Sermons, 1905-1919
Here is a selection of sermons that Earl Clement Davis delivered at the Unity Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In at least one case ("The Place of the Church in the Life of the Individual and in Society"), the sermon was printed and published, but most of the sermons here were delivered from these manuscripts. The undated sermons are listed first, followed by a reverse chronological order.
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The Great Tradition Becomes the Great Faith
Earl Clement Davis
According to a note attached to this sermon, it was given during June, 1918. Earl C. Davis also gave this sermon in Petersham on July 15, 1951.
This sermon is about the need for and search for "values that are good enough or true enough or beautiful enough to command our complete allegiance and fidelity; to give purpose and dignity to our life beyond the mere motions of animal existence." Jesus met this challenge in staying true to his conviction, even unto death; that was his commitment to his disciples in the story of the transfiguration. In current times with threat of authoritarianism we hunger for this kind of truth and integrity. There is also extended discussion of Henry David Thoreau's May 12th, 1857 journal entry.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. -
A Sermon on Patriotism
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #6”—that is labeled “Sermons During the War.” In this collection were two sermons that noted in their first paragraph a request to ministers to preach a patriotic sermon, this one, and “The Spirit of ‘76.” Both appear to be incomplete given their abrupt endings. Thus, our best guess is that these are two different attempts to draft “a patriotic sermon.” Neither has an explicit date. But internal evidence in “A Sermon on Patriotism” clearly dates them to April 15, 1917, very shortly after the United States entered “the Great War,” April 6, 1917.
Davis' view of the war is that it started as the old authoritarian order of empire was crumbling, and will emerge as a victory for democracy.
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 Church as Fellowship for Common Purpose
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #6”—that is labeled “Sermons During the War.” There is no explicit date on this sermon, but from the text this clearly is an Easter sermon. Also in the text there is reference to the Good Friday of that year — April 6, 1917 — being the day the United States declared war and entered World War I. Davis provides comments on this as well.
An Easter Sunday sermon in which Davis provides some personal history -- growing up on a farm, loving nature, encountering a strike as a young college student -- all to illustrate two principles of life: freedom and fellowship, both of which Davis sees as necessary.
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.
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The Spirit of '76
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection — “bundle #6” — that is labeled “Sermons During the War.” In this collection were two sermons that noted in their first paragraph a request to ministers to preach a patriotic sermon, this one, and “A Sermon on Patriotism.” Both appear to be incomplete given their abrupt endings. These were likely two different attempts to draft “a patriotic sermon.” Neither has an explicit date, but internal evidence in “A Sermon on Patriotism” clearly dates them to April 15, 1917, very shortly after the United States entered “the Great War” on April 6, 1917.
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The Undercurrent of the Times
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection — “bundle #6” — that is labeled “Sermons During the War.” While there is no explicit date on this sermon, evidence in the text itself places it on Sunday April 29, 1917. The text references the recent entry of the United States into World War I (April 4, 1917) and the start of the Russian Revolution (March 8, 1917) the next Tuesday, May Day, May 1, 1917.
This sermon was given just after the US entry into World War I. Davis sees the war as the final nail in the coffin of what he calls "Graeco-Roman/Medieval absolutism",which would thereby release democracy and make it safe.
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.
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The New Era
Earl Clement Davis
This was Davis' first sermon after the outbreak of World War I. He blames the war on international industrial imperialism's century-long development. He states that this horrible consequence was to be expected given the imperialistic tendencies of all the nations involved (including the US), an imperialism driven by commerce and proselytizing so-called Christianity. Yet, Davis sees reason to hope, by working to establish a better world order based on democracy and humanity.
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 Influence of Democracy on Religious Thought and Practice
Earl Clement Davis
This is a text that Earl C. Davis read at the meeting of the Connecticut Valley Association of Liberal Ministers meeting, June 3, 1913 in Montague, MA. It was subsequently published in the Christian Register, Volume 92, October 9, 1913, pp. 970-973. It is an account of the interactions between democracy and religion.
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.
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Plodding Illuminated by Imagination
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection —“bundle #5”— that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911. While the manuscript says, “January 15, 1910,” it is clear that 1911 is meant. Not only was this manuscript bound after the December 25, 1910 sermon, but tellingly January 15 falls on a Sunday in 1911, but not in 1910.
Earl Davis writes:
"For millions upon millions of years the vast mill of the universe has been plodding on its rounds of work...surely nature is a great plodding machine. Plod, plod, plod, here and there, a slight change, plod, plod, plod, and then another change. That is the method of development, the method of evolution. No miracle, no strange inexplicable phenomena, no interruptions by foreign forces, just plod, plod, plod in [the] development and unfolding of the forces that lie implicit in the universe. It is the method of God; it is God."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.
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The Demands of the New Year
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911. While the manuscript says, “January 1, 1910,” it is clear that 1911 is meant. Not only was this manuscript bound after the December 25, 1910 sermon, but tellingly January 1 falls on a Sunday in 1911, but not in 1910.
This sermon starts by distinguishing four stages in how thoughts of heaven developed across time. The last of these is what he calls "Modern religion", heaven is built on earth through our ideals and our actions. The demands of the new year are (1) to recognize this point of view and its implications; (2) to seek knowledge, what Davis refers to as "deep sympathetic insight into the signs of the times;" (3) to devote oneself to "the holiest and best things of life," which are our sacred values and ideals.
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. T
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
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The Essence of Manhood
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911. While the manuscript says, “January 8, 1910,” it is clear that 1911 is meant. Not only was this manuscript bound after the December 25, 1910 sermon, but tellingly January 8 falls on a Sunday in 1911, but not in 1910.
In this sermon, Davis examines exalted heroes of his and past times -- including Charles Sumner, Theodore Parker, Amos, Hosea, Jesus, Girolamo Savonarola, Lincoln, Saint Paul -- thereby aiming to expose the essence of humanity.
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.
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A More Abundant Life
Earl Clement Davis
An abundant life is what we all aim for. But what is an abundant life? Davis suggests it is a life committed heart and soul to realizing the ideals of man -- truth, beauty and justice for all. Sermon is constructed around the June emergence of plant life and the myth of the Vision of Sir Launfal and his search for the Holy Grail. We are in a better position now to find--to make--the Holy Grail.
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. -
An Appeal for Self-Assertion
Earl Clement Davis
Davis describes humanity as directed by two impulses: "In the first place, by the impulse to live a full, rich, abundant life, and in the second place, to assure to our children all that we have had and more." Davis believes the second to be more powerful.
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911.
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. -
Is There Any Sense in Praying?
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911.
In this sermon, Davis says that if one thinks of God as a "big man," then prayer makes sense -- one is asking something in the same way that subjects might ask something of their king. But if God is immanent in everything in the universe, then such prayer makes no sense. And yet prayer does make sense as the recognition of the finite in the infinite. Davis write that "The moment of prayer is the moment we feel ourselves a part of the great world process, when the best of the finite calls to the best of the universal. It is not the bended [knee], or the uttered word, but the inquiring spirit, looking for truth, and the values of life that make life worthwhile. ... Every person, that ever cherished an ideal, and devoted himself to it, has prayed. It is a natural human function, as natural as it is for the plant to grow. If you ask me, “Why should men pray?” I must answer you that they pray because they can’t help it. As they must breath, so must they pray. It is a great human necessity. If you really understand the true meaning of prayer, you might as well ask, “Is there any sense in breathing?” as to ask, “Is there any sense in prayer?”"
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.
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Some Questions of Municipal Housekeeping
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911.
A sermon given ahead of city elections. Starts at a general "philosophical" level comparing more-or-less civilized life in Pittsfield with that of a "barbarous and ill-organized" community or "mining camp" where law and order is carried in a man's pocket. The civilization of Pittsfield reduces certain freedoms with the benefit of new freedoms being opened up. As to specifics for Pittsfield in 1910, there is a concern about the city charter that gives all power to the state and the state's political machine. Utilities -- electricity and gas -- are gouging and should be taken over along the lines of water and sewer. The school buildings should be used in the evenings for talks, recreation, morally uplifting opportunities, as opposed to saloons, from which the city draws license fees - -and creates an opportunity for graft. Despite all of this, Davis is optimistic.
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.
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The Democracy of God
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911.
This sermon discusses the ways in which each age has made God in the image of its age and concludes with Davis' view on the image of God in his day: "No, I do not believe in a far-off God who rules the world of men, as a king rules his empire. No, I do not believe in a God who has made us ignorant without the capacity of learning, or evil without the power of God. No, I do not believe in a God who has filled our beings with longings, hopes, dreams and loves, only to have us learn through the experiences of life that they are hollow mockeries. But I do believe that our hunger for a rich satisfying life is rational. I do believe that our dreams of justice are right. I do believe that our cravings for wholesome whole-souled human fellowship are founded on the nature of our beings, and shall be satisfied. I do believe in the eternal sanctity of human life in all its relations. Yes, and when I sometimes get discouraged over some of the shallow mockeries of life, and long for humanity to leap forward to its own, I am strengthened and given courage by the inexplicable conviction that in and through all the surging, boiling turmoil of human life, the great life spirit is working toward the consummation of those very hopes and loves that are dearer to us than life itself."
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.
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The Democracy of the Bible
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911. This sermon is a follow-up to the previous week's sermon, "The Democracy of God." In both cases, each age, each generation, makes their God -- as an expression of their ideals -- and their Bible, as an expression of their human history. Davis laments the consequences of loading the Bible with a supernatural reading.
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.
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The Joy of a Pagan Christmas
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #5”—that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911.
This sermon briefly details two origins of Christmas as a "winter solstice" celebration. The first from Rome celebrating the return of light -- with summer and its bounty -- and a focus on gift giving and the erasure of human distinctions in favor of common humanity. The second is about Teutonic ancestors with the Christmas Tree, its evergreen life promising future return to warmth and growth.
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.
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Theodore Parker, The Man of Conviction
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection —“bundle #5”— that includes sermons from January 2, 1910 to January 15, 1911. Also included in the supplementary files are notes that Earl Davis wrote for this sermon. There are separate files for the original document scan and its transcription.
A brief discussion of Theodore Parker, ardent 19th century liberal Unitarian and abolitionist: an intellectually learned and brave man who was ahead of his times -- and suffered for it. Davis says:
"He is tremendously interesting for the romance of his own life, but he is not less so for the work that he is doing today. Many true and noble things he said, some daring and challenging, but not one seems to be truer, or more prophetic, than the words said on his death bed, 'There are two Theodore Parkers now; one is dying here in Italy; the other I have planted in America. He will live there and finish my work.' No small part of the seed, which is causing the great unrest of our time in religious, in political, in social life was sown here by that Theodore Parker that was planted here in America. That Theodore Parker, planted here in America, is preaching from all the pulpits that have any vital message today."
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.
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Confidence in the Amateur Thinker
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #4”—that includes sermons from February 14, 1909 to December 26, 1909.
This sermon advances the idea that "amateur thinkers" are more important to the progress of the world than professional thinkers. Multiple examples are provided, starting with Jesus (as opposed to the priests and scribes of his day), and Amos from the Old Testament. He speaks about the early unrest leading up to the Reformation, specifically the "Thirty Weavers of Worcester" from 1165. More recently, he addresses the cooperative movement of the 19th century. In all these cases it was amateur thinkers that moved things forward.
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. -
Easter Sermon: The Festival of the New Life
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #4”—that includes sermons from February 14, 1909 to December 26, 1909.
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.
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Ex-President Eliot as a Religious Thinker
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #4”—that includes sermons from February 14, 1909 to December 26, 1909.
Charles William Eliot (1834-1926) was President of Harvard University from 1869 to 1909; this included the period of time when Earl Davis was a student in the Harvard Divinity School. This sermon was inspired by a conference held at the opening of the 1909 Harvard Divinity School summer session. Roughly half of the sermon focuses on the address by Charles Eliot — then having just stepped down from the Harvard Presidency — which closed the conference. This address ultimately was published — Charles W. Eliot, “The Religion of the Future,” The Modern Review, January 1912, pp. 30-39 — and by comparing quotations
in Davis’ text with this publication, it was possible to confirm these quotations.
Evidently a printed copy of Eliot’s talk was made available at the conference — or Davis took remarkably good notes. Using quotation indentation, efforts are made to signal which portions of the sermon text are direct quotes from Eliot’s published article.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.
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Good Will Among Men, Is it a Fact or a Theory? (incomplete)
Earl Clement Davis
This is the first of two 1909 sermons (the second being on the 'That Man May Live') David gave about the "real meaning" of Christmas. Davis is concerned that the real meaning of Christ is submerged in a bunch of sentimental pseudo-history, "pure and unadulterated rot." He discusses the Roman god Saturnus and the annual Saturnalia festival and holiday. He discusses Jesus' early life and initially becoming aware of his faith. He also talks about his early disciples. This sermon is incomplete.
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. -
Is Your God Dead?
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #4”—that includes sermons from February 14, 1909 to December 26,
Everyone, everywhere all the time is balancing the world that is with the world to be. We make the world--with the world's help--through our aspirations and ideals. Our living God is the God that lies behind your ideals. Davis writes, "What is your God? Your God is your image of your true and secret aspiration for the things that shall be, for the human life that shall be attained."
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.
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John Brown and the Passion for Justice
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #4”—that includes sermons from February 14, 1909 to December 26, 1909.
Nearly 50 years after John Brown's execution for his role in the taking of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, this sermon celebrates Brown's commitments to end slavery, and more broadly to justice. The sermon draws a connection between Brown and the Pilgrims -- evidently Brown was a direct descendant of a Mayflower passenger -- and with the 19th century Unitarians and transcendentalists. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Victor Hugo are quoted on their opinions of Brown.
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.
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Our Debt to Thomas Paine, Patriot and Freethinker
Earl Clement Davis
This is from the bound collection—“bundle #4”—that includes sermons from February 14, 1909 to December 26, 1909. Davis discusses Thomas Paine (1737-1809) in one of his history lessons provided in support of congregational education and written in the years before this sermon. See “Lecture IX: Thomas Paine and Theology Without the Church,”
Discusses the important contributions of Thomas Paine (1737-1809) to political thought -- including contributions to both the American and French revolutions -- and religious thought (with his book, The Age of Reason) for which he was harshly judged by the ecclesiastical authorities of the times. Earl Davis applauds his courageous commitment to saying his truth.
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.
