Manuscripts

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  Socialism: A Reply to the Common Assertion that the Socialist Movement is Atheistic, Irreligious, and a Menace to the Family

  Earl Clement Davis and Pittsfield Socialist Local

  This 16-page pamphlet, published by the Pittsfield Socialist Local, lays out Earl Davis's case for the socialism, rebutting the common myths and fears surrounding its supposed threat to religion. Davis's interest in and support of socialism makes its way into his sermons, his writing, and his involvement with workers rights during his time in Pittsfield, MA.

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  The Churches and Socialism [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911.

  This is a long piece (and one of the essential ones in this collection), covering a lot of ground with fairly "sharp edges." There are three major sections, (1) on churches as institutions, (2) on the role of churches with current social problems, (3) the relation of churches to socialism. Earl Davis finds himself on the "revolutionary" end of this spectrum. He writes, "it is a fight between those, who by means for the most part unscrupulous and inhuman, have gained control of the machines of production and distribution, and those who use those machines." Socialists are working for a cooperative commonwealth, reminding that socialism is not communism, nor is revolutionary socialism advocating violence. It is change.

  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.

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  The Class Struggle [Twine Bound Bundle)

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound bundle. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts, including this one here.

  One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  Earl Davis writes about the current class struggle in the United States. He notes that there is a resistance to thinking of the United States in terms of classes because it was founded, in a way, to make a clear break with feudalism's class structure. However, in place of that class structure we have the Capitalistic class structure, and the class struggle therein. He makes reference to the 1910 general strike in Philadelphia. Socialism is his solution to the class struggle.

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  The Work of a Church Today [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound bundle. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

  One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  Closely related to "Churches for Truth and Justice" (also part of the Twine Bound Bundle), this concerns the proper role of a church in society. The idea is to serve as a site for like-minded men and women to gather for determining and realizing the deeper and abiding values of life -- and to make sure that these move beyond intellectual notions and are actualized in one's life.

  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.

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  What About City Government, Pipe and Pen Club [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound bundle. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

  This particular manuscript has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  Earl Davis presents his view on how the Pittsfield City Charter should best promote democratic government. Evidently there were calls for a new Charter in 1910, although to our knowledge they were not acted on. Earl Davis argues for the critical importance of democracy, and provides various specific suggestions -- popular initiative, referendum, recall and popular veto -- that he argues would better support democracy in city government.

  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.

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  Edgar Allan Poe [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

  One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  Davis provides a kind of psychological analysis of what he sees as Poe failing to live up to his genius. He blames Poe's step-parents, who gave him things and luxury, but not warmth and discipline. Two of the author's works briefly discussed, "William Wilson" (1839) and Eureka: A Prose Poem (1848).

  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.

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  Robert Louis Stevenson, the Writer and the Man [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

  One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  This is a discussion of the life of Robert Louis Stevenson, and why his open-hearted and generous nature appeals to the age. He likens reading Stevenson to "fishing along a beautiful stream", not for the catch but simply for "the joy of the fishing".

  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.

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  The Significance of Count Tolstoi [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

  One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  A discussion of Leo Tolstoy and his writing on social, moral, and economic struggles. Written while the author was still alive, Davis makes comparisons to Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Turgenev, Voltaire, Thomas Hardy, and William Ellory Channing. Davis acknowledges that Tolstoy has grasped the struggle -- particularly the need for all humans to be free of bondage -- but criticizes his solution -- to fall back on the authority of Christ, particularly the doctrine of non-resistance to evil. Davis thinks we have to abandon all "authorities" and be sincere individual selves. He also finds Tolstoy's adopting peasant life to be artificial and not fully natural.

  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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  Address at the Lincoln Celebration; Held Under the Auspices of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church

  Earl Clement Davis

  In this address, Davis lauds Lincoln for his acts and fundamental integrity, but emphasizes the amount of work that remains with both Race and labor. He writes that integrity, being a truth-seeker, and taking responsibility are necessary.

  This is an incomplete copy of this address; one page is missing. It is also unclear exactly which church this event was held at.
  

  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.

  
  

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  Lincoln Steffens to Speak at Colonial Theatre

  Earl Clement Davis

  A short piece encouraging people to attend the YMCA sponsored talk by Lincoln Steffens at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. Davis makes reference to Steffens work exposing corruption in municipal government. Steffens was an American investigative journalist and a leading "muckraker" of the Progressive Era. While there is no explicit date for this manuscript, Steffens did give a talk in Pittsfield in 1908.

  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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  Record [of Experience of a Psychic Phenomenon]

  Earl Clement Davis

  Here is a curious document from the trunk of Earl Davis’ manuscripts. He describes in some detail, and with care about the particulars, an experience that he takes to be of a psychic phenomenon. This took place on the night before Halloween. Three couples, including Earl and Annie Davis, met with two who were reputed to be "impersonating mediums". One of the mediums, Mr. James T. Rhodes, went into a trance and presented himself as a deceased but very close friend of Davis'.

  To our knowledge, Earl Davis never did anything with this document. It is interesting that it was bound closed, whereas most of his materials were bound open, so that the first page was visible.

  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.

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  Report to the Parish

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is from the third bound collection that includes sermons from 1908, along with a couple of reports, such as this one. So, while not explicitly dated, it is very likely from 1908.

  A report to the members of the Unity Church that includes the good news that the church will receive support from "four of the largest and most efficient Unitarian churches" to help continue the idealistic work of the Unity church. Davis talks about the responsibility and aims of this work.

  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.

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  Report to the Unity Workers

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is from the third bound collection that includes sermons from 1908, along with a couple of reports, such as this one. So, while not explicitly dated, it is very likely from 1908.

  A report to the people who work at the Unity Church and/or volunteer to support Church operations. Opens by thanking them for stopping certain work, almost certainly referencing Earl Davis putting a stop to the running of church fairs and suppers as a means to support the church and its minister. Tells the workers of support provided by outside (see "Report to the Parish" for 1908). Davis also makes specific suggestions to work in the coming year, including occasional parish suppers and socials (with the social goal taking priority over revenue), sewing activities, support for church members, and outreach efforts.

  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.

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  The Social Unrest [Twine Bound Bundle]

  Earl Clement Davis

  This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

  One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

  This is a long piece about social unrest. Davis covers various "causes" for the current social unrest, from economic hardship, to unjust distribution of burdens and benefits, to increased education. He thinks there is a deeper reason rooted in the ongoing massive social change from feudalism to modern society. He also attends to the great good that individualism -- as opposed to the classes in a feudal society -- did for moving us beyond feudalism. He also discusses the limits of individualism, as represented in various extreme versions of social Darwinism. He discusses the various attempts at alleviating the social conditions -- including references to Jane Addams, Walter Rauschenbusch and Wiles Robert Hunter -- and ultimately he opts for socialism as the answer to the current problems.

  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.

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  Religion in a Democracy

  Earl Clement Davis

  In this manuscript, Davis argues for a evolving church -- and church doctrine -- that is in step with evolving science and evolving social systems of shared government. He traces other kinds of church governance and doctrine to the times of their formation.

  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.