Charles Grandison Finney was born on August 29, 1792, in Warren, a town in Connecticut, USA. In his lifetime, God used him greatly in one of the remarkable revivals of the 19th century in America and beyond. Preachers beyond America read about his works and mode of evangelism and were inspired to trust God for revival in their own land. A writer once said he is inclined to regard, Charles G. Finney as the greatest evangelist and theologian after the apostles as a result of the profound and lasting effect of his ministry.
Generations after him still draw from his teachings and life. According to Christianity today, “some Historians refer to him as the father of American revivalism. His life and ministry paved the way for men like Billy Sunday and Billy Graham.”
During his revival labor in Rochester, New York, it was recorded that the population of the city increased by two-third while crime decreased within the same period by the same figure. In the same city, businesses will close and leave notices inviting customers to attend his meetings.
According to another account, after his meetings in Governeur, New York, not a dance or theatrical play was held in the place for six years. His revival labors produced over 500,000 conversions, 85% of the converts remained true to God after their conversions according to research. Whereas it was found that in the ministry of other prominent evangelists 75% of the converts end up backsliding.
During the early days of his revival labor, he was invited to preach in a village close to where he was holding revival meetings!
He trekked to the village and after praying was led to preach to them about Sodom and Lot the only righteous man in Sodom and the destruction that came upon the city.
While he was preaching, he said he noticed the audience looking agitated as though they were going to attack him but soon they started falling off their seats to their knees in prayers one by one and he had to stop preaching as no one was paying attention to him as a result of the agony in their souls and cry to God for help. He said he was overjoyed with what God was doing he had to bury his head in a fireplace and laugh! He managed to lead them one by one to Christ and had to leave after handing over the meeting to the man that invited him so he could attend to another meeting. Well, that meeting continued till the following day and those overwhelmed by their conviction had to be moved to another place, so students could attend their classes as the venue also served as a schoolhouse.
Later, he learnt that the village was called Sodom and the man who invited him was nicknamed Lot, and that was the reason for the look of aggression in the audience, when he was preaching about the judgement that came upon Sodom.
Years later, he met a minister and Elder somewhere else who came to support what he was doing and testified they were converts from that revival meeting.
He was not just a Revivalist but also a theologian, educator, and social reformer who was involved in the fight to abolish slavery. He taught theology at Oberlin College until he was appointed as the President of the same school in 1851.
We shall by God’s grace delve into the life and works of this servant of God, however, summarily, but such that we hope can be inspiring, such that is capable by the help of the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts to set us on the path of colliding with revival!
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References:
Charles G. Finney, A Brief Biography by J. Gilchrist Lawson, www.gospeltruth.net/lawsonbio.htm
Charles Finney: Father of American revivalism https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/charles-finney.html
The Memoirs of Charles G. Finney https://www.gospeltruth.net/memoirsrestored/memrest01.htm