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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Outpouring of the Spirit Under the Gospel

Sermon (1840) asserting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is central to the Gospel era—predicted by the prophets, promised by Christ, and realized in Pentecost and revivals.

Baxter Dickinson ⬩ 1840

History of the ‘True Doctrine’

Reviews Spain's decline under monarchs and the Inquisition and calls for evangelization; praises Colorado's mountain beauty; warns liquor excise law faces repeal.

Baxter Dickinson ⬩ 1869

“HIstory of the True Doctrines”

Account of the Auburn Declaration (1837): Baxter Dickinson's draft 'True Doctrines' was made public via Dr. Duffield's protest. Discusses questions of authorship and seminary archival custody.

Baxter Dickinson ⬩ 1898

Consolation

An essay arguing that Christian faith alone provides true consolation in suffering: by trusting God's providence, trials refine believers and yield eternal good.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1854

God’s Rest, Our Rest

Defends the doctrine of the Trinity against objections, urging heart renewal to receive it. Then expounds 'God's rest'—the Sabbath of creation and believers' rest in Christ (Heb. 3–4).

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1855

Life Out of Death

Argues the early Fathers' witness to the Trinity and expounds Christ's atoning death as a victory of life through death, applying it to conversion, suffering, and sanctification.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1856

Our Problem

Articles argue for strict Christian Sabbath observance and debate church duties toward African Americans, criticizing the 'separate' system and urging mixed, covenantal church polity.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1857

Hazel: Or, Know Thyself

Sermon-like biography of Hazael: his rise, treachery, and Elisha's rebuke. Urges self-knowledge, repentance, and warns against ingratitude toward Christ.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1857

The Knowledge of God, as Obtained from Scripture and from Nature

Essay argues Scripture and nature give converging but imperfect knowledge of God; scientific limits (instruments, language, concepts) make natural theology provisional.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1860

Lessons About Salvation: A Second Series of Plantation Sermons

1860 Plantation Sermons urging masters to instruct enslaved people in Christian worship. Practical guidance for Sabbath services, singing, prayer, and evangelistic pastoral care.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1860

Hymn-Book Making

Urges ministerial candidates to engage personally in foreign missions and analyzes hymn-book revision, defining proper hymn subjects, limits, and the Psalms' role in worship.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1862

Life and Times of Bertrand Du Guesclin: A History of the Fourteenth Century

An 1866 review contrasts Puritanism and Presbyterianism and reviews Life and Times of Bertrand du Guesclin, lamenting medieval war atrocities and warning against sensuous, outward religion.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1866

Life and Times of Dr. Spring

Southern Presbyterian Review rebuts Dr. Spring's Northern charges about slavery and secession, defends Southern motives, and appeals to providence, patience, and Christian submission.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1866

Upham’s Interior Life, and the Doctrine of Holiness

Critical review of Upham's Interior Life, opposing its claim of entire sanctification attainable in this life and defending progressive, unfinished sanctification based on Scripture.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1867

The Reign of Law

Argues that God's providence and the 'reign of law' are compatible, exploring relations between natural law and the supernatural and defending divine governance over creation.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1870

The Temptation in the Desert: Lessons from Christ’s Conflict and Victory

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1872

Lecky’s History of European Morals

Review of debates on science and Scripture: assesses whether modern physical science or naturalistic explanations (e.g. Lecky) undermine revelation, arguing for Christianity's divine basis.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1874

God and the Bible

Southern Presbyterian Review rebuts Bledsoe and Matthew Arnold, defending the reality of biblical miracles, a personal God, and the resurrection against skeptical criticism.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1876

A Step in Advance

1877 Presbyterian essays on church history and missions argue postwar ministry to African Americans should be organized like foreign missions: separate, self-governing churches led by native pastors.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1877

The Light: Is It Waning?

1879 prize essay asks if Christianity's 'light' is waning. Reviews past triumphs, diagnoses moral and church decline, and urges renewed conviction in Christ's lordship.

Andrew Flinn Dickson ⬩ 1879

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