John A. Singmaster Papers

Manuscripts Collection

Sheila Joy June 2018

Seminary Archives A.R. Wentz Library United Lutheran Seminary + 66 Gettysburg, PA 17325 717-339-1317

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Repository: Seminary Archives, A.R. Wentz Library, United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg, PA

Creator: John A. Singmaster

Date: 1861-1930

Language: English

Extent: The total extent of the collection is 1.75 linear feet (4 boxes).

Accruals: No further accruals are expected.

Custodial History: This collection was received by Seminary Archives as a records transfer.

Preferred Citation: John A. Singmaster Papers, Manuscripts Collection, Seminary Archives, United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg, PA.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Rev. John Alden Singmaster was President of Gettysburg Theological Seminary from 1906-1926 and Professor of Systematic Theology and Chairman of the Faculty, succeeding Dr. Valentine from both positions. He was an active member on the Seminary Board of Directors from 1894- 1900, stepping down when he accepted a call to become chair of Biblical Theology. He was also the financial secretary of the institution. He was born on August 31, 1852 in Macungie, PA to James and Sarah Ann (Mattern) Singmaster. He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1873, Gettysburg Seminary in 1876 and was ordained that same year by Eastern Synod. In 1894 he received a Doctor of Divinity from Gettysburg College and later a Doctor of Laws in 1920 from the same institution. He served as pastor in Schuylkill Haven, PA, 1876-1882; Lyons and Macungie, PA, 1882-1886; Brooklyn, NY, 1887-1890; and St. Paul’s in Allentown, PA, 1890-1900. From 1897-1899 he was president of East Pennsylvania Synod, its secretary from 1880-1881, and its Treasurer from 1893-1895. He served the Lutheran Church in many ways; President of the General Synod from 1915-1917 and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee that planned the merger of general bodies in 1918. Rev. Singmaster died on February 27, 1926. Sources Consulted: Wentz, Abdel Ross. History of the Gettysburg Theological Seminary of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States and of the United Lutheran Church in

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America, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: 1826-1926. Philadelphia, PA: The United Lutheran Publication House, 1926.

Wentz, Abdel Ross. History of the Gettysburg Theological Seminary of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States and of the United Lutheran Church in America, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: 1826-1926. Philadelphia, PA: The United Lutheran Publication House, 1926.

RESTRICTIONS

This collection is open for research.

REPRODUCTION

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured by the Seminary Archives. Contact the archivist for more information.

PROCESSING NOTE

This collection was originally processed in 1995 during a manuscripts re-housing project initiated by the help of a small grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The original processor is unknown. The most recent container list was created by Katie McGowan in 2014. The collection was reprocessed in May 2017 by Archivist Sheila Joy and a new finding aid was created in June 2018 by Sheila Joy.

SERIES DESCRIPTION AND CONTAINER LIST Series 1. Lectures Box Folder

1 1 Propaedeutic Symbolics – Lectures on Symbolics, c. 1925 1 2 Supplement to Propaedeutic Symbolics Book c. 1916 1 3 Index Rerum by John Todd, D.D., 1833 [2nd ed. printed in 1861]

Series 2. Commentaries and Miscellaneous This series contains commentaries and miscellaneous personal and professional papers. Box Folder

1 4 St. Matthew 1 5 St. Mark

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1 6 St. Luke 1 7 St. Luke, with 1922-1923 student roll sheet 1 8 St. John 1 9 St. John 2 1 Joint Committee on Ways and Means, 1918 2 2 Remembrance Files and Family Records 2 3 Gettysburg Press Releases, c. 1899-1921 Includes 1913 battle reunion 2 4 Memorabilia c. 1875-1900 2 5 Miscellaneous, c. 1912-1936 2 6 Correspondence, c. 1916-1925 2 7 Short Works, c. 1916 2 8 Suggestions for Theses, c. 1917 2 9 Doctor of Law Certificate, c. 1920 2 10 Legal Documents-Marriage, Births, Baptisms, and Funerals, c. 1887-1923 2 11 Scientific Investigation of the Gospels, by J. F. Springer, c. 1925 2 12 Notes on Adequate Theological Education

Series 3. Sermons This series contains various sermons and outline notes organized by Bible book. The series contains two subseries: Old Testament sermons and New Testament Sermons. Subseries 1. Old Testament Box Folder

3 1 Genesis 3 2 Exodus 3 3 Leviticus 3 4 Numbers 3 5 Deuteronomy 3 6 Joshua 3 7 Judges 3 8 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel 3 9 1 Kings, 2 Kings 3 10 Job 3 11 Psalms (1 of 2) 3 12 Psalms (2 of 2) 3 13 Proverbs 3 14 Song of Songs/Ecclesiastes 3 15 Isaiah 3 16 Jeremiah 3 17 Ezekiel, Nehemiah 3 18 Minor Prophets

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3 19 Daniel

Subseries 2. New Testament Box Folder

3 20 Matthew (1 of 4) 3 21 Matthew (2 of 4) 3 22 Matthew (3 of 4) 3 23 Matthew (4 of 4) 3 24 Mark 4 1 Luke (1 of 3) 4 2 Luke (2 of 3) 4 3 Luke (3 of 3) 4 4 John (1 of 3) 4 5 John (2 of 3) 4 6 John (3 of 3) 4 7 Acts (1 of 2) 4 8 Acts (2 of 2) 4 9 Romans 4 10 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 4 11 Galatians 4 12 Ephesians 4 13 Philippians 4 14 Colossians 4 15 Timothy 1, Timothy 2 4 16 Hebrews 4 17 James 4 18 1 Peter, 2 Peter 4 19 1 John 4 20 Jude 4 21 Revelation

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