The GOSPEL TRUTH

LETTER OF

CHARLES G. FINNEY

1871

To James Monroe

24 February 1871

 

[MS in James Monroe Papers, Oberlin College Archives, 30/22. The first part of this letter is in the hand-writing of Finney's wife, Rebecca.]

 

Oberlin Feb, 24th/'71

Dear Mr. Monroe,

Bear with me

if I seem a little importunate in

behalf of my friend Mrs. Cadwell.

I really think her a very desirable

person to be placed among the female

clerks at our capital. She certainly

is quite capable of performing the

duties of such a position, and

would not need instruction or

training as one might who had

never been engaged in similar

employments. She is a staid,

sensible, womanly woman, one

whose presence amongst young girls

would not fail to have a salutary

effect upon them. She is a christian,

and has seen something of the world,

and would be in no danger of

[page 2]

bringing discredit upon those

who helped her to a position

by falling under temptation

or doing anything improvident

or silly. If we are to have

lady clerks, do let us have such

as she, who will not fail to be

just as womanly and sensible

in that position as our most

discreet matrons are at home.

I know nothing about political reasons

for preferring one above another in

reference to clerkships, but all

other reasons being so strongly in

favor of Mrs. Cadwell's having a

place I do hope there are no

very strong political ones against

it. I wish much that she may

have it, for her own sake.

I wish that you may have the

credit of helping to the place

one so well fitted for it, and

[page 3]

I wish for the credit of our

country, that such places may

be filled by such women.

Very much love to your precious

wife and self, from your loving

Mother & Father.

Mrs. R. Finney.

I do not well know

Mrs Cadwell, but have

confidence in the opinion

above expressed.

C. G. Finney