Digital Commons Network^™

Why Cardinal O'Connell Is Wrong! [Three Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

A long essay responding to a talk by Cardinal O'Connell of Boston. Unfortunately, we are unable to identify which talk Earl Davis is responding to. The piece is Davis' most complete argument against authority religion and in favor of democracy and freedom in religious considerations. He discusses previous failures in "infallible" religion, including Coperincus/Galileo, Darwin, and the morality of earning interest. He states that we will never outgrow religion, but we will outgrow certain religious institutions -- including, in Davis' view, all authority religions.

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each …

The Bible As Literature [Three Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

Earl Davis surveys the Old Testament and discusses several kinds of literature to be found there. Including: Primative (Song of Deborah, Judges V; Song of Moses, Exodus 15); Folk legends or myths (Moses and the burning bush, Exodus 3:1-6; Jacob's Vision at Bethel, Genesis 28); Wisdom literature, proverbs (Folk song of good husbandry, Proverbs 27:23-27); Minor Prophets (The smiting prophet, Amos 8:4-14; The prophet of disciplined love, Hosea, 14); Poetry of Exile (Psalms 42,43,61,63,137-best); Psalms of Ascent; 120-134; Great Prophecy (Israel's destiny, Isaiah 52:13, 53:12); Lyric Poetry (Song of Songs); The Book of Job -- one of the great literary …

The Relation Of Public Schools To Life, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This manuscript is very likely a public high school commencement address. Earl Davis discusses three serious issues he finds with public education. (1) The tend to crush the child's innate desire for adventure, a desire Davis sees as seminal to the achievements of history. (2) They do not support a child's interest in doing real work -- because real factories are too dangerous and inhuman, and this undermines the emerging adults appreciation for labor. (3) They do not support the healthy idealism that young adults can bring to clean up the messes of their elders. Through all of this, there …

'Church Fairs And Suppers, Graft And Blackmail, Says Minister', Pittsfield Newspaper Article, Pittsfield Newspaper

Manuscripts

A report of Davis' unhappiness with Church fairs and suppers as fundraisers (for his salary). His issue was that they did not treat people according to need, claiming it was quite the opposite, particularly for the women who organized them. To help fight this, Davis gave up a significant portion of his salary.

Heaven, Hell, Or Earth, Mary E. Donnell

Manuscripts

Since my first days in the Cradle Roll Department of Sunday School, the merits of the bad place against the good place have been impounded upon my mind. In my childish fancy heaven represented a place where everyone wore water wings, balanced embroidery hoops on their heads, and sat all day on cloud tufts eating water melons. This connotation was no doubt derived from the picture Green Pastures. One of my first thoughts about heaven was that it would be very boring with everyone so good. I" had never heard of night in heaven and wondered if the angels …

Mutual Aid A Factor In Evolution, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

Davis writes in response to a New York Times article, "One Million Americans Learn to Get Along Without Money" from March 12, 1933. Davis writes that "these energetic unemployed, under grim necessity, have discovered ways of meeting needs and helping one another in trying times...The story is thrilling. It may prove to be one of those by-products of history that becomes constructively important."

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off …

Final Report Of The Commission On Free Publications Of The American Unitarian Association, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

Earl Davis chaired this Commission that made recommendations concerning materials that the American Unitarian Association made available free of charge to various audiences.

Also included here is a letter from Elizabeth Spalding who provided administrative assistance to the Commission.

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.

Abigail Adams Makes A Suggestion & Brooks Adams Asks A Question, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

Several versions of this manuscript survive. The first simply titled, “Abigail the Feminist,” includes material about Abigail Adams (1744-1818) and her early feminist arguments with her husband John Adams. It follows developments to the 1930s. It does not include, however, the material about her descendant, Brooks Adams (1848-1927), which is in the second and third versions, titled “Abigail Adams Makes a Suggestion & Brooks Adams Asks a Question.” All three start with an anecdote about the history of the estate of Albert E. Pillsbury (1849-1930). We have all three versions of this manuscript available for download. The primary download is …

The Results Of Protestantism, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

An essay on where we have come with the Reformation after four hundred years. Davis writes that The Catholic Church has gone to Papal infallibility and that Protestant churches are struggling with facts -- of science and history. Yet Davis states that he has "faith that there are permanent values in human life and that courageous fidelity to those values has its root in the nature of things."

No direct evidence has been found indicating the intended purpose or audience for this essay. This sentence in the text—“I am sure that you never conduct a service or preach a sermon …

Report To The Second Congregational Society, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

A brief report to what is essentially a Board of Trustees. Notes eighteen funeral services, six weddings, three births, two hundred calls, forty days at conferences, five hundred and sixty-four letters, and more. Davis then notes a historical/philosophical observation and challenge. He observes that the "materialistic philosophy" that has reigned ascendant for a century and supported orthodox religion is waning. He states: "I throw that out as a direct challenge to you who are the custodians of the tradition of the forward looking liberal wing of the Puritan tradition. Back of all the statistics, back of all the day by …

The Significance Of Labor Strikes From The Point Of View Of Evolution Of Religion [Regarding The 1918 Pittsfield General Electric Strike] [Three Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

Many of the manuscripts that came in the trunk of Earl C. Davis’ writings were “singles,” held together with a push-pin or sometimes a loop of string. In some cases, manuscripts were collected together in a group, as with the four manuscripts presented under this heading.

Written shortly after the start of the 1918 Pittsfield General Electric strike, Davis considers "the labor problem" and puts it into context with the Industrial Revolution's development as well as the gap between owners and workers in new labor environments. Davis was deeply involved in this strike, appointed by the War Labor Board to …

Review Of The Book 'God Of The New Age' By Eugene William Lyman [Four Fasteners Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

In some cases, Earl Davis bound together manuscripts in bundles. This manuscript is part of one such bundle of seven, held together by four brass fasteners. Six of the seven can be dated to 1918.

A short book review of a book by Eugene William Lyman called God of the New Age. Earl Davis is sharply critical of the book because it fails to recognize how history has moved forward in its conceptions of Jesus and of God.

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary …

The Dream Of A Christmas Shopper [Three Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

Many of the manuscripts that came in the trunk of Earl C. Davis’ writings were “singles,” held together with a push-pin or sometimes a loop of string. In some cases, manuscripts were collected together in a group, as with the four manuscripts presented under this heading.

A dream of a socialist utopia where the workers own the means of production.

The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing. Transcription by Davis Baird.

Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.

Socialism: A Reply To The Common Assertion That The Socialist Movement Is Atheistic, Irreligious, And A Menace To The Family, Earl Clement Davis, Pittsfield Socialist Local

Manuscripts

This 16-page pamphlet, published by the Pittsfield Socialist Local, lays out Earl Davis's case for the socialism, rebutting the common myths and fears surrounding its supposed threat to religion. Davis's interest in and support of socialism makes its way into his sermons, his writing, and his involvement with workers rights during his time in Pittsfield, MA.

Marriage And Divorce [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What About City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

The Churches And Socialism [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911.

This is a long piece (and one of the essential ones in this collection), covering a lot of ground with fairly "sharp edges." There are three major sections, (1) on churches as institutions, (2) on the role of churches with current social problems, (3) the relation of churches to socialism. Earl Davis finds himself on the "revolutionary" end of this spectrum. He writes, "it is a fight between those, who by means …

Churches For Truth And Justice [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

The Work Of A Church Today [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound bundle. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

The Class Struggle [Twine Bound Bundle), Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound bundle. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts, including this one here.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible …

Social Ideal Of The Modern World, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

Socialism, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

These notes were found in Earl Davis' writing desk in a folder titled "Agitator". The Agitator was a short-lived radical, socialist leaning newspaper published between 1910 and 1912. These are mostly likely notes that Davis took from one of their articles. The notes lay out the specific program of Socialism and its accomplishments to date (1910). A lot of the early text is identical to the The Constructive Program of Socialism (1908) by Carl D. Thompson, then city clerk in Milwaukee's Socialist administration.

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item …

What About City Government, Pipe And Pen Club [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound bundle. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

This particular manuscript has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these …

Robert Louis Stevenson, The Writer And The Man [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

The Significance Of Count Tolstoi [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

Edgar Allan Poe [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

Address At The Lincoln Celebration; Held Under The Auspices Of The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

In this address, Davis lauds Lincoln for his acts and fundamental integrity, but emphasizes the amount of work that remains with both Race and labor. He writes that integrity, being a truth-seeker, and taking responsibility are necessary.

This is an incomplete copy of this address; one page is missing. It is also unclear exactly which church this event was held at.

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and …

Report To The Unity Workers, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is from the third bound collection that includes sermons from 1908, along with a couple of reports, such as this one. So, while not explicitly dated, it is very likely from 1908.

A report to the people who work at the Unity Church and/or volunteer to support Church operations. Opens by thanking them for stopping certain work, almost certainly referencing Earl Davis putting a stop to the running of church fairs and suppers as a means to support the church and its minister. Tells the workers of support provided by outside (see "Report to the Parish" for …

Lincoln Steffens To Speak At Colonial Theatre, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

A short piece encouraging people to attend the YMCA sponsored talk by Lincoln Steffens at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. Davis makes reference to Steffens work exposing corruption in municipal government. Steffens was an American investigative journalist and a leading "muckraker" of the Progressive Era. While there is no explicit date for this manuscript, Steffens did give a talk in Pittsfield in 1908.

The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.

The Social Unrest [Twine Bound Bundle], Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or …

Report To The Parish, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

This is from the third bound collection that includes sermons from 1908, along with a couple of reports, such as this one. So, while not explicitly dated, it is very likely from 1908.

A report to the members of the Unity Church that includes the good news that the church will receive support from "four of the largest and most efficient Unitarian churches" to help continue the idealistic work of the Unity church. Davis talks about the responsibility and aims of this work.

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item …