LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1863
To James Barlow
13 February 1863
[MS in Finney Papers 2/2/2]
Oberlin Ohio, U.S. 13. Feb. 1863.
My Beloved Br. Barlow.
How are you & your Dear family.
We recd duly Mrs. B's dear letter to which
Mrs. F. will reply. I think I wrote you last
but that makes no difference. I want to hear
direct from you & hence I write direct to you
at this time. I suppose you are greatly
tried with your business on account of
our horrid war. I greatly pity the ma
nufacturers of cotton in Europe as in
this country. But after all what are
their sufferings compared with those of
the 4000 000 of slaves on the product of
& you
whose miseries we ^ have lived & fatened.
The governments of France & England have
talked of arresting this war for humanitys
sake. i.e. for the sake of the suffering cotton
manufacturers. But what of the sufferings
of the 4000 000 of slaves to be still left in
bondage if those governments interfere &
prevent our carrying into effect the emanci
pation proclamation of our President.
Humanitys sake indeed! And are not
the slaves human? I abhor the hypocrisy
that would, under the plea of humanity,
interfere with our struggle to give freedom
to the slaves, & grasp after coutton & revit the
[page 2]
the [sic] chains of 4000 000 slaves now existing
& of thousands of millions in all probability
yet unborn. I am delighted to hear of
the stand taken by the Lancashire
Cotton Manufactories. They seem to
truly comprehend the question &
to understand that we are contending
for universal Christian liberty & that
their true interests are identical with
ours at the north. I admire your noble
John Bright. Our struggle is with a
slave holding Oligarchy against labor.
The tories both in this country & in
Europe are against us. But God is
for us. I have felt for the dear people
of Lancashire so much that I would
gladly have divided what I have with
them. They have taken a noble stand.
God bless them. And he will. Only
hold on a little: You suffer in your
business. We are pouring out like water
both our treasure & our blood. Not only
we
do ^ expect to have our purses drained
perhaps for centuries, but the blood
& bones of our sons, & brothers, & husbands
fatten the cotton fields that have
hitherto been moistened by the blood
& sweat of the poor slave. We should
think but little of money could we
[page 3]
save our children. But for humanitys
sake we cheerfully though tearfully make
the sacrifice. In this collision the
cause of the slave is that of humanity,
of liberty, of civilization, of christianity
It is the cause of God against Satan.
& woe to the power that attempts to longer
crush labor under the heel of capital.
Just think of the infamous & blasphemous
Axiom on which this rebellion &
this southern confederacy is founded
To wit, that "Capital should own labor."
This is a maxim worthy of beelzebub.
But that French Fox will not be able
to make a cats paw of Old England
to pull his chestnuts out of the fire.
The good sense & good feeling of the
mas[s]es or of the middle class in
Europe will revolt more & more at
the hypocritical pretense of interfering
with our affairs for humanitys sake.
The ways of God, in this whole matter, are
wonderful. For many years our sham demo
cratic party have done all they could
to strengthen & perpetuate slavery as
a political power. But God has for
many years turned all their supposed
triumphs against them & worked on to
bring about emancipation. Now the
[page 4]
democrats are endeavouring to defeat
the execution of the proclamation of
emancipation. But observe how it is
working. If the North were united & the
democrats, as a body, would take hold
to subdue the rebellion we could easily
subdue it without making free & emp
loying the slaves as soldiers. But this
rising up & dividing the north renders
the freedom & the employment of the
slave a military necessity. Thus the
democrats in attempting to conserve
slavery have render[ed] emancipation
inevitable. "The wrath of man shall
praise him." He taketh the wise in
their own craftiness. Politicians are
blind after all, & God will over
rule their policy. But all this
about our war. We listen for every word
of intelligence from Dear Bolton &
from Lancashire generally.
My own health is still improving. Wife
will write of her own health. We are
enjoying a refreshing from the spirit
of the Lord. Do tell us all about your
family - our dear friends - the cause of
God - the state of things about you
&c &c. God bless you & yours forever
my Dear Brother. C. G. Finney.
This letter was answered by James Barlow as follows:
Edgworth Mar 12th 1863
My Dear Friends
Your welcome letter was duly
received, & I can assure you was
highly prized - by us all - We are
always delighted to hear anything
of your welfare, & are more
pleased to hear that you are
still well enough to labour
in the cause of God. I will
now proceed to answer your letter
but first of all I must Confess my
fault in not writing you sooner
I am sorry. & I know when I
say that you will forgive me.
You say you suppose I am justly
tried with my Business on account
of your horrid War - True I am
indeed. we have been very much
tried - almost since the time you left
[page 2]
we have been working short time
at the mill for nearly two years
& we seem to get worse & worse
weekly & from all human
appearances we can see no end
altho after all I would be very
sorry & so I am persuaded would
be the bulk of our Lancashire people
to see you patch up a peace
with the South upon the basis
of protection to Slavery. I
am sure the mass of our people
sympathise with the Northern interest
especially since the Emancipation
Policy has been adopted.
I cannot tell you how glad
I felt & how I shouted Hurrah
for Lincoln when news reached
here that he had confirmed
that proclamation on the 1st Jany
& I do sincerely hope & pray that it
may be the speedy means of bringing
[page 3]
an end to the War & that sum of all
villanies. which John Wesley 100 yrs ago
proclaimed Slavery to be. The reason
why many of our people did not sooner
sympathise with the North was a feeling
that they were not fighting for the destruc
tion of Slavery. but merely for the Union, with
or without Slavery. & many felt that the North
were willing to grant them every guarantee
for the continuation of Slavery if they would
only submit to remain in the Union.
But it does seem that Providence has
overruled - everything - for the bringing about
the deliverance of the oppressed. & to show
the North that there can be no peace
while Slavery is recognised, The distress in
Lancashire is & has been very great. but
it has been Nobly met by a generous
Public in this & every civilised Country
& not the least by the Americans,
altho you must be suffering severely
yourselves. You will doubtless have seen
from the Public Papers the public receptions
given to the Captain Chaplain & Crew of the
Geo Griswold. The Chaplain Rev Mr Denison
we hope to have in Bolton at the Temperance
Hall on the 24th inst - & if he does come
I am sure he will have a warm reception.
We have had two Public Meetings to Sympathise
with the North I took the Chair on one &
a splendid meeting we had - we passed
[page 4]
unanimously (with about 4 exceptions) a
resolution Sympathising with President
Lincoln & had it engossed &
it is forwarded to him through
Mr Adams the American Minister
I sent you a Paper containing report
of the meeting. I believe that great
good will ultimately come out of this
great distress Many who in the days
of prosperity never recognised God at all
only to Blaspheme have been brought to
see themselves as sinners & fled to Jesus
& are now Praising God for the Cotton famine
but there is yet a great deal to do. & we
have scarcely taken hold yet as we ought
of the masses who have nothing to do.
All who are disposed to work seem to have
their hands full with relief Committees Sewing
Schools for Females, & reading & Writing for
Men & being of a mixed character
it is difficult & in many cases impos-
sible to get any religious element intro-
duced amongst them. & what with all
this extra work there seems little chance
of doing much - in addition to the
regular Religious Services. In Bolton we
have been better off than almost any other
[page 5]
Town in Lancashire & yet we have some
16000 People dependent on the general
relief & the Poor rates. Mr Davison is
General Secy of the relief & is fully engaged
daily - His New Church is nearly completed
it is to be Opened on Good Friday, Our
New Chapel on Chorley Road. is just Opened
Mrs B & myself were there on Thursday Evg to hear
the Rev Wm Arthur. Our own New Chapel at Edgworth
is getting nearly finished we expect to Open
it begginning [sic] of June. I trust it will
be the Birthplace of many Souls. Our Congrega-
tions have continued to increase & we have
also had a steady increase of Church Members
we number now over 100. When we
came here they were about 36 to God be
all the praise. Many of the Friends
continue stedfast. Thornley Smith is
at Lincoln & doing well Mr
Bishop went to Lynn in Norfolk
& has been made very useful I
had a very nice encouraging letter
from him a few weeks ago.
Mr Clapham went to Hull you will
reccolect [sic] his 2 Sons being Converted
at our House & how active they were
[page 6]
especially Charles, well they both continue
stedfast & active Christians, & Charles is
pledged with the consent of his Parents to devote
himself as a Missionary to China. The
Eldest Son who was at College & preparing
for a Barrister has since been Converted
& is now one of the most humble, devoted
Young men I know. he has given up his
idea of the Law & is now actively engaged
as a Local Preacher. Preaching in the Streets
on Board Ships or anywhere - & is expecting to go
into the regular Ministry next Conference.
I spent a few days there last Summer & it was
a treat the whole Family living to God & actively
engaged in his Service I am thankful to say
We are all tolerably well in health. Tom
& Johnny are at School at Southport they
have just been home for 3 days on account
of the general rejoicings for the Prince of Wales
Wedding. Tom is preparing for College
for Midsummer - he has decided to prepare
for the Medical Profession. He still
retains his piety & I trust his proffession [sic]
will give him facilities for usefulness
John Robert is a very fine intelligent Boy
but his leanings are decidedly for Business
he is anxious to leave School & come
to help me even now but he is only
11 yrs of age so he must stay awhile yet.
[page 7]
I cannot speak so confidently of Johnnys
piety as Tom but he is still serious
& very thoughtful Maria is a very fine
intelligent Girl & I believe will be a
Comfort to us. she is now nearly 7-
James Henry is as fresh & more lively
than ever. he will if spared make himself
felt in the world for either good or evil.
I Pray God grant us grace & Wisdom
to guide him aright. he seems to
require more than any two of the others
We have then another to introduce you
too, "Alice" after her Mother she is nearly
two years old & is now getting very interesting
she is Papa's Pet. she is very stout
& healthy - full of life & activity &
a very great favorite in the Family
& especially with Grandfather & Grandmother
who live at the Old House where
you visited us - Mary Ann is
pretty well & very happily Married
to a very Pious Man but unfortun
ately his health is not good.
Well now what more shall I say.
I am glad to hear your health continues
to improve & Pray that your life may
[page 8]
yet be preserved many Years for the
benefit of the Church at large. I wish
you would write Your Autobiography
containing your experience in Revivals &c
I do think it would be made a great Blessing
As regards my own experience I regret
to say it is very low & unsatisfactory
I seem to have let the World & its cares
get too firm a hold & I have lost
that High Christian enjoyment which
I felt when you were with us - &
for some time after I have not the
same earnest desire for the Conversion
of Souls. & sometimes Doubt whether I have
not even lost all. I have had a great
deal to go through in Business & other public
matters - & I have allowed them to engross
my thoughts too much I know this need
not be the case that there is Grace according
to our day but it is one thing to know
it & another to realise & appropriate it
I do earnestly wish to be right & to be
guided & directed by God in all things
I feel I need quickening & reviving. may
I beg an interest in Your Prayers that
God would again Bless me. & lift upon me the light
of his reconciled Countenance. Mrs Barlow joins me
in very kind love to Dear Mrs Finney & all yr Dr Family
& yourself. from Yours affectionately James Barlow
[Written across page 1]
James & Sissy were very much pleased at Mrs Finney naming them & they each
send her & you a kiss on the Paper. Mr & Mrs Bell & family are very well
we spent the Evening with them last Thursday & talked about you.
they are about to remove about 6 Miles on the opposite side
of Bolton from us
Footnotes:
Quotation marks have been inserted here, and after "policy" on page 4, line 18, enclosing a section which was published in The Bolton Chronicle, 7 March 1863, p. 6, under the heading:
PROFESSOR FINNEY ON EMANCIPATION
Mr. James Barlow yesterday favoured us with the follow[ing] extract of a letter he has just received from Mr. Finney, containing his views on the present state and prospects of emancipation:-
The extract contains some minor spelling and punctuation changes.
A slash mark in the left-hand margin opposite the start of this sentence may have been inserted by James Barlow to suggest to the publisher of The Bolton Chronicle where he might start the extract to be published.
Finney probably intended to write cotton & rivet here. It is so transcribed in the extract in The Bolton Chronicle.
In the published version of the letter this word appears as tones.
At this point a quotation mark has been inserted, probably by the editor of The Bolton Chronicle, to indicate the end of the section to be published.
In Finney Papers.
The George Griswold was one of a number of relief ships from America. She had sailed from New York on January 10, loaded with barrels of flour, bread, pork, corn, beef, bacon and other provisions, to the value of £16,000, given by the people of New York for the relief of the distressed cotton-mill operatives of Lancashire. It had arrived in Liverpool on February 9. (See The Bolton Chronicle [14 February 1863], p. 2.)
Rev. W. C. Denison did not visit Bolton until Sunday, March 29th, when he preached in the afternoon and evening in the Temperance Hall. His lecture there on the subject of "American Slavery" was given on Tuesday evening, March 31st. The report entitled "The Rev. W. C. Denison on American Slavery" was published in The Bolton Chronicle (4 April 1863), p. 7. See also The Bolton Chronicle (28 March 1863), p. 1.
The first was on February 9, 1863, when the chair was taken by Robert Smalley. A report of it entitled "The American War.-- Public Meeting in Bolton" was published in the Bolton Chronicle (14 February 1863), p. 7. The second meeting, at which James Barlow presided, was on the evening of Tuesday, February 24th.
i.e. engrossed.
This will have been the report: "Anti-slavery Meeting at the Temperance Hall" published in the Bolton Chronicle (28 February 1863), p. 7. Over 2,000 people crowded into the Hall to hear the case for the North presented by James Barlow and others, including Andrew Jackson, "the coloured ex-coachman" to Jefferson Davis. When a speaker sympathetic to the South attempted to address the meeting, there was an uproar which Barlow was unable to control. The resolution which was eventually passed "with only about four dissentients" read:
That this meeting, being convinced that slavery is the cause of the tremendous struggle now going on in the American States and that the object of the leaders of the rebellion is the perpetuation of the unchristian and inhuman system of chattel slavery, earnestly prays that the rebellion may be crushed and its wicked object defeated, and that the Federal government may be strengthened to pursue the emancipation policy till not a slave be left on the American soil; and that a copy of this resolution be sent to his Excellency the President of the United States.
The new Church was opened on April 3, 1863. See "Dedication of the Congregational New Church, Bolton" in The Bolton Chronicle, (4 April 1863), p. [5].
The report of the opening of the new chapel in Park Street, Chorley Road which was dedicated on 4 March, was published in the Bolton Chronicle (7 March 1863), p. 7.
James Clapham was the minister of Wesley Chapel, Bolton when Finney was there. He went to the George Yard Methodist Church in Hull in 1860. See William Hill, An Alphabetic Arrangement of all the Wesleyan-Methodist Ministers, and Preachers on Trial, in connection with the British and Irish Conference (London: Wesleyan Conference Office, 1869), p. 27.
Under the date, January 2, 1860, Mrs Finney wrote in her Journal: "Three young lads came to see Thomas two of them went home hoping the other resisted the truth - the two Claphams."
James Ernest Clapham (1843-1897), became a Wesleyan Methodist minister in 1865, and achieved some distinction, both in evangelistic work and in the administration of Connexional finance. In particular he became a prominent advocate for the cause of local preachers within Methodism. See Minutes of the Methodist Conference (London: 1897), pp. 32-34; Local Preacher's Magazine (April 1897), p. 102; and Jabez Broadbent, "Rev. Chas. G. Finney. The Apostle of Modern Evangelism." No. III, Local Preacher's Magazine (London), Vol. 40 (April 1890), p. 105.
The Prince of Wales was married to Princess Alexandra of Denmark on Tuesday, March 10, 1863.