LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1865
To Rebecca Rayl
30 September 1865
[MS in possession of Dr. Richard Rayle of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio]
Oberlin 30th Sept. 1865
My Dear Darling,
As we expected Charles
returned from N.Y. at 4. yes
terday. They intend to take the
next steamer to Green Bay.
But it is so late that the regular
line is broken up, & they do not know
when the next Boat will go. The
agent here promised to apprise
Charles of the day of sailing &
they will wait in readiness. It
may be as early as next thursday
or friday. Or it may not sail until
the week after next. So you see that
in this respect also "nothing is concluded."
you
I must leave it with ^ to best consult your
own wishes & conscience, fully
willing to "bide your time". Although
they would, especially for the reason just
assigned, like to remain until we
are married, yet it is not of so much
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importance that it should hasten
the matter by an hour against
your wishes or conscience.
Therefore be quite free in deciding
what to do, & when to do it.
I do not forget that you have not yet
had a day to yourself for reflection
& prayer, & seclusion from those
influences that have nearly crazed
you I fear. It has appeared to me to
be possible, & perhaps probable, & quite
reasonable, that when withdrawn from
your friends here, & having time
for more calm consideration & prayer,
& able to consult the unbiased wisdom
of your Brother & sister, you would regret
our engagement, & find that your sober
judgement does not approve of it.
Now if you have misgivings, & are not
quite clear as to the will of our
Father in the matter, do not hessitate
to say so, & I will cheerfully consent
to give it up, & say no more about it.
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I must never give you occasion to say
that I used the least undue influ
ence to win you. On the contrary if
you come of your own free will I
shall receive you lovingly & joyfully,
yet I must say with fear that I
may not meet your wants, & that
you run too great a risk in
linking your future destiny in this
life with one of my age & one
so sure not to be long with you.
O, Darling, I fear that your life
will be one of care & anxiety
about me. But, God willing,
you shall have your own way.
Come or stay, as & when you please.
If you wish any change from next
monday a week, write & I will
obey D.V. If to you it appears of so
much importance to have our marriage take
place before the Children leave that
you prefer to an earlier day name
the day. They will not go before next
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thursday it is confidently believed.
They may not go until the week
following. They must be ready to
start at once when the message
comes that they are about to sail.
It is so uncertain that it strikes me
that we must act without reference to
their going. Therefore take all the
time you desire to deliberate, to pray,
to decide - to act pro or con.
I am quite well to day. Hope you
are so. Yet I fear you are very overdone.
God bless you My Precious one.
C. G. Finney.
P.S. Any amount of love to James
& Sarah. Does Sarah look displeased
with me or is it my imagination?
You told me she did not like it, &
perhaps that has fastened an impression
on my wounded nerves. Dear Sarah
we cant afford to wound her for a joy
so short lived as our wedded joy must
inevitably be.