SANDLIN, JOHN LEWIS.
John Lewis Sandlin papers, 1934-1991.
PITTS THEOLOGY LIBRARY MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION NUMBER 335
LANGUAGE: Materials in English.
ACCESS: Access is unrestricted. Stored off-site. Forty-eight hours advance notice required to access collection.
REPRODUCTION: All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
COPYRIGHT: Information on copyright (literary rights) available from repository.
CITATION: John Lewis Sandlin papers, MSS 335, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
John Lewis Sandlin, son of John Lafayette Sandlin and Eva Lewis Sandlin, was born October 3, 1908 in Ozark, Alabama. A graduate of the College of Charleston and Candler School of Theology, Sandlin was admitted to the South Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1936.
In addition to pastoral appointments in South Carolina, Sandlin served as professor and chairman of the Columbia College Department of Religion (1947-1952), as editor of the Southern Christian Advocate (1948-1949), and as an editor with the Board of Evangelism in Nashville (1956-1966). Sandlin wrote ten books and co-authored four others. He also wrote columns for several religious journals and wrote International Sunday School lessons for over ten years.
After retiring in 1975, Sandlin served as a chaplain at Richland Memorial Hospital and Crafts-Farrow State Hospital in Columbia, S.C. He was a founder and the first president of the South Carolina Conference Retired Ministers Association. Sandlin died on February 20, 1993.
Sandlin married Eugenia Cleo Westcoat on August 22, 1939. The couple had three children.
Source of biographical information:
Scoggins, E. King and A. McKay Brabham, Jr. “John Lewis Sandlin: October 3, 1908 – February 20, 1993.” The Journal of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, 1993.
Papers related primarily to John Lewis Sandlin’s theological education and his career as a Methodist minister and author. Included are professional and personal correspondence; notes and papers from classes taken via the Methodist Course of Study and at Candler School of Theology; extensive drafts of prayers and devotional writings; typescripts of Sandlin’s published books; sermons; poems; articles; Sunday school lessons; subject files; and files of notes and clippings related to Sandlin’s writing projects.
Although Sandlin served numerous churches in South Carolina both before and after his tenure at Columbia College and the General Board of Evangelism, there is comparatively little material about his pastoral ministry. Notable exceptions are the sermons found in series 5, as well as the pastor’s record books, orders of worship, and other materials from his appointed churches in Series 3.
The papers contain no documentation of Sandlin’s post-retirement work as a chaplain at Richland Memorial Hospital and Crafts-Farrow State Hospital in Columbia, S.C., nor of his involvement in the South Carolina Conference Retired Ministers Association (which Sandlin helped to found).
Series 1: Correspondence, 1934-1991. 1 cubic ft. Arranged chronologically.
Personal and professional correspondence of John Lewis Sandlin. The folders labeled “Correspondence, Personal, 1938-1939” contain letters to Sandlin from his future wife, Eugenia Cleo Westcoat.
Series 2: Academic Career, 1934-1943. 1 cubic ft. Arranged by course number and alphabetically.
The majority of the files in this series contain notes, syllabi, and related materials from courses taken by Sandlin at the Candler School of Theology. These files are arranged in order of Candler course number. In a few cases, the course title but not the course number were listed on a folder. These files are arranged alphabetically immediately after the folders arranged by this number. Also found in this series are numerous “lesson papers” produced by Sandlin from 1934-1938, apparently for correspondence courses that were part of the Methodist Course of Study for pastors. Researchers should note that papers written by Sandlin while he was a student at Candler are located in Series 5.
Series 3: Pastoral Appointments, 1936-1990. 1 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically.
Files related to Sandlin’s service as a pastor in several South Carolina churches. A few of the folders contain church meeting minutes and charge conference reports, but in general there are few administrative records for the churches where Sandlin served. The bulk of this series consists of “pastor’s record books,” small pocket-sized diaries in which Sandlin recorded notes on his day-to-day pastoral activities. This series also contains orders of worship from Sandlin’s churches, as well as orders of worship from other churches where Sandlin preached as a guest.
Series 4: Subject Files, 1938-1987, undated. 1.1 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically.
Files on topics of interest to Sandlin, including evangelism, witnessing, workshop, and alcohol education. There are several files of materials related to the Columbia College Department of Religion, which Sandlin chaired from 1947-1952. These include syllabi and copies of quizzes and exams. Those wishing to know more about Sandlin’s life and family background should note the biographical information and the genealogical material in this series.
Series 5: Writings, 1934-1979, undated. 4.3 cubic ft. Arrangement varies by series.
Sandlin was a prolific writer, producing numerous books of prayers, devotional writings and spiritual meditations, poetry, and scripture lessons, as well as professional writings for the Methodist Church’s General Board of Evangelism.
Series 5, Subseries 1: Book Manuscripts, 1958-1972, undated. .6 cubic ft. Arranged chronologically.
Typed manuscripts of several of Sandlin’s published books, including A Prayer for Every Day, Moments with the Master, Prayers for Servicemen, and Prayers for Parents who Care. There are also unpublished book manuscripts, including My Tryst with God, The Vision Splendid, and The Apostolic Age.
Series 5, Subseries 2: Devotions and Prayers, 1958-1971, undated. 2.3 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically, then chronologically.
Sandlin kept extensive devotional diaries in the 1960s and 1970s. Although he sometimes referred to these writings as “meditations,” the term “devotions” has been used throughout this finding aid for consistency. This series also includes prayers by Sandlin, many of which were written for the “A Prayer for Today” and “My Prayer for Today” columns in the South Carolina Methodist Advocate. Researchers interested in prayers written by Sandlin for these columns should also see Series 6, which contains clippings of his prayers from the Advocate.
Series 5, Subseries 3: Other Writings, 1934-1979, undated. 1.5 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically.
Articles, sermons, pamphlets, and other writings by Sandlin. There are several folders of papers produced by Sandlin while he was a student at Candler School of Theology, as well as one folder of articles and other short writings for the Methodist Church’s General Board of Evangelism. There are numerous short pieces written in the late 1960s and early 1970s for the International Lesson Series of the South Carolina Methodist Advocate.
Series 6: Notes and Clippings, 1941-1980, undated. 2.67 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically and by format.
Clippings and notes kept by Sandlin, mainly in support of his book- and sermon-writing activities. Much of the material in this series is undated and unlabeled. Included are two lengthy alphabetical files of notes and clippings. One is found at the beginning of the series. The other is stored in a card file box at the end of the series.
Box Folder Description/Dates Series 1: Correspondence, 1934-1991 1 1 Correspondence, 1934-1942 1 2 Correspondence, 1943-1946 1 3 Correspondence, 1947-1948 1 4-5 Correspondence, 1949-1950 1 6-7 Correspondence, 1951-1956 1 8-10 Correspondence, 1957-1961 1 11-12 Correspondence, 1962-1966 1 13 Correspondence, 1967-1969 1 14-15 Correspondence, 1970-1973 1 16-17 Correspondence, 1974-1991 1 18 Correspondence, undated 1 19 Correspondence, Columbia College, 1951-1952 1 20 Correspondence, Columbia College Controversy, 1949-1953, 1959- 1960 1 21-27 Correspondence, Personal, 1938-1939 1 28 Correspondence re: Prayers and Graces, 1959 1 29 Correspondence re: Review of A Partner with the Living Lord, James W. Sells, 1976 1 30-31 Correspondence re: Workman’s Compensation Lawsuit, 1966-1968 1 32 Correspondence with Publisher, 1958-1967 Series 2: Academic Career, 1934-1943 2 1 A301: Old Testament, 1942 2 2 A302: Old Testament II, 1943 2 3 A303: New Testament, 1942 2 4 A304: Jewish Background of Christianity, 1942 2 5 A305: Jesus, 1943 2 6 A307: Theology of Paul, 1942 2 7 A320: The Canon, 1942 2 8 A323: The Psalms, undated 2 9 A324: Hebrew and Greek Conceptions of Life after Death, 1943 2 10 B301: History of Religion, 1941 2 11 B302: Rise of the Younger Churches Overseas, undated 2 12 B303, Church History to 1000 A.D., 1942 2 13 B305: Church History 1000 A.D. to Present, 1942 2 14 B307: Wesleyan Reformation, undated 2 15 C301: Psychological Aspects of Christian Experience, 1943 2 16 C303: Theory and Practice of Religious Education, 1942 2 17 C305: Theism, 1942 2 18 C307: Doctrine of Representation, 1942 2 19 C328B: Prayer, 1941-1942 2 20 C337: Christian Interpretation of History, 1942 2 21 D301: Theory and Practice of Preaching, 1942 2 22 D306: Philosophy of Christian Missions, 1943 2 23 D309: Church Polity, 1943 2 24 D311: Social Problems, 1942 2 25 D318: Youth and the Church, 1943 2 26 D331: A Study of Urban Society, 1943 2 27 D339: History of Social Thought, 1943 2 28 D411: Post-War Planning, 1943 2 29 Acts of the Apostles, Columbia College Course, 1951-1952 2 30 Archaeology, 1941 2 31 The Church’s Ministry to College Students, 1943 2 32 Great Christian Characters, 1943 2 33-36 Lesson Papers, 1935-1938 2 37 Lesson Papers, The Apostolic Age and Tongue of Fire, 1934-1935 2 38 Lesson Papers, The Discipline, 1935 2 39 Lesson Papers, The Four Gospels and Acts, 1935 2 40 Lesson Papers, The Teachings of Jesus, 1935 2 41 Life of Paul, 1934 2 42 Pastoral Psychology, 1943 Series 3: Pastoral Appointments, 1936-1990 3 1 Bethel United Methodist Church, History, 1970, 1985 3 2 Church Bulletins, 1936-1967 3 3 Church Bulletins, 1968-1969 3 4-5 Church Bulletins, 1969-1970 3 6-7 Church Bulletins, 1971-1973 3 8-9 Church Bulletins, 1975-1976 3 10 Church Bulletins, 1977-1990 3 11 Church Bulletins, Mother’s Day, 1944-1970 3 12 Heath Springs, undated 3 13 Lebanon/McLeod, 1968-1973, undated 3 14 Mount Pleasant, 1972-1973 3 15 Pastoral Appointments, Miscellaneous, 1952-1970, undated 3 16 Pastor’s Record Book, 1934-1936 3 17 Pastor’s Record Book, 1936-1938 3 18 Pastor’s Record Book, 1938-1940 3 19 Pastor’s Record Book, 1940-1941 3 20 Pastor’s Record Book, 1943-1945 3 21 Pastor’s Record Book, 1945-1947 3 22 Pastor’s Record Book, 1950-1953 3 23 Pastor’s Record Book, 1969-1976 3 24 Saint Luke’s, 1975-1976, undated 3 25 Saint Mark’s, 1942-1943 Series 4: Subject Files, 1938-1987, undated 4 1 Alcohol Education Sunday, 1947 4 2 Bibliographies, undated 4 3 Biographical Information, 1942-1975, undated 4 4 Christian Sojourn Tour, 1974 4 5-6 Columbia College Department of Religion Exams and Quizzes, 1948- 1952, undated 4 7 Columbia College Department of Religion Syllabi, undated 4 8 Columbia College Faculty Handbook and Miscellaneous, 1948-1952 4 9 Conference on Spiritual Birth and Growth, 1960 4 10 Consultation on Evangelism for Supply Pastors, 1965 4 11 Crusade for Christ, 1945 4 12 Daybooks and Bank Books, 1933, 1944, 1947, 1968, undated 4 13 Evangelism, 1959-1965, undated 4 14 Evangelism, Materials from Binder, undated 4 15 Genealogical Information, 1965, undated 4 16-17 General Board of Education, 1943-1961, undated 4 18 History of Religion, Outline, undated 4 19 Immortality, Course on, undated 4 20 Interboard Commission on the Local Church, 1961, undated 4 21 Miscellaneous 4 22 Order of Saint Luke, 1950, undated 4 23 Photographs, undated 4 24 Poconos Plateau Retreat, 1959 4 25-26 Program of Leadership Education, 1947-1969 4 27 Protestant Belief and Action, Course Materials, 1948, undated 4 28 Religious Education Tests, undated 4 29 Revelation, undated 4 30 Sandpiper Village Advisory Board, 1987 4 31 Smart, Wyatt Aiken, Writings and Addresses, undated 4 32 South Carolina Conference, 1934-1935 4 33 South Carolina Conference, Pre-Conference Report, 1984 4 34 Spartanburg Area Training School, Prophets, 1962 October 14-18 4 35 Teachings of Jesus, 1938-1952 4 36 Theology of Paul, undated 4 37 Tidings Workbooks, circa 1965 4 38 Werner, Hazen G., Redemption, Transcripts and Recordings, undated 4 39 Witnessing, undated 4 40 World Wide Prayer Life Movement, undated 4 41 Worship Programs for Youth, undated 4 42-44 Writings by Others, 1956, 1967, undated 5 1 Writings by Others, Cannon, William R., You Need Christ Now, undated 5 2 Yale Alcohol Studies, 1946-1947 Series 5: Writings, 1934-1979, undated Subseries 1: Book Manuscripts, 1958-1972, undated 5 3 My Tryst with God, 1958 5 4 Moments with the Master, 1961 5 6-7 A Prayer for Every Meeting, 1962-1964 5 8-9 A Book of Table Graces and A Book of Prayers for Young People, 1963 5 10 A Book of Prayers for Boys and A Book of Prayers for Girls [includes correspondence with publisher], 1966-1967 5 11 Prayers for Servicemen, 1967 5 12 Using Life’s Anchors, Unpublished Manuscript, 1968 5 13-14 Prayers for Parents Who Care [includes correspondence with publisher], 1969-1970 5 15 Prayers for Parents Who Care, Deleted Prayers, undated 5 16 Meditations for Youth and Adults [includes correspondence with The Apostolic Age, undated 5 18 Material for Book 1, Edited, undated 5 19 Material for Book 2, undated 5 20 Material for Book 3, undated 5 21 My Trysting Place with God, undated 5 22 Untitled Manuscript, undated 5 23 The Vision Splendid, undated Subseries 2: Devotions and Prayers, 1958-1971, undated 5 24-25 Devotions, 1961 5 26 Devotions, 1961-1962 5 27 Devotions, 1962 January-February 5 28 Devotions, 1962 March 5 29 Devotions, 1962 April-May 6 1 Devotions, 1962 June-July 6 2 Devotions, 1962 August-September 6 3 Devotions, 1962 October-November 6 4 Devotions, 1962 December 6 5-6 Devotions, 1963 January-March 6 7-8 Devotions, 1963 April-June 6 9 Devotions, 1963 July-August 6 10-11 Devotions, 1963 September-December 6 12-13 Devotions, undated 6 14-15 Devotions and Prayers, 1964 May-August 6 16 Devotions and Prayers, 1966 6 17 Devotions and Prayers, 1967 6 18-19 Devotions and Prayers, 1968 January-June 6 20 Devotions and Prayers, 1968 July-December 6 21-22 Devotions and Prayers, 1969 January-June 6 23-24 Devotions and Prayers, 1971 January-June 7 1-2 Devotions and Prayers, 1971 July-December 7 3 Devotions, Index, 1964-1971 7 4 Devotions, Prayers, and Graces, Unpublished, undated 7 5-6 Devotions, Prayers, and Notes on Tour of Holy Land, 1969 July- December 7 7 Devotions, Upper Room, undated 7 8 Devotions, Working File, 1-25, undated 7 9 Devotions, Working File, 26-50, undated 7 10 Devotions, Working File, 51-75, undated 7 11 Devotions, Working File, 76-100, undated 7 12 Devotions, Working File, 101-125, undated 7 13 Devotions, Working File, 126-157, undated 7 14 Family Devotions, undated 7 15-16 Notebook of Prayers and Other Materials, undated 7 17 “A Prayer for Today / My Prayer for Today,” 1958-1962 7 18-19 “A Prayer for Today / My Prayer for Today,” 1960-1965 7 20 “A Prayer for Today / My Prayer for Today,” 1966-1967 7 21 “A Prayer for Today / My Prayer for Today,” undated 7 22-23 Prayers, 1964 September-December 7 24-25 Prayers, 1970 January-June 7 26-27 Prayers, 1970 July-December 7 28 Prayers, undated 7 29-30 Prayers, Clippings, and Other Materials from Notebook, undated 7 31 Prayers, Unpublished Manuscript, circa 1971 Subseries 3: Other Writings, 1934-1979, undated 8 1 Abingdon Bulletins, 1958, 1965-1966 8 2 “Ambassadors of God,” undated 8 3 Bible Lessons for Youth, Unit V: How the Church Began and Grew, 1956 8 4 “Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” South Carolina Methodist Advocate, 1968 8 5 Book Reviews Written at Candler School of Theology, 1943 8 6 Church School Lessons, 1952 8 7 Christian Answers to Eternal Questions, undated 8 8 Christian Living in the Space Age, 1964 8 9 “Concerning Advancement,” undated 8 10 “Day of the Holy Spirit as a Festival of the Church,” 1964 8 11 Diary, 1934-1935 8 12 Easter, Writings on, 1949, 1954, 1964 8 13 Epworth Children’s Home, Writings about, 1967, undated 8 14 Feast of the Nativity, undated 8 15 Hospitality, Writings on, undated 8 16 “How Free Are We?,” Bible Lessons for Adults, 1961 8 17 “Influence of the Moravians on Methodism,” 1942, 1957, 1963 8 18 International Lesson Series, 1968-1969 8 19 International Lesson Series, 1970 8 20-21 International Lesson Series, 1971-1972 8 22 International Lesson Series, 1973 8 23 International Lesson Series, 1979, undated 8 24 “Interpreting the Lord’s Supper” and “Prayer: Life’s Reality,” undated 8 25 Lenten Meditations, Southern Christian Advocate, 1946 8 26 Memoir of William Eugene Rene, 1968 8 27 Memorial Sermon for Harry William Walker Sr., 1972 8 28 Our Prayer for Today, 1945-1947 8 29 Pamphlets by Sandlin, 1954, 1957, undated 8 30-33 Papers Written at Candler School of Theology, 1941-1943 8 34 “Philippians: An Old Letter with a Timeless Message,” undated 8 35 Poetry by Sandlin, 1963, 1974, undated 8 36 “Questions and Answers for Christians,” undated 8 37 Sermons, 1933, 1952-1953, 1966 8 38-41 Sermons, 1966-1979 9 1-2 Sermons, undated 9 3 Sermons Delivered at Heath Springs, 1943-1944 9 4 Sermons Written at Candler School of Theology, 1942-1943 9 5 “A Source Book of Christian Education,” 1942 9 6 South Carolina Christian Advocate, Writings from, undated 9 7 Spiritual Life Mission, Writings for, undated 9 8 “Staying Alive,” undated 9 9 “Theory of Ministry of John Lewis Sandlin,” undated 9 10 Tracts, Writings about, 1954-1956 9 11 “Using Life’s Anchors,” undated 9 12 “Why Are We Against So Many Things?,” Editorial, undated 9 13 Workbook on Christian Doctrine for Pre-Child Couples, undated 9 14 Writings as Director of Church Attendance Evangelism, 1958-1961, undated 9 15-17 Writings from Church Bulletins, 1967-1968, undated 9 18 Writings from Church Bulletins, undated 9 19-20 Writings, Untitled and Miscellaneous, 1938-1963, undated 9 21 Year Round Program of Evangelism for the Local Church, undated 9 22 “Youth Must Choose: A Program for Alcohol Education Sunday,” undated Series 6: Notes and Clippings, 1941-1980, undated 9 23-29 Alphabetical File of Notes and Clippings, undated 9 30 Clippings and Quotations, 1967, undated 9 31-32 Clippings by Sandlin, 1963-1966 10 1-2 Clippings from Notebook, 1959-1961 10 3-4 Clippings, “Prayer for Today,” 1962-1968, undated 10 5-6 Clippings, “Prayer for Today,” undated 10 7 Clippings, Sunday School Lessons, 1951-1952 10 8 Notebook, 1964-1977 10 9-10 Notebook, undated 10 11 Notebook [includes accounting of book royalties], undated 10 12 Notebook re: Trip to Holy land and Other Travels, 1972, 1977, undated 10 13-14 Notes, 1941, 1952, undated 10 15 Notes, 1942 10 16 Notes, 1968, undated 10 17-25 Notes, undated 11 1-8 Notes, undated 11 9-10 Notes and Other Materials, 1976-1980 11 11-12 Notes and Other Materials, undated 11 13 Notes, Emory’s Ministers Week, 1970 January 19-22 11 14-19 Sermon Notes, 1970-1973 11 20-23 Sermon Notes and Other Materials, undated 11 24 Sermon Notes and Other Materials from Notebook, 1967-1975, undated 12 Card file of notes and clippings