Index to Reminiscenses of Rev. Charles G. Finney at Oberlin

The GOSPEL TRUTH

REMINISCENCES

Rev. CHARLES G. FINNEY.

Speeches and Sketches

AT THE

GATHERING OF HIS FRIENDS AND PUPILS, IN

OBERLIN, JULY 28TH, 1876.

TOGETHER WITH

PRESIDENT FAIRCHILD'S MEMORIAL SERMON,

DELIVERED BEFORE

THE GRADUATING CLASSES, JULY 30, 1876.

OBERLIN, OHIO: E. J. GOODRICH.

1876.

Copyright, 1876, by

E. J. GOODRICH.

EDWARD O. JENKINS,

PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER,

20 NORTH WILLIAM ST., N.Y.

PREFATORY NOTE

PRESIDENT FINNEY'S death occurred August 16, 1875, two weeks subsequent to the College Commencement. At his burial the exercises were (as he would have wished them to be) brief and simple. A few extemporaneous remarks offered by the older members of the Theological Faculty were the only tribute then paid to his memory.
It was natural that his numerous friends (especially those who could not be present at his burial) should desire that other and special services should be held in commemoration of his long and useful life. To gratify this desire the Faculty of the College made arrangements for a "Memorial Meeting." The time chosen was Friday, July 28, 1876, the day preceding the Commencement in the Department of Theology. An invitation was extended to his "friends, converts, and pupils" throughout the land. A goodly number of them came; others sent letters of regret. The spacious audience-room of the First Church, in which Mr. Finney had so often preached to listening multitudes, was well filled during the entire three long sessions devoted to these commemorative exercises.

The intense interest felt in the wonderful character that was variously portrayed by the different speakers was rather deepened than exhausted; and the Memorial Baccalaureate Sermon delivered on the following Sunday, so far from being superfluous, seemed to all to be only a suitable complement to the exercises of the Memorial day.

The speeches and written papers which are here published, are arranged not entirely in the order of their delivery. For the convenience of the reader, the reminiscences of those who knew Mr. Finney as an Evangelist previous to his coming to Oberlin, are brought together in the First Section; while the Second embraces principally the recollections of his Oberlin associates and pupils. Dr. Pierson's study of Mr. Finney's character as a model Christian laborer; Rev. Mr. Wright's Analysis of his Theological System; and President Fairchild's more comprehensive delineation of him as "the Preacher, the Teacher, and the Man," are naturally brought together in the concluding Section.

Such a collection of sketches could not be expected to give a complete history of the life and work of Mr. Finney. It will not take the place of, nor diminish the demand for, a full and elaborate memoir. It is hoped, however, that, in connection with the Autobiography, it will enable the reader to form a measurably correct estimate of the character and labors of one who is destined to be held in remembrance hereafter as one of the greatest and best men of his time.

OBERLIN, September, 1876

CONTENTS:

PART I.

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY EVANGELISTIC LABORS.

Mr. FINNEY in Rochester and Western New York: by Rev. CHARLES P. BUSH, D.D., of New York city

Remarks of Rev. R.L. STANTON, D.D., of Cincinnati

Remarks of Rev. Dr. PIERSON, of Detroit

Remarks of Rev. JOHN P. AVERY, of Cleveland, Ohio

Remarks of Hon. WILLIAM E. DODGE, of New York city

Letter of RICHARD STEEL, of Auburn, New York

Letter of SETH B. HUNT, of New York city

Letter of EDMUND WATTS, of Allegheny, Penn.

Letter of Deacon EDWIN LAMSON, of Boston, Mass.

PART II.

REMINISCENCES OF ASSOCIATES AND PUPILS IN OBERLIN.

Mr. FINNEY as Preacher and Teacher (by Rev. LEONARD S. PARKER, of Ashburnham, Mass.)

Remarks of Rev. GEORGE CLARK, of Oberlin

Remarks of Rev. E.B. SHERWOOD, of St. Joseph, Mo.

Remarks of Rev. C. C. FOOTE, of Detroit

Remarks of Rev. JOSEPH ADAMS

Remarks of Prof. JOHN MORGAN, D.D., of Oberlin

Remarks of Rev. HENRY COWLES, D.D., of Oberlin

PART III.

CRITICAL ESTIMATES OF MR. FINNEY'S CHARACTER AND WORK.

The Communicable Secrets of Mr. FINNEY'S Power (by Rev. ARTHUR TAPPAN PIERSON, D.D.)
President FINNEY'S Theological System and its General Influence (by Rev. GEORGE F. WRIGHT, of Andover, Mass.)
President FINNEY--THE PREACHER, THE TEACHER, AND THE MAN--Sermon by President FAIRCHILD.

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