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Mutual Aid a Factor in Evolution
Earl Clement Davis
Davis writes in response to a New York Times article, "One Million Americans Learn to Get Along Without Money" from March 12, 1933. Davis writes that "these energetic unemployed, under grim necessity, have discovered ways of meeting needs and helping one another in trying times...The story is thrilling. It may prove to be one of those by-products of history that becomes constructively important."
The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird. -
Abigail Adams Makes a Suggestion & Brooks Adams Asks a Question
Earl Clement Davis
Several versions of this manuscript survive. The first simply titled, “Abigail the Feminist,” includes material about Abigail Adams (1744-1818) and her early feminist arguments with her husband John Adams. It follows developments to the 1930s. It does not include, however, the material about her descendant, Brooks Adams (1848-1927), which is in the second and third versions, titled “Abigail Adams Makes a Suggestion & Brooks Adams Asks a Question.” All three start with an anecdote about the history of the estate of Albert E. Pillsbury (1849-1930). We have all three versions of this manuscript available for download. The primary download is a combined transcription and original text of the third and final manuscript version. The supplementary files are the first and second versions respectively.
The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
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Final Report of the Commission on Free Publications of the American Unitarian Association
Earl Clement Davis
Earl Davis chaired this Commission that made recommendations concerning materials that the American Unitarian Association made available free of charge to various audiences.
Also included here is a letter from Elizabeth Spalding who provided administrative assistance to the Commission.
The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird. -
The Results of Protestantism
Earl Clement Davis
An essay on where we have come with the Reformation after four hundred years. Davis writes that The Catholic Church has gone to Papal infallibility and that Protestant churches are struggling with facts -- of science and history. Yet Davis states that he has "faith that there are permanent values in human life and that courageous fidelity to those values has its root in the nature of things."
No direct evidence has been found indicating the intended purpose or audience for this essay. This sentence in the text—“I am sure that you never conduct a service or preach a sermon without realizing that in the background of even the most devout there is a seething restlessness and uncertainty.”— suggests this was intended for a group of ministers, perhaps at a meeting or convention of ministers.
This manuscript can be dated by its reference to a New York Times article from February 22, 1931 about the starting of the Vatican’s radio broadcasting station, call-sign HVJ, in February, 1931.
The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird. -
Report to the Second Congregational Society
Earl Clement Davis
A brief report to what is essentially a Board of Trustees. Notes eighteen funeral services, six weddings, three births, two hundred calls, forty days at conferences, five hundred and sixty-four letters, and more. Davis then notes a historical/philosophical observation and challenge. He observes that the "materialistic philosophy" that has reigned ascendant for a century and supported orthodox religion is waning. He states: "I throw that out as a direct challenge to you who are the custodians of the tradition of the forward looking liberal wing of the Puritan tradition. Back of all the statistics, back of all the day by day events in your life and mine, is the astounding fact that the sun is rising on a new day."
The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
