SERMONS - University of Tennessee, Knoxville

SoutHeRn MAnuScRipt SeRMonS BefoRe 1800
later sermons to a particular minister cannot be done with any confidence at this
time. The MdHi records reveal no reason for a “[Joseph Ker]” folder. The attribution
to Ker of the later sermons, although extremely doubtful, is retained as a finding aid
to these works in the MdHi’s collections.
1152. KER, JACOB. (MD; Pres.; [?]-1795; grad. Princeton 1758; lic.1763; ord.
1764; in MD 1764-1795;)
“The One Thing Needfull.” [1764] 19 + 1pp. [Acc. No. 950]
Repository: Duke University, Durham, NC
Bib. Ref.: Mark ye 10th. 21st. Then I was beholding him, loved him, and said unto
him, one Thing thou lackest:______”
Commentary: Notes on the sermon read “Roan-County — N: Carolina,” and “1764.”
Endnotes to the sermon include a presentation inscription which reads “A Sermon
of my Grandfather, Jacob Ker, preached in the year 1764, and presented to my
friend and brother Geo. Hale. [signed] Jacob W. E. Ker[,] Decr. 1836.” Additional
endnotes include the following comments on Ker’s history before coming to North
Carolina: “Mr Ker was licensed by the Pres of New Brunswick previous to May
1763.”; “At Amuell [spelling?] N.J. Oct. 20, 1761. Mr Jacob Ker was taken upon trial
by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Vol. II[,] p 92”; “Was licensed at Cranberry
Oct 20. 1762 [,] Vol II[,] p 125”; “Was ordained at Princeton Aug 17. 1763, after
sermon by Mr Charles McKnight”; “Was dismissed to Lewistown Presbytery May
16th 1764, on which day a call from Princess Ann and Wicomoco for his services
was read.” See also the commentary of accession numbers 894 and 900.
Keywords: grace, necessary for salvation; wealth, spiritual; McKnight, Charles;
1153. [KER, JACOB?]. (MD; Pres.; [?]-1795; grad. Princeton 1758; lic.1763; ord.
1764; in MD 1764-1795;)
“[Be not conformed to this world.]” [1792] [1] + 46 + [1]pp [Acc. No. 900]
Repository: Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, MD
Bib. Ref.: Rom.12.2. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good & acceptable will
of God.
Commentary: The one 1791 (accession number 898) and three 1792 sermons
(accession numbers 899, 900, and 901) may not be by Ker. Weis lists Ker dying in
1795 and Rom. 5, 1.st was preached in 1798. There are two folders in the MdHi,
one labeled [Joseph Ker] that contained the earlier sermons (1765, 1766, 1767)
and the Rom 5. 1.st, the latter apparently having been misplaced in with the 1760
works. There are seven sermons, four in one hand (the 1790’s) and three in another
(1760’s). The handwriting of the two groups is similar, but has been judged different
because of differences in capital letter formation, a difference in the lower-case
“d,” etc., as well as a difference in format. The early sermons are all given titles, and
the place and date of the delivery of the sermon is listed under the title on the first
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