What's New at Log College Press? - July 15, 2022

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As Log College Press continues to grow, we have much to report. The site has now reached over 15,000 works among over 1,900 authors. In June 2022, we added 341 new works.

One new book was published in June as well: Dylan Rowland, ed., Pandemic Pastoring. This is a collection of sermons, letters, and biographical notes from 19th-century American Presbyterians - offering helpful reflection for today's believers in walking through the wake of pandemic suffering.

We like to highlight some of the new free PDFs available as found on our Recent Additions and Early Access pages, two features provided to members of the Dead Presbyterians Society.

Early Access:

• Henry Kollock, Christ Must Increase: A Sermon, Preached Before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (1803)

• Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, Is the Shorter Catechism Worthwhile? (1909, 1979)

• Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, John R. MacKay, Benjamin B. Warfield -- A Bibliography (1922)

• Geerhardus Vos, Our Lord’s Doctrine of the Resurrection (1901)

Recent Addtiions:

• Robert Aitken — Journals of the Proceedings of Congress (1776-1777)

• Samuel Buell, The Excellence and Importance of the Saving Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel-Preacher, Plainly and Seriously Represented and Enforced: and Christ Preached to the Gentiles in Obedience to the Call of God: A Sermon, Preached at East-Hampton, August 29, 1759; at the Ordination of Mr. Samson Occum (1761)

• Compilations, Auburn Affirmation (1924)

• Compilations, The New Psalms and Hymns [PCUS] (1901)

• John Samuel MacIntosh (1839-1906),The Worthies of Westminster: A Contribution to the Celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster (1899)

• James Calvin McFeeters, Sketches of the Covenanters (1913)

• Alexander Taggart McGill, Life By Faith: A Sermon Preached Before the Synod of New-Jersey, at the Opening of Its Sessions, at Rahway, New-Jersey, Tuesday Evening, October 21st, 1862 (1862)

• Thomas Verner Moore — Several poems and articles.

• Absalom Peters, Life and Time: A Birth-Day Memorial of Seventy Years. With Memories and Reflections For the Aged and the Young (1866)

• Robert Fleming Sample, I Hear a Voice, ‘Tis Soft and Sweet (1898) [hymn]

We have also created some new topical pages: 1837 Old School / New School Division, Anonymous Writings and Book Reviews. These are all works-in-progress so please check back as the content continues to grow.

Be sure also to check out the quotes we have been adding at our blog for DPS members: Though Dead They Still Speak.

B.B. Warfield - We decided to streamline Warfield’s author page by taking his book reviews, which are numerous, from his main author page and transferring them to a new B.B. Warfield Book Reviews page. Together the number of B.B. Warfield works at Log College Press now exceeds 500 and continues to grow. We also want to highlight a new resource that Warfield readers will appreciate. Our friend Barry Waugh (Presbyterians of the Past) has created a useful, annotated database showing 1,268 book reviews written by B.B. Warfield for Princeton journals. See that tremendous resource here.

Stay tuned as we continue to expand our digital bookshelves. It is our prayer at Log College Press that resources made available here will be an encouragement to our 21st century readers that the past has much to teach us in the present about the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in the earth. Blessings, and thank you, as always, for your support.

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Log College Press: Summer Update (August 31, 2021)

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So much has been going on at Log College Press that it is often hard to find time to write about it, but we wish to keep our readers aware, so here is a brief summary of recent activity.

In the month of August, we have added 17 new authors and almost 300 new works. That includes 45 works by Charles Henry Parkhurst, 19 by B.B. Warfield, and 16 by J.G. Machen.

We now have around 700 links to useful Secondary Sources which are well worth browsing.

This summer we published Mediations on the Lord’s Supper by Jacob Jones Janeway. And Log College Press was represented at a booth at the PCA General Assembly. We have received much kind feedback from our readers, and we thank everyone for their interest and support. One of our July posts was shared on Facebook at least 144 times and reached over 17,000 people. It is hoped that the work done at Log College Press in dusting off 18th and 19th century Presbyterian works is an encouragement and a blessing to our 21st century readers. We continue to grow and build on this project begun four years ago. Lord willing, there is much more to come.

Blessings to all!

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William S. Plumer's Impeccable

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At Log College Press, we are excited to report that we expect our newest publication to be available soon: William S. Plumer’s Impeccable: The Person and Sinless Character of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Originally published in 1876, this new edition of a remarkable volume is edited by Miles Smith and includes a foreword by Dr. Blair Smith.

More good news to report: we are having a launch sale this week for Plumer’s book which includes all our titles:

Preorder Impeccable today for $9.00 - 25% off the retail price.

All titles in our Bookstore are 25% off through June 12!
(Orders will ship after Impeccable arrives from the printers next week.)

The endorsements for Plumer’s Impeccable are indicative of its value to the church:

“William Swan Plumer’s short treatise, Impeccable, contends for the ‘spotless rectitude’ of Christ Jesus. Plumer’s command of theology evidences his skill as a gifted scholar. His concern for the flock of God discloses the heart of a caring shepherd. And so, he writes with precision to enlighten the mind, with compassion to reinforce godly faith, and with ardor to remove any ‘uneasiness felt.’ Impeccable stands on its own as a compelling case for Christ as non potest peccare. But the short treatise offers more. The pastor scholar Plumer exemplifies the type of spiritual leadership so desperately needed for the church around the world today.” — David B. Garner, Ph.D., Academic Dean, Vice President of Global Ministries, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 “William Swan Plumer (famous for his one volume Commentary on Psalms, said by Spurgeon to be the best) has, with perception and clarity, dealt with the essential issues in the Biblical teaching on the impeccability of Christ. He is right to the point in stating that ‘uncertainty is not necessary to freedom"; that is, his lack of indwelling sin and the intense holiness of his person never meant that he was not severely tempted to sin. Plumer properly shows how we need to keep in mind the relationship of the divine person to his two natures, and that he really was a true person – not a sort of machine. In his victory over the fiercest onslaughts of evil and temptation that ever came against a descendant of Adam lies our victory. Plumer will show you how!” — Douglas F. Kelly, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary

 “The re-publication of William Plumer’s nineteenth-century work on the sinlessness of Christ reaches into the vault of the historical past to bring out hidden treasure. Plumer’s work is brief but full of insight and breathes the air of wisdom of the church throughout the age. This little book is well worth the read.”— J. V. Fesko, Ph.D., Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

Be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity, and order your copy of William S. Plumer’s Impeccable today!

Click here to browse our Bookstore!

Samuel Miller on Presbyterianism - A 19th century classic that you can now pre-order

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If one was to look for the premier study of Presbyterianism by an American author in the 19th century, one would be hard-pressed to find a work superior to that by Samuel Miller. First published in 1835, Miller’s Presbyterianism the Truly Primitive and Apostolical Constitution of the Church of Christ has been republished by Log College Press under the title Presbyterianism: Its History, Doctrine, Government and Worship. With modernized spelling, and scholarly editing by Dr. Harrison Perkins, including detailed footnotes, this edition of Miller’s classic work offers Biblical wisdom on the church to 21st century readers.

This is an historical study of Presbyterian polity, including the doctrine, discipline, government and worship of the Presbyterian church. As valuable as it was when first published almost 200 years ago, it has a special benefit for modern readers, as Rev. Allan Stanton tells us in his introduction. He offers three reasons why this is so.

• To affirm the importance of ecclesiastical polity.

• To reconsider the range of the word of God.

• To evaluate modern doctrine and worship. 

In sum, Presbyterianism is far more than the five points of Calvinism (as important as they are). Miller sets forth the full scope of “the whole counsel of God” as it pertains to the church, and that is the beauty of this book. This important volume lays down the Scriptural, theological, historical, and practical foundations of our Presbyterian faith and practice.

Click here to order Samuel Miller’s Presbyterianism: Its Historical, Doctrine, Government and Worship.

Miller’s Presbyterianism is now available at a special pre-order rate of $10 through the month of February, 2020. There is good news for customers in the UK/Europe - Log College Press titles, including this one, can now be purchased at the Evangelical Bookshop in Belfast/Edinburgh.

Click here to order Samuel Miller’s Presbyterianism: Its Historical, Doctrine, Government and Worship.

Pre-order your copy today and see what Samuel Miller has to say about the Biblical basis for Presbyterianism for yourself.

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Erskine Clarke's "To Count Our Days"

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At Log College Press, we are pleased to highlight a new publication by respected religious scholar Erskine Clarke released in earlier this month: To Count Our Days: A History of Columbia Theological Seminary (The University of South Carolina Press, 2019, 369 pages).

It is hot off the press and this is by no means an official book review, but having perused this fascinating volume, it is a pleasure to make it our new featured title at the LCP Secondary Sources page.

No easy task is it to tell the story of a nearly two hundred year-old institution devoted to preparation for the gospel ministry, but Clarke carefully, candidly, competently and respectfully navigates a complicated history involving the trajectory of Southern Presbyterian theology, social matters and a move from South Carolina to Georgia. This account is full of rich anecdotes, fascinating photographs and insightful observations.

The great luminaries associated with the seminary are highlighted, including John L. Girardeau, James H. Thornwell, Benjamin M. Palmer, William S. Plumer, Walter Brueggemann, and many more. Lesser-known names are brought to life as well, along with stories of interest, such as the 1856 library acquisition of 11,520 volumes from Thomas Smyth.

Be sure to check out this remarkable work here, and while you are exploring, it’s a great opportunity to browse other volumes of interest concerning church history, biography and more. We have links to over 600 books related to American Presbyterianism.

Kudos to Dr. Clarke for his valuable contribution to our end-of-the-summer reading. If you appreciate church history, this is a great resource that you won’t want to miss. And in case you are wondering, the title comes from Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.”

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A New Booklet by Charles Allen Stillman and a New Audiobook of Archibald Alexander's Aging in Grace!

If you haven’t heard the news yet, we've recently published a new booklet by Charles Allen Stillman, the founder of what is now known as Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It’s called “The Pulpit and the Pastorate,” and examines the connections between a pastor’s pulpit ministry and his pastoral ministry. It was originally an address giving at an anniversary celebration of Columbia Theological Seminary in 1881, and is a great encouragement to all pastors to be faithful in all the work God has given us to do. You can purchase it in booklet or ebook format here. And if you’re interested in buying all eight of our titles for yourself or for a friend, you can purchase them for $35 here.

We’ve also just come out with an audiobook edition of Archibald Alexander’s Aging in Grace: Letters to Those in the Autumn of Life. This audiobook will eventually be available on Audible and other audiobook online stores, but when you purchase it on our website we get more than just a mere percentage of the sales price, so if you’re interested in buying it please do so from our webstore. We are in the process of creating audiobooks of all our titles, so if you prefer to listen to your books rather than read them, then be on the lookout for news of future releases in the coming months. (Sign up at the bottom of this page if you’d like to be alerted to new titles and receive a weekly glimpse into new content on our website.) We’re excited about being able to reach folks who possibly won’t or can’t read, but love to listen to books as they drive, work, workout, etc.

Please tell your friends both in the flesh and online about our new titles. It’s because of the support of our readers and customers that Log College Press has been able to do what it’s done, both in terms of our free PDF library on our website, and our publications. Thank you!

The Duties of a Gospel Minister, by John Holt Rice, is Now Available

Log College Press has just published its latest title, a booklet by John Holt Rice entitled The Duties of a Gospel Minister. Rice (1777-1831) was an American Presbyterian who ministered in Virginia and was instrumental in the early days of Union Theological Seminary. This booklet, with a foreword by Barry Waugh introducing Rice the man and the minister, originally was a sermon preached in 1809. It sets forth the duties of a pastor to his fellow pastors and to the church, as well as laying down motivations for diligence in the work of the ministry. All pastors, whether right out of seminary or near retirement, will be encouraged and instructed by this brief distillation of the pastoral calling.

Here are a few endorsements of Rice’s work:

“Too many works on pastoral ministry are long on worldly pragmatics and short on Biblical practicality. Yet The Duties of a Gospel Minister, though a brief work, is filled with the latter as Rice directs pastors toward a truer Presbyterian approach to the ministry. His section on pastoral ministry to youth – a key factor in awakening in church history – is especially needed in this directionless age.”

– Dr. Barry J. York, President and Professor of Pastoral Theology, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

 “In this startlingly relevant little work, Rice refreshes the minister’s soul as he sets the spiritual beauty of this peculiar calling before his readers anew. Every new minister as well as every tired, world-worn, or discouraged pastor who would be more than a ‘baptized deist’ would do well to take the few minutes required to read this address. Do it, and see how God might use it in your life: to settle your heart; to remind you of the grand proportions, profound significance, and urgent need of your work; and to renew your desire to serve Christ vigorously, ‘with all diligence and fidelity,’ as a minister of ‘unadulterated Christianity’ in His Church and to a desperate and dying world.”

– Dr. Bruce P. Baugus, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary Jackson

 “A wise man listens to counsel – especially counsel drawn from the Word. While John Holt Rice’s exposition of aspects of ‘The Duties of a Gospel Minister’ was written to a past generation, his application of Scripture is as relevant as ever, challenging us to re-engage the high calling of gospel ministry in Christ for the joy set before us.”

– Dr. William VanDoodewaard, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

You can purchase Rice’s book for $3.99, or all six of our titles for $26 (plus free shipping). Visit our online bookstore today.

Tsundoku

Do you have more books on your shelves than you can possibly read even though you aspire to? More titles in your portable ebook reader than you can possibly scroll through? Do not feel embarrassed. Bibliomania is a word from the past that has been replaced. Instead, take heart!

There is a Japanese word that describes this situation perfectly: Tsundoku — that is, the acquiring of reading materials which one piles up at home without reading them all. In fact, according to one writer, there is value in owning more books than you can read. Tsundoku is a very comforting word to the bibliophile.

We at Log College Press understand the book lover’s dilemma. We also want to make it easier for you to solve that dilemma. We have published five booklets so far and although they are not expensive individually, we have reduced the price on all five with our “Pastor’s Package.” Besides this print package, we have e-copies available of each title.

The real value here, of course, is the spiritual worth of the content. We do hope that you will read these works and not let them remain dusty on your shelf or unopened on your e-book reader. As Augustine once wrote, Tolle lege (take up and read)!

The Great Secret of True Comfort - Archibald Alexander

When Archibald Alexander first published his devotional classic Thoughts on Religious Experience in 1841, it did not contain the Appendix that was first added to the 1844 edition which contains his “Letters to the Aged.”

It is difficult to ascertain for sure what led to the creation of those Letters to the Aged, but one possible explanation for their genesis might lie in a letter written by his son, James Waddel Alexander, to John Hall, dated August 10, 1837, in which J.W. makes this intriguing suggestion: "A book ought to be written with this title: 'The Aged Christian's Book: printed in large type for the convenience of old persons.' It should be in the largest character attainable. Such topics as these: The Trials of Old Age; The Temptations of Old Age; The Duties of Old Age; The Consolations of Old Age, &c, &c. It should be a large book, with little matter in it. Why has no Tract Society thought of such a thing? (J.W. Alexander, Forty Years' Familiar Letters, Vol. 1, p. 255; see also James M. Garretson, Thoughts on Preaching & Pastoral Ministry, p. 170).” This is an almost-perfect description of what came to be known a few years later as Alexander’s “Letters to the Aged” (republished by Log College Press under the title Aging in Grace: Letters to Those in the Autumn of Life, 2018).

Regardless of the particular origin of these “Letters to the Aged,” we have an early example of the same from the pen of Archibald Alexander as recorded by J.W. in the biography he wrote of his father. According to J.W., this is “the only letter to his aged and declining mother, which is known to be in existence” (dated May 25, 1823, from Princeton, New Jersey; see J.W. Alexander, Life of Archibald Alexander, pp. 402-404).

My Dear Mother: —

When I last saw you, it was very doubtful whether you would ever rise again from the bed to which you were confined. Indeed, considering your great age, it was not to be expected that you should entirely recover your usual health. I was much gratified to find that in the near prospect of eternity, your faith did not fail, but that you could look death in the face without dismay, and felt willing, if it were the will of God, to depart from this world of sorrow and disappointment. But it has pleased your Heavenly Father to continue you a little longer in the world. I regret to learn that you have endured much pain from a disease of your eyes, and that you have been less comfortable than formerly. Bodily affliction you must expect to endure as long as you continue in the world. 'The days of our years are three-score years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be four-score years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.' But while your Heavenly Father continues you in this troublesome world, he will, I trust, enable you to be resigned and contented and patient under the manifold afflictions which are incident to old age.

The great secret of true comfort lies in a single word, TRUST. Cast your burdens on the Lord, and he will sustain them. If your evidences of being in the favour of God are obscured, if you are doubtful of your acceptance with him, still go directly to him by faith; that is, trust in his mercy and in Christ's merits. Rely simply on his word of promise. Be not afraid to exercise confidence. There can be no deception in depending entirely on the Word of God. It is not presumption to trust in him when he has commanded us to do so. We dishonour him by our fearfulness and want of confidence. We thus call in question his faithfulness and his goodness. Whether your mind is comfortable or distressed, flee for refuge to the outstretched wings of his protection and mercy. There is all fulness in him; there is all willingness to bestow what we need. He says, 'My grace is sufficient for thee. My strength is made perfect in weakness. As thy day is so shall thy strength be. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' Be not afraid of the pangs of death. Be not afraid that your Redeemer will then be afar off. Grace to die comfortably is not commonly given until the trial comes. Listen not to the tempter, when he endeavours to shake your faith, and destroy your comfort. Resist him, and he will flee from you. If you feel that you can trust your soul willingly and wholly to the hands of Christ, relying entirely on his merits; if you feel that you hate sin, and earnestly long to be delivered from its defilement; if you are willing to submit to the will of God, however much he may afflict you; then be not discouraged. These are not the marks of an enemy, but of a friend. My sincere prayer is, that your sun may set in serenity; that your latter end may be like that of the righteous; and that your remaining days, by the blessing of God's providence and grace, may be rendered tolerable and even comfortable.

It is not probable that we shall ever meet again in this world; and yet, as you have already seen one of your children go before you, you may possibly live to witness the departure of more of us. I feel that old age is creeping upon me. Whoever goes first, the rest must soon follow. May we all be ready! And may we all meet around the throne of God, where there is no separation for ever and ever! Amen!

His mother was Agnes Ann Reid Alexander (1740-1825), and her earthly remains are buried with her husband at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.

Archibald Alexander clearly understood what it was like to be in the “autumn of life,” with its particular physical and spiritual challenges and opportunities, and the comfort and encouragement that is needed at this stage of life. This is why Log College Press chose to republish his worthy “Letters to the Aged” as Aging in Grace: Letters to Those in the Autumn of Life. Be sure to order your copy here, and consider purchasing extra copies for your pastor or loved ones.

Archibald Alexander's Aging in Grace is Now Available!

Exciting news from Log College Press! Our newest booklet is now available for purchase: Archibald Alexander, Aging in Grace: Letters to Those in the Autumn of Life.

This is a small collection of letters originally appended to Alexander’s spiritual classic, Thoughts on Religious Experience. Together, they constitute a wonderful, pastoral encouragement to those in the “autumn of life,” written when Alexander himself was in his 70s. Here he candidly addresses the sorrows, trials and temptations of old age, while offering Biblical wisdom, encouragement, and practical counsel to his fellow aged friends. This counsel, thought written over 150 years ago, is equally applicable today.

To order this booklet for yourself, or for a loved one, visit our Bookstore today. Besides the booklet format ($3.99 plus shipping), one may also order this work in Kindle or EPUB formats ($2.99 each). Because this is our fifth volume, we are also offering a “Pastor’s Package” special, which includes all five volumes ($22 + free shipping). This is a special opportunity that you don’t want to miss!

Alexander’s Aging in Grace tackles the challenges of old age honestly, from first-hand experience, and in a series of five letters, empathizes with the struggles we face in this stage of life, while offering cautions and encouragements to move forward in the path of obedience and duty. Most helpfully, he highlights how mature saints can help guide those that are younger, and emphasizes how our lives and labors, most particularly at this advanced stage of life, are not less valuable in the service of Christ the King and his church, but in fact more so. Alexander reminds us that there are special ministry opportunities that are unique to those in the autumn of life.

Read what others have said about this booklet:

"While grateful that the letters of Archibald Alexander to the aged have been made available to our Lord’s church, I am also overjoyed as a pastor that I now have them as an excellent asset for discipleship and encouragement to the Titus 2 'older men and women,' as well as an instrument of insight for the Titus 2 'young men and women' in our Lord’s church." - Harry L. Reeder, III, Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama

"...Filled with keen insight into the physical, mental and spiritual conditions that accompany and come to define growing older, these letters should be required reading for Christians entering their fifties and older, their children and those who minister to all ages. Far beyond pious platitudes, Alexander offers not only comfort and warning regarding approaching the end of life but extremely helpful and realistic suggestions to make these years productive and richly satisfying." - Dr. W. Andrew Hoffecker, Emeritus Professor of Church History at Reformed Theological Seminary 
 
"...In a time when many want to deny the approach of old age, Alexander’s letters are an honest, refreshing, and helpful encouragement to grow in God’s grace at all ages and to serve Christ faithfully to the end. The younger generation in the church will always need mature saints who take to heart what is written in these pages." - Mr. Wiley Lowry, Minister of Pastoral Care at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

An Upcoming Publication of Log College Press!

Here's a sneak peek at the cover of one of our upcoming publications, Lord willing: Aging in Grace: Letters to Those in the Autumn of Life, by Archibald Alexander. It will consist of five letters (originally styled "Letters to the Aged" by Alexander) that appeared in the third edition of Thoughts on Religious Experiences. Anyone dealing with the infirmities of encroaching frailty and death (i.e., everyone) will be richly encouraged by Alexander's counsel. I hope that this booklet will be a blessing especially to the seniors in our congregations, who can sometimes be overlooked in pastoral ministry in favor of those younger. Alexander isn't afraid of speaking truth into difficult situations, so he names some of the sins peculiar to old age, and speaks frankly - yet hopefully - of death for the believer. We'll let you know once we've published it; and be on the lookout, it may even be a free ebook giveaway at some point!