Remembering Charles Finney (1792-1875)
Tony Cooke
I recently visited a couple of Charles Finney sites in Oberlin, OH. Most people think of Finney’s powerful evangelistic meetings and revivals in New York and other northeastern states, and rightly so. However, he was also associated with Oberlin College for 40 years as a professor of Theology, and also served for fifteen years as its President. In addition to visiting his grave, I also enjoyed visiting the archives department of the college library and found some real treasures.
The following two pictures are hand-written pages from Finney’s messages “Be Reconciled to God” and “Power from on High.”
Finney Related Articles on our Website
How to Preach without Converting Anybody
Preacher Save Yourself – https://tonycooke.org/riches-from-history/preacher-save-yourself/
Thoughts on Father Nash and Humble Gospel Helpers – https://tonycooke.org/articles-by-tony-cooke/thoughts-on-father-nash-and-humble-gospel-helpers/
Finney’s Testimony of Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
“But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love, for I could not express it in any other way.
It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings. No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me, and over me, and over me, one after the other, until I recollect I cried out, “I shall die if these waves continue to pass over me.” I said, “Lord, I cannot bear any more;” yet I had no fear of death. How long I continued in this state, with this baptism continuing to roll over me and go through me, I do not know.” (From Finney’s Autobiography)
Fact: To give some time-perspective on Finney, he was born one year after John Wesley died in England, and he died around the time that D. L. Moody was wrapping up highly effective evangelistic crusades in Great Britain.
I address Finney and his ministry in two of my books, Miracles and the Supernatural Throughout Church History and In Search of Paul.
https://tonycooke.org/product-category/books/
