Extensive Archive of Massachusetts/California Methodist Minister's Evolving Thoughts on the Human Condition and The Role of Women, 334 Handwritten Pages,1880-1888

Religious Oration , Archive

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Extensive archive from Methodist minister and revivalist preacher Irving R. Lovejoy from 1880-1888. This archive of 334 handwritten pages by the Reverend includes 20 handwritten and handbound sermons totaling 219 pages. Also includes an additional 115 pages of handwritten notes (mostly related to sermons and religions), letters and personal documents. Between 35,000 and 40,000 words. Lovejoy's notes and sermons document his own evolving thoughts on spirituality, the human condition and the role of Methodism in social reform during the 19th Century. In addition, there is a family genealogical study written by Lovejoy's own granddaughter a century later. "Irving Roscoe Lovejoy by name," writes his granddaughter, "and what an appropriate name-Lovejoy; two words which sum up his life. He had a love of God, of family, of friends, of humanity. He was one who truly believed 'love thine enemies.' Joy abounded within him and radiated to others." Lovejoy lived and preached during what's known as the Social Gospel Movement, a period in 19th century American history during which religious activism was focused on social justice particularly in causes of abolition, prohibition and child welfare reform. "I found a young life broken by sin's sedative art and touched with a christlike pity I took him to my heart. He lived with a nobeler purpose, and struggled not in vain," Lovejoy writes. His sermons and notes are filled with anecdotes, contemporary stories demonstrating biblical principles that are characteristic of his style. He writes frequently of the vital role women play not just in the church but in its cause of social justice more broadly, "Now often too, next to a mother's prayers have been the sympathy and help rendered by the wives of methodism! God bless them! How willingly they share in the toils and privations of an itinerant life. Such sacrifices indicative of complete consideration to God give rise to heart too full of the love of Christ and lives crowned with Christian graces. The wives of Methodism, though generally modest and retiring, yet through intimate and continual communion with God become engines of wonder," he writes on one page of notes for a future sermon. On the verso of the same page, he notes examples with testimonial quotes "Says George W Bethune 'I've poured o'er many a yellow page of ancient wisdom, and have won, perchance, a scholar's name, but sage or beard have never taught thy son lessons so dear so fraught with holy truth as those his mother's faith shed on his youth." In a second anecdote on the same page, Lovejoy writes, "she led me first to God; Her words and prayers were my young spirit's dew; for when she used to leave the fireside every even I knew it was for prayer that she withdrew." Lovejoy was known for his prose, evident not just in his sermons but in handwritten and edited hymn lyrics among the personal documents in this archive. "Will you go sinner go to the highlands of heaven where the storms never blow and the long summer's given where the bright blooming flowers are their odors emitting and the leaves of the bowers in the breezes are flitting," reads one hymn attributed online to both C. B. Davidson and William McDonald, contemporaries of Lovejoy's and possible collaborators. In another, Lovejoy hand writes and edits an 8 stanza hymn titled "The Soul Addressed" which reads, in part "Words compose the language meekness the actions clothe each helps the other [gauge] the souls majestic growth." Among denominations of Protestantism, Methodism is known for the distinct simplicity of its worship style and lineage of hymns written and recorded by its pastors over many years. The notes are written on whatever pages Lovejoy had on hand, often loose leaf notebook paper but also the back of an advertisement, scrawled across a business card and covering a piece of odd card stock. Measurements range from 5" x 3.5" to 11" x 8.5" inches. Marked by his characteristic short hands, they testify to the fe. Seller Inventory # 18046

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Title: Extensive Archive of Massachusetts/...