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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Our Country’s Sin: A Sermon Preached to the Members and Families of the Nestorian Mission, at Oroomiah, Persia, July 3, 1853

Justin Perkins' 1853 sermon denounces American slavery as the nation's crowning sin and the chief barrier to spreading Christianity. He urges Christians to obey God's word over blind human influence.

Justin Perkins ⬩ 1853

Journal of a Tour from Oroomiah to Mosul, through the Koordish Mountains, and a Visit to the Ruins of Nineveh

Justin Perkins' 1849 travel journal from Uroomiah to Mosul: missionary observations of Kurdish villages, Nestorian communities, locust plagues, soda-springs, and visits to Nineveh ruins.

Justin Perkins ⬩ 1851

A Residence of Eight Years in Persia, Among the Nestorian Christians

Missionary journal (1843) by Justin Perkins recounting eight years in Persia among the Nestorian Christians, with observations on Muslims, travel, maps, and mission work.

Justin Perkins ⬩ 1843

A Sermon, Delivered to the Members of the Nestorian Mission, January 17, 1839, at the Funeral of Mrs. Judith S. Grant …

Memoir and letters of Mrs. Elizabeth B. Dwight, a missionary in Constantinople; recounts the 1837 plague, her death, missionary devotion, correspondence, and appeals to support foreign missions.

Justin Perkins ⬩ 1840

May 1849 Letter to Justin Perkins

Judith Grant Perkins ⬩ 1849

Life of Rev. Justin Perkins, D.D.: Pioneer Missionary to Persia

Concise biography of Rev. Justin Perkins, a pioneer American missionary to Persia, detailing his education, arduous journeys, ministry among the Nestorians, and contributions to Syriac literature and mission work.

Henry Martyn Perkins ⬩ 1887

March 24, 1862 Letter to Justin Perkins

Charlotte Bass Perkins ⬩ 1862

April 1842 Letter to Justin Perkins

Charlotte Bass Perkins ⬩ 1842

August 1835 Letter to Justin Perkins

Charlotte Bass Perkins ⬩ 1835

James W.C. Pennington, D.D.

Biography of James W. C. Pennington: born into slavery, he escaped, self-educated, became a Presbyterian minister, scholar and abolitionist lecturer. His later life was marred by alcoholism.

James William Charles Pennington ⬩ 1887

The Position and Duties of the Colored People

Pennington recounts NYC's 1863 anti-Black riots, ties them to a 1740 persecution, and urges Black self-defense, organized labor, enlistment, and firm assertion of citizenship rights.

James William Charles Pennington ⬩ 1864

Speech Given in Montreal Refuting the Claim That Slaves Were Content in Bondage

Rev. J.W.C. Pennington, a former slave, condemned slavery’s abuses and saw the U.S. war as God’s judgment leading to emancipation. He likened intemperance to voluntary slavery and cited Paul.

James William Charles Pennington ⬩ 1862

A Petition

James William Charles Pennington ⬩ 1861

The Great Conflict Requires Great Faith

Abolitionist essays urging Christian duty and faith in God's providence to oppose slavery, calling for moral courage, trust in God, and imminent deliverance.