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 New-Jersey Preacher
Collection (1813) of plain, practical sermons by New Jersey ministers urging faith, holiness, and pastoral duty. Subjects include worship, affliction, repentance, and the Christian life.
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Memoirs of the Rev. Robert Finley, D.D.
Memoir of Rev. Robert Finley, D.D., Presbyterian pastor and Franklin College president, covering his ministry, educational reform, revival activity, and colonization advocacy.
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Biography of the Rev. Robert Finley, D.D., of Basking Ridge, N.J.
Biography of Rev. Robert Finley, D.D., covering his life, ministry, role in founding the American Colonization Society, and a history of the slave trade with notes on Liberia.
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A Sermon, Preached at Freehold, Nov. 25, 1824, on the Death of the Rev. John Woodhull, D.D.
Funeral sermon (Rev. 2:10) urging ministers to 'be faithful unto death.' Defines ministerial qualifications — piety, natural talents, and competent biblical learning.
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A Historical Vindication of the Abrogation of the Plan of Union by the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
Defense of the Old-School Presbyterian reforms, vindicating the 1837 abrogation of the Plan of Union. Argues the Assembly acted to preserve doctrine and church order.
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Slavery Irreconcilable with Christianity and Sound Reason: Or, An Anti-Slavery Argument
1858 anti-slavery treatise arguing slavery contradicts Christianity and natural rights, refuting pro-slavery theological claims and appealing to conscience, liberty, and Scripture.
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White Diamonds Better Than “Black Diamonds”; Slave States Impoverished by Slave Labor
Isaac V. Brown (1860) argues slavery is irreconcilable with Christianity, analyzing human nature, conscience, and scripture, and contends slave labor impoverishes slave states.
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Charge to the Professor [J.J. Janeway], and Address to the Audience
Discusses duties of theological professors and seminaries in defending and propagating the Gospel, stressing ministerial formation, evangelical doctrine, and Christian education.
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The Dignity and Duties of the Ministry
Affirms the high dignity and societal and eternal importance of the Christian ministry. Urges ministers to pursue cultivated learning and fervent, exemplary piety.
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February 13, 1808 Letter
Recollections of Rev. John McElhenney detailing his 1808 missionary journey through Greenbrier and early Presbyterian labors. Includes a preserved letter of introduction.
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Rev. George A. Baxter, D.D.
Memorial tributes celebrate Rev. George A. Baxter's piety and ministry. A vivid 1822 revival communion at Strickler's Gap depicts his stirring preaching and its powerful effect.
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Musical Instruments and Their Homes
1888 catalog with 266 detailed drawings and descriptions of Mrs. J. Crosby Brown's worldwide musical-instrument collection, plus essays on the music and instruments of non-European peoples.
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Christ the Vitalizing Principle of Christian Theology: An Address Delivered upon the Occasion of the Inauguration as Roosevelt Professor of Systematic Theology
Inaugural address (1898) by W. A. Brown stressing the seminary's mission to form preaching ministers: personal holiness and pastoral formation over mere scholarship.
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Past Made Present: The First Fifty Years of the First Presbyterian Church … of Beloit, Wisconsin, and a History of Presbyterianism in Our State
Illustrated semi-centennial history of the First Presbyterian Church, Beloit, and Presbyterianism in Wisconsin to 1900, with biographies, church life, societies, and wartime record.
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Review of Samuel Bayard’s Letters on the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Review of the Lord’s Supper: its original simplicity, Reformed/Presbyterian practice, and a critique of later additions (altars, withholding the cup, extended preparatory and thanksgiving services).
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Calvin’s Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper
Analyzes Calvin’s doctrine of the Lord’s Supper, affirming a real spiritual communion with Christ in the sacrament and refuting transubstantiation and consubstantiation.
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Reply to Professor Tayler Lewis’ Review of Rev. Henry J. Van Dyke’s Sermon on Biblical Slavery
1861 reply by J. Holmes Agnew critiquing defenses of American slavery; examines biblical texts, contrasts patriarchal servitude with modern ownership, and disputes Lewis’s exegesis.
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Showing 16,841–16,860 of 22,006 items