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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Letter from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America to the Presbytery of Transylvania (1795)

Minutes of the 1795 General Assembly addressing slavery, urging forbearance and church unity amid differing views, commissioning frontier missionaries and promoting education.

David Rice ⬩ 1847

An “Old Side” Plea for Reunion (1758)

A sermon urging Presbyterian ministers to pursue peace and reunion, calling Christians to "keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4). Advocates humility, forbearance, and charity.

Francis Alison, D.D. ⬩ 1869

Suffer Them to Come Unto Me

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1879

Wendell Phillips

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1884

Colored Men as Professors in Colored Institutions

Calls for hiring qualified Black professors in colored institutions to foster scholarship, ambition, and mutual respect. Condemns white trustees’ selfishness and caste prejudice.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1885

The Defects of Our Ministry, and the Remedy

A critique of clergy shortcomings—deficient intelligence, character, and piety—and proposed remedies: raise educational standards, enforce stricter discipline, and prioritize holiness in ministers.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1886

The Secret of Power in the Pulpit

Argues true pulpit power is spiritual—coming from the Holy Spirit; ministers need consecration and prayer to preach for conversion. Includes a poem depicting urban vice and penitence.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1887

Introduction to D.A. Payne’s Recollections of Seventy Years

Memoirs of Bishop Daniel A. Payne, tracing his rise from slavery to AME leadership, advocacy for education (Wilberforce University), abolition, and international ministry.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1888

It Is Drawing the Color Line

1888 editorial opposing plans for separate Presbyterian bodies for blacks and whites, calling such segregation a concession to prejudice and urging church unity and equality under Scripture.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1888

Our Future as a People

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1890

The Anglo-American Pulpit and Southern Outrages

Poems on motherhood and nature; an essay proposing practical Christian union among denominations; an article urging the rich pay fair taxes; reflections on the unconscious mind.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1893

A Passing Thought

Magazine issue of poems and essays covering Korean Christian ministers and foreign missions, women’s clubs and social reform, and an essay on rural versus urban life.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1895

Memorial Sermon for Frederick Douglass (1895)

Eulogic sermon honoring Frederick Douglass. Praises his character, intellect, and journey from slavery to freedom, and urges pure, honorable leadership for the race.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1897

Some Things That Lie Across the Pathway of Our Progress

1897 Hampton Conference report urging Black education, land ownership, agricultural and trade training, and a reformatory. Emphasizes unity, self-development, and practical measures for homes and work.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1897

The Negro

Four sermons by Rev. Francis J. Grimke confronting post‑Reconstruction racial oppression, press and pulpit hostility, and Southern lawlessness; urging perseverance, prayer, and defense of Negro civil rights.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1898

The Negro Will Never Acquiesce as Long as He Lives

Reports of racial unrest: the Sixth Virginia (Black) regiment arrested after protest over white officers; lynchings, murders and the Wilmington massacre highlight violent injustice.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1898

Recommendations of the Committee on Religion and Ethics

Proceedings of the 1899 Hampton Negro Conference urging cooperative public-private education, manual training, temperance, moral home-training, practical preaching, and labor/business reform.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1899

The Lynching of Negroes in the South

Rev. Francis J. Grimké's 1899 sermons diagnose lynching as born of low civilization and racial hatred and urge legal remedy, prayer, and united civic action to protect Black citizens.

Francis James Grimké ⬩ 1899

The Inspiration of the Scriptures

Francis L. Patton's 1869 apologetic arguing for the Bible's plenary inspiration by appealing to historical credibility, archaeological confirmation, and refutation of rationalist objections.

Francis Landey Patton, Sr. ⬩ 1869

The Right of a Prosecutor to Appeal

Argues that a prosecuting Presbyterian minister has the right to appeal an acquittal. Appeals preserve church purity and follow ecclesiastical, not common-law, principles.

Francis Landey Patton, Sr. ⬩ 1875

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