Advocates a systematic 'ecclesiastical economy': congregations must manage temporal affairs as part of spiritual life, practicing stewardship, prudence and moral discipline rather than civil coercion.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1868

The Oath: A Sermon on the Nature and Obligation of the Oath, With Special Reference to the Oath of Allegiance, Delivered …, March 27th, 1864

1864 sermon arguing oaths are solemn covenants with God, lawful and necessary for civil government. It outlines proper use, limits (impossibility, immorality), and duty despite duress.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1864

Charity and the Clergy: Being a Review, by a Protestant Clergyman, of the “New Themes” Controversy

Lay critique of mid-19th-century Protestant clergy and religious press arguing creeds, seminaries, and the pulpit lack charity; calls urgent reform to restore authentic Christianity.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1853

Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity

1850–51 University of Virginia lectures on the evidences of Christianity, treating revelation, miracles, prophecy, Scripture’s authority, harmony with science, and moral effects.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1853

Africa’s Redemption: A Discourse on African Colonization in Its Missionary Aspects, and in Its Relation to Slavery and Abolition

1852 sermon urging Christian colonization and missions in Africa (esp. Liberia) to suppress the slave trade, evangelize Africans, and promote civilization and uplift.

William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1852

Early History of Washington College

Early history of Washington College (now Washington & Lee): Liberty Hall Academy, Presbyterian settlements, land grants, and institutional struggles in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

Henry Ruffner, William Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1890

Union Speech; Delivered at Kanawha Salines, V.A., on the Fourth of July, 1856

1856 Fourth of July oration by Henry Ruffner praising U.S. growth under the Constitution—population, territory, industry and commerce—and defending national union and prosperity.

Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1856

Miracles, Considered as an Evidence of Christianity

Lecture arguing miracles are external signs of God's intervention and necessary evidence for Christianity. It defines miracles, sets criteria for credible proof, and rejects false wonders.

Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1853

The Fathers of the Desert; or, An Account of the Origin and Practice of Monkery, Vol. 2

A nineteenth-century collection chronicling the origins and practices of early monasticism and Desert Fathers (St. Antony, Paul the Simple), their asceticism and reported miracles.

Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1850

The Fathers of the Desert; or, An Account of the Origin and Practice of Monkery, Vol. 1

Study tracing the origins and practice of monachism, comparing Hindu, Buddhist, Persian and Jewish ascetic principles with early Christian monasticism and Fathers' legends.

Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1850

Address to the People of West Virginia; Shewing That Slavery Is Injurious to the Public Welfare, and That It May Be Gradually Abolished …

Henry Ruffner's 1847 Address urges gradual removal of slavery from West Virginia to promote public welfare and political strength, rejecting Northern abolitionist tactics.

Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1847

Literary Recreations

Issue of Southern Literary Messenger (Sept 1840) featuring historical fiction 'Virginia Dare' on Roanoke, plus poems and essays on music, superstition, and the Bible's authority.

Henry Ruffner ⬩ 1840

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