The son of a tanner and part-time farmer, Eli Canfield was born in Arlington, Vermont in 1817. Though raised in that small rural community much like any other child, Canfield as a youth exhibited a strong and unusual interest in his own education. By attending a series of schools over a period of years and by supporting himself first as a farm laborer and later as a school teacher and principal, the young man provided himself with the rudiments of an education. Then, under the tutelage of the Rev. Herman Dyer, the religious educated and writer, Canfield's interest in religion greatly intensified.
In 1841, the 24-year-old Canfield entered the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. The location of the seminary, incidentally, proved important. During the three years he spent there preparing for the ministry, his views regarding the South came to reflect the friendships he established with his fellow seminarians. He never lost this sympathy although it proved to be a source of conflict within his own family. Canfield's mother, it seems, was an early and an outspoken Abolitionists at a time when such views were not thought of sympathetically, even in New England. As an adult, Canfield generally shared his mother's views on slavery, but he only reluctantly supported the Union in the Civil War.
After his ordination, the Reverend Canfield served as pastor of a parish in Ohio for five years. His stay in Ohio was followed by brief pastorates in Pennsylvania and New York City. Finally, in 1853, he became the first rector of Christ's Church in Brooklyn, New York. He remained there for 15 years, until 1868, when he retired to Arlington. He died there on his family farm in 1898.
As co-editor of the
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. These materials are stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Eli Hawley Canfield papers, Ms. 78.12, Brown University Library.
The Canfield papers consist of an appreciable volume of both correspondence and sermons. There are approximately 300 letters within the collection, being primarily letters Rev. Canfield wrote to his son, James Hulme Canfield, one-time president of the University of Ohio, later the University Librarian at Columbia, and the father of Dorothy Canfield Fisher, the novelist. These letters, with only occasional references to politics, religious affairs, or other individuals, relate largely to normal, common family problems and hopes. The sermons and related materials, however, represent an uncommon and valuable collection of research material at the primary source level. The 500 sermons, lectures and essays, dating from 1840 to 1870, amply illustrate the social, political, and religious thought of this one individual. As would be expected, the sermons are essentially religious in nature, but although Canfield exhibited a stronger interest in the spiritual aspects of life than the political and moral, he does comment frequently upon life. His comments upon the Civil War, the administration of Andrew Johnson and his various
The collection is arranged in 4 series:
This collection was donated to Brown University in 1967.
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
Folder 61 (Correspondence 1882-1883) contained 0 items when the collection was first processed and described in 1978. The empty folder has subsequently been discarded from the collection. Arrangement is chronological.
Two letters, dated 1859 Aug 10 and 1860 Jan 7, to Canfield from the Rev. Herman Dyer, the religious writer and educator, and Canfield's mentor, discussing general matters.
In an unsigned letter from Savannah, GA, dated 1861 Jan 11, a Southerner laments the lack of sympathy between the North and South. Four letters concerning religious matters, especially missionary service.
In three letters, dated July through August, to his mother and daughter, Martha "Mattie" Canfield, the Rev. Canfield casually discusses Switzerland, and briefly, the British Parliament. His son, in another letter, James Hulme Canfield offers an anecdote about Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and illustrates British attitudes towards the American Civil War.
In two letters to his son, Rev. Canfield offers congenial advice. Church matters.
In a long letter dated 1866 Feb 6, [Rev.?] Andrew Fisher describes the destitution of the Southern clergy, feeling "too poor to be proud," willingly accepts donations for his work. Seeks further support. Expresses his belief that the freedmen need to feed their families before they can be educated. A J.M. Barrister discusses (1866 Feb 15) white attitudes in Alabama towards the freedmen; stresses the need of work before education. Family matters. Canfield discusses his son's education.
In three letters to his son, Canfield is concerned with family matters.
In one of these six letters to his son, dated 17 May, Canfield briefly describes a convention in Cleveland of friends of the freedmen. Remainder, family matters.
In four letters to his son, Canfield writes of family matters.
In a series of five letters to his son, Canfield discusses family and parish news, and in one letter, dated 1867 Feb 8, supplies reasons for the potential greatness of the United States.
Family news and a father's advice to his son.
In another series of letters to his son, Canfield discusses his son's education, and is concerned with both family and church.
In these five letters to his son, Canfield discusses church affairs, family news, and a visit to Arlington, Vermont. A clergyman in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, requests funds for the building of a church.
Canfield expresses concern for his son's health.
In five letters to his son, Canfield discusses church news, and briefly mentions his work amongst the poor and unemployed.
General church and family matters.
Church and family news.
In a letter dated 1869 Jun 15, A.O. Canfield describes an overland journey to Iowa and the availability of government land around Algona. Church and family news.
Now living in Arlington, Canfield, in a series of letters to his son, spends greater time than ever in discussing family news.
General family correspondence.
In a letter to his son, Canfield expresses his displeasure with his son's engagement. General correspondence.
Canfield discusses a brawl in Arlington, asks his son to invest some money for friends. General family correspondence.
In several letters to his son, Canfield describes the effects of a severe winter storm, briefly mentions his work on his farm, and states that he has agreed to take charge of the church in Arlington for one year. Investments.
In reference to his son's approaching marriage, Canfield discusses the early days of his own marriage.
Family matters, investments.
Family matters, investments
General correspondence.
Family news: mother's sickness. Briefly discusses the financial panic in New York.
Family matters. Effects of financial panic on Arlington, Vermont.
Discusses Arlington Manufacturing Company. Personal finances. Discusses briefly changes in the structure of the Episcopal Church. General correspondence.
Episcopal Church letters.
Family matters.
Family matters.
General correspondence.
Mother's health.
Death of mother. General news.
Advice to his son, James. General correspondence.
General correspondence.
Investments. Advice to son.
General family matters.
Trip to Baltimore. Offers views on a career in education. General news.
In Florida--describes climate. Describes political nature of South Carolina. Exploring Florida.
In Tallahassee, Florida. Describes social conditions. Residents accept defeat in Civil War but are against black suffrage. Discusses local church squabbles. Returns to Vermont.
A trip to Chicago. General, concern over son's illness.
Investments. General family matters.
General correspondence.
Investments. Weather. Family matters.
General correspondence. In a letter to his son, dated 1877 Sep 25, Rev. Canfield encloses a copy of a letter he received from R.H. Bendell which is concerned with a notorious murder and divorce case in New Jersey.
Health. General views.
General correspondence.
In Philadelphia; health. Books to read. General information.
In Brooklyn, Rev. Canfield regrets not being able to undertake extensive parish work. speaks of the importance of friendship and the hardship of loneliness. General correspondence.
General correspondence.
General correspondence to Canfield's son.
Family health. Investments.
Rev. Canfield briefly discusses, in a letter dated 1879 Mar 17, the relations between capital and labor. Advises his son against buying a home on interest. Visits old parish in Brooklyn.
Canfield works to fill a contract for poles for the American Telegraph Company. Discusses prenatal influences and education as effects in the development of an individual.
Family assets, productivity of farm. Lack of snow hurting lumbering business.
Discusses Vermont politics, Republicans, Democrats and the Irish. General correspondence.
General correspondence.
Reminiscences of a meeting years earlier at which he discussed the annexation of Texas. Mentions that he was on board the steamer "Princeton" when the cannon the "Peacemaker" exploded.
Letters to his grandchildren, including Dorothy Canfield Fisher.
Letter to granddaughter.
Discusses the Rev. Henry Beecher Ward. Letters to granddaughter, discussing gathering of maple sap.
Discusses severe weather.
Letters to his grandchildren. Discusses personal finances and his farm.
In a letter dated 1896 Aug 28, William Dean Howells expresses his pleasure upon learning that Rev. Canfield enjoys his writing - apparently at one time the two individuals were friends.
General correspondence.
Includes receipt, quote and wedding invitation.
Concerning the death of the Rev. Canfield.
Photograph and negative of the Rev. Eli H. Canfield.
Arranged chronologically.
Titles: "The Gospel Hidden to the Lost;" Galatians III.24; Genesis XIX, 17th Verse; Ezekiel XX Ch., 44th Verse; and No. XXXI.
Contents: See titles. Canfield also discusses divine inspiration for the Bible. Law of obedience. Divine justice - Sodom and Gomorrah. A sermon of Thanksgiving. The church as the mystical body of Christ-faith.
Titles: Romans XII, 11th verse; "Justification by faith;" " God may reward the actions of men while he punishes their motives;" "Christian diligence;" "Good Friday;" "The Resurrection of Christ-Easter day;" "Special Providence;" and "Avarice."
Contents: See titles. Canfield also discusses the common practical duties of every Christian; absolute sovereignty of God-free will.
Titles: The Parables, No. 13; "The two sons;" The Parables, No. 15; "The Wedding Garment;" and "Spiritual Leprosy."
Contents: Authority of Christ; ministers of Christ as sentinels.
Titles: "The profession of religion;" "The religious instruction of children;" "God's forbearance abused;" "Godliness profitable to all things;" and "Christ the light of the world."
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "The duty of confessing Christ before men;" "Self-examination--the prayer of David;" "The Lord's side;" "Opportunity wasted;" "Sinners Redeemed;" "A call to the careless sleeper" and "Christianity--the foundation and protection of civil liberty--Thanksgiving 1846."
Contents: See titles. Piety, salvation, the Lord's law, the kingdom of God and sin.
Titles: "The unfruitful fig tree;" "Salvation free to all;" " Easter Sunday;" "Thanksgiving Sermon, 1847;" "A continuing city;" and "The sin of Adam."
Contents: See titles. The church as unfruitful, glad tidings, "The Bible does teach us the true philosophy of history"--America, a nation of God and greed.
Titles: "Necessity of repentance;" Lecture XIV, Col. III; Lecture XXXVII; "The Christian church--a light in the dark world" same; "The Christian men made all things to all men."
Contents: See titles. Practical Christian duties, salvation.
Titles: "And he not conformed to this world;" "The temptation of Christ;" "Emmauz;" "Easter Evening;" "The way, the truth and the life;" "Christ our peace: Good Friday" and "Easter Sunday-after."
Contents: See titles. Remarks also on lust, pride-reform of our nature and the resurrection of Christ.
Titles: "The new birth;" "Decision for God;" "The inward conflict;" "Regeneration;" "National fast, A.D. 1849;" and "The bruised reed."
Contents: See titles. Also, spiritual rebirth, struggle for the soul and nations, like individuals, must be righteous.
Titles: "Sermon to Children;" Luke XII.32; "Faith the antidote for fear;" "Insensibility to sin;" and "The joy of angels over a repenting sinner."
Contents: See titles. Also, repentance.
Titles: "On reconciliation;" "The strait gate;" "The Christian race;" "Guilty silence in the cause of Christ?;" and "Evidence of genuine faith."
Contents: See titles. Also, are only a few to be saved? Faith.
Titles: "The Prodigal Son;" "Rest on God;" "The government of the tongue;" "The way, the truth and the life;" "Another Gospel: No. 1;" "Another Gospel, No. 2;" and "Pure religion."
Contents: See titles. Unworthiness, faith vs. fatalism; morality, heresy, the practical duties of personal religion.
Titles: "The period of full revelation;" "Missions foreign;" "Doing good to the household of faith;" "1;" untitled; "2;" untitled; and "Spiritual conflict."
Contents: See titles. False beliefs, spreading of the gospel by the Protestant Episcopal Church--missionary efforts, duty of faith, last day of Christ, and the mortification of sin.
Titles: "Freedom;" "The importance of truth;" "Supreme love to Christ;" "The duty of believers to imitate God;" "God's ordinance rich and poor;" "The Am[erican] S[unday] S[chool] Union;" "The world and the soul contrasted, No. 1;" "The world and the soul contrasted, No. 2;" and "The Holy Catholic Church."
Titles: "The primitive Christian;" "Strong delusion;" "The parable of the tares;" and "The seal of God."
Contents: See titles. Also, Antioch-history of Christianity, disciples, apostasy, formalism and grace.
Titles: "All welcome to Christ;" "No neutrality in religion;" "The deceitfulness of the human heart;" "Barrabbas;" and "Our merciful high priest."
Contents: See titles. Also, God's mercy to man, universality of the Gospel, the Bible and Christian mercy.
Titles: "Parental obligations, No. 1;" "The dangers of a worldly spirit;" "Barrabbas;" Mark XV.34; John XIX.28; John XIX.30 and "The resurrection of the body."
Contents: See titles. Also, spiritual as well as temporal needs of children, crucifixion.
Titles: "Parental obligation, No. 2;" "Parental obligation, No. 3;" "The compassionate Saviour;" "The duty of children, No. 1;" "The duty of children, No. 2;" and the wicked men as opposed to sinners.
Contents: See titles. Also, Man's character and destiny, Children's duties to parent--obedience, wicked men as opposed to sinners.
Titles: "Spiritual emancipation;" "Present ignorance and future knowledge;" "Our own mind;" "God's judgement and mercies;" "Love to Christ;" "Commercial pressure a spiritual test;" and "The offence of the Gospel."
Contents: See titles. Also, slavery of the soul, the mysteries of Christ, Job, faith, practical goodliness, backsliders, commercial crises and religion.
Titles: "An important question;" "The salt of the earth;" "The light of the world;" "The pertinent tone of Satan;" "Seed time and harvest;" "The tests of the final judgement;" "Wise men warned against civil associations and unsound principles;" and "God's remedy for dying sinners."
Contents: Job-faithfulness, final judgement, submission, spiritual crises, discussion of the parables.
Titles: "Slander;" "Sermon to Children, 1855;" "Always rejoicing;" "Christ our example in prayer;" "Salvation for sinners;" "Eve's temptation, No. 1;" and "Eve's temptation, No. 3."
Contents: See titles. Also, false witness, conscience, the need for children to pay attention to sermons, the fear of the Lord, conformity to Christ and mercy and salvation.
Titles: "Eve's temptation, No. 4;" "Our Saviour's prayer;" Mar XVI, 6; "Christ dying for sin and living for our salvation;" "The love of God for souls;" and "The characteristics and duties of the times: A missionary sermon."
Contents: See titles. Also, the matter of the prayer.
Titles: "The need of the Spirit's influence;" "The danger of self-deception;" "Christ's Church;" "Scoffing at religion;" "The love of God for man as manifested in the Gospel;" and "Covetousness."
Contents: See titles. Also, man's depravity, and the founding of the Church.
Titles: "God's workmanship;" "Brotherly love;" "No separation of the believer from God's love;" "The Christian privileges;" and "The Gospel's power in exalting God and humbling man."
Contents: See titles. Also, the Pastoral Aid Society and the Corinthians.
Titles: "The slain Lamb beheld in heaven by the Redeemed;" "Christian tempers;" "Conformity to the world;" "David's prayer for divine scrutiny;" "David's prayer for divine scrutiny, No. 2;" "Idolatry, No. 1;" and "Idolatry, No. 2."
Contents: See titles. Also, predictions, happiness as holiness.
Titles: "The awful state of backsliders;" "The carnal mind;" "The trembling Christian encouraged;" "The preaching of the cross;" "Hearty Christianity, No. 1;" "Idolatry, No. 1;" and "Idolatry, No. 2."
Contents: See titles. Also, considers predestination, only one master, forgiveness, baptism and the Prophets.
Titles: "The moral government of God;" "The tenth commandment;" "Sunday Schools and S[unday] S[chool] Teachers;" "The moral benefit of earthly vicissitudes;" Ephesians III, 15th; "The two services;" and Lecture No. 2: untitled.
Contents: See titles. Also, sin of the heart, the family, the service of blood, the service of God; the Spirit of God.
Titles: "The unseen world, No. 4;" "The unseen world, No. 5;" "The unseen world, No. 7;" "The unseen world, No. 8;" "The unseen world, Evil Angels, No. 9;" "The unseen world, demoniac possessions, No. 11;" and "The unseen world, No. 12."
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "Work with thy might;" "Responsibilities of the heaven of the Gospel;" "The request of Dines for his five children;" "The woe of Chorzin and Bethsaida;" "Earnestness in religion;" and "A Christian."
Contents: See titles. Also, neglect of what should be done, immorality, the authenticities of the prophecies, the justice of God and self-examination and prayer.
Titles: "The temptation of Christ;" "A profession of religion;" Lecture 4; and "A Real Christian absolved from condemnation."
Contents: See titles. Also, concerned with "the secret intercourse of the soul with God," hypocrisy and concealment, the temptation of Christ and perfect obedience.
Titles: Hebrews II, 18; Passion Week Sermons "Passion week, No. 2;" "Passion week, No. 3;" "Passion week, No. 4;" "Good Friday;" "Temptation;" "Sermon to the Children, Easter 1857;" and "Christian prayers."
Contents: See titles. Also, consolation, temptation, compassion, hope and Calvary.
Titles: "The duty of living peaceably with our fellowmen;" "The first fruits of the Spirit;" "The Christian's confidence in Christ;" "The true tests of faith;" "Help in pressing trouble;" "Messiah the Mighty God;" and "Perseverance in religious duties enforced."
Contents: See titles. Resurrection, salvation, doctrine of the Trinity and the trials of Christian duty.
Titles: "Counsel to young men;" "The use and abuse of property;" "The history of Jonah set before the young;" "Early in Christ;" "Man's natural enmity to God;" and "Walking worthily of the Christian calling."
Contents: See titles. American youth, conduct, men of God - men of the vocation.
Titles: "The suffering of Christians;" "The remedy for the world's wickedness;" "The Christian prospect;" "The omniscience of God;" "The way, the truth and the life;" "The dry bones;" and "David and Goliath."
Contents: See titles. A doubt for the salvation of even the righteous, the condition of the Church, explains his belief that God will never forsake those who believe in Him.
Titles: "The love of God;" "The dry bones;" "Walking with wise men, No. 2;" "Christ's kingdom upon earth;" "Lost opportunities deplored;" and "The ordinance of the Lord's supper."
Contents: See titles. Also, duty and religion as a way of life.
Titles: "The day approaching;" "The degradation of ruin of intemperance;" "The compassion of our Father in heaven;" "A corrupt Church;" "The true kingdom of God;" and "The Israelites asking a king."
Contents: See titles. Also, discusses atonement, final judgement and peace.
Titles: "The ten lepers;" "The ten lepers;" "The equity and fullness of Redemption by Jesus Christ;" and Matthew 8, 12.
Contents: See titles. Also, the blessings of God and our ingratitude, miracles.
Titles: 2 Peter II.9; "The sinner's justification;" 3 Peter II, 9; "A peculiar people;" "A peculiar people, No. 3;" untitled; Zech. XIII, 1; Matthew XVII, 9:10; untitled; "Ruth an example to the young;" and "The resurrection."
Contents: See titles. Also deliveries from temptations, justification by faith, Christians as a peculiar people, Judas.
Titles: "A peculiar people, No. 4;" "Church music;" and "The Christian citizen, Thanksgiving, 1859."
Contents: See titles. Also, worldliness, sanctuary, relations and duties to civil government.
Titles: "The Mediator;" Lecture Matthew V 8; "Future rewards and punishments, 1;" "Future rewards and punishments, 2;" "The salvation of infants;" and "Conversion the work of God."
Contents: See titles. Also, the atonement of Christ, our conception of God, the pure heart, the day of Judgement and the Church.
Titles: Ephesians I.7; "Preparation to meet God;" "The crucifixion;" Luke XXIII.46; "The training of the young;" and "Love to Christ."
Contents: See titles. Also, redemption through Christ, and practical godliness.
Titles: "On marriage;" "The sacrifice of Christ;" "Christian perfection, No. 2;" "The unjust steward;" "The Church, No. 1;" "The last congregation;" "Marriage of the Sethites and Cainites;" and "Christ all and in all."
Contents: See titles. Also, infidelity, the importance of principles, Christ as a model for Christian perfection, diligence, Catholic unity, and the second advent of Christ.
Titles: "The offense of Christ;" "Lot's wife;" "The polity and doctrine of the P[rotestant] E[piscopal] Church, 1;" "[The polity and doctrine of the Protestant Episcopal Church], No. 2;" "Peculiarities of the Protestant Episcopal Church, No. 3;" "The Peculiarities of the Protestant Episcopal Church, No. 4" and "The Peculiarities of the Protestant Episcopal Church, No. 6."
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "The one sacrifice for sins;" "Hinderances to Christian progress;" "S[unday] S[chool] Anniversary address;" Lecture: Psalm LXIII, 7.8; "The opening of the Church;" and "The unbelief of the Nazarenes."
Contents: See titles. Also, with Christ, sin could be forgiven. Ninth anniversary of the Sunday school. A newly erected church.
Titles: "Sanctification through the truth;" "Lawfulness and expediency;" "The Church on earth and the Church in heaven;" "A day of National fasting;" "The Pharisees' righteousness;" "Thanksgiving sermon, 1861;" "The recovered demoniac" and "S[unday] S[chool] Anniversary, 1861."
Contents: See titles. Also, the necessity and manner of mortification, problems faced by converts, practical problems of Christianity, the dual nature of the church - temporal and spiritual, the meaning of history, our national experience, the Civil War and slavery, and "the work of the Devil."
Titles: "Meekness for heaven;" Lecture - no title; "Indecision;" "Quench not the Spirit;" and "Spiritual religion."
Contents: See titles. Also, preparation for eternity, the importance of praying, influence of the Holy Spirit, and the distinction between the visible and spiritual church.
Titles: "The epistle to Sardis;" "Christian grief over Transgressors;" "Encourage him;" "Gratitude for divine blessings: Thanksgiving, 1862;" and "Thanksgiving, 1862."
Contents: See titles. Also, backsliders, solicitude, the encouragement of the minister by the congregation, thanks for blessing without reference to national affairs, cause of the War and the praise of God.
Titles: "National Fast Day, 1863;" Lecture: untitled; "The valley of dry bones;" "Christ our example;" "Heaven, No. 1;" and Luke XVIII.13.
Contents: See titles. Also, patriotism, the Union and the War, the example of Paul, humility, prophecy, pride.
Titles: Lecture: no title; Lecture: John III.3; Lecture: Acts XV.9; Lecture: I Pct. 2.21; Lecture: Psalm 87.47; and Lecture: Matthew VI.12.
Contents: Discusses the struggle to be Christian, the hope of blessedness, purifying the heart by faith, following in the steps of Christ, Spiritual life and forgiveness.
Titles: Lecture: Psalm 119.32; "National Fasting, April 26, 1863;" "The brand plucked out of the fire;" and Lecture: Phil.III.12.
Contents: See titles. Also, holiness, consideration of duty in relation to a public fast and conversion of sinners.
Titles: "Nature and use of liberty;" "National preeminence: Thanksgiving day, 1863;" "Mutual influence and help;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 1;" and "Miracles: the first draught of fishes, No. 3."
Contents: See titles. Also, discusses slavery, patriotism, the United States.
Titles: "Christian unity;" "Unity in diversity;" "Stilling the tempest, No. 4;" "The Demoniac, No. 5;" "The miracles of our Lord: Demoniac, No. 6;" and "The miracles of our Lord: the raising of the daughter of Jairus, No. 7."
Contents: See titles. Also, expresses concern for and the method of attaining Christian unity, and with achieving unity with the Spirit.
Titles: "The miracles of our Lord, No. 8;" "The Lord's prayer, No. 8;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 9;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 10;" "A humbling confession;" and "Indecision."
Contents: See titles. Also, discusses the language of the Lord's prayer, self-examination, spiritual self-knowledge, the duty of professing Christ before men.
Titles: "The miracles of our Lord, No. 12;" "Miracles of our Lord, No. 14;" "Asleep in Jesus;" "Saul of Tarsus;" "Appearing before God;" and "Christianity, a system of power."
Contents: See titles. Concerned with death, economy of the Gospel, spiritual reality.
Titles: "The miracles of our Lord, No. 15;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 16;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 17;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 18;" "The miracles of our Lord, No. 19;" "Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, 1864;" and "Anxiety reproved."
Contents: See titles. Also concerned with the appreciation of history and the times of trouble.
Titles: "Our debt to Christ;" "Our duty to the heathen;" and "The gift of God received and ministered."
Contents: See titles. Also, Discussed the need for a more faithful discharge of our duties, the need for missionary work, salvation.
Titles: Lectures 20-31: "The miracles of our Lord: The Withered Hand.;"
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "The riches of God's goodness;" "Christians the light of the world;" "The President's death;" Heb. II, 11: "He is not ashamed to call them heathen;" "Sunday School work;" "Strength for social duty;" "Seasons of trial: times of preparation, No. 11;" and John XIV.6: "I am the way."
Contents: See titles. Also, Canfield expresses his interests in the goodness of God, discipleship, the death of President Lincoln, the South and the Confederacy, slavery, causes of the War, service to God, doing God's will, an "era of conflicting opinions," Romanism, and parents and children.
Titles: "Man's counsellor;" Ash Wednesday, Lent: no title; "Evangelical repentance;" Lent: no title; "David's refuge;" and "Christ our hope."
Contents: See titles. Canfield discusses walking with God, personal and religious improvement, primitive Christianity, prayer and growing in grace.
Titles: "Communion Lecture;" "Lamech, No. 3;" "Enoch, No. 4;" "Ministerial encouragement;" and "The wise man's improvement of time."
Contents: See titles. Also, Canfield discusses significance of the Last Supper and Communion, the duties which a congregation owes their minister, and time.
Titles: "Happiness, No. 1;" "Abraham, No. 7;" "Abraham, No. 8;" "Lot, No. 10;" "Communion address;" "Remember Lot's wife, No. 11;" and "Isaac and Esau, No. 12."
Contents: See titles. Also, Biblical histories, at war with God and his law.
Titles: "Good Friday, 1867: What caused the death of Christ?;" "Jacob, No. 13;" "Moses, No. 17;" "Moses, No. 19;" "The Passover, No. 20;" "Passage of the Red Sea, No. 20;" "Israel in the Wilderness, No. 21;" "Sinai, No. 22;" and John XIV.1: "I am the truth."
Contents: See titles. Biblical histories, truth.
Titles: "The Hebrew Theocracy, No. 24;" "The Jewish festivals and ceremonials, No. 25;" "Joshua, No. 27;" "Samuel;" and "Ruth."
Contents: See titles. Biblical history.
Titles: "God our strength in seasons of difficulty;" "Public prayer;" "Public worship;" "Saul of Tarsus;" and "Christian victory, No. 2."
Contents: See titles. Also, discussion of Biblical history, path to God, and overcoming evil.
Titles: "Parental duty;" Eph. VI, 12.13; "Conformity to Christ;" "Communion address;" lecture: untitled; and lecture: "To be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Contents: See titles. Also, concerned with indulgent parents, war and prayer.
Titles: "Superstition;" "Christ in all;" "Waiting upon God;" "Communion address;" "Communion address" and "The object of life."
Contents: See titles. Practical Christianity and the young.
Titles: "Religious profession;" "The living preacher of a living Christ;" "The Trinity in Unity, 1876;" and "The cross of Christ."
Contents: See titles. Concerns the public profession of religion, Divine authority, preaching of the Gospel, and the doctrine of atonement.
Titles: "Whitsunday, 1879;" Communion address; "Salvation by faith;" Lecture: untitled; title unknown; and "Invitation to Christian example."
Contents: See titles. Also, concerned with Holy Ghost, the Lord's supper, redemption and President Garfield's death.
Arranged by title.
Titles: "The A[merican] S[unday] S[chool] Union;" "The Atonement."
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "A call to the secure;" "To children, the new heart;" "Christ a propitiation, No. 1;" "The Church, No. 1;" "The Church, No. 2;" "Communion lecture;" and "Consolation for the afflicted."
Contents: See titles. Problems with external happiness, morals, Church of Rome, and the grace of God and the righteousness of men.
Titles: "Debt;" "Delaware Co. Bible Society: Address;" and "The delay of punishment."
Contents: See titles. Also, debt, "the most sacred moral obligation," and the promotion of religion.
Titles: "The Divine Authority of Scripture, No. 2-3;" "The Divine Authority for Scripture: Internal evidence continued;" No. [4]-7; and "The Divine Authority of Scripture: Miracles, No. 8-9."
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "The God's Commandment broad;" "Immortality unfolded;" "The enquirer after happiness guided;" and "The life and death of the Christian."
Contents: See titles. Also, omniscience of God, moral law, and death.
Titles: "Mission, No. 1-7."
Contents: Concerns missionary work: lack of interest, the foreign missionary, efforts by the Church of England, history of missionary work, mentions various societies--Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, etc. and William Carey. Specifically, discusses the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the American Baptist Missionary Union and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Titles: "The new birth;" "The new birth;" "No affinity of abominations;" "Profane swearing;" and "Progressive sanctification, No. 2."
Contents: See titles. Expresses the belief that man needs to be reborn; concerned with the modern Babylon.
Titles: "Religious revival;" "Religious revival, No. 2;" and "Resignation to God's will."
Contents: See titles. "Symptoms" of a revival, problem of life.
Titles: "The Sabbath and its obligations: part second;" and "The Sabbath day, No. 3."
Contents: See titles.
Titles: "Sermon to Children."
Contents: Seven sermons on a variety of interests, including church attendance, accepting Christ, the importance of biblical instruction, materialism and blame for misfortune.
Titles: "Spiritual life;" "Subscription to Articles of Religion;" "To Sunday School Teachers;" and "To Sunday School Teachers, No. 2."
Contents: See titles. "Man by nature is spiritually dead;" terms of membership in society, religious education.
Titles: "The training of the young, No. 2;" "The use of reasons in Religion;" and "The use of reason in Religion."
Contents: See titles. Also Religion and Moral training of the young.
Arranged alphabetically by the first word of the manuscript.
Contents: In address to the Graham Institution, an Old Women's Home, Canfield discusses the principle of Christian union. In a second address, he speaks before what is apparently a religious tract society. Last two sermons and lectures are concerned with affliction and infant baptism.
Contents: Concerned with life in Christ, the similarities and differences of nature and grace, Christ's temptations, and affliction.
Contents: Discussion of sacraments, catechism, baptism, grace and peace, Episcopacy, the polity of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and religious hypocrisy.
Contents: Texts are all based on the Gospel of Matthew: concerning private prayer, the worth of the soul, Christ and children, temptations of Christ, and Day of Judgement.
Contents: Concerning the last supper, baptismal vows, Passion week and Judas. Three tracts based on the Proverbs: bitterness, and the just path.
Contents: Justification of the catechism and baptismal service. Anabaptists. Ransom.
Unorganized.
Contents: Various topics.
Arranged chronologically.
Unorganized.
Contents: Concerning various topics.
Contents: Includes a series of quotations, committee list, etc.
Unorganized.
Unorganized.
Contents: concerning rules to live by, donation form for the American Sunday School Union and other items.
At the request of his son, James Hulme Canfield, Rev. Canfield drew up his autobiography. Drawing heavily on his boyhood experiences in Arlington, Canfield also discusses his schooling, his writing of sermons, and working his way through school.
The materials within this file are transcripts and photostats of the original manuscripts which are found elsewhere. For further information, see the collection file to this collection. These facsimiles are available for the convenience of the researcher; permission to publish must be gained from the owners of the actual manuscripts.
Contains a sketch by Sarah Fisher Scott and excerpts from the reminiscences of James A. Canfield, the Reverend's grandson.