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Series consists of speeches and addresses on religion and education, 1842-1887, given at Victoria College as well as other educational institutions, predominantly in Ontario.

The speeches and addresses fill one box and run from 1842 until Nelles' death. Several of these were given by Nelles while he was still a student, and many of the later speeches were addressed to student audiences. The most common themes were, once again, the relationship between education and religion, although the importance of the Church's mission work is also stressed.

Series consists of predominantly religious essays and articles, 1842-1896, including those written as a student.

Many of the essays in the collection were written by Nelles during his school days, allowing the researcher to acquire some insights into the nature of a nineteenth–century education as well as an understanding of Nelles' interests and abilities as a young man. Other essays authored by Nelles may be found in manuscript copies of student newspapers located in the Victoria College Archives. Many of the articles included in the collection were printed after Nelles' death, giving some indication of the lasting impact of Nelles' work.

Series consists of various items relating to Victoria College, 1836–1884, including account books, reports, memoranda and lists.

The final box in the collection is comprised of material relating to university matters. The financial records of Victoria are followed by a number of documents gathered in the course of Nelles' work as an administrator. In addition, there is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings (mostly letters to the editor) dealing with the university question between 1857 and 1859.

Series consists of incoming and outgoing general and specific correspondence, 1856-1887, re a wide range of academic and University administrative subjects, and family correspondence, 1887-1962, after Nelles' death. Correspondents include Egerton Ryerson, J.J. Maclaren, J.G. Hodgins and Isaac Brock Aylesworth.

Despite the fact that Nelles was apparently an avid letter writer, his correspondence comprises only one and a half boxes of the collection. As Nelles explained in a letter to J.G. Hodgins, he made a practice of discarding most of the letters which he received, making exceptions only for those of great personal significance. As a result, the bulk of the surviving correspondence was preserved by chance or through the efforts of other people. The letters span the years 1846–1887; they are organized chronologically and, when the volume warrants, by correspondents such as J.G. Hodgins, Egerton Ryerson, J.J. Maclaren, and Samuel Rose. An attempt has been made to document the thrust of each letter in the file listings. Although the letters touch on a number of subjects, the main theme of the correspondence is undoubtedly the "university question". The letters outline the development of the federation concept and the responses it evoked from the university community. One can gain insight into the day-to-day activities and tensions of Victoria College, and the precarious financial position of the college emerges clearly. Letters from old college friends such as Daniel Martindale, R.C. Pitman, and J.G. Hodgins reveal Nelles' interests as well as his capacity for warm and lasting relationships.

The correspondence also includes several letters to Mrs. Nelles following her husband's death and the correspondence of Professors Nathanael Burwash and A.R. Bain regarding the Nelles Memorial Fund. In additon, there are several files of letters dated in the 1950's and 1960's which chronicle some of the research into the Nelles' family history carried out by a descendent, F.C. Gullen. A file of notes made by Gullen contains a sketch map of Mount Pleasant, a typescript of a family history, and assorted family trees. A photograph of Nelles' birthplace was transferred to the Nelles file in the Archives' photograph collection.

Series consists of journals and diaries, 1846-1887, containing reflections/essays on various topics, predominantly religious and spiritual; daily activities and quotations .

The box of diaries and journals covers the period between 1846 and 1887, with most of the entries being made before 1870. The early diaries tend to be more reflective, revealing Nelles' reaction to his reading material and his inner spirtual thoughts; the later journals focus more on daily activities.

Series consists of various writings, including extracts, notes and reflections, 1848–1886; and personal memorabilia, including Victoria College programmes and material after Nelles death, 1846–1902.

Box 14 holds written material which does not fall into any of the previously mentioned categories. It includes scripture studies, religious meditations, selected extracts from a variety of sources, and miscellaneous notes. The box also contains an assortment of personal documents and memorabilia, including a scrapbook on Nelles completed after his death by J.G. Hodgins.

Series consists of notebooks of sermons, addresses, lectures, essays and notes, 1847-1887; contents are predominantly sermons.

Series consists of manuscripts of sermons, 1848-1887 (some undated), delivered at Victoria College and at other Ontario places.

The two and a half boxes of sermons were delivered between 1848 and 1887, although a majority of them were composed during the 1840's and 1850's. Unfortunately about half the sermons are undated. They vary in form from extremely rough notes to polished drafts and are identified in the finding aid by their given title, their text, or their main theme. Naturally enough, many of the sermons focus on education, frequently dealing with the question of the relationship between intellect and religion.

Series consists of lectures, 1854–1887, predominantly concerning religion, but including philosophy, metaphysics and ethics.

The three boxes of lectures range in date from 1854 to 1887. Most are contained in notebooks, and they tend to be in the form of brief notes and questions rather than fully realized drafts. Usually the academic lectures are constructed around the texts which have been chosen for a particular course. Also included in this series are several lectures of a more popular or informal nature which were designed to appeal to student audiences or to the general public. Following the lectures are those notebooks which contain some combination of record types such as essays, sermons, addresses, and lectures.