Papers

This collection consists chiefly of materials relating to Methodist Minister Richard Edwin Branscomb (1902-1980), including his account book for the period 1922-24, two diaries or journals (with illustrations) of trips to Europe and the Middle East, 1926 and 1930, and what might be termed his “spiritual diary” for 1935. As an indicator of the contents of the last, the opening entry begins “I need more faith — confidence that things which have not been accomplished may be done. Never fear tacking a job because it looks hard. Never fear prospect of failure. Worst failure is lack of faith and courage. Grateful for progress made in year 1934….” Along with these books are a miscellany of notes and papers, some of which record Branscomb’s professional activities during late 1926 and part of 1927.

The collection also includes a single item — a Condensed Minute Book for the Use of Presiding Elders and Pastors of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church — belonging to Lewis Capers Branscomb (1865-1930), father of Richard Edwin Branscomb, and like his son a Methodist Minister. To the cover of this book, somebody, presumably R. E. Branscomb, affixed a note that states “His Last Quar[terly] Conf[erence] Record.