Northern and Southern Views of the Province of the Church
Analyzes Northern and Southern Presbyterian responses to the Civil War, focusing on church–state relations, ecclesiastical authority, and slavery.
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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.
Northern and Southern Views of the Province of the Church
The Northern General Assembly (O.S.) of 1866
Presents practical benefits of infant baptism and critiques the 1866 Northern General Assembly for church–state entanglement, pro‑slavery decisions, and ecclesiastical overreach.
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The General Assembly [of 1866] at Memphis
Report on the 1866–67 General Assembly at Memphis: church relations to freedmen and a major revision of the Form of Government and Book of Discipline.
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The Future of the Freedmen
Critiques theatrical revival methods and documents the freedmen’s dire post‑emancipation plight—poverty, disease, religious decline, and the rise of untrained or political teachers.
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The Reviewer Reviewed
1868 Southern Presbyterian review defends the centrality of Christ’s atonement, critiques Barnes on the foundation of faith and slavery, and debates right and wrong and Bible interpretation.
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A Denial of Divine Right for Organs in Public Worship
Critiques the claim of a "divine right" for organs in public worship, examining historical and scriptural arguments and defending congregational singing and Presbyterian order.
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Bannerman’s Church of Christ
Review of James Bannerman’s Church of Christ defending a divinely‑ordained Presbyterian polity, two orders of office‑bearers, and the church’s limits in worship and government.
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Editorial Comments on the Preceding Article
Editorial arguing for provision for ministers’ widows and orphans and defending revision of the Book of Church Order. Discusses parity of ruling and teaching elders and ordination practice.
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Some Thoughts and Some Facts Concerning Domestic Missions in Our Presbyteries
Defends Presbyterian government and the parity of elders, arguing presbyteries—not centralized boards or single leaders—should direct domestic missions. Recommends commissions and presbytery-appointed evangelists.
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The First and Highest Office in the Church
Analyzes secondary causes of the Reformation and argues the preacher/teaching elder is the first and highest office, detailing duties, apostolic roots, and pastoral demands.
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The General Assembly of 1871
Reports on the Reformation’s secondary causes and a detailed account of the 1871 General Assembly: moderator election, Book of Church Order revision, and a proposed university.
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The General Assembly of 1872
1872 Presbyterian General Assembly debated Bible reading, expository preaching, and whether to introduce optional liturgical forms and congregational responses in public worship.
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A Few Observations on the Foregoing Article
Debate on ministerial training and the nature of a ministerial call in Presbyterianism — ordinary means versus direct illumination by the Holy Spirit and church authentication.
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Letter to the Editors from Rev. John B. Adger
Reports on the French Protestant Synod and Reformation memories; letters defend Dr. Thornwell’s ecclesiastical views amid debates over church boards, slavery, and secession; notes on the U.S. General Assembly.
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Church Power
Sermon defending Presbyterian church government: doctrine is the Church’s life and discipline its nerve. Advocates representative authority (sessions, presbyteries, assemblies) over prelacy and independency.
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Modern Scepticism
Reviews of Bacon’s Genesis of New England Churches and Barker’s Modern Scepticism, examining church history, rising doubt, ministerial conflicts, and abolitionist influences.
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Ordination, with the Laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery
Examines New Testament ordination, the deacon’s office, and the presbytery’s imposition of hands as the biblical mode of setting officers apart and church government.
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The General Assembly [of 1875] at St. Louis
Report of the 1875 General Assembly at St. Louis: the moderator’s sermon urges evangelism and strict obedience to Scripture, rejecting discretionary innovations in doctrine, government, and worship.
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The Genesis of the New England Churches
Review of Leonard Bacon’s Genesis of the New England Churches, challenging his Congregationalist claim that early Christianity lacked order and defending church government.
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