LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1841
To Hamilton Hill
28 November 1841
[In Oberlin College Archives, 7/1/5]
Boston 28th Nov. 1841.
Dear Br. Hill.
I have just recd yours of the 18th inst
& hasten to reply. It is at present a most distressing time
here in the money market. Br. Sears has just informed
me that money is worth at present 2 per cent per month.
He thinks it will not long be so. He thinks it will be impossible
to secure a donation here at present to that amount or any
thing near it. The congregation to which I at present preach
is poor having been divided within the last year & those
few who are left are almost all poor & those who have
any funds are heavily drawn upon for the payment
of the current expenses of the congregation.
Br. Walker whose name is before the board of Trust
as a candidate for a Professorship, Br. Sears says has
funds & could loan that amount if he is disposed. You
however say nothing about negotiating a loan. Of course
I can say nothing about borrowing the amount of him.
Br. Sears remarked that should his appointment take place
so that he was likely to be there he thought, he might, be
induced to loan that amount. As he proposes to pay
his own salary I suppose he might not feel able to give
that amount outright. Ere this reaches you. The question
of his appointment will be probably have been settled. Should
the appointment be made & should no way open in the
Providence of God to liquidate that claim in the mean
time, perhaps you had better lay the subject before him.
I know at present of no other way of to [do]any thing in this city.
Will you say to Br. Whipple that I have recd his letter & laid
it before Br. Sears. He may expect to hear from Br. S. soon.
[page 2]
The Lord is blessing us here. Though I had to begin on the
Rock. The waters of life are flowing. Do not let the people
forget to pray for us. You say nothing of your family
from which I infer their usual health. You will
recollect the state of Sister H's health when I left & I
have heard nothing since. Please present my most
fraternal salutations to her & the little ones.
My health is as good as usual. I preach twice on the
Sabbath & 3 lectures each week. Should you wish to negotiate
a loan of Br. Walker you will of course inform him
definitely what security you can give him.
Your Brother.
C. G. Finney
Addressed: Hamilton Hill Esqr.
Oberlin Lorain co.
Ohio.
Postmark: BOSTON MS NOV 30