Corporate minutes
Church management
Church discipline
Church finance
Poor
Charity
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church membership
Church committees
The Session is a body of elected elders governing a Presbyterian church. This manuscript begins with a list of pastors at First Presbyterian up to 1830, then includes an historical list of elders, followed by a list of communicants, with their dates of admission as well as notes on certificates, dismissals, exclusions and deaths. Session minutes begin on image 90. They run from 1830 to 1851, and note the date, members present, and business discussed. Business includes elections to office and appointments to committees; management of church finances, including financial assistance to the poor; church membership; and the resolution of conflicts between, and discipline of, church members.
Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Spires
Church bells
Church buildings
Church fund raising
Episcopalians
Church of England
Episcopal Church
Records kept by treasurer Jacob Duche of donations towards and payments for the construction of the steeple and bells at Christ Church from 1751 to 1755.
First Moravian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Moravian Church
Moravians
A directory of members' names, listed street by street. Spouses and children are also noted, as well as descriptions such as "yellow frame house." Updates and annotations are penciled in throughout the manuscript.
Congregation Mikveh Israel (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Jewish religious education
Jews
Hebrew Sunday School Society of Philadelphia (Pa.)
Female Hebrew Benevolent Society (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Gratz, Rebecca, 1781-1869
Sunday schools
Synagogues
Synagogue records and registers
Letters
Four letters regarding the Hebrew Sunday school sponsored by Mikveh Israel: One letter from educator and philanthropist Rebecca Gratz, then secretary of the board of the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, thanking parnas Lewis Allen for "carrying into effect the business of their anniversary meeting" in 1836; another letter from Rebecca Gratz thanking the parnas and adjunta for permission to use a room in the synagogue for the Sunday school in 1841; a letter presenting curtains for the school on behalf of "the ladies of the congregation" in 1845; and finally a letter from Mary Cohen of the Hebrew Sunday School Society to Henry Cohen, the president of the congregation, thanking him for the donation of a stove and permission to hold class in the synagogue, in 1877.
Cohen, Mary M., 1854-1911
Church schools
One page, front and back, listing the names and addresses of members of the Sunday School of the First Moravian Church of Philadelphia in 1856.
Supplementary Record to Certificates Received, 1686-1772
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia
Genealogy
Society of Friends
Quakers
A certificate of removal was a document given to persons who were transferring their membership from one monthly meeting to another. Their removal testified that they were members in good standing with the meetings they were leaving. This is a copy made in 1882.
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for the Southern District
A disownment was an involuntary termination of membership in a meeting, when a member of a meeting acted contrary to established discipline. This folder includes disownments from the Orthodox branch of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting after the Separation of 1827.
The Neighborhood House of Christ Church, Philadelphia, with a Social Survey of its district
Social conditions
Social surveys
The Women's Monthly Meeting Booke, 1685-1728
Quakers married each other in the presence of witnesses. This book, kept by women Friends, recorded intentions of marriage and the people and causes for distribution of funds. Laid in is another small book with additional marriage and fund disbursement information and 3 loose pages of accounts. Also includes some removals.
Sepulchral monuments
Gloria Dei Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Lutherans
Cemeteries
Burial records
Lutheran Church
Record of the inscriptions on tombstones in the Gloria Dei Church Yard. Inscriptions include the deceased individual's name, dates of birth and death, and other information such as place of birth, occupation, names of family members, and epitaphs. There is an alphabetical index of names in the back of the book. Although the inscriptions were compiled in 1877, additions were made up to the 1920, which can be found in the loose papers folded into the book and also penciled into the book itself.
Transcript of the Travels of Benjamin Dorr, 1819-1864
Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869
Voyages and travels
American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)
Steamboats
Reverend Benjamin Dorr served as rector for Christ Church from 1839 to 1868, and undertook the difficult job of holding the congregation together during the Civil War. Dorr traveled extensively throughout his life. This manuscript was copied from one loaned to a Dr. Hedrick in 1941 or 1942, and contains Dorr's notes about his many travels through the United States from 1819 to 1864. He often traveled through New England, but also visited the mid-Atlantic states, and even ventured into the deep South and as far West as the Green Bay area, stopping in Detroit and Chicago. He traveled by steamboat, stagecoach and horse; stayed with family and friends; dined with persons prominent in the military, church, politics and local businesses; and visited museums, hospitals, libraries, colleges, factories and local historical landmarks. He would sometimes preach and collect money for missionary work. The last entry details his visit to the Army of the Potomac in 1864.
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for the Northern District
Lay ministry--Society of Friends
A Travelling Certificate was issued by a meeting to a member in good standing (normally a recorded minister), allowing him or her to travel to other meetings to visit or preach. This is the certificate of William Savery.
Trustee account book, David Lake, 1806-1827, 1843-1844
St. George's Methodist Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Methodists
Methodist Church
Account book of trustee David Lake. The first two pages date from 1843 to 1844 and appear to be a listing of member's burials, with names and grave locations. The records then begin at 1806 and run to 1827. Lake notes the Church's need to raise money through subscriptions to buy more land for burials, although the page for subscribers' names only lists two people, from 1808. From 1809 to 1812 Lake records the money he paid for clothing on behalf of James Ware, David James, and William Lake. From 1814 to 1827, Lake records the amounts (in number of "coppers") taken out and returned, usually written to cash, but sometimes for services, bills, or specific individuals' names.
First Baptist Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church records and registers
Baptists
The meeting minutes of the Trustees of First Baptist Church from 1794 to 1836 contain the date of each meeting, the trustees present, the topics they discussed, and the resolutions they passed. Trustee business included appointments to positions such as treasurer and clerk; the management of donations and investments; oversight of record-keeping; payment to workers such as the minister and carpenter; and maintenance of buildings and burial grounds. There is an index on the inside back cover of the bound manuscript. Note: The meeting minutes between March 1796 and February 1798 are missing from the original manuscript, which is why they do not appear in the digital version, and why the page numbering skips from page 8 to page 11. Also, page numbering on the original manuscript starts over at a new page 1 following page 89. To identify page numbers in citations, researchers can use the image number in combination with the page number.
Third Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Pews and pew rights
Inscribed as "The Pine Street Presbyterian Church Committee Book," this bound volume contains the minutes of the meetings of trustees of Third Presbyterian from 1771 to 1796. Each entry includes the date, place, members present, and business discussed. Topics of the meetings generally include the collection of pew rents, settlement of financial accounts, improvements to the buildings and grounds, and management of charitable funds, as well as more specific entries such as the seasonal adjustment of service times and adoption of a new version of the Psalms. Of particular interest are the minutes pertaining to the call for George Duffield to serve as their new pastor, and the resulting rift with First Presbyterian Church. The bulk of the minutes end on page 168, and pages 174, 175 and 176, which list the books and verses read from during services, are written upside down, so run in reverse chronological order. Note: Prior to 1797, the Trustees were called "the Committee."
St. Paul's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
McClenachan, William, 1714-
Churchwardens' accounts
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1762 to 1774. Each entry records the date of the meeting, members present and business discussed. One of the main topics covered is the ill health of Reverend McClenachan and the subsequent need to secure an assistant minister and, eventually, a replacement minister. Other topics include: election of vestry members, wardens, clerks and sextons; appointments to committees; management of finances; pew assignments; regulation of burials, fundraising for an organ; building upkeep such as painting doors and windows; and the purchase of supplies such as candles and collection plates.
Charters
Wrangel, Carl Magnus, -1786
Sweden
Meeting minutes of the vestry of the United Swedish Lutheran Churches of Wicaco (Gloria Dei), Kingsessing and Upper Merion. The book begins with a partial index of contents, then the charter of incorporation for the three churches. Meeting minutes start in 1765, and include the date, list of attendees, and business discussed. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: election of vestrymen and selection of other church employees such as wardens, clerks and deacons; filling and supporting the position of minister; management of church finances, including rents and deeds; establishing rules for the management of the cemetery and assignment of pews; communications with Swedish royalty and church leaders in Europe; appointing committees and receiving their reports; assisting widows and the sick and poor of the congregations; and mediating conflict. Many of the early entries concern the vestry's defense of minister, Dr. Carl Magnus Wrangel.
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1792 to 1797. Each entry includes the date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Many entries include wardens' accounts, as reports from the committee appointed to examine those accounts. Other topics include: elections to the vestry and the appointment of wardens and sextons; the management of pews and of the church graveyard; the departure of one minister and need to secure a new one; and the presentation of an act of incorporation to the state assembly for ratification in 1795.
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1797 to 1810. Each entry includes the date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Topics include but are not limited to: elections to the vestry and the appointment of wardens and sextons; hiring of a new minister and assistant minister; management of church finances, including ground rents, pew rents and bequests; the problem of a full burial ground; appointments to various committees; plans for a singing school for children and home for aged widows; establishment of a subscription to raise funds for a church organ; and ongoing upkeep of church buildings and grounds.
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1810 to 1829. Each entry includes the date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Topics include but are not limited to: vestry elections; appointment of wardens and sextons; various committee assignments; management of financial accounts, including loans, investments and bequests; management of pew assignments; management of the cemetery; mediation of interpersonal disputes between church members; upkeep of and improvements to the buildings and grounds; the continued quest to secure a church organ; and continued support for the church school and house for aged widows.
St. Thomas' Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
African American churches
African Americans
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1813 to 1821, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting. Topics include church lotteries, overdue "seat money," building repairs, burials, elections, resignations, committee assignments, and parishioners in financial need.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1821 to 1831, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting.
St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church history
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. The vestry minutes begin with a copy of the 1832 Act by the Pennsylvania legislature which separated Christ Church and St. Peter's Church into two separate entities. Minutes from the vestry meetings from 1832 to 1852 follow, containing the dates and locations of the meetings, members present, and business discussed. Topics covered include but are not limited to: the settlement of separate financial accounts following the split from Christ Church, the hiring of a new minister and assistant minister, election of vestrymen and appointment of organist and choir, purchase of a new building to house the Sunday school, collection of pew rents, improvement of burial grounds, management of the church's charity fund, and committee reports.
Missionaries
Religious education
The manuscript begins with a transcription of the by-laws of Wicacoe Church adopted on December 3, 1838, which include the duties of the warden, secretary, and sexton, and policies for interment of members. Vestry minutes follow, including the place and date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Business includes, but is not limited to: collection of pew rents; record keeping; elections to leadership and appointments to committees; resignations, appointments and payment of staff; upkeep of building and grounds; fundraising for the mission society and Sunday school; and preparation of a charter to be reviewed by the state legislature.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1848 to 1855, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting. Note: Pages 32 through 36 of this volume were written upside down, starting from the back with page 36, and moving forward chronologically to page 32.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the dates, members present and business discussed at St. Peters vestry meetings from 1852 to 1871. Topics include but are not limited to: insurance policies on the rectory, house, bells and organ; election of vestrymen, officers, warden and rector; appointments to committees for finance, choir, Sunday school, library, burial grounds and bell; selection of delegates to the Diocesan convention; management of the St. Peters charity fund and Christ Church hospital; and income from pew rent and collections.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1863 to 1876, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting. Topics include bills, taxes, salaries, fundraising, recordkeeping, repairs and renovations, burials, elections, and pew rents.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, v. 2, 1761-1784
Parish elections
American Revolution (1775-1783)
American Revolution (United States : 1775-1783)
United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Frontier and pioneer life
Indians of North America
Kearsley, John, 1684-1772
Vestry minutes of the United Congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's from 1761 to 1784. Each entry records the date and place of the meeting, members present and business discussed. Regular business includes elections of church leaders and hiring and payment of church staff; fundraising and the ongoing settlement of various financial accounts; establishment and collection of pew rents; and maintenance and repair of church buildings and grounds. Other important events and topics include: The opening of St. Peter's and the establishment of the United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's in 1761, with shared government and finances. Minutes include draft and final versions of the charter for the United Churches. The response of the United Churches to the 1763 "Indian invasion" of the "back provinces" of Pennsylvania and subsequent correspondence with church officials from York and Cumberland Counties on behalf of "families on the frontier." The 1763 review and approval of Reverend William Sturgeon's fulfillment of his duty as the "Catechist to the Negroe Children for the Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." The 1772 bequest from Dr. John Kearsley that funded the development of the Christ Church Hospital for poor women and widows. The American Revolution. Minutes from the Vestry meeting of July 4, 1776, when the Vestry resolved at the onset of the American Revolution: "Whereas the Honorable Continental Congress have resolved to declare the American Colonies to be free and independent States, In consequence of which it will be proper to omit those Petitions in the Liturgy wherein the King of Great Britain is prayed for, as inconsistent with the said Declaration. Therefore Resolved, that it appears to this Vestry to be necessary for the peace and well-being of the Churches to omit the said Petitions, and the Rector and Assistant Ministers of the United Churches are requested in the Name of the Vestry and their Constituents to omit such petitions as are above mentioned." (p. 338) Subsequent minutes reveal effects of the war, including the loss of pew rents after many parishioners fled the city during the British occupation, the damage to church property caused by the British army, and the departure of Reverend Coombe, who could not tolerate the conflict of serving revolutionary subjects while ordained and governed by the Church of England.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, and St. James' Church, v. 3, 1784-1815
United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)
White, William, 1748-1836
Hospitals
Minutes of the vestry of the United Churches from 1784 to 1815; first as the United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's, then as the United Churches of Christ Church, St. Peter's Church and St. James's Church. The first mention of St. James's occurs on p. 151 in the meeting minutes from March 30, 1807, in which a building committee was appointed to erect the new church. By 1810, the vestry is incorporating St. James's Church into their charter. Entries include the date and place of the meeting, members attending, and business discussed. Topics include church elections, improvements to buildings and grounds, fundraising efforts, burial requests, and the ongoing operation of Christ Church hospital. Recorded at the rear of the book are legacies, gifts, and donations made to an assortment of church related funds by various congregation members. Of note is a transcribed copy of Dr. John Kearsley's will. This volume has inserted at page 47 two additional items: a printed excerpt from the minutes of October 30, 1752 and a printed version of Bishop White's sermon delivered on June 21, 1786. Note: Blank pages were not scanned.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, and St. James's Church, v. 4, 1816-1826
St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Meeting minutes of the vestry of the United Churches of Christ Church, St. Peter's Church and St. James's Church from 1816 to 1826. Each entry records the date and place of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Topics include: the election of church leaders; the hiring, duties and salaries of church staff such as minister, organist, clerk, sexton, and bell ringer; reports from committees responsible for tasks such as locating new land to rent, securing insurance, and managing the church hospital; the upkeep of buildings and burial grounds; and the ongoing management of church finances, including bequests.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, and St. James's Church, v. 5, 1827-1832
Minutes of the vestry of Christ Church from 1827 to 1832. Each entry notes the date and place of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Regular topics include church elections, staffing, finances, burials, pew rents, management of the church hospital, committee reports, and repairs/improvements to church buildings and grounds. It was during these years that the decision of the United Churches to separate into individual entities took place. Entries relevant to the separation of St. James into its own corporation start around page 50, while entries relevant to the separation of Christ Church and St. Peter's are found at the end of the volume.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, v. 1, 1717-1760
This volume holds the oldest known meeting minutes for Christ Church, dating from 1717 to 1760. The vestry is the governing body for the church. Each entry records the date, members present and business discussed. The Lieutenant Governor was often present at early meetings, and the Governor became a member of the vestry in 1718. Topics covered include: elections of wardens and vestrymen; fundraising for a steeple and burial ground; establishment of new pew rents; settlement of various accounts; the need to write to the Bishop of London for a new reverend; application for a charter; and the appointment of a schoolmaster. Note: Page 92 was blank and was not scanned.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, v. 6, 1832-1845
Episcopal Church. Diocese of Pennsylvania
Meeting minutes of the Christ Church vestry from 1832 to 1845. Each entry records the date and place of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Regular business includes the election of church leaders; employment of staff (ministers, clerks, sextons, bellringers and organists); financial matters such as budgeting, fundraising, taxation, insurance and bequests; maintenance of buildings (including the steeple and bells) and burial grounds; management of pew rents; appointments to and reports from various church committees; the operation of Christ Church hospital; and charity for the poor. Of special interest, this volume of minutes also records the beginning years of the ministry of the Reverend Benjamin Dorr. Annotated copies of Christ Church's charter and by-laws are inserted in the beginning of the volume, entitled "Charter of Christ Church in the city of Philadelphia and St. Peter's Church, in the city of Philadelphia, As established by an Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, passed January, 1832; together with the proceedings of the respective vestries thereupon." These documents reflect the separation of Christ Church and St. Peter's in 1832.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, v. 7, 1845-1866
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Meeting minutes of the Christ Church vestry from 1845 to 1866. Each entry includes the date, place, members present and business discussed. Topics include the election of church leaders and hiring and payment of staff; appointments to and reports from various church committees; the upkeep of buildings and grounds; the ongoing balancing of financial accounts including ground rents, loans, investments and bequests; the collection of pew rents; and management of the Sunday school and hospital. The loose sheets tucked into the front of the volume are likely attendance records. The meeting minutes from the Spring of 1865 refer to the death of President Abraham Lincoln. The vestry of Christ Church elected to drape the church in black for a period of three months and muffle the church bells to mourn the death of the president. A copy of the charter separating Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in 1832 is also included in this volume. Note: Blank pages were not scanned.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, v. 8, 1866-1886
Hodge, G. Woolsey, 1845-1929
Meeting minutes of the Christ Church vestry from 1866 to 1886. Each entry includes the date, place, members present and business discussed. As in preceding minute books, topics include the election of church leaders and hiring and payment of staff; appointments to and reports from various church committees; the upkeep of buildings and grounds; the ongoing balancing of financial accounts including ground rents, loans, investments and bequests; the collection of pew rents; and management of the Sunday school and hospital. Other topics specific to this book include the Rev. Dr. Dorr's declining health and eventual death; the conflict between Rev. Edward Foggo, Rector of Christ Church, and Rev. Woolsey Hodge, minister in charge of the the Christ Church Chapel; and the management of Calvary Church (also known as the Monument to Bishop White.) The pages tucked into the front of the book are likely attendance records. An index of subjects begins on image 576.
William White sermon 106, "Of grateful praise and Thanksgiving"
Sermons
Bible. Old Testament
Bible. Psalms
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Psalms 103:1-5, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."
William White sermon 11, "Of the Truth of God," 1791, 1800
Bible. New Testament
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. Reverend White read this sermon in 1791 and again, in altered form, in 1800. In it, he discusses his thoughts on Psalms 100:5, "And his Truth endureth from Generation to Generation."
William White sermon 115, "Of Religious patriotism"
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Psalms 122:6, "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem."
William White Sermon 116, "Of the Consistency between the general duty and the particular," 1799
Bible. Galatians
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Adams, John, 1735-1826
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this charity sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Galatians 6:10, "As we have therefore Opportunity, let us do good unto all Men, especially unto them who are of the Household of Faith." A note on the cover states, “Towards ye End, there is an Allusion to ye Decease of Gen. Washington, and to ye dressing of ye Pulpit... in black. His successor, President Adams, was present.”
William White sermon 12, "Of God's descriptive Character of Love"
Bible. Epistle of John, 1st
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, which he edited over time, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on 1 John 4:8, "God is love."
William White sermon 135, "Of a Wounded Spirit"
Bible. Proverbs
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Proverbs 18:14, "The Spirit of a Man will sustain his Infirmity; but a wounded Spirit who can bear?"
William White sermon 137, "Of Spiritual Peace"
Bible. Gospels
Bible. John
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, written for Lent, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my Peace I give unto you: not as the World giveth, give I unto you."
William White sermon 149, "A Discourse on Hebrews," 1826
Bible. Hebrews
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Hebrews 12:18-24, "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more (For they could not endure that which was commanded, and if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."
William White sermon 166, "Of a Faithful Discharge of the Duties of the Ministry, and of the sure Reward," circa 1834
Bible. Matthew
Ducachet, Henry William, 1796-1865
St. Stephen's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Matthew 24:46, "Blessed is that Servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing." From notes in the text, it seems that Reverend White wrote this sermon for an ordination earlier in his career, and revised it for the installation of Rev. Dr. William Ducachet as rector at St. Stephen's, also in Philadelphia, in 1834.
William White sermon 168, "Commentary on Daniel"
Bible. Daniel
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White shares his thoughts on Daniel 9:26, "And after threescore and two weeks, shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself."
William White Sermon 170, "Of the enumeration of Days," 1797, 1835
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. Reverend White delivered this sermon in 1797, and again in 1835, with revisions noted on the inside front cover. Within, he discusses his thoughts on Psalms 90:12, "To teach us to number our Days, that we may apply our Hearts into Wisdom."
William White sermon 178, "Of the Rich Man & Lazarus"
Bible. Luke
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Luke 16:19-20, "There was a certain rich Man, who was clothed in Purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every Day, and there was a certain Beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his Gate full of Sores."
William White sermon 191, "Of a sure foundation"
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Matthew 7:24-27, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
William White sermon 195, "Of a Pearl of Great Price"
William White (1748-1836) was born and educated in Philadelphia, and served as Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church for 57 years. He also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress, Chaplain of the Senate, the first presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and a long-time trustee for the University of Pennsylvania. In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on Matthew 18:45-46. "The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant Man, seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one Pearl of great Price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it."