LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1859
To Theodore Jones
30 May 1859
[Extracts in the letter of Theodore Jones to Finney, dated 3 June 1859, in Finney Papers, #1687]
Theodore Jones was a member of the Third London Circuit of the United Methodist Free Churches. For Finney's ministry there, see Finney Memoirs (ed. Rosell and Dupuis, 1989), pp. 588-9.
No. 1. Upper Vernon St.
(W.C.)
June 3 1859
Revd. C. G. Finney
My dear Brother
Your esteemed favour of May
30h came in due course, I am sorry
I have not been able to reply ere this.
You say:--"a principal point of
enquiry in my last, related to the Character
& spirit of the ministers in Charge" &
again ---- I "fear to attempt revival
labours with ministers who are not
hearty in engaging, & promoting the
work themselves." and again --- "Why
do not the ministers themselves appear
in the invitation? Is the steward one
of them? The steward seemed to leave
it for you, to speak for them; but you
say nothing about the ministers".
All this may be quickly explained,
the Steward is as you conjectured one
of the local ministers -- and his mo=
=desty and Christian humility alone
prevented his saying much of a Class
of persons which included himself;
but did he not say:--- "If Mr Finney
comes amongst us, I am sure he will
find us fully prepared to co-operate with
him, both in bringing souls &c. &c" --- pray
read that part of my letter again.
[page 2]
And I added:--- "I think you will not find
any where, persons (by which I particular=
=ly meant the ministers) more devout or
that will more cordially co-operate
with yourself & Mrs Finney in an effort
to save souls." But I can say more,
this steward, as well as, I believe many
others of them heard you as often as
possible while you were in London &
your ministry made them not only
weep; but also rejoice.
You must not judge of English Methodists
by those in America
Then as to the manner of carrying on
or promoting the Cause, The Methodists
work chiefly by lay instrumentality, thus
to supply the 16 Chapels they have but two
paid ministers &endash; one of whom I suppose
when well enough will be in constant
attendance on you, his very soul is
in the work &endash; The other, Revd Robt Bushell
whom I have seen this morning is an
active, zealous, useful (younger) man &
takes the heaviest part of the work
[page 3]
I think I have now replied to all your
questions but one, you ask :&endash; "are not
those Brethren rather influenced by You?"
Certainly not; but they say "we have
heard Mr Finney ourselves"
Theodore Jones