G Frederick Wright

A Biography of Charles Grandison Finney G Frederick Wright

G. Frederick Wright's superb account of one of America's greatest ministers and Christian leaders of the 19th century is published here anew.

First printed over a decade after death of the subject, following years of research on the part of the biographer, this biography follows the phases of G. Frederick Wright's life and religious growth. We begin with his gravitation towards the Christian cause, and his ordainment and theological preparation. The inner thoughts of Finney, and his growing consideration of God as a guiding force in life, are examined through use of documents and accounts of the time.

Put to the task of heading the revivalist movement, it was here that Finney made his mark as a naturally gifted and persuasive speaker. His contributions helped the Christian revival cause greatly in the 1820s and 1830s; Finney was an innovator in church services, allowing both sexes to pray together and women to pray out loud, with sermons prepared to allow room for spontaneity and occasional lively deviation from the set topics.

Finney was also one of his era's most ardent social reformers. He spent much of his career occupied with the emancipation of black slaves - a cause which he lived to see succeed in the 1860s - the education of black Americans, and the equal teaching of women of all races. Under Finney's guidance, Presbyterians became activists in encouraging reform.

Together with detailing Finney's works, G. Frederick Wright offers us a summary of his personality and character. A contemplative and cerebral Christian, Finney is revealed as a man to have evolved an effective personal philosophy and a worthy inspiration to all Christians to this day.