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Collection Overview

Creator:
Irvine, William, 1863-1947
Title:
William Irvine Letters from Jerusalem
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/wd375w37t
Dates:
1911-1946
Size:
3 boxes
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1-3
Language:
English

Abstract

Consists of typescript copies of letters sent from Jerusalem by evangelist William Irvine to his followers.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of typescript copies of Irvine's evangelic letters, mostly from Jerusalem but likely typed in California. The letters document the heterodox and fundamentalist Christian offshoot of Irvine's Two-by-Two Movement, which stressed the primacy of the Bible and sent its preachers out in pairs to establish home-based churches across America, Australia, New Zealand, China, Africa, and Europe. Many of the letters are addressed to Willie Edwards, a follower who was in charge of disseminating Irvine's message until Irvine broke with him in mid-1945. The collection contains some duplicates of letters addressed to different people.

Arrangement

The letters are organized by volume, roughly in chronological order. (Original binders were thrown out.)

Collection Creator Biography:

Irvine, William, 1863-1947

Born in Scotland, Irvine was an evangelist who joined the Faith Mission there in 1895. Dissatisfied with its teachings, Irvine formally broke with the Mission while serving in Ireland in 1901. With an expanding ministry of his own, Irvine came to North America in 1903. He traveled widely, preaching that the Age of Grace was coming to an end. In November 1919 he moved to Palestine, where he spent the rest of his life, continuing to transmit his theology to his followers in a continuing series of letters. These were reproduced by selected members for distribution among the followers. Such are the copies in this collection. Irvine died in Jerusalem in 1945. The larger branch of the church he founded ("Christian Conventions" or "Two-by-Twos") continues today.

Collection History

Acquisition:

The collection was purchased from Garrett Scott in November 2010 (AM2011-45).

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by John Delaney on November 9, 2010. Finding aid written by John Delaney on November 9, 2010.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

William Irvine Letters from Jerusalem; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/wd375w37t
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1-3

Find More

Related Materials

Transcripts of over 400 William Irvine letters can be viewed at TellingTheTruth.info.

Subject Terms:
End of the World.
Evangelicals -- Israel -- Jerusalem -- 20th century -- Correspondence.
Two-by-Two's (Christian sect)
Genre Terms:
Letters -- 20th century.