Sermons, 1902-1904
Earl Clement Davis was an active preacher while he was a student working towards his S.T.B. degree at Harvard. He preached in several venues including at the Harvard Divinity School chapel, in Boston and in several of the towns and villages surrounding Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He gave the 1904 sermon, “Man’s Responsibility,” multiple times, but most importantly on November 27, 1904 in the Pittsfield Massachusetts Unity church, where he took up his first ministry in 1905.
Here are some of his sermons from that time. They are arranged chronologically and are followed by the undated sermons known to be from this time period.
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The Renewal of the Spirit
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon sees Earl Clement Davis encouraging every individual to connect directly and deeply with God, and to nourish their spiritual needs. It contains an interesting real-life metaphor regarding a scientist who thought he solved the problem of perpetual motion. His attempt, which involved connecting an electric dynamo with a electric motor, worked initially but eventually ran down. Davis equates this attempt with what happens to spiritual nourishment based only on human connection. He states that while the habit of doing good has become fixed, its spiritual power has waned.
Date refers to Date Given. There is no date for this sermon, but it is very likely from 1903.
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 Motive Power of Vision
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon is about the importance of a vision to motivate action and positive change. Examples mentioned include, Moses, Jesus, Booker T. Washington, and Jacob Riis. The final vision discussed is that of Jesus and his vision for eternal life.
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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Feed the Whole Man
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon is about the dangers of indolence and laxity -- at both the individual and national/global levels. The fall of Rome is used as an example of the danger to nations while a wasted life is cited for individuals. The cure is to "feed the fire", i.e our physical selves, mental selves and spiritual selves. Davis recommends the early New England custom of morning family prayer for the latter, careful reading for feeding our brains, and eating and exercising for our physical selves.
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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Labor and Brotherly Love
Earl Clement Davis
In this sermon, given the day before Labor Day, Davis provides an interesting analysis of Jean-Francois Millet's painting "L'homme à la houe" ("Man with a Hoe") and Edwin Markham's poem, "The Man with the Hoe," using them to argue the importance of having a job with purpose. He posits that purposive work is essential for a healthy soul, and it is part of our interdependence, both with all persons in common purpose and with God for the development of human souls.
Davis also delivered this sermon at Barnstable, MA on September 4, 1904.
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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Education the Means; Religion the Dynamic
Earl Clement Davis
In this sermon, Davis lays out the social problems of the day -- rapid modernization, the shift to democracy from autocracy, the Southern race problem, seeming religious decline--and a misunderstanding of liberal religion (living a life of pure moral living). He preaches that education is the first part of the solution, and that religion--or building in the motivation to live in recognition of the divine in us-- is the second part. The first focus must be on self-improvement and to teach by example: live a life trusting in God and doing good.
According to the envelope in which this manuscript was stored, this sermon was written January 8th and 9th of 1904 and given on the 10th in East Boston. It would also be delivered in several other venues.
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 Roots of Victory
Earl Clement Davis
Earl Davis wrote two sermons for February 21, 1904, “The Roots of Victory,” and “Preparation and Temptation.” Both sermons are written to the same text, Luke 2:52. Only the sermon, “The Roots of Victory,” has evidence of being preached on February 21, 1904 in Boston. It would appear that Davis first wrote “Preparation and Temptation,” and then approached his subject differently with “The Roots of Victory,” which was delivered in East Boston. The text for “Preparation and Temptation,” may never have been preached. Both texts are provided in this Sermons, 1902-1904 series.
Both focus on Jesus’ growth as a youth into manhood. He gives a reading of Jesus' forty days in the desert and his temptations. Jesus was ready to preach, but he knew what he preached would be controversial; he was tempted to refrain an take an easier life path. Davis preaches that the roots of his victory were in his preparations as a man of integrity and character. And so it is that victory generally comes from the long and tedious preparations.
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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Preparation and Temptation
Earl Clement Davis
Evidently, this is a first attempt at discussing Jesus' 40 days in the desert and his temptations. The second attempt, "The Roots of Victory," was used. This sermon was not.
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. -
Sympathy
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon is a discussion of what it will take to bring men to Christianity. They cannot be treated as generalized classifications of people (e.g., uneducated, immoral, etc), but must be connected with on common ground, man-to-man.
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 Modern Pioneer
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon, preached in Pittsfield’s Unity Church on November 20, 1904, and the next one, “Man’s Responsibility,” also preached in Pittsfield’s Unity Church a week later on November 27, 1904, are sermons likely preached as part of the process through which Earl Davis secured the ministry of the Unity Church in Pittsfield, which commenced in April, 1905.
This sermon is structured around a discussion of Thanksgiving, focusing on what it takes to be a pioneer or explorer--whether of new lands or new ideas. Davis looks briefly at the history of Pittsfield and at the needs of today for courage, independence and faith in solving the problems of the modern world. He says that Thanksgiving is not about thanks for the past, but about hope for the future.
Note written before the text: "Written to give courage and independence and faith to people just recovering from a period of discouragement".
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.
Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
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Man's Responsibility
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon, preached in Pittsfield’s Unity Church on November 27, 1904, and the previous one, “The Modern Pioneer,” also preached in Pittsfield’s Unity Church a week earlier on November 20, 1904, are sermons likely preached as part of the process through which Earl Davis secured the ministry of the Unity Church in Pittsfield, which commenced in April, 1905. This sermon was also given in Canton, MA on December 4th, 1904, Billerica, MA (not date given), and Sterling, MA (January 22, 1905).
Davis uses this sermon to argue for the individual and collective responsibility to think through the meanings of the Bible and Jesus' messages. He emphasizes not relying on authority, and extends this line of thinking to acting through moral issues. Davis also refers to William Ellery Channing's views of Man's divinity.
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 off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
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Simple Religion
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon is about what it takes to be a truly religious person, and the ways these simple necessities are complicated and obfuscated by both individuals and institutions, especially churches.
While this manuscript has no date, it is clear from the reference in the first paragraph to "the President of the University" that this sermon dates from Earl Davis' time as a student at Harvard Divinity School. In addition, there is the notation "(9) Sermons I" at the top, which suggests this may have been written for a class.
The primary downloadable document, also embedded as a pdf below, contains the original document followed by the transcription.
Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.
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Authority in Religious Life
Earl Clement Davis
With this sermon, Earl Davis considers the origin of Jesus' authority. He argues that he did not speak from external authority (an oracle, a sacred text), but from internal convictions driven by keen observation and introspection. Davis goes further to point out that if this is the source of Jesus' authority, that we all have access to these same sources. This sermon features a fairly extensive use of Biblical material. Of particular note is the way Davis' Biblical quotations differ slightly from the language of the King James Bible, and, in this instance, differ with each other. Here we have three versions of Matthew 6:33.
While this manuscript has no date, there is the notation "(8)" at the top, similar to other notations from dated sermons from Earl Davis' time as a student at Harvard. On the back of the last page is the location, Manchester, NH and "Hum. 2" which likely refers to a class he was taking at Harvard.
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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Action and Reaction
Earl Clement Davis
In this sermon, Earl Davis argues the importance of service in fulfilling a good life. In order to do this, he says we must first serve oneself and know oneself. Public figures and/or their works refenced are Booker T. Washington, Jacob Riis, Cecilia Beaux, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Charles Dickens.
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 Helps by the Way
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon is about the need of spiritual and mental nourishment. Suggestions for this include daily (morning) prayer and/or the contemplation and appreciation of something good, beautiful, or true in the the world around us. He also discusses the face (as well as the body) being the mirror of the soul, and uses portraits of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry VIII to illustrate this. Note that while the usual 'Scripture' and 'Text' headings appear, both are blank.
While this manuscript has no date, the paper used is consistent with other dated sermons from Earl Davis' time as a student at Harvard Divinity School.
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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From Confusion Unto Death
Earl Clement Davis
Davis argues for the responsibility we have to think for ourselves, and the need to look inward to find God as opposed to an outward institution, the Bible, or another person.
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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Not Alms, but a Friend
Earl Clement Davis
This sermon is about how we can best help those in need. Davis argues that giving ourselves, in friendship and human connection, is more valuable than the (certainly necessary) alms of a stranger. Closes with a discussion of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus in need of a friend is left without.
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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Community of Purpose
Earl Clement Davis
In this sermon, Earl Davis discusses the pitfalls of creeds, which in his view are more destructive of honesty and integrity than the false ideas about property that undermined the failed communistic society immediately following Christ's life. He believe it is only a shared high purpose that can bind society, not shared beliefs.
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 World of Fancy
Earl Clement Davis
"The World of Fancy" feels more like a draft of a sermon -- written in haste, but with passion and feeling. The central point is that no matter how difficult things are, God is now today pouring his spirit unto all flesh, and if you cannot see that now, you will not see it in future. The point of suffering is to transform it into wisdom and good deeds. There is no world without pain.
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.
