Dan Moorhead CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY THE FATHER OF

Dan Moorhead CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY THE FATHER OF MODERN REVIVALISM (1792 -1875)

Early Life � � � Born in Warren, Connecticut Studied as an apprentice to become a lawyer. During his training he had a dramatic conversion experience and was baptized into the church. He quit his lawyer career and became a preacher. Emphasized the will of man and employed revival techniques that became known as "New Measures"

Life as a Preacher Finney became a licensed minister in the Presbyterian Church at the age of 29. � Became known for his unconventional ways of preaching including: � �Extemporaneous preaching �Instituting his “new measures” Ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1824, Finney was soon at odds with conservative clergy � Became know for his work in defining Revivalism �

Finney’s “New Measures” Finney became known for his non conservative “new measures” � His “new measures” were a way to reach as many souls as possible. The New Measures included: � �public praying of women in mixed-sex audiences �daily services over a series of days �use of colloquial language by the preacher �the "anxious bench" �praying for people by name �immediate church membership for converts

Finney’s “new measures” continued The New Measures brought outrage to all conservative ministers in the Presbyterian church. � Finney and his followers reached a moral victory after their more orthodox colleagues held a convention at New Lebanon, NY in July, 1827 � The convention was held to stop Finney's sudden change in the church � However, nothing was done to stop Finney’s influence. �

Contribution to the pre-civil war era Finney’s new measures became a stepping stone for more liberal thinkers in a conservative era � Finney contributed to women's suffrage � Finney defined the revival, made it clear that: � � A physical change is not brought on by God, but by how to mind perceives God. � Free will is the only way to praise God. � “Finney's influence rose in tandem with that of Andrew Jackson; both addressed the issues of equality of men, and free will and self governance. ”

Works cited � "Charles Grandison Finney. " American Studies @ The University of Virginia. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http: //xroads. virginia. edu/~HYPER/DETOC/religio n/finney. html>. � Kornblith, Gary. "Charles Grandison Finney. " College of Arts and Sciences & Conservatory of Music - Oberlin College. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http: //www. oberlin. edu/external/EOG/images/Cha rles. Grandison. Finney. html>