LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1867
To Walter and Phoebe Palmer
31 December 1867
[MS in Palmer Papers, Drew University Library]
Oberlin Ohio
Dec, 31. 1867.
My Dear Br & Sister Palmer
Yours of the 23d inst came
duly to hand. I hope to see
the book you refer to.
In regard to my christian
testimony I would say that
I am writing some account
of what I have seen & experi
enced of the grace of God
in connection with revivals
of religion & with our work
here. It may not be published
until after my death. This
can not be far distant.
I should dare to undertake
revival labors abroad as I can
not endure for a length of
time the labor & excitement.
What do you both say of the
enormous spread [of] freemasonry
in the Church & especially
[page 2]
in your branch of it.
Mrs F. joins in fervent
love to Br. & Sister Palmer.
God bless you evermore
C. G. Finney.
P.S. Your visit did us
good & our people were
much interested. If you
come this way again
do not fail to call &
make us a longer visit
if you can.
Footnotes:
This letter is not in the Finney Papers.
The book was probably Pioneer Experiences; or, The Gift of Power Received by faith. Illustrated and Confirmed by the Testimony of Eighty Living Ministers, of Various Denominations. By Author of "Way of Holiness," etc, published by Walter C. Palmer Jr., in New York in 1868. Phoebe Palmer may have been writing to Finney to try and get his testimony for the book.
Finney presumably meant to write should not here.
Mr and Mrs Palmer had left New York on the 20th June 1867 on a trip to Chicago and the West. After spending Sunday, 23 June, in Erie, they went via Cleveland to Oberlin. "Their home in the latter place, was at the house of the excellent President C. G. Finney &endash; so well known for his wonderful revivalistic successes, and theological writings. After a brief and refreshing sojourn, they proceeded to the Coldwater campmeeting, in Michigan." (Richard Wheatley, The Life and Letters of Mrs Phoebe Palmer [New York: W. C. Palmer, Jr., 1876], pp. 441-2). The Lorain County News of June 26, 1867, page 3, carried the following notice in its "OBERLIN" column under "Brief Items":
Mrs. Phoebe Palmer, well known in the religious world as a writer of rare piety and ability, held several meetings in the first church last week.