- Home
- Speakers
- Charles Finney
- Letter To Jedediah Burchard
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.”
Download
Sermon Summary
Charles Finney writes to Jedediah Burchard about the powerful revival taking place, describing the intense emotional responses of individuals as they encounter the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes the importance of preaching truth boldly and directly, arguing that the effectiveness of ministry is often hindered by a softened approach to the gospel. Finney notes the opposition he faces but remains encouraged by the conversions happening in response to fervent prayer and the Spirit's movement. He urges Burchard to continue in faith and to trust in God's power to transform lives through the unvarnished truth of the gospel.
Letter - to Jedediah Burchard
To Jedediah Burchard 28 July 1826 [Present whereabouts unknown. It came up for auction at Swann Galleries in New York in a sale of Autographs on 6 November 1997. Oberlin College Archives obtained a photocopy.] Jedediah Burchard (1791-1864) was a prominent revivalist who was associated with Finney in their early labours. Address: Rev. Jedediah Burchard. Sackets Harbor. Jeff. Co. N. York. Postmark: AUBURN. N.Y. July 28 Letter: Auburn 28th July 1826 My Dear Burchard. Your letter came to hand last night & 12 oClock. I think I can in some measure enter into your feelings & will try to pray for you. The State of things here was horrid when I came. But God seems to have taken hold in his great strength. Opposition is dreadful. Something like 36 had obtained hopes previous to last evening. At our meeting of inquiry last night the blessed Spirit came like a "mighty rushing wind." The people were thrown into awful consternation. They Strewed the floor & rolled & writhed in dreadful agony. It was wonderful to see them come in to the Kingdom one after another & begin to pray in dreadful distress for others that lay around them. How many got into the liberty I can not say, as the confusion & distress were so great. Mr Lansing says he can count 12 that he remembers. How many more there may be that came [page 2] into the kingdom there I dont know- To give you a description of this meeting were imppossible. Almost all the conversions here as yet have occurred at, or immediately after a meeting of inquiry. I have seen the same - in other places. Almost all are converted on the spot, in direct answer to prayer, to all appearance. Church here not awake. Some even of them oppose most bitterly. But O Dear Burchard, God is here!! How it will eventuate God only knows. They come out against me here, as usual, in the newspapers. God have mercy on them. difficulty All their [difficulty] seems to be with my manner of exhibiting truth - for they confess that it is the truth. Now Burchard I am more & more convinced every day that much, very much, & infinitely more than has been supposed, is depending on the plain pointed, cutting, severe manner of applying truth to the conscience & heart. I believe that this was the character of christ's preaching- [page 3] This made them say "he hath a Devil & is mad why hear ye him." If our ministers preach the same gospel that he preached, why do so many sinners love & sp[e]ak well of them? Not because they are better [ ] nor because they preach in a better mann[er] nor because human nature is altered, nor has the true gospel become more palatable to wicked men. I most solemnly believe that the defect lies in the manner so far as human instrumentality goes. Our ministers soften down the tone of their preaching & this takes off the edge for fear of giving offence. O may God lead us all in the right way. "Be not afraid [ ] , says God, "lest I confound thee before them.["] If a man fears to force home truth with all his strength upon his congregation, I believe that his unbelief will provoke the Spirit, that no blessing will follow, "whatever is not of faith is sin" unless we absolutely trust in God to give effect, & believe that he will give effect to his word, we sin. O that Ministers would take the sword of the Spirit out of its scabbard & take of the garland of flowers from its blasing edges, they would find that it would cut, & "pierce to the dividing assunder of soul & spirit". This place & region is getting into a tremendous uproar. A Revival has commenced in Cayuga. I have been there twice. [along the left margin of page 3] Several there, were converted many more convicted. People that come here from a here distance are smitten [here] & I hope they will scatter the fire Lydia says give my love to Mr. & Mrs Burchard. Yours in haste. C. G. Finney
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.”