[IRELAND TROUBLES]. [MANUSCRIPTS]. Archive of Irish manuscript sermon material, ca. 1930s-1970s, containing over 150 sketches, outlines, and complete manuscripts by McFarland, James A - 1970

1970. Archive of manuscript sermon material from 1930s-1970s of an influential Northern Ireland Presbyterian pastor, Rev. James A. McFarland (1904-1987), including over 150 sketches, outlines, and complete manuscripts. Meticulously organized chronologically in folders, and preserved in a large Hollinger box. MANUSCRIPT SERMONS WRITTEN DURING THE IRISH TROUBLES. James A. McFarland (1904-1987) pastored at Toberkeigh and Croaghmore from 1931-1945, Sinclair Seamen's in Belfast from 1945-1960, and at Castlerock from 1960-1976. Many of the sermons contain multiple drafts, note sheets, and annotations as McFarland recycled sermons for different congregations throughout his career. Written during a tumultuous time in Northern Ireland's history, many of the sermons touch on contemporary social and political issues, including Catholic-Protestant tensions and the Troubles, often particularly reflected in sermon revisions and additional annotations. McFarland also engaged in conflict resolution work with the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, and his sermons from Counties Derry, Antrim, and others occasionally touch on those themes as well. Scattered throughout are church program slips and event advertisements, newspaper and magazine articles, church administration documents, and letters written to McFarland, all of which generally constitute the backs of his sermon notes.

Materials are arranged chronologically in folders and reverse chronologically within folders. Materials are dated by the earliest date found in which the sermon was given. Many sermons have multiple dates throughout McFarland's career.

FINDING AID:

Folder 1: Undated Sermons
Luke 23:43; Matt. 27:46 - 2 drafts; John 13:17; 1 Sam. 2:3; 3 John 4; John 19:28 (I thirst) - 2 drafts; Joel 2:21, 25; Eph. 4:12; 1 John 5:1; "Little Maw"; I Sam. 20:18; Rev. 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:23

Folder 2: Undated Sermons
Rom. 14:21; Luke 8:18 (Take heed how you hear); Luke 22:8; Luke 23:46; Ps. 31:5; Rom. 1:16; Matt. 27:36 - 2 drafts; Acts 20:28; John 19:30 (It is finished) - 2 drafts; 1 Cor. 16:13 (Stand fast in the faith); Luke 19:31 (The Lord hath need of Him)

Folder 3: Undated Sermons
1 Sam 7:12 (Hitherto hath the Lord helped us) - 2 drafts; 1 John 2:12; Luke 23:34; 2 Kings 5:27; Acts 1:14 (Mary the Mother of Jesus); Luke 6:37/Matt. 6:15; John 19:26; Ps. 106:1; Joshua 24:15; Mark 4:31; Matt. 25:29; Matt. 25:15 (Talents)

Folder 4: Miscellaneous Notes

Folder 5: Newspaper/Magazine Articles

Folder 6: St. Andrews University Christian Union Programs

Folder 7: Postcard, 1961

Folder 8: Sermons - 1930s
The Scallop (2 Cor. 12:7); John 12:32; John 4:38 - 4 drafts; Mark 14:8 (She hath done what she could); Acts 20:9; John 3:30

Folder 9: Sermons - 1940s
Rom 1:16; John 15:12 (That ye love one another); Matt. 4:19 (Follow Me); Matt. 7:7; Rev. 3:20; Exodus 15:6; Phil. 4:13; John 15:13; Acts 11:24 - 2 drafts; Luke 16:10; Isaiah 45:22; Mark 6:3; Mark 5:19; Isaiah 28:20;

Folder 10: Sermons - 1950s
Gen. 43:11; 2 Cor. 5:20; "This is the first Sunday..."; Matt. 10:8 - 2 drafts; Matt. 25:23; 1 Cor. 15:57; Luke 6:46/Eph. 4:20; Eph. 3:1 (Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ); Isaiah 53:5 (He was wounded for our transgressions); James 3:5 (The tongue is a very little member); 3 John 12 [sic] - 4 drafts; Exodus 12:26; Matt. 6:28; 2 Cor. 9:15 - 2 drafts

Folder 11: Sermons - 1950s
Col. 3:23; Col. 3:15 (Be ye thankful); Untitled; Haggai 1:6 (A bag with holes in it); Mark 13:37; 1 Cor. 3:9; Ps. 40:3; John 6:12 - 2 drafts; "According to the law of our church..."

Folder 12: Sermons - 1960s
1 Sam. 20:18 - typescript; Rom. 5:8 (God commendeth His Love); 1 Sam 20:18; Mark 13:31; 2 Cor. 6:1 - 2 drafts; Rev. 21:5 (Behold I make all things new); Mark 8:36; Matt. 28:9; 2 Cor. 5:17; Alphabetic sermon series - '66-'67; Untitled; Prov. 3:6; Matt. 5:9 (Blessed are the peace-makers); John 10:10; Matt. 18:10; 1 Cor. 10:12; Acts 13:1 (Simeon called Niger); Ps. 119; 2 Cor. 5:4

Folder 13: Sermons - 1960s
Matt. 2:13; Gen. 4:2 (Sheep); Luke 4:16; Luke 16:10; Matt. 21:28; Matt. 4:14; 1 Sam 3:19; Matt. 4:2; Matt. 5:16; Matt. 13:44;Matt 18:10; Matt. 23:14; Mark 9:42; Prov. 17:24; Isaiah 22:18 (He shall toss you like balls); John 10:9; Rom. 12:9; Mark 5:41; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 9:24; 1 Thess. 3:22; John 12:12; Ps. 69:9; Prov. 4:4; Gen. 44:12; Isaiah 30:21; James 2:20; Phil. 4:11; James 3:5; John 10:11; Zech. 4:10; Ps. 33:18; Gal. 5:13; John 4:19; Gal. 2:20; Ecc. 4:9; Ps. 144:16; Heb 12:2; Jonah 2:5; Matt. 5:16; Luke 9:51; Rom. 8:28 (All things); Luke 19:10; Luke 8:40; Luke 19:20; John 1:41; John 1:39; Luke 22:27; 1 Cor. 9:24; 1 Cor. 15:53; John 3:30; Heb. 12:2; Matt. 6:3; Job 38:11; Luke 11:1; Isaiah 6:5; John 15:13

Folder 14: Sermons - 1970s
Mark 14:8; Acts 22:10 (What shall I do Lord); Joshua 24:14; Matt. 4:19 (Follow Me); Joshua 24:15 (Choose ye this day whom you will serve); John 21:22; Luke 2:40 (And the Child grew); Ps. 119:31; Exodus 2:10; Matt. 25:23; 2 Tim 3:15; Matt. 6:24; Ps. 67:6 (Our own God); Matt. 25:40; Luke 19:17; Acts 20:31 (Watch & Remember); James 3:4; Mark 5:19

Folder 15: Sermons - 1970s
Mark 15:20; Acts 27:31; 2 Kings 7:3 (Why sit we here till we die) - 3 drafts; Luke 1:1; Eph. 1:7; Luke 8:50 - 2 drafts; Acts 14:23/Titus 1:5; Isaiah 9:6 (Prince of Peace); Acts 17:18 - 2 drafts; Phil. 4:8 (Whatsoever).