LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1860
To Alice and James Barlow
26 October 1860
[Ms in Finney Papers, 2/2/2. The first three pages are by Elizabeth Finney.]
Oberlin - Ohio
My very dear Mrs Barlow - October 26 - 1860
This is my fourth letter
to you and your dear Husband since we left
dear old England and we have received one
from each of you - I feel that I have been
adding to your cares and sometimes I
reproach myself for so doing - but I reason
thus, that I would gladly do for you just
what I have asked for ourselves - You
will see that Mr Finney has purchased
the scholarships for your Husband
& already I would like the use of one
of them for an English girl who is
struggling to get an Education - She was
willing to come into my family as a
cook this Winter that she might earn
money to carry her through the next
Summer - after that, by teaching in a
common school, she thinks she can
earn a support for herself by teaching
Winters and studying Summers
It is very interesting to watch these
young persons as they toil on - sometimes
almost discouraged and then hopeful
this does them good - they make more
[page 2]
efficient members of society afterwards
Miss Hines seems to enjoy her studies
& adapts herself to our manners &
customs - to the changes she meets in
every thing about her - How I wish
you and your dear Husband with
Thomas could attend our meetings
at this time I think Brother Barlow
would cry - glory to God in some of our
meetings and your eyes would be filled
with tears as you heard from one and
another what God is doing for their souls
I have been interrupted by one of the good
praying Sisters coming in to tell me of
what God is doing for the members
of the institution - It is such a season
as we have not seen in Oberlin as
long as I have lived here and as
much as I have seen in days gone
past of the working of our God
in this community - On Sunday
Evg I go to the ladies Hall There
I meet a large number of young ladies
on Monday I meet about 200 more
Tuesday - Wednesday & Thursday
I hold a general meeting for
all females and beside
[page 3]
this have two other meetings a day
each day
to attend - so you see I am occupied
How are our friends the Browns - &
how are they at Mr Spence's - I have
not heard from either of these
families since I left England
We shall expect you and Mr Barlow
and Thomas - Mr & Mrs Spence
the next Summer and then
perhaps we may return with
you - Remember Mr & Mrs Brown
are to be of the party and Mr
Davison & Thomas - we
can accommodate all -
Give much love to dear Mary Ann
and to all of the children - I
long to see Mary Ann and will
she not come and see us
Give much love to your Father and
Mother and to all the dear
praying ones. Do write soon - Mr
Finney wants to write a few words
Give my love please to your servants
I hope they will abide faithful
to God - Angie and Julia are
still with us Charles came last week
and we are very happy - kiss my little
red lipped James - With much love - a heart full
E. A. Finney
[page 4]
My Blessed Br. & Sister Barlow.
I have only time just
now to tell you that I have paid
for your two scholarships one hundred
& fifty dollars. Seventy five dollars
for each. They are Nos. 107. & 108. They
are entered in the College records as
the property of James Barlow of Bolton
Lancashire England, & the use of them
by students subject to my direction.
Will you write soon & recognize my author
ity in this disposal of their use. If at any
time you wish to direct who shall use
them please inform me. Shall you send
Dear Thomas over here to school?
When do you propose to come to Oberlin.
I want now to visit England again
much more than ever before. Things both
in business, politics & religion are moving
healthfully in this country. Especially
is this true in Oberlin. We have a
more thorough work of revival now
in progress here than for many years
past. Our new catalogue shows our number
of students the last year to have been 1313.
Love abundant to you & family & all friends.
God bless you. C. G. Finney
Footnotes:
i.e. Clarissa Sara Hinds.
After a meeting that had been held in James Barlow's cotton mill attended by Finney, according to Mrs Finney, "Mr Barlow came home shouting glory" (E. A. Finney, "Journal", p. 72).