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.
The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 1
Introduction to the 1818 Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, stating an evangelical Presbyterian stance: Scripture authority, doctrines (depravity, regeneration, justification), and brotherly forbearance.
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A Sermon to Young Women
This sermon exhorts young women to cultivate genuine Christian piety and godly character, emphasizing the profound influence their faith, conduct, and example can have upon their families, society, and the church.
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Essay on Baptism
1819 essay defending infant baptism and baptism by pouring/sprinkling, arguing from apostolic practice, Scripture, and the Fathers while urging temperate, charitable inquiry.
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Origin of Presbyterianism in Virginia
Memoir of Rev. James Blair and a narrative of the origin of Presbyterianism in Virginia: four men began private Sabbath meetings, formed reading-houses, and adopted a Scotch Confession.
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Sermon to Young Women
Treats circumcision as the seal of God’s covenant (Genesis 17) and exhorts young women to modest dress, good works, and intellectual improvement and proper education.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2 Index
Index of a Presbyterian periodical listing articles on theology, missions, education, synods, reviews, obituaries, statistics and errata. Serves as a topical table of contents.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 1 [January 1819]
Fragments on church history: Julian’s anti‑Christian measures and the case for Christian learning. Also an exposition of Paul’s defense before Agrippa (acts-26), citing prophecy and Christ’s sufferings.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 10 [October 1819]
Argues Sunday visiting profanes the Sabbath and should cease; presents prophetic fulfillment (Isaiah 53, Daniel 9, Deut. 18) as evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 11
An address urging fervent prayer, practical sacrifice, and active labor to hasten God’s kingdom—highlighting gospel truth, righteousness, peace, and missions.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 12 [December 1819]
Samuel Davies’ letters recount evangelistic work among enslaved Virginians: conversions and baptisms, hunger for Bibles and psalmody, and urgent pastoral exhortations about salvation.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 2 [February 1819]
Defends the reasonableness of submitting the understanding to Scripture, arguing Christianity is a religion of verifiable facts. Faith complements, not degrades, intellectual inquiry.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 3 [March 1819]
Exposition of God’s promises to Abraham: temporal (posterity, land, deliverance) and spiritual (covenantal relationship, seed/Christ, typology). Argues the promises include believers and point to Christ.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 4 [April 1819]
Argues that circumcision is the sign and seal of God’s covenant with Abraham, signifying inward spiritual renewal, the righteousness of faith, and its typological fulfillment in Christ.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 5 [May 1819]
Essay argues Christ is the exalted head of the Church, present with believers, and continually interceding as mediator to secure salvation. Scriptural proofs are offered.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 6 [June 1819]
Elderly clergyman’s paternal exhortation urging steadiness in Reformed doctrine, practical holiness, and the union of faith with works. Warns against novelties and skepticism.
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The Virginia Evangelical and Literary Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 7 [July 1819]
Early 19th-century essay calling slavery America’s great political evil; urges colonization and religious education for slaves, arguing literacy won’t spur insurrection.
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