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Charles Finney
Charles Grandison Finney (1792–1875). Born on August 29, 1792, in Warren, Connecticut, Charles Finney was an American Presbyterian minister and a leading figure in the Second Great Awakening. Raised in a non-religious family, he studied law in Adams, New York, until a dramatic conversion in 1821, when he experienced a vision of Christ, abandoning law for ministry. Largely self-taught in theology, he was licensed by the Presbyterian Church in 1824 and began preaching in western New York, sparking revivals with his direct, emotional sermons and “new measures” like the anxious bench. His campaigns in cities like Rochester (1830–1831) led to thousands of conversions, influencing social reforms like abolitionism. In 1835, he joined Oberlin College as a theology professor, later serving as its president (1851–1866), promoting Christian perfectionism and co-educational, anti-slavery values. Finney authored Lectures on Revivals of Religion (1835) and Systematic Theology (1846), shaping evangelicalism. Married three times—Lydia Andrews (1824, died 1847), Elizabeth Atkinson (1848, died 1863), and Rebecca Rayl (1865)—he had six children. He died on August 16, 1875, in Oberlin, Ohio, saying, “The moral law of God is the only standard of holiness.”
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Charles Finney addresses the members of the Presbytery of Troy, emphasizing the necessity of unity among believers as expressed in the scripture, 'Can two walk together except they be agreed?' He highlights that agreement in faith and purpose is essential for advancing the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. Finney expresses his hope that the publication of his sermon will inspire and promote this unity among the church members. He acknowledges the spontaneous nature of his sermon and submits it for their consideration, praying for God's blessing on their efforts.
Letter - to Members of the Presbytery of Troy
[Published in Charles G. Finney, A Sermon, Preached in the Presbyterian Church at Troy, March 4, 1827, by the Rev. Charles G. Finney, from Amos III. 3: Can two walk together except they be agreed? (Troy, N.Y.: Tuttle and Richards, 1827), page 2.] TROY, MARCH 30th, 1827. REV. CHARLES G. FINNEY, Dear Sir&emdash;Believing that the publication of the sermon you preached in this city, soon after opening the present session of the Presbytery of Troy, from the text, "Can two walk together except they be agreed," will essentially tend to advance the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom; we, members of said Presbytery, earnestly request a copy of the same for the press. Affectionately yours, in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, Samuel W. May, John Younglove, I. B. Goodrich, Amos Savage, Nathan S. S. Beman, John B. Shaw, John P. Cushman, Thomas Fletcher, Jonathan Kitchel, John Hendricks, John E. Baker, Zebulon R. Shepherd, Joseph Brown, Timothy Graves. Thomas McGee, &emdash;oOo&emdash; BRETHREN, The discourse mentioned in your communication, and which you request for the press, was altogether an extemporaneous one. Since preaching upon that subject, I have hastily sketched down the principal thoughts, and if you are of opinion that it will, in any degree, promote the object mentioned in your request, I submit it to your discretion, with my humble prayer that God may add his blessing. Yours in the bonds of the Gospel, C. G. FINNEY. Troy, 30th March, 1827.
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Charles Grandison Finney (1792–1875). Born on August 29, 1792, in Warren, Connecticut, Charles Finney was an American Presbyterian minister and a leading figure in the Second Great Awakening. Raised in a non-religious family, he studied law in Adams, New York, until a dramatic conversion in 1821, when he experienced a vision of Christ, abandoning law for ministry. Largely self-taught in theology, he was licensed by the Presbyterian Church in 1824 and began preaching in western New York, sparking revivals with his direct, emotional sermons and “new measures” like the anxious bench. His campaigns in cities like Rochester (1830–1831) led to thousands of conversions, influencing social reforms like abolitionism. In 1835, he joined Oberlin College as a theology professor, later serving as its president (1851–1866), promoting Christian perfectionism and co-educational, anti-slavery values. Finney authored Lectures on Revivals of Religion (1835) and Systematic Theology (1846), shaping evangelicalism. Married three times—Lydia Andrews (1824, died 1847), Elizabeth Atkinson (1848, died 1863), and Rebecca Rayl (1865)—he had six children. He died on August 16, 1875, in Oberlin, Ohio, saying, “The moral law of God is the only standard of holiness.”