Sermons, 1933-1953

Here is a selection of sermons that Earl Clement Davis delivered at the Petersham First Congregational Parish Church in Petersham, Massachusetts. He served there as minister from 1933 until his death in 1953. The undated sermons are listed first, followed by a reverse chronological order.

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Booklet of Sermon Notes for 1942-1943

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. This Booklet contained sermons for two years, 1942 and 1943, 101 different sermon notes in total.

The transcription of these notes have been separated into two shorter—although still long—documents, the first with the notes for sermons given during 1942 and the second for notes given during 1943. The primary document available for download is the full scan of the booklet itself. Supplemental downloads include the two transcription files, and the two sermon list documents for 1942 and 1943, respectively.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
Communion [Sermon Notes]

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947, Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. Most of these booklets were well-ordered and inclusive of only sermons from one particular year. The exception was the booklet of sermon notes for 1941, which was out of chronological order, and included sermon notes from multiple other years, 1934 through 1945. In all, only 30 of the 41 sermon notes were from 1941. The notes transcribed here were found in that collection. Clearly marked “-2-” for the second page, this is all that was found. The first page is missing.

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.
Booklet of Sermon Notes, 1947

Earl Clement Davis

A hand-bound booklet of sermons notes for 44 sermons delivered during 1947. For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. These are all notes, not full-text sermons, and are somewhat harder to interpret.

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.

One of the files available for download is a document listing all of the sermons in this booklet by date.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
Not Revelation but Discovery, Not Forms but the Holy Spirit

Earl Clement Davis

This is a particularly rich sermon by Earl Davis. His main point is that no matter how challenging or difficult the present may seem, we are moving irresistibly to a better future. He says 'better' because, as he understands the term, the Holy Spirit ("the whole healthy life, life with values and standards, life with purpose, life healthy and vigorous with its eye on some better tomorrow, some better age, some better world") is ever moving in us and about us, unexhausted and dynamic." The lesson from Hebrews 3 is again about working through a discouraging time.

Date refers to Date Given and 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.
Why the Birth of Jesus is Celebrated?

Earl Clement Davis

In Earl Davis's later years, he used shorthand for his sermons.

Here, Davis states that we celebrate the birth of Jesus because of the faith he had -- "his consecration to a great and generous purpose" -- and the fact that he made good when tested, even unto death.

Date refers to Date Given and 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.
Service of Commemoration

Earl Clement Davis

Earl Davis was asked to deliver a memorial address at a service commemorating the twenty-one ministers deceased since May 25th, 1944. The service was at the Hale Chapel of the First Church in Boston on May 22nd, 1946.

The sermon speaks of the mysteries of life and death, the moment of choosing a life of ministry, and the momentous changes that occurred during the lives of these men from the Civil War to this new Atomic Age.

Date refers to Date Given.

There are five downloadable files for this work. The primary document contains the original document followed by the transcription (each of these are also available as separate downloads). Also available is the Service of Commemoration program for this event, and a letter to Earl Davis from the American Unitarian Association supplying the list of deceased ministers.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
Community Peace Service [Sermon Notes]

Earl Clement Davis

Wednesday, August 14, 1945 — “VJ Day” — was the day Japan surrendered to end World War II. Germany had previously surrendered on May 8, 1945, known as “VE Day.” This service was clearly a quickly put-together effort for the community to recognize the end of the War.

Date refers to Date Given.

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.
Memorial Day Union Service [Sermon Notes]

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. Most of these booklets were well-ordered and inclusive of only sermons from one particular year. The exception was the booklet of sermon notes for 1941, which was out of chronological order, and included sermon notes from multiple other years, 1934 through 1945. In all, only 30 of the 41 sermon notes were from 1941. The notes transcribed here were found in that collection.

Date refers to Date Given.

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.
Union Thanksgiving Service [Sermon Notes]

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. Most of these booklets were well-ordered and inclusive of only sermons from one particular year. The exception was the booklet of sermon notes for 1941, which was out of chronological order, and included sermon notes from multiple other years, 1934 through 1945. In all, only 30 of the 41 sermon notes were from 1941. The notes transcribed here were found in that collection.

Date refers to Date Given.

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.
Booklet of Sermon Notes, 1944

Earl Clement Davis

A hand-bound booklet of sermons notes for 27 sermons delivered during 1944. For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. These are all notes, not full-text sermons, and are somewhat harder to interpret.

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.

One of the files available for download is a document listing all of the sermons in this booklet by date.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
From Copernicus to Galileo

Earl Clement Davis

Earl Davis discusses the history of the religious challenges brought on by progress in science. For Davis, this is fundamentally the question of rule of authority versus the rule of experience and science. He thinks this an ongoing problem, and sees authority remains a formidable demon.

Date refers to Date Given. While this text has no explicit date, the paper is identical to the paper from the clearly dated “Remarks at Tenth Anniversary,” and perhaps not coincidentally 1942 was the tercentenary of Galileo’s death.

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.
Remarks at Tenth Anniversary

Earl Clement Davis

Prompted by his ten year anniversary in Petersham, MA, Earl Davis looks forward. He is concerned about the major changes afoot in science and technology that are threatening religious life. He canvasses three possible responses, only one of which he supports:

The two inadvisable options are 1. to focus on ceremonies and to shield oneself from curiosity or 2. to revive the past. The response he supports and pushes for is to embrace the change and engage it with mind and heart. Davis states that this is the way of excitement, zest, and growth in all aspects of life. He states that the church should be a place "of keen intellectual influence...a place where, with malice towards none, and with charity for all, we may sift the golf [sic] of modern thought, as well as ancient thought from the dross, and carry the gold of truth...".

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.
Booklet of Sermon Notes, 1941

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947, Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. Most of these booklets were well-ordered and inclusive of only sermons from one particular year. The exception was the booklet of sermon notes for 1941, which was out of chronological order, and included sermon notes from multiple other years, 1934 through 1945. In all, only 30 of the 41 sermon notes were from 1941. Here are these 30 sermon notes in chronological order.

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.
Booklet of Sermon Notes, 1938

Earl Clement Davis

A hand-bound booklet of sermons notes for 26 sermons delivered during 1938. For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. These are all notes, not full-text sermons, and are somewhat harder to interpret.

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.

One of the files available for download is a document listing the sermons in this booklet by date and subject.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
Order of Worship for Children's Sunday [Sermon Notes]

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. Most of these booklets were well-ordered and inclusive of only sermons from one particular year. The exception was the booklet of sermon notes for 1941, which was out of chronological order, and included sermon notes from multiple other years, 1934 through 1945. In all, only 30 of the 41 sermon notes were from 1941. The notes transcribed here were found in that collection.

Date refers to Date Given.

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 Beginning of a Long Trail [Sermon Notes]

Earl Clement Davis

For the years 1938 through 1947 Davis collected his sermon notes in more-or-less annual hand-bound booklets. Most of these booklets were well-ordered and inclusive of only sermons from one particular year. The exception was the booklet of sermon notes for 1941, which was out of chronological order, and included sermon notes from multiple other years, 1934 through 1945. In all, only 30 of the 41 sermon notes were from 1941. The notes transcribed here were found in that collection.

Date refers to Date Given.

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.