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The Missionary Spirit, Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

On the 100th anniversary of the Haystack Prayer meeting in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Davis sets out to explain the origin of Christianity's missionary efforts. He traces Christianity's intellectual/administrative sources to Jewish tradition, Greek philosophy, and Roman government. The sermon feels unfinished, and there is a note confirming this. However, it is noted as being preached on Oct 14, 1906.

Date refers to Date Given.

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 …

Choosing The Noble Life [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. However, this one was marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

Davis reflects on how one could paint a dark picture of the world and its problems, but that it would be false because of each person's ability to choose the noble life. He states that "we, who can discover the laws of nature, we, who can feel …

Religion In A Democracy, Earl Clement Davis

Manuscripts

In this manuscript, Davis argues for a evolving church -- and church doctrine -- that is in step with evolving science and evolving social systems of shared government. He traces other kinds of church governance and doctrine to the times of their formation.

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.

The Relation Of Religion To Health [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

A discussion prompted by the rise of multiple religious-like approaches to physical and mental health, These include Christian Science, Faith cure, and others. Features a lovely metaphor regarding a mule (Calvinism) and a cow (optimistic theism) "joined together dragging behind them the plow which …

The Rejected Corner Stone [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

A discussion of the sins of self-indulgence and where they lead -- loneliness. Davis suggests we turn away ourselves and instead focus on others, with an aim to serve. He uses Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" as an analogy for the …

Temptation [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

This sermon is a discussion of the temptations of Jesus and their meaning for modern life (see Matthew 4:4-9). Jesus met and conquered these temptations because he heard God in him; he was doing God's work with God, perfecting the uncompleted world.

The …

Broken Ideals And Discourages Worshippers [String-Bound Collection], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

This sermon is a sustained attack against idolatry, including that involving Jesus and the Church. Davis sates that the way to truth is by focusing on ideals not idols.

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

Broken Idols And Discouraged Worshippers, Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

In this sermon, Davis advocates against idolatry, including idolatry involving Jesus and the Church. He states that the point is to discover what the "real value" of the thing / thought / object / etc. This applies money as well as art. Davis suggests that the way to truth is by focusing on ideals and not idols.

Date refers to Date Given.

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 …

Abraham Lincoln And The Needs Of The Time, Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

A discussion of the key human characteristics of Abraham Lincoln that led to his greatness. These include honesty, integrity, and an understanding of humans. He emphasizes the needs for people to inhabit these qualities in order to solve the problems with Democracy today.

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.

The Finality Of Christianity [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

Included in the string-bound collection of sermons were two versions of “The Finality of the Christian Religion”. Both are inspired by Professor George Burman Foster’s 1906 book of the same title. What we have called “Version 1” reads more like a book review. Davis …

Take Time To Live [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

In this sermon, Davis rejects fond looks to the past (Thomas Carlyle) and future (Edward Bellamy) and urges us to live in the present. To live best is to emphasize one's unique -- and divine -- personality. He expresses concerns about the homogenizing effects …

Jesus, The Lover Of Human Nature [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

According to the opening, this is the second in a series of sermons on the 'Religion of Jesus and its Relation to the Religious Ideals of Today. The first focused on Jesus' appreciation -- and learning from -- nature. This focuses on Jesus' appreciation …

From Smoke To Pen [String-Bound Sermons], Earl Clement Davis

Sermons, 1905-1919

This is one of nine sermons Earl Davis kept together in a string-bound collection. All but one are undated. The dated one comes with an envelope marked April 1, 1906. The other eight sermons were gathered together and hand-written on similar paper. Therefore, it is reasonable to date all of them from 1906, probably Spring 1906.

In this sermon, Davis takes the elusiveness in trying to turn smoke (thought) to pen (writing) and uses it as an exercise. He tells his audience to "excuse personal idiosyncrasies as they present themselves, in the name of good fellowship. By the aid of …