LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1851
To J. Ball & Co.
1 December 1851
The following paragraph was published in the "Literary" column of The Independent (New York), 17 June 1852, p. 99:
Restoring and Preserving Sight.--A simple invention has been introduced to public notice within a year past, by which it is claimed that sight may be preserved through life without the use of glasses, or it may be restored after glasses have been worn many years. The effect is produced by an instrument philosophically constructed, called an eye-cup, by which the cornea of the eye is gradually raised to its original convexity, causing the focus to strike the retina without the aid of convex lenses. The article is sold by J. Ball & Co., 100 Nassau-street. We lately met with a medical friend who had been himself using the cup for a short time, and he remarked that he "could now read the fine print of The Tribune without glasses." Almost the last time we had seen him before, he was trying very hard to make out the coarse print of a hymn book at a social meeting with his glasses, and then he made a very poor hand of it. Among several clergymen who have certified to their usefulness, we find the following from Prof. Finney:
"New York, Dec. 1, 1851.
"The facts in regard to the improvement of my eyesight by the use of your Eye Cups are these: I was wearing glasses of 18 inches focus. I have had them changed twice, and am now writing in a bad light with glasses of 48 inches focus, which is the lowest magnifying power used by Messrs. Pike. I can now read common print with ease with the lowest magnifying glasses. I have used them agreeably to your directions about four weeks. I see not why I may not expect in a short time to have my sight quite restored by continuing the use of the cups. I cannot but regard this discovery as of great value. Yours truly, C. G. FINNEY.
"P.S.--I am in my 60th year, and I have worn glasses about 10 years."