The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Finney, Charles G.

FINNEY, Charles G., an American preacher and author, born in Warren, Litchfield co., Conn., Aug. 29, 1792. He studied law in Jefferson co., N. Y. In 1824 he commenced the career of a preacher, and labored as an evangelist with great success until 1835, when he accepted a professorship in Oberlin college, Ohio; and in 1837 he became pastor of the first Congregational church at Oberlin. He however continued to preach in New York and elsewhere at intervals, and in 1848 went to England, where he remained three years. In 1852 he became president of Oberlin college, which position he held until 1866. His principal works are: “Lectures on Revivals” (Boston, 1835; 13th ed., 1840; new and enlarged ed., Oberlin, 1868); “Lectures to Professing Christians” (Oberlin, 1836); “Sermons on Important Subjects” (New York, 1839); and “Lectures on Systematic Theology” (2 vols. 8vo, Oberlin, 1847). All of these have passed through several editions.