Charles Finney

The revival preacher had no patience for distractions. But was he right?

Father of American revivalism

Personal reflections, in Finney's own words, about, among other things, his relationship with God, his baptism in the Holy Ghost, Heaven & Hell, perfect peace & blessedness, and his inward struggles with the death of his first wife.

As the outstanding preacher and pastor on the Oberlin faculty, Finney gave numerous pastoral lectures on the proper manners of ministers. Much of his advice was on relating to the opposite sex, but he also directed those young men under his care on personal conduct and cleanliness. Fortunately for us some notes by his students remain to inform us of these priceless lessons—laughter was, no doubt, not. unknown in Mr. Finney's classrooms. This excerpt is from Fletcher's History of Oberlin College.