This collection is arranged by material type.

The Rev. C. C. Brown Papers consist of addresses, correspondence, journals, travel journals, lecture and study notes, commonplace books, poetry, topical files, sermons , published articles, tracts, and pamphlets.

Correspondence

Includes letters from 1878 to 1921 with the bulk of the letters from latter half of the 1890s. Letters generally are about either Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) matters or S.C. Baptist Convention (SCBC). Brown became involved in a number of debates via letters characterized by acrimonious exchanges. In 1886-1887, Brown came under fire in Baptist state papers for opposing the creation of a publishing house sponsored by the SBC. A.J. Rowland, secretary of the American Baptist Publication Society, writes to encourage him. In another exchange (1897), Brown questions whether T. W. Scruggs, pastor of Bishopville Baptist Church, should be in the ministry. Perhaps the largest conflict (late 1880s) reflected in the letters concern the Connie Maxwell orphanage and the statewide debate whether J. L. Vass should remain as superintendent. It was Brown's opinion that Vass should stay and received information from A. J. Sproles, a Greenwood member of the orphanage's board, alleging that Vass was being forced out by E. J. Forrester, another Greenwood member of the board. The above conflicts make up the bulk of the letters in the collection.

Other correspondents include: John A. Broadus, Joseph H. Earle, Edgar E. Folk, G. W. Gardner, H. J. Haynsworth, F. H. Kerfoot, Charles Manly, Hugh F. Oliver, W. F. Rhame, M. M. Riley, A. J. S. Thomas, C. H. Toy, William H. Whitsett, and J. B. Witherspoon

Journals

Includes journals of trips to Canada and Niagara Falls (1887), New Orleans (1894), Europe (1905, 1909), and Florida (undated) as well as a journal (1887) listing housing arrangements for delegates to the S.C. Baptist Convention held in Sumter, S.C.

Lectures and notes

Notes of lectures by William Williamson, C. H. Toy, and John A. Broadus at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Topics include Old Testament, homiletics, ordination , the inspiration of the Scripture, church government and pastoral duties, and systematic theology. Miscellaneous papers Commonplace books, scrap book of clippings concerning the death of family members; "Resolutions of Respect" and several telegrams relating condolences to Mrs. W. W. Sibert, Brown's daughter, upon death of C. C. Brown. Topical files Poetry, historical sketches of First Baptist Church, Sumter, S.C, and miscellaneous papers concerning the S.C. Baptist Board for the Relief of Aged and Indigent Ministers (1890s-1920s) and the Negro Preacher Fund (ca. 1880s-1890s).

Addresses

Addresses delivered for the Sumter Bible Society (1875), a Methodist conference (1893), the unveiling of a monument to T. B. Jenkins (undated), the Templars Lodge (undated), an introduction of John C. Wilson for Sumter Eclectic Female College's commencement (1887), and a possible first-hand account of reaction to Gen. Robert E. Lee's death while a student at Washington and Lee University.

Sermons

Over 2,000 sermons (early 1870s-1920s). Includes loose sermons arranged in order of the canon, notebooks arranged chronologically (early 1870s-1875, 1904-1917, undated), and oversized notebooks. A cumulative topical index available for oversized volumes 112 - 205. Table of contents are available in most notebooks. Includes sermon preached on the fourth Sunday of 1899 that "sealed the bargain for a new church [First Baptist Church, Sumter, S.C.]" (text I Kings 5:5), charge preached (June 4, 1893) to candidate at C. B. Peterson's ordination (text I Timothy 4:16), and prayer meeting talks (Aug. 1885).

Published articles and pamphlets

Scrapbooks with articles published in The Working Christian (1871), The Baptist Courier (1877-1879, mid to late 1880s), The Sumter Watchman (1881) after purchasing, with N. G. Osteen, the paper, and miscellaneous other papers (1892-1921). Includes approximately 20 pamphlets written by Brown.