LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1869
To J. P. Williston
9 July 1869
[Manuscript in Finney Papers, microfilm, roll 6, #3030a.]
The Reverend A. Ritchie, the corresponding secretary of the Western Tract and Book Society in Cincinnati which had just published Finney's book on Freemasonry, wrote to Finney on June 24th about promoting the book: "Perhaps a line from you to J. P. Williston Northampton Mass. might result in something."
Oberlin Ohio 9th July 1869.
J. P. Williston Esqr.
My Dear Brother,
I thank you for your letter of
the 5th with the enclosed check
of $20. to enable me to give
away more copies of my book
on freemasonry. I am glad
that you think so well of its
adaptedness to do good that
you are disposed to help in
its circulation. The press is
very generally afraid to commend,
or even to notice it. It is, however,
working its way. You speak of
having employed a young
man to sell it. That is a
good idea. Will it too much
interfere with duty, to tell
me how he succeeds-for what
price he sells, & how extensive
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his sales are likely to be.
Prepas that is the best way
to promote their circulation.
You speak of having heard
me preach in New York city &c
I think I never knew you personally.
Was it your adopted son that went
to Germany & made such shipwreck
of his faith? Poor fellow, I saw &
conversed with him in Boston
in 1858. He seemed to come
into the light. I have since
heard that he did not
abide in the light. Where
& how is he? But I am
asking too many questions
& taking up too much of your
time. Again I thank you
for your letter & check. I shall
send for more books to give
to certain parties immediately
My health is good at present.
I preach twice on each sabbath
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& perform my duties to my
theological class. These
labors with the care of
a very large church &
congregation keep me
busy. God bless you
my very dear Brother
C. C. Finney
Footnotes:
The Character, Claims, and Practical Workings of Freemasonry (Cincinnati: Western Tract and Book Society, 1869).
Rev. A. Ritchie wrote to Finney on June 9th, that he had sent copies "to the Independent Congregationalist Advance and a few other papers but have seen no notice of it in these papers." And on June 24th he wrote to say that about 1300 copies had been sold. "I think they are just coming into notice. I sent copies to all the papers but several have not noticed it. And some of them from whom I expected better things."
This word is probably meant to be "Perhaps".