A Voice Within
On Wednesday morning, October 10, 1821, Charles prepared himself for work while still mulling over these questions. As he set out as usual, an inner voice suddenly confronted him with a question:
“What are you waiting for? Did you not promise to give your heart to God? And what are you trying to do? Are you endeavoring to work out a righteousness of your own?”
A Revelation
The answers came just as suddenly:
“Just at this point, the whole question of Gospel salvation opened to my mind in a manner most marvelous to me at the time. I think I then saw, as clearly as I ever have in my life, the reality and fullness of the atonement of Christ.
“I saw that his work was a finished work; and that instead of having, or needing, any righteousness of my own to recommend me to God, I had to submit myself to the righteousness of God through Christ.”
A New Understanding
Gospel salvation seemed to me to be an offer of something to be accepted. It was full and complete. All that was necessary on my part was to get my own consent to give up my sins and accept Christ.
READ ALSO: WILLIAM AND CATHERINE BOOTH (PART 5)
A Decision
Without being distinctly aware of it, I had stopped in the street right where the inward voice seemed to arrest me. I cannot say how long I remained in that position.
However, after this distinct revelation had stood for some little time before my mind, a question seemed to be put: “Will you accept it now, to-day?”
I replied, “Yes; I will accept it to-day, or I will die in the attempt.”
Into the Woods
North of the village lay a small forest where Charles walked almost every day, provided the weather was fair. Instead of going to work, he headed away from the town to avoid the many curious onlookers. He went to the forest, where he could drop to his knees and pray as loudly as he wanted.
READ ALSO: WOMEN OF AZUSA: JULIA HUTCHINS (PART 2)
A Place of Prayer
Still afraid that someone might see him entering the woods, he sneaked along under a fence until he was out of town. Only then did he make his way into the trees.
He then went about a quarter of a mile into the forest, hiked over a small hill, and found a place where some trees had fallen together to form a partially covered enclosure. There, he made a firm decision: “I will give my heart to God, or I never will come down from there.”
A Struggle to Pray
This exact phrase had run through his mind again and again since he had left the fence and entered the woods. He climbed into the enclosure formed by the fallen trees, knelt, and set his heart to pray.
Still, the words did not come. He mumbled a little at a time, but his words felt heartless nonetheless. Each time he heard a rustle of leaves, he looked behind him, afraid that someone was watching.
Inside, he began to despair. He feared that he had somehow missed God’s grace and that it was too late for him. He felt foolish, self-conscious, and discouraged. Nevertheless, he remained determined to keep his vow: he would not leave that place unchanged.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Tale Tuesday 065
Date: 28th November, 2023
Title: : Charles Finney – The Father of Modern Revivalism(part 5)
Source: The Azusa Street Revival
Author: Roberts Liardon
Previous post
Next post
