The papers of Ernest B. Allen document his studies in graduate school, his ministry service, and his travels to Jerusalem and Egypt. The collection consists of notes, 1901-03, taken by Allen of lectures given by Professor Edward I. Bosworth of the Oberlin Theological Seminary and by other faculty members. The subjects of the lectures include Pauline Theology, New Testament Introduction, and Philosophy and Development of Religion. Also included are four parish registers, 1906-31, that contain lists of sermons and other addresses given by Allen, and funerals, weddings, and baptisms performed by Allen. Transcripts of Sermons and talks given by Allen are contained in a separate file. Allen's "Statement of Ordination" (1895) expressed his reason for choosing the ministry.

Writings by Ernest B. Allen include hymns, songs, articles, poetry, and essays. Allen's essay, titled "Getting an Education," describes his pursuit of an education through hard work and encouragement from family and friends. A small amount of correspondence, 1917-18, from religious publishers concerns Allen's submissions of articles and poems.

A small amount of biographical material consists of articles about Allen's ministry, his statement concerning his estate, a death notice, and his memorial service as reported in the Pilgrim Progress Church Newsletter.

In 1904, Allen traveled to Jerusalem and Egypt and recorded his experiences in two diaries. The entries contain description of the methods of travel, by sea and overland, during the early part of the twentieth century. In addition, Allen described life in the Middle East, both in Jerusalem and Egypt.

The collection is divided into seven series: 1. Biographical. 2. Correspondence, 3. Diaries, 4. Lecture Notes, 5. Pastoral Records, 6. Writitngs, 7. Photographs.

Series 1. Biographical, 1928, 1931 (4 folders)

This series contains articles on Allen both in life and after death, a transcript of his memorial service, and a statement to his loved ones to help them cope after his death titled, "If Anything Should Happen to Me."

Series 2. Correspondence, 1917-18 (1 folder)

Correspondence (incoming) received from publishers of religious journals concerning Ernest B. Allen's poems and articles submitted for publication.

Series 3. Diaries, 1901, 1904 (2 diaries, 1 Bible)

Diaries kept by Ernest Bourner Allen during his travel by ship and overland trip in Jerusalem in 1904. Consists of the two original diaries, photocopies of the pages of the diaries, and 16mm microfilm of the diaries. Also included is a Bible (1901) carried by Allen during this trip.

Series 4. Lecture Notes, 1895-1931 (span) (11 folders)

Consists of Ernest Bourner Allen's notes (written and typed) of lectures of Oberlin College Graduate School of Theology professors, primarily Edward I. Bowsorth.

Series 5. Pastoral Records, 1895-1931 (4 volumes, 5 folders)

This series consists of four parish registers that contain lists of sermons and talks given by Ernest Bourner Allen. Included in the registers are records of baptisms, weddings, and funerals performed by Allen. The registers document his service as pastor in Toledo, Ohio and Oak Park, Illinois. Also included in this series are folders containing church newsletters, Allen's sermons and talks, his statement for ordination, and articles about the fire that destroyed Allen's Pilgrim Congregational Church a week before it was to be opened in 1899.

Series 6. Writings, 1923-29, n.d. (4 folders)

Included in this series are poems, hymns, articles, short stories, and essays written by Allen.

Series 7. Photographs, n.d. (1 folder)

The dates of our two photographic portraits of Allen are unknown, but the difference in his age between them is significant. One shows him as young man, and the other photograph depicts Allen in his late 30's or 40's?

Note: Some of the information for the Scope and Content Note and Series Descriptions was taken from the entry in William E. Bigglestone's unpublished "[preliminary] Guide to the Oberlin College Archives," which was prepared as individual entry sheets in a three-ring binder during the early 1980s.