LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1856
To John Gulliver
13 September 1856
[MS in Gratz MSS, University and College Presidents, Case 7, Box 13, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Before passing into the Collection of Simon Gratz, this letter must have been in the papers of Thomas Brainerd, judging by the endorsement at the end, in the handwriting of Mary Brainerd, the wife of Thomas Brainerd.]
Oberlin O. 13. Sept 1856.
My Dear Br. Gulliver.
Yours of the 8th inst is
before me. I am but just risen
from my bed having been confined
with a neuralgic attack in
my face. In regard to your request
I would reply in few words that
I have had my heart & thoughts
& desires directed to your city
as a field of spiritual labor
for a season, more or less for
several years. I should like to
visit you for that purpose
should the Blessed Master
indicate it to be his will.
You speak of united effort.
How many ministers & churches
will cordially unite?
You have done well to write
thus early before I am
committed elsewhere.
[page 2]
About the first of September
is a good time to commence
such labor in large citiey.
Circumstances may render it
expedient to commence earlier
or later in some instances.
As I am pressed to decide at
this season of the year, where to go
for winters labors whatever you
agree upon you had better comm
unicate to me as early as may
be. I am called by man many
ways. My only inquiry, what does
the Master say. The call is urgent
from England. & from many cities
in this country. I make up my
mind when I get the different
fields & circumstances before me.
& find access at a throne of grace
I have as yet declined to commit
myself for the comming winter.
The Lord bless you my Dr. Brother
C. G. Finney.
[Endorsement in the handwriting of Mary Brainerd]
[This letter was committed
to Mr. Brainerd to bring
before the Pastoral Association
for the purpose of securing the
proposed services of Mr. Finney.]
M. B.
Footnotes:
This letter is not in the Finney Papers.
This word evidently should have been cities.