LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1864
To Edwin Lamson
29 February 1864
[MS in Finney Papers 2/2/1]
Oberlin 29th. Feb. 1864.
My Dear Brother Lamson.
The good large bundle of tracts
you sent me are crd. Many thanks for them.
I want these and all the tracts on the subject
of Evangelists to be widely circulated. I do
not agree with the writer of this tract in some
of his positions. For example, He thinks the churches
should educate men, i.e. a class of men especial
ly for this office. The fact is no man should be
encouraged to act as an evangelist unless
he proves his call & endowment for this work
by his actual success in winning souls.
This wisdom & power are indispensable to his
success. Let him be educated, & if it is
found after due trial that a Divine
power & wisdom are given him & that an
'excellent spirit" is in him," let him be
ordained as an evangelist. If his success
in calling sinners to repentance, & in arousing
inefficient churches, & in aiding Pastors point
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him out as a man Called of God to
this particular department of labor then
let him be ordained to this work.
Unless he shall be proved to possess the peculiar
endowments requisite for an evangelist let
him not be put into so responsible a position.
The work of an Evangelist is a peculiar
work. A call to this work is a peculiar call.
Qualifications for this work are also peculiar.
To succeed in this work a man must have
a peculiar anointing of the Holy Spirit
But, you understand me. I shall see that
the tracts you sent me are given to those who
need them, by our students. I liked the Tract
"How shall the world be converted."? I have given
away all I had of that tract. Again allow
me to express my thanks for your check. I am
still keeping it to use if my health should
drive me away from home. Our revival work
goes on. Our students are crowding in. Families
are moving in to educate their children. Of course
there is a scramble for houses & rooms & board
ing places. I should think we are to be
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very full this term & of course shall
all have enough to do. Is there any
new development in the effort at
the Meionaon Hall? I have not be[en] quite
as well for a few days past.
Love to Mary & the children.
God Bless you Brother
C. G. Finney.
Footnote:
It is probable that Finney had intended to write recd, as he usually did, but he may have been confused, having already written re at the end of the previous word.