This collection is comprised of documentation related to the investigation of Bishop James Cannon Jr. This collection contains transcripts concerning the investigation by the College of Bishops of the Methodist Church, South; meeting minutes; letters, telegraphs, postcards, and other correspondence from witnesses, friends, banks, finance companies, employers, clergy, professional colleagues, and acquaintances of Bishop Cannon and other parties directly and indirectly involved with the investigation. Also contained within this collection are the complete trial transcript and verdict, newspaper articles, periodicals, and General Conference Journal of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, relative to the investigation.

This collection centers primarily on Seybert's journals. The original journals are written in German and are incomplete. Of the eighteen total volumes that Seybert compiled, only ten volumes have survived. They are volumes 2, 4, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. In 1956 the Reverend J. G. Eller translated all volumes into English and this translation was microfilmed. The typescripts of chapters 16 and 17 are located at the end of the journals series.

Most of the journal entries are laconic with a few entries being the exception to the rule. What these journals do illustrate is the far reaching itinerancy that Seybert followed during his ministry. Other records would include a class book for the Canaan District (Pennsylvania) which was compiled by Seybert in 1825 and a constitution and subscription for the Manheim church which Seybert wrote in 1826. This is the very same church in which Seybert was originally converted.

Seybert's keen interest in church architecture can be found throughout the journals as well as in the holograph file. Photographs, flyers, a biography written by Andrew Gramley, and a letter dated April 23, 1853, that Seybert wrote to Daniel Bertolet are situated in the biographical file.

Seybert's traveling trunk (circa 1844), writing desk, and saddle bags round out the collection. The trunk is eighteen inches in length, eight and one- half inches in height, and nine and a half inches in width. The exterior covering is made from an animal skin with leather trim, a brass handle on the top of the lid, and hasp with locking mechanism. The interior of the trunk is lined with newsprint from 1844. On the interior top of the trunk lid is an identification card that states: BISHOP SEIBERT"S TRUNK. I Rebecca Ocker of Troxelville Snyder, Co., a grand-daughter of the sainted Rev. Philip Smith do present this little trunk to Albright College as a token of my interest in the same. When a little girl of a few summers I saw the sainted Bishop carry this trunk and heard him preach with wonderful power from the text, "TOD, WO IST DEIN STACHEL?" If this trunk had a mouth to talk, what wonderful things it could divulge! Rev. P. Smith resided about one mile west of Troxelville and his home was a stopping and preaching place for the Bishop. He traded this trunk on a saddle-bag, during one of his annual visits to my grandfather's house. Secured for Albright College Dec. 26, 1904. by Rev. A. D. Gramly (pastor). The trunk is in poor condition.

The writing desk measures eighteen and three-quarter inches in length, five and three-quarter inches high, and nine and three-eights inches wide. The outside is a cherry laminate with an ivory knob to open the desk. The interior contains compartments in the front which held various writing implements. There is a felt cover located behind the compartment section. When lifted reveals a storage space for paper. A label on the velvet cover reads as follows: First writing desk of Bishop Seybert who presented it to Rev. Solomon Neitz in appreciation of his great interest and success in the soul-winning for Christ's Kingdom.

Seybert's leather saddle bag is thirty eight inched long and fourteen and a half inches wide. It is in poor condition. A typed note pasted on the left saddle bag reads as follows: "This saddle bag and dress outfit of Bishop John Seybert, was left at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Fisher, of Manheim, Pa, by Bishop Seybert, between the years 1855 and 60. He was usually entertained in the above home when he came to Manheim to preach. At the death of Mr. and Mrs. David Fisher, these mementoes were given to their Daughter, Susan, who married John Fisher. After their death, they were handed down to their daughter, Louise, who married William McCauley. After the death of Mrs. McCauley, these relics came into the possession of Mrs. McCauley's daughter Edith. Thro [sic] her pastor Rev. I. E. Johnson, of Manheim, Pa. they have been transferred to the ‘Historical Society' and she wishes them placed in their room at the Publishing House. A very brief history of these articles as they were associated with life and labors of the late Bishop John Seybert. Signed and dated I.E. Johnson May 24, 1920."

This collection includes personal papers, photographs, and personal items from the life and work of the Draper family. There are four photograph albums that have pictures of the Draper children, places the family lived in Asia, other missionary staff workers, and their students. There are photographs of students in China and Malaysia that show the schools and classes Charles Draper taught science and Mary Ethel Draper taught English. Also included are Charles E. Draper's higher education papers from when he attended Purdue University.

The papers of Bishop Ivan Lee Holt chiefly reflect his work while pastoring the St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Saint Louis, Missouri. However, other areas of Holt's service to the church are documented as well. There is a small number of records that pertain directly to his episcopacy. Holt was an intellectual who mastered many areas within the study of theology. More often than not he would make both broad and minute applications of his various learning experiences and apply them in praxis from the local church level all the way up to and including his work with the World Council of Churches.

The effects of twentieth century wars on the Christian faith and the subsequent role of ecumenicism as related to these wars were primary in Holt's thoughts. Methodism and its placement in conjunction with other denominations during his lifetime is well represented. This is especially true of his sermons. The first and largest series within the collection is entitled Discourses. Here the researcher will find sermons, addresses, prayers, meditations, and quotes. The first sub-series, sermons, make up the bulk of the series. It is here that the diversity of Holt's ministry is best illuminated. However, it should be noted that the standard identifying tags that distinguish between sermons, addresses, and manuscripts are at times blurred. The second series is comprised of manuscripts. Subjects such as Methodism in South America, the Old Testament account of the military campaign against Biblical Sihon, and Bishops Quayle and Selecman are covered. Correspondence is the next series. This series contains letters relating to pastoral appointments, speaking engagements, and various conference cabinets.

Other professional activities include correspondence dealing with Bishop Holt's teaching career, episcopacy, and the various honorary degrees he received during his lifetime. One will find Holt's personal correspondence here as well. Holt's administrative records are located in the following series. Records such as reports, dockets, statements, regulations, minutes, and interviews complete this series.

Like many of the previous series the administrative series reflects both the Bishop's personal and professional life. Subjects include: Southern Methodist University, Central College, Federal Council of Churches, American-Japanese relations, the Commission on Christian Unity, North Texas Annual Conference, Asian Methodism, and cornerstone dedications. Series five contains publications. The first section encompasses both local church and conference publications. This would include bulletins, programs, pamphlets, and postcards. Holt's involvement with award dinners, church services, Women's Society of Christian Service in Northwest Texas, youth rallies, liturgy, various heritage meetings, and special holidays/ celebrations such as Reformation Sunday are documented. The second section includes reprinted articles collected by Holt for research purposes. Subjects covered are sociology, morality, communications, fishing, economics, biographies, Catholicism, Protestantism, Italy, and the Bible.

Newspaper clippings make up the final section. Centering on the United States in general and more specifically Texas, topics include church traditions, political science, awards, Reformation Sunday, speaking announcements, spirituality, and church unity Series six contains biographical records. This series focuses on Holt's memoirs. Oral history transcripts, travel documents and a vita round out the record types. The seventh and final series is a general file. Postcards, poems, correspondence, and notes cover areas such as orders of worship, sermon topics, and Holt's publication: The Methodists of the World.