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Finley Letters

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Letter from G.G. West to James B. Finley

G.G. West
April 21, 1848; Blendon Circuit

Rev. West sends Finley $3.00 collected from the Blendon Circuit to support the travels of Ohio Conference delegates on their way to General Conference [May 1848, Pittsburgh]. Abstract Number - 374
Letter from James Washington to James B. Finley

James Washington
April 25, 1848; Wyandot City, Kansas

Washington encloses a Memorial from the Council of the Wyandot Nation. He asks Finley to present it on their behalf at the General Conference of 1848. Abstract Number - 780
Letter from E.B. Chase to James B. Finley

E.B. Chase
April 28, 1848; Newark

Chase begins with the hope that the General Conference of 1848 which is about to begin will be very successful. He has enclosed $4.00 to cover delegate expenses and the purchase of daily and weekly Pittsburgh Christian Advocate newspapers for folks back in Newark. Abstract Number - 376
Letter from James Laws to James B. Finley

James Laws
April 28, 1848; Kingston

Laws writes concerning the petition he has sent to General Conference, asking to be released from all or part of his debt to the Book Concern. He can barely afford to feed and clothe his wife and family. Laws asks Finley to use his influence to get the petition granted. Abstract Number - 375
Letter from E.W. Field to James B. Finley

E.W. Field
May 01, 1848; Worthington

Field says he was somewhat slow in making collections to meet the expense of the delegates to the General Conference so he did not have the opportunity to give it to Finley before he left for Pittsburgh. He encloses $12 and wishes Finley to acknowledge it immediately and let him know how he succeeds. Field indicates that he has visited Finley's interesting charge (State Prison) according to arrangement. He preached in the Chapel at 11 o'clock and after dining with Dewey (the warden), they visited the Female Department. In both cases they had a good reception. Mr. Heath made a fine impression. Abstract Number - 1095
Letter from Hiram Hobbs to James B. Finley

Hiram Hobbs
May 02, 1848; Columbus

After being released from the prison, Hiram was respectfully welcomed home by family and friends. Unfortunately, he soon came down with "lung fever", as did his son. Both of them survived, thanks to God. Hobbs and his wife have joined the Methodist Church. Abstract Number - 377
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
May 02, 1848; Zanesville

As the General Conference of 1848 approaches, Finley has asked for Young's opinions regarding the proposed division of the Church, the Plan of Separation, and the division of funds. Young writes a scathing letter, very critical of the General Conference of 1844, declaring that the delegates "did nothing but wrong." He hopes that the upcoming General Conference will declare all acts related to the possible division "null and void", but knows this is unlikely. Perhaps the best that can be done at this point is an equitable distribution of funds among the annual conferences. He is fully aware that the General Conference of 1844 did not actually divide the Church, but "it did make the south the judge of the necessity for or on which to divide the Church." He advises Finley to legislate very little and be very circumspect about what he publishes afterwards. Abstract Number - 905
Letter from J.W. Stone to James B. Finley

J.W. Stone
May 07, 1848; Rushville

Rev. Stone encloses $2.12 collected by the members of Rushville Station as their contribution towards traveling expenses of Ohio delegates to General Conference. It is coming late because Stone suffered a serious stomach hemorrhage which nearly killed him. Folks are very anxious to learn the result of the property division vote. Stone hopes the Lord will influence the vote "so as to promote His glory." Abstract Number - 378
Letter from P.A. Mutchner to James B. Finley

P.A. Mutchner
May 08, 1848; Columbus

Mutchner writes to Finley in Pittsburgh, currently a delegate to the 1848 General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church (May 1-June 1). He encloses $6.00 General Conference money from his circuit. Mutchner asks Finley to let him know what has happened at the Conference regarding the possible secession of the southern Methodists, and whether he has had an interview with Bishop Soule. Abstract Number - 827
Letter from James Savage to James B. Finley

James Savage
May 08, 1848; Germantown, KY

Rev. Savage has sent a Memorial to the General Conference of 1848 in the care of Brothers Wright and Tomlinson. He asks Finley to read it and help present the Memorial. The courts of Kentucky have declared that there is no Kentucky M.E. Church and there are no Kentucky M.E. members or ministers. Savage hopes that the General Conference will declare the Plan of Separation null & void. If the separation happens, he hopes that a Western Virginia and a Kentucky M.E. Conference will be formed. The members of the Germantown M.E.C have been barred from entering their own building because the courts of Kentucky have sided with the M.E.C. South. Savage hopes that justice will be done for the M.E.C. societies located within the physical bounds of the new M.E.C. South that wish to continue affiliation with the M.E.C. Abstract Number - 826
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
May 09, 1848; Zanesville

While attending the General Conference of 1848, Finley writes to Young about the proposed formation of a committee which would meet annually as a court of appeals between General Conferences. [See General Conference journal of 1848, May 5, where Presiding Bishop presents a proposal for a "Delegated Annual Conference" which would try appeals from members of annual conferences and review the constitutionality of General Conference acts.] Young strongly disagrees with this proposal, arguing that it would "unmake" General Conference altogether. Why should this "senate" meet every year if there is nothing to discuss? It would be preferable to convene emergency meetings as needed. Abstract Number - 906
Letter from George C. Crume to James B. Finley

George C. Crume
May 10, 1848; Columbus

Crume writes to suggest that the Western Christian Advocate is too large and bulky for long term preservation. He would like to see the newspaper published in a quarto form (like the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate) which would be more convenient to have and keep. Crume would like Finley and the Ohio delegation to propose this change at General Conference. On another topic, Crume argues that there should be uniformity in the way churches do benedictions. -- "Let the congregations be dismissed kneeling at the close of the last prayer as on our sacramental occasions and the good impressions made during the service will be fostered & much disorder prevented." He reports good conditions at the prison. Abstract Number - 552
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
May 10, 1848; Zanesville

Young writes a second letter to Finley, who is attending the General Conference of 1848. He again critiques the proposed "Annual Delegated Conference." Abstract Number - 907
Letter from Sons of Temperance to James B. Finley

Sons of Temperance
May 11, 1848; Mechanicsburg, OH

A request for Finley to attend and speak at a celebration of the Sons of Temperance on June 15th. Abstract Number - 1192
Letter from Samuel Bradford to James B. Finley

Samuel Bradford
May 15, 1848; Columbus

Bradford tells of the recent death of his daughter Elizabeth. Finley is attending the General Conference and Bradford expresses how much he misses him. Bradford hopes that Finley decides to stay another year as chaplain of the penitentiary should he decide to continue as Deputy Warden. "I know no man so well suited to the place." Abstract Number - 379
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
May 17, 1848; Zanesville

Finley is attending the MEC General Conference in Pittsburgh (May 1 - June 1, 1848). Young writes to Finley in the middle of the Conference to express his views on the division of church property now that the seceders have withdrawn from the MEC to form the MECS. He is adamant that the MEC should not forfeit any property to the MECS, believing that the 1844 Plan of Separation may not have forfeited legal title to churches and parsonages in the South. Young is also concerned about the funds of the Book Concern, worrying that an appropriation of funds to the seceding South will be used to pay for ineffective bishops, adversarial newspaper editors, etc. Abstract Number - 908
Letter from Laurin Dewey to James B. Finley

Laurin Dewey
May 21, 1848; Columbus State Prison

Col. Dewey writes that he is glad Finley's health has improved. Dewey was very concerned when Finley left for General Conference in Pittsburgh, fearing that he would not be able to handle the journey and his duties at the Conference. He also tells Finley that the chaplain "substitutes" are doing a fine job at the prison. Dewey expresses his best wishes and hopes to see Finley return "in good health and spirits." Abstract Number - 1096
Letter from J.M. Jameson to James B. Finley

J.M. Jameson
May 22, 1848; Somerset

Jameson discusses the "Southern Question" in connection with the General Conference which Finley is attending. Jameson has been covering the proceedings in the Advocate. He also writes about the suggested division of the Ohio Conference. Abstract Number - 828
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley Jr.
May 23, 1848; Bloomfield, IA

John writes to his Uncle James saying that he is now living in Bloomfield and practicing medicine. His mother just came with the idea of making her home there. She brought Elvira's youngest child with her. The country is very beautiful and the ground rich. He now has four boys, all going to school. William and Elizabeth are now living in Iowa. A man of about 40 by the name of Samuel Finley died and it is alleged that he has relatives in Ohio. John would like James to come for a visit, saying that James needs a rest. Abstract Number - 983
Letter from Joseph Brooks to James B. Finley

Joseph Brooks
May 28, 1848; Birmingham, IA

Joseph Brooks writes to request a letter of recommendation for Rev. Joseph McDowell. Members of the Iowa Conference would like to have McDowell serve as a presiding elder. Brooks feels that a word from Finley will carry weight with Bishop Janes. The whole matter is to be handled confidentially. Abstract Number - 445
Letter from John McMahon to James B. Finley

John McMahon
May 28, 1848; Woodsfield, Monroe County

Rev. McMahon is driving slowly home after visiting a patient and his mind wanders back to the first time he saw and heard Finley. At the time of the letter, Finley is attending the 1848 General Conference in Pittsburgh, where the "Oregon question" will be discussed. McMahon is very keen to see an M.E. conference established in Oregon. He is hopeful that the General Conference will approve it, and that many itinerant preachers will volunteer to serve in this western land. Abstract Number - 380
Letter from Thomas Beach & Committee to James B. Finley

Thomas Beach & Committee
May 29, 1848; Greenfield, OH

An invitation for Finley to address the Greenfield Division #316, Sons of Temperance. Abstract Number - 1193
Letter from William G. Mattis to James B. Finley

William G. Mattis
June 01, 1848; Dayton

Mattis writes concerning his incarcerated son, Isaac N. Mattis. The boy committed a crime under the influence of another boy. Mattis would like Finley to take good care of him in the prison, and try to get him to repent. Abstract Number - 1099
Letter from Leroy Swormstedt to James B. Finley

Leroy Swormstedt
June 09, 1848; Cincinnati

Swormstedt has ordered a ream of paper and 12,000 first-rate shingles for Finley. The total cost has been charged to Finley's account. Abstract Number - 580
Letter from John Mitchell to James B. Finley

John Mitchell
June 12, 1848; Mansfield

Rev. Mitchell (North Ohio Conference) is trying to locate law books for his son in Mansfield, and has not found them. He asks Finley to check his book store to see if they might be available there. Abstract Number - 382