Thomas Smyth.jpg
Thomas Smyth 2.JPG
Thomas Smyth served as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Thomas Smyth served as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

This memorial tablet is located inside the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, South Carolina (photo credit: R. Andrew Myers).

Thomas Smyth is buried at Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina (photo credit: R. Andrew Myers).

The Eldership of the Presbyterian Church: A Sermon, Preached Before the Charleston Union Presbytery, April 4th, 1836 (1836)

The Moral Influence of a Church: A Discourse, Delivered on the Dedication of the New Lecture-Room of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C., March 12, 1837 (1837, 1838)

Oration Delivered on the Forty-Eighth Anniversary of the Orphan House, in Charleston, S.C., October 18th, 1837 (1837)

The Voice of God in Calamity: or, Reflections on the Loss of the Steam-Boat Home, October 9, 1837, A Sermon: Delivered in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, on Sabbath Morning, October 22, 1837 (1837)

Manual, for the Use of the Members of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, SC (1838)

The Prelatical Doctrine of Apostolical Succession Examined, and the Protestant Ministry Defended Against the Assumptions of Popery and High-Churchism, in a Series of Lectures (1841)

Presbytery and Not Prelacy: The Scriptural and Primitive Polity, Proved From the Testimonies of Scripture;... also, The Antiquity of Presbytery; Including an Account of the Ancient Culdees, and of St. Patrick (1843)

Ecclesiastical Republicanism: or, The Republicanism, Liberality, and Catholicity of Presbytery, in Contrast with Prelacy and Popery (1843)

An Ecclesiastical Catechism of the Presbyterian Church (1843)

The History, Character, and Results, of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (1844)

The Exodus of the Church of Scotland: and the Claims of the Free Church of Scotland to the Sympathy and Assistance of American Christians (1844)

The Life and Character of Calvin, the Reformer, Reviewed and Defended (1844)

The Romish and Prelatical Rite of Confirmation Examined: and Proved to be Contrary to the Scriptures (1845)

The Name, Nature, and Functions, of Ruling Elders: Wherein it is Shown from the Testimony of Scripture, the Fathers, and the Reformers, that Ruling Elders are not Presbyters or Bishops, and that as Representatives of the People, their Office Ought to be Temporary (1845)

The Fundamental Doctrines of Christianity, the True and Only Required Basis of Charity and United Christian Effort: A Discourse, Delivered at Philadelphia, on Twenty-Second Anniversary of the American Sunday School Union, May 17, 1846 (1846)

Denominational Education, its Necessity and its Practicability, Especially as it Regards Colleges: An Address Delivered before the Thalian and Phi-Delta Societies of Oglethorpe University (1846)

Mary Not a Perpetual Virgin, Nor the Mother of God: But Only a Sinner Saved by Grace Through the Worship and Mediation of Jesus Christ, Her God and Our God: Together with a View of the True Position, Duty and Liberty of Woman, Under the Gospel Dispensation (1846)

The Duty of Interesting Children in the Missionary Cause, and How This is To Be Done (1846)

The Rule and Measure of Christian Charity (1847)

God's Providence the Just Ground of Confidence, Love and Gratitude: A Discourse (1847)

The Destined Efficiency of Juvenile Missionary Effort (1847)

The True Origin and Source of the Mecklenburg and National Declaration of Independence (1847)

The Divine Appointment and Obligation of Capital Punishment (1847)

Presbyterianism — The Revolution — The Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution (1848)

Assurance — Witness of the Spirit — and the Call to the Ministry (1848)

The Call to the Ministry — Its Nature and Evidence (1848)

The Office of Deacon (1848)

The Character of the Late Thomas Chalmers, D. D., LL.D., and the Lessons of His Life, from Personal Recollections (1848)

Solace for Bereaved Parents: or, Infants Die to Live. With an Historical Account of the Doctrine of Infant Salvation. Also, Very Full Selections From Various Authors, in Prose and Poetry (1848, 1852)

Parochial Schools (1849)

A Pattern of Mercy and Holiness, Exhibited in the Conversion and Subsequent Character of Col. William Yeadon, Ruling Elder in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C.: A Discourse (1849)

Secret Societies (1850)

The Primitive Revelation of a Divine and Incarnate Saviour, Traced in the History and Rites of Bacchus (1850)

Introduction to E.P. Rogers' The Doctrine of Election Stated, Defended, and Applied (1850)

The Canaanitish Woman (1850)

The Unity of the Human Races Proved to Be the Doctrine of Scripture, Reason, and Science: With a Review of the Present Position and Theory of Professor Agassiz (1851)

The Church Awakened to Her Duty and Her Danger: A Sermon Preached For the Board of Foreign Missions, of the Presbyterian Church, on Sabbath Evening, in the Church on Fifth Avenue and Nineteenth Street, New York: and also in the Central Church, Philadelphia, on Sabbath Evening, May 22, 1853 (1853)

The Necessity and Importance of Controversy (1853)

The Province of Reason, Especially in Matters of Religion (1853)

Efficiency of Christian Principle (1853, 1861)

The Bible and Not Reason, the Only Certain and Authoritative Source of Our Knowledge, Even of the Existence of God (1854)

On the Trinity (1854)

The Doctrine of the Trinity, Practical and Fundamental (1854)

Objections to the Doctrine of the Trinity From the Unity of God, as Taught in Scripture, Answered (1855)

On Elohim as a Title of God, and as Implying a Plurality in the Godhead (1855)

The Trinity of Paganism (1855)

Presumptive Arguments for the Doctrine of the Trinity (1855)

The Doctrine of the Trinity Either the Offspring of Reason or of Primitive Revelation (1855)

Testimony of the Early Fathers to the Doctrine of the Trinity (1856)

Testimony of the Reformers to the Doctrine of the Trinity (1856)

June 1856 Letter to the Columbia Theological Seminary Board of Directors (1856)

By Whom is the World to be Converted? or, Christians Christ's Representatives and Agents For the Conversion of the World (1856)

Calvin and His Enemies: A Memoir of the Life, Character, and Principles of Calvin (1856)

The Testimony of the Ancient Jews to the Plurality and Trinity of the Godhead (1857)

The Teachings of the Dead (1857)

Why Do I Live? (1857)

Faith, The Principle of Missions (1857)

The Well in the Valley (1857)

The Nature and Claims of Young Men's Christian Associations (1857)

Obedience the Life of Missions (1858)

The Trinity of the Godhead, the Doctrine of the Scriptures (1858-1861)

National Righteousness (1859)

The Sin and the Curse; The Union, the True Source of Disunion, and Our Duty in the Present Crisis: A Discourse Preached on the Occasion of the Day of Humiliation and Prayer Appointed by the Governor of South Carolina, on November 21st, 1860, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C. (1860)

The Battle of Fort Sumter: Its Mystery and Miracle, God's Mastery and Mercy: A Discourse Preached on the Day of National Fasting, Thanksgiving and Prayer, in the First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C., June 13, 1861 (1861)

The Victory of Manassas Plains (1862)

The War of the South Vindicated (1863)

The Soldier’s Prayer Book (1863)

The Character and Conditions of Liberty (1864)

The Scriptural Doctrine of the Second Advent (1866)

The Scriptural and Divine Right For Using Mechanical as Well as Vocal Instruments in the Worship of God (1868)

Rev. Thomas Smyth, D.D. (1873)

The Christian Warrior Crowned: A Discourse Commemorative of the Life, Character and Labors of the Rev. Thos. Smyth, D.D., Delivered in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C., December 14th, 1873 (1874)

In Memoriam: Thomas Smyth, D.D. (1874)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 1 (1908)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 2 (1908)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 3 (1908)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 4 (1908)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 5 (1908)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 6 (1909)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 7 (1910)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 8 (1910)

Complete Works of  Thomas Smyth, Vol. 9 (1911)

Complete Works of Thomas Smyth, Vol. 10 (1912)

Autobiographical Notes, Letters and Reflections (1914)


Letter from Thomas Smyth to the Columbia Theological Seminary Board of Directors concerning the sale of his library to be used in the seminary, Charleston (S.C.), June 1856. Courtesy of the C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections and Archives, Columbia Theological Seminary.

This 5-part article appeared in the April and July 1858, July 1859 (titled “The Distinctions in the Godhead Personal and not Nominal”), and April and July 1861 issues of The Southern Presbyterian Review.

Source: Digital Library of Georgia

Source: Digital Library of Georgia

The Prelatical Doctrine of Apostolical Succession Examined, and the Protestant Ministry Defended Against the Assumptions of Popery and High-Churchism

The Prelatical Doctrine of Apostolical Succession Examined, and the Protestant Ministry Defended Against the Assumptions of Popery and High-Churchism

Presbytery and Not Prelacy the Scriptural and Primitive Polity

Presbytery and Not Prelacy the Scriptural and Primitive Polity

1. Ecclesiastical Republicanism: or the Republicanism, Liberality and Catholicity of Presbytery in contrast with Prelacy and Popery 2. The Romish and Prelatical Rite of Confirmation Examined and Proved to be Contrary to the Scriptures 3. A Form of P…

1. Ecclesiastical Republicanism: or the Republicanism, Liberality and Catholicity of Presbytery in contrast with Prelacy and Popery
2. The Romish and Prelatical Rite of Confirmation Examined and Proved to be Contrary to the Scriptures
3. A Form of Public Christian Profession on First Uniting With the Church
4. Calvin and His Enemies: A Memoir of the Life, Character and Principles of Calvin
5. The True Origin and Source of the Mecklenburg and National Declaration of Independence
6. Presbyterianism, the Revolution the Declaration, and the Constitution
7. The Exodus of the Church of Scotland and the Claims of the Free Church of Scotland to the Sympathy and Assistance of American Christians
8. The Character of the Late Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL.D. and the Lessons of His Life From Personal Recollections

1. The Name, Nature and Functions of Ruling Elders 2. Theories of the Eldership (from the Biblical Reportory and Princeton Review) 3. Theories of the Eldership (from the North Carolina Presbyterian) 4. The Office and Functions of Deacons in Relation…

1. The Name, Nature and Functions of Ruling Elders
2. Theories of the Eldership (from the Biblical Reportory and Princeton Review)
3. Theories of the Eldership (from the North Carolina Presbyterian)
4. The Office and Functions of Deacons in Relation to those of the Pastor and Ruling Elders Defined and Distinguished
5. The History, Character and Results of the Westminster Assembly of Divines. A Discourse in Commemoration of the Bi-Centenary Anniversary of that Body
6. An Ecclesiastical Catechism of the Presbyterian Church for the use of Families, Bible-Classes, and Private Members
7. A Sabbath School Teaching Service for the Whole Church, Instituted by Christ, in Seven Articles
8. The Nature and Claims of Young Men’s Christian Associations

1. Manual for the Members of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S. C. 2. Pastoral Memento. Love Waxing Cold; and Pastoral Fidelity Consistent with Pastoral Affection, Two Discourses 3. The Exodus of the Church of Scotland and the Claims of …

1. Manual for the Members of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S. C.
2. Pastoral Memento. Love Waxing Cold; and Pastoral Fidelity Consistent with Pastoral Affection, Two Discourses
3. The Exodus of the Church of Scotland and the Claims of the Free Church of Scotland to the Sympathy and Assistance of American Christians
4. The Voice of God in Calamity: Or, Reflections on the Loss of the Steam-Boat Home, October 9, 1837, A Sermon: Delivered in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, on Sabbath Morning, October 22, 1837
5. Two Discourses on the Occasion of the Great Fire in Charleston, on Friday Night, April 27th, 1838. Delivered in the Second Presbyterian Church, on Sabbath, May 6, 1838
6. The Theatre, a School of Religion, Manners and Morals! Two Discourses Delivered on the Opening of the New Theatre in Charleston
7. The Relations of Christianity to War: And The Portraiture of a Christian Soldier, A Discourse Delivered on Occasion of the First Commencement of the Citadel Academy
8. The Principle of Secrecy and Secret Societies. Two Discourses
9. Oration, Delivered on the Forty-Eighth Anniversary of the Orphan House, in Charleston, S. C., October 18th, 1837
10. The Successful Merchant and the Lessons of his Life and Death. A Discourse upon the Occasion of the Death of James Adger, who Died at St. Nicholas Hotel, New York, September, 1858
11. Pattern of Mercy and Holiness, Exhibited in the Conversion and Subsequent Character of Col. William Yeadon, Ruling Elder, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C., A Discourse
12. God in the Storm: A Narrative by the Rev. L. P. W. Balch, an Address by Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., and a Sermon by the Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D. Prepared on Board the Great Western, after the Storm Encountered on Her Recent Voyage
13. Denominational Education: Its Necessity and its Practicability: Especially as it Regards Colleges. An Address Delivered Before the Thalian and Phi-Delta Societies of Oglethorpe University
14. An Address, Delivered Before a Meeting of the Friends of Sunday-Schools, in the Wentworth Street Baptist Church, Charleston, S. C., on Monday, April 29, 1844
15. The Fundamental Doctrines of Christianity, the True and Only Required Basis of Charity and United Christian Effort. A Discourse, Delivered at Philadelphia, on the Twenty-Second Anniversary of the American Sunday-School Union, May 17, 1846
16. Our Fathers, A Discourse Preached on the Occasion of the Jubilee Celebration of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S. C., on Sabbath Morning, July 31, 1861
17. The Review and Lessons of Fifty Years. A Discourse Preached on the Occasion of the Jubilee Celebration of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S. C., March 31, 1861

1. The Primitive Revelation of a Divine and Incarnate Savior Traced in the History and Rites of Bacchus 2. National Righteousness 3. Union to Christ and to His Church; or, The Duty and Privilege of All to Believe in Christ, and to Become Communing M…

1. The Primitive Revelation of a Divine and Incarnate Savior Traced in the History and Rites of Bacchus
2. National Righteousness
3. Union to Christ and to His Church; or, The Duty and Privilege of All to Believe in Christ, and to Become Communing Members of the Church of Christ
4. The Divine Appointment and Obligation of Capital Punishment with its Bearing on the Recent Execution of Colored Persons, and their Religious Instruction
5. Mary not a Perpetual Virgin, nor the Mother of God: But Only a Sinner Saved by Grace, Through the Worship and Mediation of Jesus Christ, Her God and our God. Together with a View of the True Position, Duty and Liberty of Woman under the Gospel Dispensation.
6. An Address on Giving the Right Hand of Fellowship, Delivered at the Installation of Rev. Thomas Osborne Rice as Pastor of the Independent Congregational (Circular) Church, Charleston, S. C., April 1, 1860
7. Services on the Occasion of the Ordination of the Rev. F. P. Mullally, and the Installation of Rev. J. H. Thornwell, D.D., and Rev. F. P. Mullally, as Co-Pastors of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S. C., Sermon by Rev. John L. Girardeau, Charges, by Rev. Thomas Smyth, D.D., May 4th, 1860
8. Preach the Word
9. Preaching Through the Press the Duty of All, A Discourse
10. Gospel Preaching Must Be Doctrinal Preaching, A Discourse
11. Fear as a Christian Motive, Two Discourses
12. Consciousness and Fright of Sin, A Discourse
13. Every Man Under Obligation to Believe and Confess Christ by Union to His Church and an Open Confession of His Ordinances and [2nd item] The Duty and Privilege of Belief and Confession Urged Upon Doubting Sinners
14. The Young Man Miserable and the Young Man Happy, Four Discourses
15. Bible Temperance, Five Articles
16. A Defense of the Ecclesiastical Boards of the Presbyterian Church
17. The World-Reaching Sound and World-Preaching Sound, A Sermon
18. Our Election Made Sure
19. The Peculiar Song and Service of the Redeemed, A Sermon
20. The Question of Psalmody, A Series of Articles
21. The Scriptural and Divine Right for Using Mechanical as Well as Vocal Instruments in the Worship of God, A Discourse
22. The Sunday School Teacher in His Work, Spirit and Motives, A Series of Five Articles
23. Assurance—Witness of the Spirit and The Call to the Ministry
24. Claims of the Christian Ministry to an Adequate and Liberal Support; also a Plea for the Preaching of the Gospel to the Poor, but Not by the Poor, “For the poor the gospel is preached.” Luke 7:22
25. The Art Unions and the Use of the Lot, An Article
26. Education
27. The Waldenses—Were They Pedobaptists?
28. The Culdee Monasteries
29. Trees
30. On the Importance of a Knowledge of Natural History to a Full Understanding of the Sacred Scriptures, A Lecture Delivered Before the South Carolina Lyceum, Friday Evening, May 19, 1848
31. Lecture on the Practical Utility of Astronomical Science

1. Faith the Principle of Missions 2. Christians, Christ's Representatives and Agents for the Conversion of the World 3. Obedience the Life of Missions 4. The Church Awakened to Her Duty, and the Ground of Hope 5. Report on Foreign Missions, Present…

1. Faith the Principle of Missions
2. Christians, Christ's Representatives and Agents for the Conversion of the World
3. Obedience the Life of Missions
4. The Church Awakened to Her Duty, and the Ground of Hope
5. Report on Foreign Missions, Presented to the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, 1842
6. The Rule and Measure of Christian Charity
7. Collections for Charitable and Religious Purposes, a Part of the Service of God, and Means of Grace, and therefore an Essential Part of Christianity
8. The Duty of Interesting Children in the Missionary Cause
9. Christians, Christ's Representative and Agents for the Conversion of the World, and Self-Denying Love and Liberality Essential to Christian Character and Happiness
10. Articles on Christian Charity
11. Duelling. A Series of Articles
12. The Sin and the Curse, or The Union, the True Source of Disunion, and Our Duty in the Present Crisis. A Discourse Preached on November 21st, 1860, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S. C
13. The War of the South Vindicated and The War of the North Condemned. A Discourse Preached by Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D., on the Occasion of the Appointment of the Fourth of July as a Day of Prayer for the Lincoln Usurpation
14. The Soldier's Prayer Book
15. An Outline of the Soldier's Hymn Book, with an Index of First Lines

1 - The Unity of the Human Races 2 - The Well in the Valley 3 - Why Do I Live?

1 - The Unity of the Human Races
2 - The Well in the Valley
3 - Why Do I Live?

1 - Articles on the Trinity 2 - The Divinity of Christ 3 - Unitarianism not the Gospel 4 - Unitarianism Another Gospel 5 - Dr. Watts Not a Unitarian 6 - The Scriptural Doctrine of the Second Advent 7 - On the Fellowship and Communion of Believers Wi…

1 - Articles on the Trinity
2 - The Divinity of Christ
3 - Unitarianism not the Gospel
4 - Unitarianism Another Gospel
5 - Dr. Watts Not a Unitarian
6 - The Scriptural Doctrine of the Second Advent
7 - On the Fellowship and Communion of Believers With the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
8 - The Spirit's Influences Vindicated From Objections by their Analogy to the Wind
9 - Articles on the American Tract Society
10 - Articles Referring to the American Tract Society on Dr. Wayland's Letter
11 - The Destruction of the Hopes of Man - a Discourse
12 - Articles on Baptism
13 - Form for the Solemnization of Matrimony
14 - An Order for Funeral Services
15 - The Form of Public Admission to the Church
16 - The Lord's Supper
17 - Forms of Doxology and Benediction

1 - The Teachings of the Dead 2 - Life a Tale That is Told 3 - Council and Comfort for Afflicted Believers 4 - God Comforts to Make Us Comforters 5 - Solace for Bereaved Parents 6 - God's Way in the Wilderness 7 - God Glorified and Christian Obedien…

1 - The Teachings of the Dead
2 - Life a Tale That is Told
3 - Council and Comfort for Afflicted Believers
4 - God Comforts to Make Us Comforters
5 - Solace for Bereaved Parents
6 - God's Way in the Wilderness
7 - God Glorified and Christian Obedience Perfected in the Prostration
8 - Heaven, pp. 319 - 329.
9 - Articles on Baptism
10 - The Commercial Benefit of Christianity in Producing Integrity, Diligence and Moderation
11 - The Design and Motive of Worldly Business as Exhibited in the Bible
12 - The Relations of Christianity to Civil Polity
13 - The Christian's Principle and Motive in Voting
14 - On the Necessity of Literature and Men of Letters to the Stability and Happiness of a Republic
15 - The Sphere, Character and Destiny of Woman
16 - First and Second Advents of Christ
17 - Christ's Sufferings a Proof of Atonement
18 - Christ our Righteousness
19 - Imputation
20 - The Eternal Sonship of Christ
21 - Theory of a General Atonement Examined
22 - The Doctrine of Predestination Beneficial to Many and Injurious to None
23 - The Origin of Evil
24 - Paul's Resource Under Trial
25 - The Prayers and Efforts of Believers Essential to the Promised Triumph of the Church
26 - Forbidding to Marry a Sure Mark of Antichrist
27 - The Resurrection of Christ
28 - The Mutual Obligation of a Minister and His People
29 - In Memoriam