PCA HISTORICAL CENTER
Archives and Manuscript Repository for the Continuing Presbyterian Church


Thomas Dwight Witherspoon Papers

Manuscript Collection #083
Box #tba

Content Summary: Sermon manuscripts, 1858-1894

Span dates: 1859-1867 Size: 0.5 cu. ft.

Access: This collection is open to researchers.

Preferred citation:


Related Collections:

Administrative History:
Collection received on donation from the Rev. & Mrs. Dwight Linton, 18 March 2005. Transported to the PCA Historical Center by the Rev. Jim Pakala, following a meeting with Rev. Linton in Atlanta.
Arrangement and description by Wayne Sparkman.

Arrangement and Description:
Rev. Witherspoon typically provided a title and Scripture reference or references for each of these sermon note booklets.  For ease of reference, the Scripture text is listed first in the finding aid, with the title, where present, following.  Except where noted, all booklets consist of 8 lined pages folded and sewn to form 16 page booklets measuring 16cm. high x 10cm. wide.  Occasionally some booklets contain a total of only 12 pages, and are so noted.  Also, except where cited, all booklets are undated.  Lastly, more often than not the booklets were not filled, and so a comment is added in square brackets to indicate how many pages contain at least some writing.

witherspoon imageThe Rev. Thomas Dwight Witherspoon
[17 January 1836 - 3 November 1898]

Subject

Box

File

[Isaiah 40:8] – “Withering Grass, Part I” [pp. 2-13, 19, 21-22 of 24; insert: two pages, under the title “The Flower Fadeth”

   

[no text] – “Christ at the Door (fragmentary)” [pp. 3, 7-12 of 24]

   

[no text] – “No Probation After Death, I” [pp. 3, 5-7, 13-15]

   

[no text] – “No Probation After Death, II” [pp. 5-7]

   

[no text] – “Preaching to Spirits” [pp. 3-5, 8-9, 11]

   

[no text] – “Spirits in Prison” [pp. 3-13; title at top of page 3 is “Preaching to the Spirits in Prison”]

   

[no text] – “The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved” [pp. 3-7]

   

 “Address on the Bible”

   

“Guide” [pp. 5, 7-11, 13-14; “A Guide Necessary; A Guide Appointed; Submission Required; Character of the Guide; Warning for the New Year]

   

1 Corinthians 1:18 – “The Word of the Cross”

   

1 Corinthians 3:15 – “Wood, Hay, Stubble”

   

1 Corinthians 3:9 – “God’s Building”

   

1 Corinthians 7:14 – “Abiding with God” [pp. 3-9, 11]

   

1 John 5:14, 15 – “Assurance in Prayer” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 11, 13]

   

1 John 5:21 – “Idolatry [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15]

   

1 Kings 19:19 – “Series on Prophets V – Elisha, Prophet of the Jordan” [pp. 3 5-7, 9, 11-12]

   

1 Timothy-- – “Resurrection of Christ” [pp. 5-7, 9, 11, 13]

   

1 Timothy 6:12 – “The Good Confession”

   

2 Kings 19:28 – “Sennacherib’s Host”; undated

   

3 John 2 – “A New Year’s Wish” [pp. 3, 5-12, 15]

   

Acts 2:47 – “Added to the Church” [pp. 3-5, 7-11, 14]

   

Acts 20:31 – “The Span of 3 Years” [notes on pg. 3; notes on membership of congregation on pg. 7; all other pages blank; inserts: 1. List of names, note on church on reverse; 2. “Our Experiment” – “The only practicable method of City Evangelization…”

   

Acts 22:16 – “Why Tarrieth Thou?” [notes on pp. 3, 5, 7, 9 of 12 total]

   

Acts 23:11 – “At Rome Also” [pp. 3, 5-7, 9]

   

Acts 25:19 – “Jesus Alive Again” [pp. 3-7, 9, 11-13]

   

Acts 5:32 – “Witness of the Holy Spirit” [pp. 5, 7, 9]

   

Book of Job, I – Country and Age of Job”

   

Colossians 1:28 – “The Model Preacher” [pp. 3-7, 9-12]

   

Daniel 9:23 – “Answered Before Delivered” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13-14]

   

Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “With Thy Might” [pp. 5, 7, 11]

   

Ecclesiastes 9:7 – “White Garments” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 11; insert: further Scripture references and notes on garments, white, purple, etc.]

   

Ephesians 3:8 – “The Riches of Christ” [pp. 5-7, 9-13]

   

Ephesians 4:32 – “Forgiveness” [pp. 3-7, 9, 11, 13]

   

Ephesians 5:18 – “Wine and the Spirit” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11]

   

Galatians 1:16 – “Prompt Decision”

   

Galatians 2:20 – “Who Loved Me” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 13]

   

Galatians 6:2 – “One Another’s Burdens” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 11-15]

   

Genesis 28:16 – “Surprises in Worship” [pp. 9, 11 of 12]

   

[Genesis 32:24-32] – “Wrestling Jacob” [pp. 3-6, 11-14]

   

Hebrews 2:1 – “Drifting away from Salvation” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13; insert: Service outline, dated Oct. 6th, 1878, text – Ps. 51:17]

   

Hebrews 12:12 – “Prudent Hands, I” [pp. 3-13]

   

Hebrews 12:12 – “Prudent Hands, II” [pp. 5, 7-11, 13-15]

   

Hebrews 12:25 – “Salvation to the Uttermost” [pp. 3-7, 9, 11, 13-14]

   

Hosea 14:5-6 – “Christian Life & Growth” [pp. 3, 5-7, 9, 11-14]

   

Isaiah 32:2 – “The Shadow of the Rock” [pp. 3, 5; pg. 7 titled “Refuge, Refreshment, Rest” under the text of Isaiah 32:3, with notes following on pages 9-11]

   

John 11:40 – “Faith Seeing the Glory” [pp. 3-7, 9-11, 13, 15]

   

John 11:56 – “Christ in the Feast” [pp. 3-5, 7]

   

John 12:27 – “Soul Troubled” [pp. 3-5, 7-9; pp. 2 & 4 bear an embossed eagle in upper left corner, with banner labeled ‘Mt. Holly Paper Co.’]

   

John 13 – “Humility” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9]

   

John 20:27 – untitled

   

John 21:15 – “Feeding the Lambs” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11-14]

   

John 4:48 – “Watching for Signs”

   

Joshua 23:11 – “Love to God” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 11]

   

Jude 14 – “Enoch, The Old World Prophet” [pp. 3-6, 9-14]

   

Jude 20 – “Building Up Yourselves” [pp. 3, 9]

   

Judges 13:12 – “Ordering the Child” [pp. 3, 5-9, (page 11 torn out), 13-14]

   

Liturgy [pp. 3, 5-7; inserts: 1. Greek translation exercise numbered 65:14; 2. Greek translation exercise, numbered 67:15

   

Luke 8:41 – “At Jesus’ Feet” [pp. 3-7, 9, 11-13]

   

Luke 14:17 – “All things Ready” [pp. 3-9, 13]

   

Luke 17:17 – “The 10 and the 9” [pp. 2-5, 7, 9, 11-12]

   

Luke 22:32 – “Temptation (II)” [pp. 2-7, 9-12]

   

Mark 4: - “The Storm at Sea” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 11]

   

Mark 11:13 – “Nothing But Leaves”

   

Mark 9:14-29 – “Lunatic Child” [4 panel folded sheet inset in 4 page titled blank booklet; texts cited as Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-42; writing fills all four panels]

   

Matthew 11:29 – “The Yoke of Christ” [pp. 3, 5-7, 13, 15]

   

Matthew 12:20 – “A Bruised Reed” [pp. 3, 5-9, 11, 13-14]

   

Matthew 12:30 – “With or Against” [pp. 3-9]

   

Matthew 12:44 – “Return of the Unclean Spirit” [pp. 3, 5; insert: handwritten letter from
Robt. M. Dunlop; undated; 4 panels on one folded sheet of paper; appears to be incomplete]

   

Matthew 25:25 – “The awards of the Judgment” [pp. 3-7, 9, 11]

   

Matthew 26:10 – “A Good Work Wrought”

   

Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37-38 – “New Wine in Old Bottles”

   

Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34 – “Moved with Compassion”

   

Matthew 9:9 – “Matthew’s Conversion”

   

Notes and Thoughts on “Finished Work”

   

Notes on African Christian Writers

   

Notes on Greek words, booklet #1

   

Notes on Greek words, booklet #2

   

Notes on Greek words, booklet #3

   

Notes on the Testimony of Scripture

   

Numbers 24:17 – “Christ, The Star out of Jacob” [pp. 3, 5-7, 9, 11, 13-15; insert: scrap with four  hymns notated for service, one of which is struck out]

   

Proverbs 3:9 – “First Fruits for God” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9]

   

Proverbs 4:23 – “Keeping the Heart” [pp. 3-12 of 14]

   

Proverbs 6:22 – “A Good Confession” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9]

   

Psalm 4:8 – “Gladness in Heart”

   

Psalm 16:11 – “The Path of Life” [pp. 3, 5-7, 9-10,

   

Psalm 23:5 – “A Table Prepared” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13]

   

Psalm 40:3 – “The New Song” [pp. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15]

   

Psalm 51:17 – “Sacrifice of A Broken Spirit” [see entry at Hebrew 2:1 – insert in that booklet gives a date of 6 October 1878 for the delivery of the sermon on Psalm 51:17, along with the hymns and Scripture lessons for the service]

   

Psalm 56:3 – “Fear and Trust”

   

Psalm 95:6-7 – “Our Maker and Redeemer” [pp. 3, 5-7, 9, 11, 13-15]

   

Psalm 99:6 – “Men that called on God” [pp. 5-7, 9, 11-13; insert: Scripture references on Public Worship and Good Works, written on the back of a flyer for a service by Rev. John A. Broadus

   

Psalm 116: 12-13 – “The Cup of Salvation,” dated 13 December 1874

   

Psalm 118:19 – “The Gates of Righteousness” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11]

   

Psalm 124:7 – “Escaped out of the Snare” [pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11]

   

Retribution – Exegesis of aiwnioz.  Fathers & Later Greek Writers [pp. 2-9, 11-13]

   

Revelation 1:18 – “The Keys of Hell and Death” [pp. 3-7, 9-13, 15]

   

Revelation 3:7 – “The Key of David” [pp. 2-4, 15; embossed seal of Mt. Holly Paper Co.]

   

Revelation 3:8 – “The Open Door” [pp. 3-8; embossed seal of Mt. Holly Paper Co.]

   

[Revelation 21:22] – “No Temple” [pp. 3-5, 11, 13]

   

Revelation 22:17 – “The Triple Invitation” [pp. 3-5, 7, 9-10, 13-15]

   

Revelation 22:21 – “The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” [pp. 3, 5, 9, 11, 13]

   

Romans 10:9 – “The Lord – From Heaven & From the Grave” [notes on pp. 3-5, 7, 9, 11, 13-15]

   

Romans 13:12 – “The Coming Dawn” [pp. 5-7, 9-11 of 12]

   

Romans 13:14 – “Putting on Christ”

   

Romans 14:12 – “Personal Accountability”

   

Romans 7:9 – untitled

   

Studies in Job, “Satan among Sons of God” – Text: Job 1:6

   

Studies in Job, I – “The Patriarch of Prosperity”

   

Studies in Job, III – “Job in the hands of the Tempter”

   

Studies in Job, IV – “Defection of Job’s Wife”

   

Studies in Job, unnumbered, “Elihu”

   

Studies in Job, unnumbered, “The Voice out of the Whirlwind”

   

Studies in Job, unnumbered, “Zophar the Naamathite”

   

Studies in Job, VI – “Eliphaz the Temanite” – Text:  Job IV:2

   

Studies in Job, VII – “Bildad the Shuhite”

   

Studies in Job, XII – “Greatness of God Illustrated”

   

Studies in Job, XIII – “Wisdom of God Illustrated”

   

Topical Study – “The Cherubim” [pp. 3, 5, 7]

   

Travelogue Notes, 24 July 1873, Account of visit to Lucerne, Switzerland