Library of Religious Studies

A Century of Unitarianism in the National Capital, 1821-1921: The Shadow of Slavery - by Jennie W. Scudder Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Jennie Scudder’s work traces the sometimes controversial history of Unitarianism in the District of Columbia, centering on All Souls Unitarian Church. Scudder publshed the volume initially in 1909, but it wasn’t copyrighted until 1921, when the Church celebrated its hundredth birthday. The account…Read more

A History of the Jews in England - by Albert M. Hyamson Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Albert M. Hyamson (1875-1954) was born in London. After attending Beaufort College, he started working for the post office in 1895. Once World War I broke out, Hyamson began writing a great deal in support of Zionism, much of it published by the British Palestine…Read more

A Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study of the Baha’i Teachings - by Charles Mason Remey Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Charles Mason Remey (1874-1974) was the son of Admiral George Collier Remey and grew up in Washington DC, at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW, which is now the headquarters of Westphalia Press and the Policy Studies Organization. He drew plans and did a survey…Read more

A Visit to a Gñani: From Adam’s Peak to Elephanta - by Virginia Huntington Robie Purchase Virginia Huntington Robie was born on October 18, 1868 in Salmon Falls, New Hampshire. She enjoyed the immense benefits of education throughout her childhood, and she went on to attend the School of Decorative Design at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and later the Art Institute in Chicago. Her…Read more

An Early Theosophical Controversy - Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace By C. Jinarajadasa The famous theosophist leader H.P. Blavatsky (1831-1891) claimed to be in contact with the Adepts, the mysterious Tibetan prophets and seers whose teachings inspired the early Theosophical movement. Whether they were real masters or inspired metaphors that Mme. Blavatsky created is a question that has never been…Read more

Ancient Stained and Painted Glass - by Frederick Sydney Eden Purchase Frederick Sydney Eden (1859-1950) became well known for his significant writings on the subject of stained glass. Previously, he was a lawyer, but had gotten caught up in some fraud regarding an estate, which landed him in jail for six years. However, he covered up his past, and it largely…Read more

cover image with white text of the book information over an image of the interior of a church

Beat the Drum Ecclesiastic: Gilbert Sheldon and the Settlement of Anglican Orthodoxy - by Heather D. Thornton Purchase Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury (1663-77) was at the helm during the time the Church of England sought to remake and redefine itself in the aftermath of not only the Civil Wars, Interregnum, but the Restoration Settlement as well. He aided in the preservation of a remnant of the Church…Read more

Black Rock: A Tale of the Selkirks - by Ralph Connor Purchase through Amazon Originally published in 1898, Black Rock: A Tale of the Selkirks was written by Rev. Dr. Charles William Gordon, using the penname Ralph Connor. Gordon was a leader in the Presbyterian and then later on the United Church, so he wanted to protect his status and keep both roles…Read more

Boston Unitarianism 1820-1850: A Study of the Life and Work of Nathaniel Langdon Frothingham - by Octavius Brooks Frothingham Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace A word of explanation seems to be necessary. Many years ago I proposed writing something in memory of Dr. Frothingham, but abandoned the project on account of the meagerness of the biographical material. Within the twelvemonth, a warm friend and admirer of his asked…Read more

Catholic Problems in Western Canada - by George Thomas Daly, Preface by Most Reverend O. E. Mathieu Purchase through Amazon George Thomas Daly was a Catholic leader who worked in Eastern Canada, but was asked to relocate to Western Canada to spread the religion. In this work, he discusses the desire to spread Catholicism westward across the country, and the complexities…Read more

Checkered Life: In the Old and New World - by Rev. J. L. Ver Mehr Purchase through Amazon When J. L Ver Mehr, also known as Jean Leonhard Henri Corneille Ver Mehr, passed away in 1886. The following served as his obituary: A Brief Sketch of the Life of a Pioneer Clergyman Rev. Dr. J. L. Ver Mehr, of whose death brief mention was…Read more

Discourses and Poems of William Newell, Minister of the First Parish in Cambridge: A Memorial Volume - by William Newell Purchase On February 25, 1804, William Newell was born in Littleton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1818, and then earned an AB from Harvard in 1824 and an AM in 1827. Two years later, he graduated from Harvard Divinity School. He was well regarded, and quickly found a post…Read more

black and white image of Orville Dewey with the title information in the left corner

Discourses and Reviews Upon Questions in Controversial Theology and Practical Religion - by Orville Dewey Purchase Orville Dewey was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts on March 28, 1794. He spent his time in school and also working on his family’s farm. His household was strongly Calvinist, due to his mother. Both intelligent and studious, Dewey excelled in school, graduating from Williams College, and then later attended Andover Theological…Read more

Early Quaker Education in Pennsylvania - by Thomas Woody PhD Purchase Born on September 3, 1891, in Thorntown, Indiana, to a Quaker family. Woody would remain in Indiana for his B.A., which he obtained from Indiana University. Later he could go on to earn his PhD in 1918 from Columbia University. Woody wrote a great deal about Quakers, formally known as…Read more

Friends in the Seventeenth Century - by Charles Evans Purchase When introducing his work, Charles Evans wrote the following, “The motive that has prompted the preparation of the present work, has been the hope that, by thus bringing the substance of the principal parts of the narratives of other writers into a more condensed form, the members of the religious Society…Read more

From the Heart of Israel: Jewish Tales and Types - by Rabbi Dr. Bernard Drachman Purchase through Amazon Rabbi Dr. Bernard Drachman was born on June 27, 1861 in New York City. He received his early education at High School, Jersey City, NJ, and the Hebrew Preparatory School before going on to earn his B.A from Columbia College. Afterwards, he earned his rabbinic ordination from…Read more

James Freeman Clarke: Autobiography, Diary and Correspondence - by Edward Everett Hale Purchase through Amazon James Freeman Clarke was born on April 4, 1810 in New Hampshire. He was well educated, attending Harvard College, then Harvard Divinity School. He studied to be a minister in the Unitarian faith, taking the pulpit in Louisville, Kentucky. Seeing firsthand the horrors of slavery, he became a…Read more

James Martineau and Rebuilding Theology: J. Estlin Carpenter’s James Martineau, Theologian and Scholar - Purchase through Amazon James Martineau was for more than four decades a professor in what is now Oxford’s Harris Manchester College. His theology integrates the very personal in religious experience with the transcendent and seeks to infuse daily living with the sense of divinity. He retained a sense of awe which rationalism sometimes excludes, and…Read more

Jewish Ceremonial Institutions and Customs - by William Rosenau PhD Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace William Rosenau (1865-1943) was born in Wolstein, Germany, and then emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 11. Like his father, he went on to enter the rabbinate, studying at the University of Cincinnati and later the Hebrew Union College,…Read more

Mashrak-el-Azkar: Descriptive of the Bahai Temple and Illustrative of an Exhibition of Preliminary Designs for the First Mashrak-el-Azkar to be Built in America - by Charles Mason Remey Purchase through Amazon Charles Mason Remey (1874-1974) was the son of Admiral George Collier Remey and grew up in Washington DC, at 1527 New Hampshire Ave NW, which is now the home of Westphalia Press, the Policy Studies Organization, and of the American Political Science Association. He drew detailed plans and…Read more

Masonry and Protestantism - by Susanna Hopkins Mason Purchase Social history as a corrective to a historiography is often too limited to diplomacy and wars. It began an upward trajectory as early as the 1930s, but it remains constrained by the frustrating cost and availability of materials that even great research libraries lack. This volume is a case in…Read more

My Ogowe: Being a Narrative of Daily Incidents During Sixteen Years in Equatorial West Africa - by Robert Hamill Nassau Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Robert Hamill Nassau (1835-1921) lived three lives as a busy doctor, colorful writer, and dedicated minister. He served several Presbyterian missions abroad, including present day Equatorial Guinea along the Ogowe River. In 1894, after France colonized Gabon and Ogowe, he spent his remaining years…Read more

Observations of a Bahai Traveler - by Charles Mason Remey Purchase on Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace Charles Mason Remey (1874-1974) was the son of Admiral George Collier Remey and grew up in the house at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue, which is the headquarters of Westphalia Press and the Policy Studies Organization. He drew plans and did a study of the house,…Read more

Old and New Unitarian Belief - by John White Chadwick Purchase through Amazon Born in 1840, John White Chadwick was initially to become a shoemaker. Although he was in the middle of an apprenticeship, he preferred to continue a non-trade education. During his education at normal school in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, he determined his calling in life was to become a minister.…Read more

Old Quaker Meeting-Houses - by John Russell Hayes Purchase John Russell Hayes (1866-1945) was a Quaker educator, poet, and worked as a librarian for Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. He was born in 1866, to William and Rachel Hayes, a family of Quaker farmers. Hayes spent much of his time on his family’s farm, which was located near the Brandywine…Read more

orange based cover with the title at the top and a rectangular art image in the center

Oriental Mysticism: A Treatise on Sufiistic and Unitarian Theosophy of the Persians - by Edward Henry Palmer Purchase Edward Henry Palmer put together this work that was based on a Persian manuscript, Maksad i Aksá by Azíz bin Mohammed Nafasí. The work sheds some light on Sufis, a Islamic mysticism, which is often characterized as offering the internalization and intensification of Islamic faith.As a child, Palmer enjoyed the…Read more

Our Quaker Friends of Ye Olden Time: Being in part a transcript of the minute books of Cedar Creek meeting, Hanover County, and the South River Meeting, Campbell County, Va - by James Pinkney Pleasant Bell Purchase through Amazon Publisher James Bell was moved to print these various meeting notes and announcements since his mother’s family were members of the Society of Friends. As Bell states, “…sometimes in my early childhood I attended their meetings for worship, held in the old Meetinghouse at Golansville, in Caroline…Read more

Quaker Women, 1650-1690 - by Mabel Richmond Brailsford Purchase Mabel Richmond Brailsford was not a Friend, but this work is considered to be truthful, extremely well researched, and also sympathetic. Brailsford did extensive research at the Library at Devonshire House in order to complete the portraits of numerous Quaker women, such as Margaret Fell, Barbara Blaugdone, Elizabeth Hooton, Elizabeth…Read more

Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc. - by Allan Fea Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Allan Fea (1860-1956) went to Grove Hall School, Highgate, became a researcher in the India Office Library and then Private Secretary to Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn before a career in the Bank of England, 1880-1900. His history of hiding places features many illustrations. The work focuses…Read more

Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847 - by Joseph Martin McCabe Purchase Joseph Martin McCabe was born on November 12, 1867. At the age of 15 he began training in the Franciscan order, and in 1890 was ordained. He was praised for his excellent scholarly work, especially in philosophy and was selected to study at the Catholic University of Louvain. By February…Read more

Story of the Huguenots: A Sixteenth Century Narrative Wherein the French, Spaniards and Indians Were the Actors - by F. A. Mann Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace The Huguenots are French Protestants, a product of turmoil during the early sixteenth century. The Huguenot community oscillated between celebration and persecution in France. On August 24, 1572, while celebrating Saint Bartholomew’s Day, thousands of Huguenots were massacred. After decades of fighting occurred, an…Read more

The Bahai Movement: A Series of Nineteen Papers - by Charles Mason Remey Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Charles Mason Remey (1874-1974) was the son of Admiral George Collier Remey and grew up in Washington DC, at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW, which is now the home of Westphalia Press and the Policy Studies Organization, and the American Political Science Association.. He…Read more

The Durable Satisfactions of Life - by Charles William Eliot Purchase Born into a wealthy Boston family, Eliot was fortunate enough to concentrate on his studies and have the ability to attend Boston Latin School, and then later graduate from Harvard University in 1853. However, after the Panic of 1857, Eliot’s family lost much of its wealth. Eliot decided to visit…Read more

The Dutch and Quaker Colonies in America: Volume I - by John Fiske Purchase John Fiske was born on March 30, 1842 in Hartford, Connecticut as Edmund Fiske Green. Fiske was raised by his paternal grandmother who enjoyed an excellent education, learning Latin and Greek at a very early age, moving on to other languages as a teen, including Spanish, Hebrew and Sanskrit. He attended…Read more

The Dutch and Quaker Colonies in America: Volume II - by John Fiske Purchase John Fiske was born on March 30, 1842 in Hartford, Connecticut as Edmund Fiske Green. Fiske was raised by his paternal grandmother who enjoyed an excellent education, learning Latin and Greek at a very early age, moving on to other languages as a teen, including Spanish, Hebrew and Sanskrit. He attended…Read more

The Great Indian Religions: Being a Popular Account of Brahmanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism - by G. T. Bettany Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace G. T. (George Thomas) Bettany (1850-1891) was born and educated in England, attending Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge University, studying medicine and the natural sciences. He also attended London University in 1871, taking a degree in geology, and later receiving an MA six…Read more

The History of the Jews: From 586 BCE to 1900 CE - by Gotthard Deutsch PhD Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Gotthard Deutsch was born in Austria as Eliezer Deutsch; Gotthard being a translation of his given first name into German. Deutsch studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau as well as the University of Vienna, splitting his time between secular and Jewish institutions,…Read more

The Huguenots in France: After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes with Memoirs of Distinguished Huguenot Refugees, and A Visit to the Country of Voudois - by Samuel Smiles Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace The Huguenots are French Protestants, a denomination that began during the early sixteenth century. Their place in French society oscillated between their being celebrated and defamed. On August 24, 1572, while marking Saint Bartholomew’s Day, thousands of Huguenots were massacred. After decades of fighting occurred,…Read more

The London Friends’ Meetings - by William Beck and Thomas Frederick Ball Purchase The London Friends’ Meetings is a significant expansion on a lecture given by William Beck in 1856, “The London Friends’ Meeting-houses and Their Associations.” Co-author, Thomas Frederick Ball spent a great time doing research in minute-books and other holdings of the Friends in London. The records offer…Read more

The Mad Monk of Russia, Iliodor: Life, Memoirs, and Confessions of Sergei Michailovich Trufanoff - by Sergei Michailovich Trufanov Purchase Sergei Michailovich Trufanov, also known as Hieromonk Iliodor, was born on October 19, 1880 in a small village near the Don River. Despite crushing poverty, which claimed several of his siblings, Trufanov was able to attend several years of school and then entered the local seminary. He went on to…Read more

The Occult Arts: An Examination of the Claims Made for the Existence of Supernormal Powers - by J. W. Frings Purchase through Amazon J.W. Fring opens by noting he is skeptical of any claims of the supernatural. He defines supernatural broadly, and dedicates chapters to a variety of manifestations, including alchemy, telepathy, palmistry, and hypnotism. Fring chooses to highlight multiple versions of the supernatural, broadly defining, it, and then offers some points…Read more

The Occult World: Teachings of Occult Philosophy - by A. P. Sinnett Purchase through Amazon Alfred Percy Sinnett (1840-1921), a journalist and Theosophist, wrote frequently to members of the Brotherhood of Adepts, an occult organization. The famous Mahatmas Koot Hoomi and Morya corresponded via mail with Sinnett, and Sinnett used parts of this correspondence to compose The Occult World. Together, along with others,…Read more

The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch - by Paul Elder Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace There were twenty one Spanish missions in California, established between 1769 and 1833 by Catholic priests to spread Christianity. Paul Elder collected various snippets of California history and compiled it in this work with quotes from various primary sources and photographs of numerous missions across…Read more

The Pope and the Freemasons: The Letter “Humanum Genus” of the Pope, Leo, XIII against Free-Masonry and the Spirit of the Age - Purchase through Amazon By Pope Leo XIII Popes have never been enthusiastic about Freemasonry. Clement XII condemned the order in 1738, as did Benedict XIV in 1751. This was followed by interdicts by Pius VII in 1821, Leo XII in 1826, Pius VIII in 1829, Gregory XVI in 1832, and Pius IX 1646. The encyclical…Read more

The Quaker of the Future Time - by George A. Walton Purchase The William Penn Lectures were put together by the Young Friends Movement of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. George A. Walton was a member of the organization, and gave this lecture. In it, among other principles, he discusses the impact labor has on the current world. He advocates for living faith in…Read more

The Remains of William Penn: Pennsylvania’s Plea, the Mission to England, Visit to the Grave, Letters, Etc - by George L. Harrison Purchase William Penn was born in London, England, on October 14, 1644, and would become many things, including a father, husband, legal and religious figure. He is most well known for founding the state of Pennsylvania. Penn was born into a family of wealth and political power, and as such, he…Read more

The Soul of a People - by H. Fielding Hall Purchase The Soul of a People was originally released in 1898. Written by Harold Fielding Hall, a British official sent to Burma (now Myanmar) to take part in the Burma Commission. Hall lived for many years in Burma, and wrote this account of the places, people and of Buddhism as he…Read more

Transylvania in 1922: Report of the Commission Sent by the American and British Unitarian Churches to Transylvania in 1922 - by Louis C. Cornish Purchase In 1922, a joint commission of US and UK Unitarian Churches traveled to Transylvania after concerns over religions persecution arose in a prior visit in 1920. The Commission was gladdened to see an increase in liberty, but upset to discover that the Romanian government was not wholly supportive of not…Read more

Unitarian Affirmations: Seven Discourses Given in Washington, D.C. - by Seven Unitarian Ministers Purchase Unitarianism is a theological movement which at its start proclaimed that God is a singular entity, rather than a trinity. It rejects other tenants common in Christianity, such as the concept of original sin and the Bible as infallible. The belief emerged during the 1600s and spread quickly through Europe…Read more

Unitarian Bibliography: H. McLachlan’s The Unitarian College Library - Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Three major collections of Unitarian and Nonconformist literature in Britain are at Luther King House in Manchester, Harris Manchester College in Oxford University, and the Dr. Williams Library in London. This book gives important information about the Unitarian antecedents of the Luther King library, which is used by…Read more

Unitarianism: Its Origin and History: A Course of Sixteen Lectures Delivered in Channing Hall, Boston, 1888-9 - by American Unitarian Association Purchase through Amazon Unitarianism is a theological movement which at its start proclaimed that God is a singular entity, rather than a trinity. It rejects other tenants common in Christianity, such as the concept of original sin and the Bible as infallible. The belief emerged during the 1600s and spread quickly…Read more