LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1827
To Elnathan Judd
23 March 1827
[MS Group 70, Box 1.6g, Judd Family Papers, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Library, Honolulu, Hawaii.]
Elnathan Judd (1773-1845) was a physician in Paris, NY.
Address: Doct. Elnathan Judd.
Paris, Oneida co.
N. York.
Letter:
Troy 23 March 1827.
Dear Brother Judd.
Your kind letter came to
hand yesterday. I have heard [of] the transactions
in Oneida county - am not surprised much in
these days at any thing. My Dear Brother, things
seem to us to be carried forward in great confusion.
But with the blessed God there is no disorder, no
mistake, no confusion, no disappointment. All is well!
Dont be dismayed, the ark of God is safe. Be strong,
in that county, "acquit yourselves like men". Dont let us
be rash, Now is the time to "let our moderation be
known". Do all you can Dear brother to keep christians
in that county from a controversial spirit. A spirit
of party. "I am of Paul, & I of Apollos," To excite this
spirit just at this time, is doubtless Satans
object, & the occasion is peculiarly favorable
for his purpose. Here then, just now, lies our
danger. Say to all the friends of Zion, pray
& not talk much just now. The times are
too perilous, & the church & world in too great
a fermentation to say much. 'Tis better to pray, I
think, than to speak, when there is so much noise that our
voice cant be heard. I would express my gratitude for your
remembrance of me at a throne of grace. Things remain
here about in statu quo. Revival goes on in the midst
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of opposition from earth & hell. Our Brethren at the east are
certainly in great darkness with respect to the state of things
here & at the west. The fact is, the smoke has come up
from the bottomless pit & filled the & darkened the
air - lies have been hatched in hell, & have come
up like Locusts upon the face of the earth & filled
the land,& are so that they know not what to
believe. Let us pray that the wind of the spirit may
sweep away this smoke & these lies, & then we
shall all come out from und[er] the Cloud & see eye
to eye, & love eachother & serve our God better than
ever. Let us take care that we do not dash against,
& hurt each other in the dark. Satan wants to turn
our weapons against each other. O I pray God that I
may have no weapons to use in that way.
Mr. Beman's affair with Presbytery is going on.
You will hear particulars in due time.
The effect produced by the letters from the east is
here about what I suppose it is there. There are different
opinions of course. Hold still, & let us see what God
means by this. Say to Brother Waters, I have spent
3 sabbaths at New Lebanon. Revival there has become
powerful. His friend Tildens family deeply affected
I believe Mr. T. began to indulge some hope before I
left. Tall Oaks, & the "Cedars of Lebanon" bow down there,
at the foot of our Emanual.
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Love to all our dear [the] friends of Jesus.
O do My Dear Doct Judd to preserve
in that region the gentle spirit of the
blessed Jesus, "who when he was reviled,
reviled not again, when he was persecuted,
threatened not, who did not strive nor cry
nor lift up his voice in the streets". Only
cultivate & keep the true spirit of prayer,
& all will be well. Give that away, &
a blighting curse will follow.
In great haste yours fraternally -
C. G. Finney.