Charles Finney and Middle-Class Revivalism

1. Charles Finney and the Second Great Awakening

Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875), revivalist preacher and author. Trained as a lawyer, Finney abandoned his legal practice after his conversion in 1821. After ordination into the Presbyterian church in 1824, Finney led missions in western NY state. Between 1826 and 1831, Finney led successful revivals in Wilmington, Delaware, Philadelphia, New York, and Rochester in 1830- 31. He became pastor at the Second Free Presbyterian Church in New York city in 1832. Finney became a professor of theology at Oberlin College, Ohio in 1835, pastor of Oberlin's First Congregational Church from 1837-72, and president of Oberlin College between 1851 and 1866. Important writings include, Lectures on Revivals in Religion (1835); Lectures on Systematic Theology (1846); Memoirs (1876).

The "Second Great Awakening" - widespread series of revivals and renewals of religious enthusiasm between 1790 and 1830.

2. The "New Measures"

The anxious seat a bench up at the front of the revival meeting for on the verge of conviction. The sinners would be surrounded by well-wishers "praying them through."

The protracted meeting.

Lyman Beecher (1775-1863), highly respected and influential minister of both Congregational and Presbyterian denominations. Initially, a bitter opponent of Finney, later reconciled to him and influenced by his theology. Pastor of the Hanover Street Congregational Church in Boston from 1827; president of Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, 1835- 1850. His move away from traditional Calvinist orthodoxy toward a theology that stressed human progress, precipitated unsuccessful charges of heresy in 1835.

3. The Urbanization of Revival

1830-33: Presbyterian numbers increased by 60,000.

4. The Theory and Theology of Revival

Class Notes from Previous Session