Guide to the John Lakin Brasher Papers, 1857-1983 and undated
[top]Descriptive Summary
TitleJohn Lakin Brasher Papers, 1857-1983 and undated
Creator
Brasher, John Lakin, 1868-1971
Extent
33 Linear Feet
26,283 Items
Repository
26,283 Items
Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
Language
English.
[top]
Administrative Information
Access RestrictionsCollection is open for research.
However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this
collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
Copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, consult with the reference archivist and see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], The Papers of John Lakin Brasher, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The papers of John Lakin Brasher (1868-1971), preacher, evangelist, and leader of the Holiness movement, were donated to the Special Collections Department by The Brasher Heritage Corporation in 1981, with later additions in 1997, 1998 and 2004.
Processing Information
Processed by: Melissa J. Delbridge, Denise Dolan, Daniel Daily, Sandra Polaski, Chad Truelove, Randy Bryant
Completed September 30, 1992
Encoded by Stephen Douglas Miller
Finding aid updated to include unprocessed additions 1997-0187, 1998-0434, and 2008-0171 by Alice Poffinberger, August 3, 2009
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
[top]
Biographical Note
| 1868, July 20 | Born at Clear Creek, Etowah County, Alabama; baptized at Alabama Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church during same year |
| 1886 | Joined Clear Creek Methodist Episcopal Church |
| 1889 | Licensed to preach |
| 1890, Dec. 21 | Married Minnie Eunice Moore in Alabama of Gallant, Alabama |
| 1891 | Joined Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church |
| 1892-1896 | Four years of ministry on Wedowee Circuit in Alabama |
| 1893 | Ordained deacon by Bishop Isaac W. Joyce |
| 1895 | Ordained elder by Bishop John Fletcher Hurst |
| 1899 | Graduated from U.S. Grant School of Theology in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Valedictorian |
| 1899-1902 | Served as pastor of Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church of Birmingham, Ala. |
| 1903-1939 | Secretary of the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church |
| 1905-1906 | Served as pastor of St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church of Boaz, Ala. |
| 1906-1911 | President of John H. Snead Seminary at Boaz, Ala. |
| 1917-1926 | President of Central Holiness University (later John Fletcher College) in Oskaloosa, Iowa |
| 1927-1929 | Pastor at St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church in Boaz, Ala. |
| 1929-1931 | Editor, The Way of Faith |
| 1940 | Established Brasher Springs Camp Meeting, Gallant, Alabama |
| 1942 | Retired; continued preaching frequently at Brasher Springs Camp Meeting and in various conference churches and camp meetings throughout the country |
| 1971, Jan. 25 | Died near Attalla, Ala. |
Collection Overview
The John Lakin Brasher Papers, 1857-1983 and undated (bulk 1917-1970) are comprised of church-related and personal correspondence; records of the Iowa Holiness Association; records of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference; religious writings and speeches (including sermons, diaries and manuscripts of published works); printed material (tracts, religious brochures, serials, and hymnals); photographs (including many of camp meetings); transcriptions of tape recordings; legal papers; financial papers; and miscellany. Most material concerns the religious career of John L. Brasher; the Holiness (Sanctification) movement in the Methodist Church, particularly in Alabama; Holiness education and the administration of John H. Snead Seminary in Boaz, Ala.; and Central Holiness University (later John Fletcher College) in University Park, Ia.; and camp meetings in the South, particularly Alabama, and the Midwest. Includes biographies of clergy and accounts of religious and family life in rural north Alabama. Among correspondents are Joseph P. Owens, F. D. Leete, John Paul, and missionaries in Egypt, India, China, and Japan. Contains letters and printed material concerning the separation and reunification of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Brasher's activities as a minister are documented throughout the collection. The Correspondence and Transcriptions of Tape Recordings Series reveal Brasher's reflections on scripture and provide accounts of congregational reactions to his preaching. Transcripts of his sermons appear in the Writings and Speeches Series, Sermons Subseries as well as in the Transcriptions of Tape Recordings and in some of the published articles (Printed Material Series, Serials Subseries) and manuscripts of his books (Printed Material Series, The Way of Faith). His diaries and correspondence document his travels and his preaching engagements. Numerous invitations to preach and requests for guidance reflect Brasher's leadership role among ministers, missionaries, and church officials. Letters to and from converts regarding their religious experiences and responses to Brasher's preaching and writing are scattered throughout the Correspondence Series.
Brasher's administrative role in religious organizations and in church-affiliated educational facilities is well-represented in the Correspondence Series as well as in the Iowa Holiness Association Series and the Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference Series. Minutes, reports, and financial records are among the papers of these organizations, reflecting both Brasher's leadership and involvement and the activities of the organizations themselves. The Pictures Series includes some photographs of the schools with which Brasher was associated and of the attending students.
Brasher's career as an author is well-documented, not only in the Writings and Speeches Series, but throughout the collection. The Correspondence Series includes letters to and from his publishers and from editors of various religious serials to which Brasher contributed. The Printed Material Series contains many of these serials with articles by Brasher as well as tracts he wrote.
Throughout the collection, information on church history abounds. The Correspondence Series and the Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference Series in particular contain letters concerning the rivalry between the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and the eventual unification of the two organizations. Conflicts between Fundamentalist and Modernist ideas also appear in the correspondence and in the Printed Material Series.
As Historian of the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Brasher wrote biographies of preachers, missionaries, and church officials involved in the Holiness Movement. These biographies appear in the Writings and Speeches Series, Biographical Sketches of Colleagues Subseries. Some of these biographies were published in Glimpses: Some Personal Glimpses of Holiness Preachers I Have Known, and with Whom I Have Labored in Evangelism, Who Have Answered to Their Names in the Roll Call of the Skies. Manuscripts of some of those appearing in the published work can be found in the Glimpses Subseries. Some of the letters and questionnaires from which Brasher wrote his sketches appear in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference Series, Biographical Information Subseries. The letters from which his information was gleaned vary in degree of detail, with some providing only dates and places of birth, marriage, ordination, etc.; and others giving descriptions of incidents in the religious life of the subject.
Correspondence, Pictures, Transcriptions of Tape Recordings, and the Family Biography Subseries of the Writings and Speeches Series document Brasher's life with his family. Brasher's biographical writings and other works in the Family Biography Subseries, and the Transcriptions of Tape Recordings Series also provide a small but rich glimpse into the traditional lore, customs, and folkways of the rural upland South.
Details of camp meetings are documented throughout the collection. The Transcripts of Tape Recordings Series contains transcripts of camp meetings. The Printed Material Series includes promotional literature for camp meetings; descriptions of facilities; and hymnals (some shape-note) used in these services. An unusual collection of copies of photographs of camp meetings from the early 1900's through the 1940's in Ohio, Iowa, Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania can be found in the Pictures Series.
The Boatman Family Papers, also housed in the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, contains correspondence from John Lakin Brasher and other members of the Brasher family.
Unprocessed addition (97-187)(1500 items, dated [192-]-[197-]) to the collection consists primarily of correspondence between Brasher's son, James Hendricks Brasher, and his parents, including numerous letters and postcards written by Brasher. There is also correspondence with other family members and correspondents outside the family.
Unprocessed addition (98-434) (30 items, dated 1923-1969) includes primarily letters between Brasher and his son.
Unprocessed addition (08-171) (3 items, .1 lin. ft.; dated 1911-1924 and undated) includes one clipping, a postcard, and James Brasher's "daylogue" for 1923-1924.
[top]
Subject Headings
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
- Methodist Episcopal Church--Alabama.
- Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
- Methodist Episcopal Church--Clergy--Biography.
- Methodist Episcopal Church--Sermons.
- Central Holiness University.
- John H. Snead Seminary.
- Iowa Holiness Association.
- John Fletcher College.
- Holiness churches--Education.
- Holiness churches--Clergy--Biography.
- Holiness churches--Sermons.
- Holiness churches--Alabama.
- Camp meetings.
- Evangelistic work--History.
- Missionaries--Correspondence.
- Sanctification.
- Preaching--History.
- Methodist Church--Periodicals.
- Shape note hymnals.
- Alabama--Religious life and customs.
- Alabama--Social life and customs.
- Sermons
- Diaries
- Tracts
- Owens, Joseph Parkes, 1886-
- Leete, Frederick Deland, 1866-1958.
- Paul, John H. (John Haywood), 1877-1967.
Detailed Description of Collection
Correspondence, 1857-1970 and undated (bulk 1917-1970).
Handwritten and typed letters to and from Brasher concerning church business, personal business, family news, and the administration of John H. Snead Seminary and Central Holiness University. Arranged chronologically.
Box 1
1857-1916
(7 folders)
Box 2
1917-1918
(7 folders)
Box 3
1919-1920, July
(7 folders)
Box 4
1920, Aug.-1921, Mar. 18
(6 folders)
Box 5
1921, Mar. 19-1921, June 10
(7 folders)
Box 6
1921, June 11-1921, Nov.
(6 folders)
Box 7
1921, Dec.-1922, Apr.
(6 folders)
Box 8
1922, May-1922, Oct.
(6 folders)
Box 9
1922, Nov.-1923, Mar.
(8 folders)
Box 10
1923, Apr.-Sept.
(8 folders)
Box 11
1923, Oct.-1924, Feb. 6
(6 folders)
Box 12
1924, Feb. 18-1924, May 15
(7 folders)
Box 13
1924, May 16-1924, Oct.
(7 folders)
Box 14
1924, Nov.-1925, May
(7 folders)
Box 15
1925, June-Dec.
(8 folders)
Box 16
1926, Jan.-Nov. 15
(9 folders)
Box 17
1926, Nov. 17-1927, Oct.
(8 folders)
Box 18
1927, Nov.-1928, Oct.
(7 folders)
Box 19
1928, Nov.-1929, Aug.
(8 folders)
Box 20
1929, Sept.-1930, Mar. 7
(8 folders)
Box 21
1930, Mar. 11-1931, Oct.
(7 folders)
Box 22
1931, Nov.-1932, Dec.
(6 folders)
Box 23
1933, Jan.-1934, July
(7 folders)
Box 24
1934, Aug.-1935, Dec.
(6 folders)
Box 25
1936, Jan.-1937, Feb.
(6 folders)
Box 26
1937, Mar.-1938, Aug.
(7 folders)
Box 27
1938, Sept.-1939, Dec.
(7 folders)
Box 28
1940, Jan.-1942, July
(6 folders)
Box 29
1942, Aug.-1946, June
(7 folders)
Box 30
1946, July-1950, Dec.
(7 folders)
Box 31
1951, Jan.-1953, Aug.
(7 folders)
Box 32
1953, Sept.-1955, Aug.
(6 folders)
Box 33
1955, Sept. 1959, Apr.
(5 folders)
Box 34
1959, May-1959, Dec. (2 folders, 1 envelope)
Box 35
1960, Jan.-1962, Sept. 8
(6 folders)
Box 36
1962, Sept. 12-1964, Dec.
(6 folders)
Box 37
1965, Jan.-1966, Dec.
(5 folders)
Box 38
1967, Jan.-1968, June
(7 folders)
Box 39
1968, July-1969, Aug.
(8 folders)
Box 40
1969, Sept.-1970, Feb. and undated
(6 folders)
Iowa Holiness Association Series, 1920-1922 and undated
Papers of the Iowa Holiness Association during Brasher's term as president of the organization. Divided into four subseries: Auxiliary Reports, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and Miscellaneous.
Auxiliary Reports Subseries, 1921-1922 and undated
Reports from local auxiliaries to the Iowa Holiness Association. Most reports are handwritten on printed forms and provide names of officers, dues collected, and numbers of members. Arranged chronologically.
Box 41
1921, May-1922, May and undated
Correspondence Subseries, 1920-1922 and undated
Original letters and copies to and from Brasher chiefly concerning the organization of camp meetings. Arranged chronologically.
Box 41
1920, June-1922, Sept. and undated
(3 folders)
Financial Papers Subseries, 1920-1922 and undated
Monthly financial reports, contracts for advertising, and invoices for materials purchased. Arranged chronologically.
Box 41
1920, June-1922, June and undated
Miscellaneous Iowa Holiness Association Material, 1921-1922 and undated
Includes advertisement for camp meeting, list of camp meetings, a Statement of Doctrine for the Iowa Holiness Association, and a revision to the bylaws of the Iowa Holiness Association. Arranged chronologically
Box 41
1921-1922 and undated
Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference Series, 1867-1943 and undated
Records of the activities of the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Includes biographical sketches of conference ministers and church officers and historical information about individual churches collected by Brasher from 1934 to 1936 while he served as historian for the conference. Divided into the following subseries: Annual Conference Minutes;
Biographical Information;
Church History;
District and Charge Statistics; and Certificates and Licenses.
Annual Conference Minutes Subseries, 1867-1928.
Typed copies of the proceedings of the Alabama Annual Conferences. Minutes from some years are not included. Arranged chronologically.
Box 42
1867-1928 and undated
(3 folders)
Biographical Information Subseries, 1934-1936 and undated
Biographies, varying in length and detail, of ministers and church officers within the Alabama conference. Many were handwritten on a printed questionnaire while some are handwritten in narrative form. Arranged chronologically by last name of the respondent.
Box 42
A-W
(2 folders)
Church History Subseries, undated
Church histories, chiefly handwritten, of individual Methodist churches in Alabama. Includes a typed history of the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church written by Brasher in 1936. Arranged alphabetically by the name of the church.
Box 42
A-G
District and Charge Statistics Subseries, 1931 and undated
Statistical information regarding membership, baptism, property, and collections for Methodist churches in Alabama. Pages are numbered, although many pages are missing, and are arranged in numeric order.
Box 42
1931 and undated
Certificates and Licenses Subseries, 1889-1943
Documents, chiefly issued to Brasher, granting him license to preach and perform holy ordinances and certifying his appointment to church offices. Arranged chronologically.
Box 42
1889-1943
Writings and Speeches Series, 1890's-1968 and undated
Works generally on religious and church-related topics, chiefly written by Brasher. Includes both published work and unpublished writings. Personal diaries and family histories and biographies of individual Brasher family members are also included. Divided into the following subseries: General Writings and Speeches by Brasher; Sermons and Sermon Notes; Diaries; Biographical Sketches of Colleagues; Family Biography; Glimpses;
The Way of Faith; Tribute and Some Other Writings and Miscellaneous.
General Writings and Speeches Subseries, 1890's-1968 and undated
Speeches and addresses chiefly delivered by Brasher to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and other religious groups; and to organizations within John H. Snead Seminary and Central Holiness University and other educational institutions. Includes editorials and inspirational essays from religious publications. Marginalia indicates that some of these articles were also presented as speeches. Arranged chronologically.
Box 43
1890's-1943
(12 folders)
Box 44
1946-1968 and undated
(12 folders)
Box 45
N.D.
(5 folders)
Sermons and Sermon Notes Subseries, 1892-1968 and undated
Sermons and notes for sermons, typed and handwritten, by Brasher and others. Some copies. Sermons by Brasher and sermons by others arranged chronologically in separate sequences.
Box 46
Brasher's Sermons, 1924-1928 and undated
(3 folders)
Sermons by Others, 1900-1964
(2 folders)
Diaries Subseries, 1933-1968
Bound, handwritten diaries in which Brasher recorded ideas and daily activities. There are no diaries for some years. Arranged chronologically.
Box 47
1933-1946
(14 volumes)
Box 48
1947-1958
(13 volumes)
Box 49
1959-1968
(12 volumes)
Biographical Sketches of Colleagues Subseries, 1906-1965, undated
Short biographies of ministers, church members, and religious educators, chiefly written by Brasher. Sketches vary in length and detail, and a few include memorial poetry. Many undated. Arranged alphabetically by last name of subject.
Box 50
A-T
(2 folders)
Family Biography Subseries, 1897-1966 and undated
Biographies of Brasher family members, many written by Brasher in memory of deceased relatives. Includes autobiographies by Brasher. Biographies vary in length and detail. Works by Brasher are arranged chronologically by the date of writing. Works by others are arranged chronologically by date of writing in a separate folder. Includes copy of Giant of a Century Trail, a biography of Brasher written by Jon Tal Murphree in 1969.
Box 50
Family Biography by Brasher,
1895-1966 and undated
(2 folders)
Family Biography by Others, 1921-1961 and undated
Giant of a Century Trail, by Jon Tal Murphree
(1969)
Glimpses Subseries, ca. 1954.
Fragments of drafts and notes for Brasher's biographical work, Glimpses: Some Personal Glimpses of Holiness Preachers Whom I Have Known, and With Whom I Have Labored in Evangelism, Who Have Answered to Their Names in the Roll Call of the Skies (1954). Includes typescripts with marginalia and handwritten drafts. Each fragment is arranged in order of the page numbers assigned by Brasher. Material is undated.
Box 51
Introduction
(3 folders)
Introduction and fragment
Draft
Fragment with notations
Fragments
(3 folders)
The Way of Faith Subseries, 1930-1931 and undated
Editorials and Sunday school lessons handwritten by Brasher for publication in The Way of Faith and Neglected Themes, a serial for which he served as editor. (For copies of the newsletter in this collection, see Printed Material: Serials). Arranged chronologically.
Box 51
Editorials: 1930-1931 and undated
(2 folders)
Sunday School Lessons: 1930-1931
(2 folders)
Tribute and Some Other Writings, by John L. Brasher, 1926 (volume)
Published volume of memorial writings by Brasher. Most chapters concern deceased family members and fellow church officials.
Box 51
Tribute and Some Other Writings,
1926 (volume)
Miscellaneous Writings Subseries, 1901-1972 and undated
Poetry and articles written by people other than Brasher. Most concern inspirational subjects. Some copies. Arranged chronologically.
Box 52
1901-1972 and undated
(2 folders)
Printed Material Series, 1883-1973 and undated
Printed material, chiefly concerning religious topics, collected by Brasher. Divided into the following subseries: Serials; Pamphlets; Tracts; Hymnals; Yearbooks; Clippings; Camp Meetings; Promotional Literature; Programs; Reports and Newsletters; Railway Timetables; and Miscellaneous Printed Material.
Serials Subseries, 1910-1971.
American Holiness Journal,
1950, Feb.-1955, July
Box 54
American Holiness Journal,
1955, Sept.-1969, Sept.
Box 55
Call to Prayer,
1941-1969
Central Holiness University Bulletin,
1923-1928
Christian Faith and Life,
1931, Mar.-1933, Feb.
The Christian Witness and Advocate of Bible Holiness,
1933, Jan.-1946, June 6
God's Revivalist and Bible Advocate,
1941, Oct.-1969, Sept.
The Herald,
1953, Oct.-1971. Apr.
Hollow Rock Glad Tidings,
1937, Jan.-1967, Aug.
Box 56
Journal of the Alabama Conference,
1916- 1938
The Methodist Challenge,
1946-1955
(2 folders)
The Way of Faith and Neglected Themes,
1915, June-1931, Dec.
(2 folders)
Box 57
Miscellaneous Serials A-W, 1910-1971
(4 folders)
Pamphlets Subseries, 1883-1970 and undated
Pamphlets, chiefly concerning religious topics. Pamphlets are divided into five categories (Biographical, Doctrinal, Methodist, Nazarene, and Miscellaneous) and arranged chronologically within each category.
Box 58
Biographical, 1928-1970 and undated
Doctrinal, 1883-1961 and undated
(4 folders)
Methodist, 1910-1955
(3 folders)
Box 59
Methodist, 1961-1967 and undated
Nazarene, 1905
Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 1892-1965 and undated
Tracts Subseries, 1914-1969 and undated
313 religious tracts concerning a wide variety of topics. Tracts are grouped according to author or publisher when a significant body of work by one author or publisher is represented in the collection. One envelope contains tracts on Pentecostal and Holiness topics. Most items are undated.
Box 60
John L. Brasher and William Clifton Coe,
1945-1962 and undated
(12 tracts)
Peter Eldersveld,
1962-1969 and undated
(23 tracts)
Free Tract Society Publishers,
undated
(26 tracts)
Herald Press, Publishers;
Ebenezer Myers; and H. W. Patterson, Publishers,
undated
(16 tracts)
Norman Vincent Peale,
1952-1959
(11 tracts)
Pilgrim Tract Society, Publishers and W.A. Swift,
undated
(11 tracts)
W.M. Tidwell,
undated
(19 tracts)
Pentecostal and Holiness Tracts, 1914-1933 and undated
(20 tracts)
Miscellaneous Tracts, 1926-1967 and undated
(8 envelopes containing total of 175 tracts)
Hymnals Subseries, ca. 1910-1919 and undated (9 volumes)
Bound shape-note and round note hymnals. Covers and pages missing from some items. Arranged chronologically.
Box 61
Hymnal (Shape-note, title missing), John T. Benson Co.,
ca. 1910
Tones for Jesus,
1911 (Shape-note, 2 copies)
Hymns of Glory,
1914 (Shape-note)
Praise Evangel,
1919 (Shape-note)
Hymnal (Round note, title missing), undated
Old Time Camp Meeting and Revival Songs,
undated (Round note)
Spiritual Songs,
undated (Round note, 2 copies)
Yearbooks Subseries, 1913-1948
Yearbooks from Central Holiness University,
John Fletcher College, and Cleveland Bible College. Arranged alphabetically by title, then chronologically.
Box 62
Alethia
(Central Holiness University),
1913-1924 (9 volumes)
Clebico
(Cleveland Bible College),
1948
(1 volume)
Sylvis
(John Fletcher College),
1925-1927 (3 volumes)
Clippings Subseries, 1915-1973 and undated
Photocopies of clippings about Brasher and the organizations with which he was affiliated. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1915-1973 and undated
Camp Meetings Subseries, 1909-1969 and undated
Programs, invitations, promotional literature, and certificates from camp meetings. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1909-1969 and undated
Promotional Literature Subseries, 1913-1969 and undated
Literature advertising church services, institutions, organizations, and a variety of merchandise, both religious and secular. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1913-1969 and undated
Programs Subseries, 1909-1969 and undated
Programs for commencements, performances, and ceremonies at church-affiliated schools; programs for Holiness and Methodist conferences and ceremonies; and church bulletins. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1909-1969 and undated
Reports and Newsletters Subseries, 1908-1968 and undated
Conference reports; reports by churches and church agencies regarding projects or missions. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1908-1968 and undated
Railway Timetables Subseries, 1919-1931
Six timetables from railways including the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe;
Southern Railway System;
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Line;
Delaware and Hudson;
Rock Island; and Frisco. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1919-1931
Miscellaneous Printed Material Subseries, 1910-1969 and undated
Postcards, maps, applications, instruction sheets. Arranged chronologically.
Box 63
1910-1969 and undated
Transcriptions of Tape Recordings Series, 1950-1983.
Transcriptions of tape recordings, chiefly of Brasher telling stories, delivering speeches, praying, and giving sermons. Includes transcripts of Bible lessons and taped letters by Brasher. Contains some transcripts of reminiscences of Brasher and speeches from the reception upon the donation of Brasher's papers to the Special Collections Department of Duke University. Pages are numbered, and an index to the transcript is included in box 63. A few pages are missing.
Box 64
Index
Pages 1-55
(6 folders)
Box 65
Pages 56-80
(3 folders)
Financial Papers Series, 1855-1969 and undated
Receipts and accounts for personal and church-related expenses; insurance policies; property assessment; financial reports for churches and religious organizations. Some photocopies. Arranged chronologically. A separate folder contains financial papers relating to Brasher Springs Camp Meeting,
John H. Snead Seminary, and Central Holiness University. Includes 23 small ledger and account books for both personal and church related expenses.
Box 66
1855-1969 and undated
Brasher Springs Camp Meeting;
John H. Snead Seminary; and Central Holiness University,
1906-1963 and undated
Volumes:
Grocery Book, 1954
Personal Ledger 1923-1930
A.L.S. Treasurer's Book, undated
Day, Memorandum, and Account Book, 1895- 1896
Account Book of First Churches Served, undated
Farm and Food Expenses, Records, and Accounts, 1950-1966
General Accounts, 1909-1918
Ledger, 1929-1936
Dormitory Account Book, 1910
Conference Secretarial and Personal Accounts, 1920
Conference Secretarial and Personal Accounts, 1921-1922
Subscription Book for Remodeling and Completing John H. Snead Seminary, 1906-1907
Book Orders, undated
Minutes Subscriptions, 1917-
1918
Central Holiness University Book of Assets, Liabilities, and Expenses, 1917
Subscriptions for H. C. Morrison Fund,
1905 and List of Likely Contributions to School Building, undated
Accounts Received from Various Sources for Conference, 1903-1905
Benevolence Fund Subscription List, ca. 1902
Personal Expenses, undated
Conference Givings List, 1905
Conference Minutes Subscription List, 1904
Personal Ledger, 1951-1964
Personal Ledger, 1937-1950
Legal Papers Series, 1856-1963 and undated
Documents granting power of attorney; indenture records; land records; record of postal appointment; contracts; records concerning the contribution of land to establish Brasher Springs Camp Meeting. Arranged chronologically.
Box 66
1856-1963 and undated
Pictures Series, 1870-1983 (bulk 1900-1950).
Chiefly copies of original photographs of John L. Brasher; his family; and Holiness preachers. Photographs of the staff and students of John F. Snead Seminary and Central Holiness University are included. Includes several photographs of camp meetings. Photocopies of photographs and a few pictures removed from printed works are included. Photographs are numbered and arranged in numeric order. List of photographs in box.
Box 67
List of Photographs
Photographs, #1-131
(4 folders)
Printed Reproductions and Postcards
Photocopies
Notebooks and Record Books Series, 1892-1902.
Volumes containing membership rolls of churches and church organizations; salary and financial records; birth and baptismal records; funeral records; and personal memoranda. Some volumes concern churches where Brasher preached, while many are unidentified. A few notebooks kept by John L. Brasher's son Paul are included. Arranged chronologically.
Box 68
1892-1894,
Wedowee, Ala.
1897,
Alton Park Station,
Holston Conference
1898-1899,
Conference Board of Stewards and Children's Benevolence Fund
1899,
Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
1899-1900,
Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
1901-1902,
Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
1903, Saved and Sanctified, Clarkson, Mississippi
1903-1906, Personal Notebook
1905, People Saved or Sanctified in Boaz, AL
1906, Parties who received minutes
1907-1908, Bible Students, 1907-1908
1915-1916,
Paul Brasher's Daily Memoranda
1926 and undated, Stenographer's Notepads
1943-1944, Bible School Attendance
undated, List of Bible Verses
undated,
Paul Brasher's American Literature Notebook
undated, Personal Notebook
undated, Sanctification Record
undated,
"Some of the thoughts which come to me and people who may give money for seminary building"
Guest Books and Address Books Series, 1933-1957 and undated
Six bound volumes, most unidentified, listing names and addresses. Arranged chronologically.
Box 69
1933, Address book
1954, Hollow Rock Memory Book
1957, Address and appointment book
undated, Address book
undated, Address book
undated, Funeral guestbook, unidentified
Datebooks Series, 1906-1965
53 pocket-sized datebooks in which Brasher recorded appointments, travels, and speaking engagements. Some entries record sermon texts. Arranged chronologically.
Box 70
1906-1965
(18 envelopes)
Miscellaneous Series, 1910-1970 and undated
Questionnaires, notes, lists of names, seating charts, subscription forms, etc. Most items undated.
Box 71
1910- 1970 and n.d
(3 folders, 1 envelope)
Oversize Materials
Oversize Cabinet
OC:III:1:
Correspondence Series, 1905-1967 and undated
Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference Series: Church History Subseries (G)
Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama Conference Series: District Statistics Subseries, 1930
Printed Material Series: Serials Subseries (Miscellaneous Serials, 1936-1960)
Printed Material Series: Tracts Subseries (Miscellaneous Tracts, 1940)
Printed Material Series: Clippings Subseries, 1933
Printed Material Series: Camp Meetings Subseries, ca. 1910-1965 and undated
Printed Material Series: Promotional Literature Subseries, 1938-1968 and undated
Printed Material Series: Miscellaneous, 1936-1951 Financial Papers Series, 1917-1949
Oversize Cabinet
OC:I:7:
Printed Material Series: Miscellaneous, 1917
Unprocessed addition (97-187) [192-]-[197-]
(3 boxes)
Correspondence between Brasher's son, James Hendricks Brasher, and his parents, including numerous letters and postcards written by Brasher. There is also correspondence with other family members and correspondents outside the family.
Unprocessed addition (98-434) 1923-1969
(1 folder)
Primarily letters between Brasher and his son.
Unprocessed addition (08-171) 1911-1924 and undated
(3 items)
One clipping, a postcard, and James Brasher's "daylogue" for 1923-1924.
