The first series comprises two separate correspondence filing systems: an alphabetical file and a chronological file. Both subseries contain correspondence with scholars, church leaders, historical organizations, and educational institutions. An item of special interest is Sweet’s October 20, 1950 letter to President Harry S. Truman concerning the appointment of a U.S. diplomatic representative to the Vatican (Box 1715, file 25).

The ministry papers of William Warren Sweet include sermons, prayers, worship bulletins, and denominational leadership papers. The series begins with manuscript and typescript notes from 201 sermons and devotional addresses. Some are full sermon scripts; others are annotated sermon outlines. Undated sermons are indicated by the date range of 1902-1957. Supplied titles appear in square brackets. The sermon notes have been placed in scripture reference order by the primary sermon text or by the first scripture citation noted in the sermon. Many sermons include multiple scripture references. Series 2 ends with supplemental materials: prayers, worship bulletins, and documents concerning a business item on the topic of “Keeping and Preserving of Church Records” proposed to the 1940 Methodist Church General Conference.

The differences between Sweet’s sermons and other public addresses are not great. For the purposes of arrangement and description, address notes that begin with scripture citations have been categorized as sermons. Those clearly identified as speeches to community groups and those that do not begin with a scripture passage have been categorized as addresses and placed in series 3.

The teaching papers of William Warren Sweet are arranged in three topical subseries: Speeches, Courses, and Academic Institutions.

Subseries 1, Speeches, comprises 315 folders of class lectures and public addresses arranged in alphabetical order by title and a single folder of speaking engagement programs. The lectures and addresses are similar in format to the sermons in Series 2 but lack introductory scripture texts. Like the sermons, the speeches lack the kind of extensive citations required of academic writing for publication. Undated speeches are indicated by the date range of 1911-1957. Supplied titles appear in square brackets.

Subseries 2, Courses, contains 16 folders of bibliographies, tests, notes, class lists, and student work from courses that Dr. Sweet taught. The folder titles are topical and begin with United States religious and political history. Folders pertaining to other nations and regions follow (Canada, Latin-America, Europe, and Asia).

Subseries 3, Academic Institutions, includes 14 folders of correspondence and administrative papers organized alphabetically by school name. This subseries includes data from Sweet’s years as a student at Ohio Wesleyan University and Drew Theological Seminary.

The 47 folders in series four, Academic Writings, include draft and published copies of books, journal articles, essays, and book reviews by William Warren Sweet Sweet arranged in two chronological subseries: Typescripts and Books. Undated items are listed with a date range of 1911-1957..

The fifth series, Research Materials, contains 40 folders of topical study files, historical documents, transcriptions of historical documents, and two photographs of the “Birthplace of American Methodism” marker near New Windsor, Maryland. The item in this series were collected and used by Sweet.

The final and smallest series, ephemera, consists of three items: two wooden gavels and an oversized document.