- Charles G. Finney An Autobiography
- Preface
- Birth And Early Education
- Conversion To Christ
- Beginning Of His Work
- His Doctrinal Education And Other Experiences At Adams
- Preaching As A Missionary
- Revival At Evans’ Mills And Its Results
- Remarks Upon Ministerial Education
- Revival At Antwerp
- Return To Evans’ Mill
- Revival At Gouverneur
- Revival At De Kalb
- Revival At Western
- Revival At Rome
- Revival At Utica, New York
- Revival At Auburn In 1826
- Revival At Troy And At New Lebanon
- Revival In Stephentown
- Revivals At Wilmington And At Philadelphia
- Revival At Reading
- Revivals In Columbia, And In New York City
- Revival In Rochester, 1830
- Revivals In Auburn, Buffalo, Providence And Boston
- Labors In New York City In 1832, And Onward
- Early Labors In Oberlin
- Labors In Boston And Providence
- The Revival In Rochester In 1842
- Another Winter In Boston
- First Visit To England
- Labors In The Tabernacle, Moorfields, London
- Labors In Hartford And In Syracuse
- Labors In Western And In Rome, 1854-5
- Revival In Rochester In 1855
- Revivals In Boston In 1856-57-58
- Second Visit To England
- Labors In Scotland And In England
- Work At Home
Preface
PREFACE.
THE author of the following narrative sufficiently explains its origin and purpose, in the introductory pages. He left the manuscript at the disposal of his family, having never decided, in his own mind, that it was desirable to publish it. Many of his friends, becoming aware of its existence, have urged its publication; and his children, yielding to the general demand, have presented the manuscript to Oberlin College for this purpose.
In giving it to the public, it is manifestly necessary to present it essentially as we find it. No liberties can be taken with it, to modify views or statements which may sometimes seem extreme or partial, or even to subdue a style, which, though rugged at times, is always dramatic and forcible. Few men have better earned the right to utter their own thoughts, in their own words. These thoughts and words are what the many friends of Mr. Finney will desire. The only changes that seemed allowable, were occasional omissions, to avoid unnecessary repetition, or too minute detail, or, at times, references that might seem too distinctly personal. The narrative is, in its very nature, personal, involving the experiences both of the author and of those with whom he had to do; and to these personal experiences it, in great part, owes its interest and its value. As the narrative presents the memories and heart-yearnings of a veteran pastor, with a passion for winning souls, it is hoped and believed that, in its personal references, it will not be regarded as having transcended the limits of Christian propriety. For the most part, the lapse of time sets aside all question.
Here and there perhaps, the statements in the narrative may seem inadequate, as involving only a partial view of facts. It will be remembered that such partial views belong to all personal observation and opinion, and each one will naturally supply the correction that seems to be demanded.
J. H. F. OBERLIN COLLEGE, January, 1876.